Urinary problems range from mild to severe and include urinary tract infections, benign prostatic hyperplasia, water retention and kidney diseases. Herbs have a long history of treating many forms of urinary disorders. Taken as teas or tinctures, herbs relieve the symptoms of urinary problems and protect organs in the urinary system from toxins and damage. Urinary disorders can be life-threatening, so before self-treating with herbs, ask a doctor to diagnose the exact cause of the disorder.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) has been used in Europe for centuries to treat urinary infections, prevent kidney stones and remove gravel, crystallized chemicals in the urine. Goldenrod is a multifunctional herb for urinary infections, because it has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic and analgesic properties. Herbalist David Hoffmann, in his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," recommends goldenrod to treat cystitis (an infection of the bladder), and urethritis (an infection of the uretha), the canal connected to the bladder through which urine passes to the exterior.
Horsetail
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is one of the oldest medicinal herbs for urinary tract infections. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and a mild diuretic. Traditionally, horsetail is indicated for incontinence because of its astringent actions. Horsetail also has anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate gland--a disorder marked by inflammation and difficult, painful and frequent urination. A study published in the 2007 issue of Phytomedicine found that a botanical formula containing horsetail was an effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory against benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Bearberry
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a urinary antiseptic. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink said bearberry is traditionally used to treat cystitis, inflammation of the renal kidney, painful urination and excess uric acid in the urine. It works through a number of metabolic changes that produce the chemical hydroquinone, which is active against bacteria and fungi. Van Wyk and Wink said hydroquinone also acts as an astringent on the walls of the urinary tract.
Dandelion Leaf
Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) is a popular herb for treating water retention. Water retention can have many causes--including malfunctioning kidneys, pre-menstrual tension, heart problems, high blood pressure or pregnancy. Dandelion leaf acts as a diuretic and begins to relieve retained water within a few hours. Herbalist David Hoffmann cites dandelion leaf as one of the most effective diuretics to treat urinary retention problems.
Chinese Rhubarb
Chinese rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum) has antinephrotoxic properties, meaning that it protects the kidneys against toxins. The herb is rich in antioxidants--including quercetin, gallic acid and hyperin--which destroy free radical molecules that damage cells and organs. A study published in the 2007 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that free radicals are involved in most chronic kidney diseases, and that antioxidants are effective against free radical damage. The researchers tested 55 urinary herbs and found that Chinese rhubarb root was one of the most protective of the kidneys and other organs in the urinary system.
References
- "Phytomedicine"; Relevance of anti-reactive oxygen species activity to anti-inflammatory activity of components of eviprostat, a phytotherapeutic agent for benign prostatic hyperplasia; Oka M, Tachibana M, Noda K, Inoue N, Tanaka M, Kuwabara K; August 2007
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Antioxidant capacity of 55 medicinal herbs traditionally used to treat the urinary system: a comparison using a sequential three-solvent extraction process; Wojcikowski K, Stevenson L, Leach D, Wohlmuth H, Gobe G; January-February 2007
