Q: Hello Susan,
Been enjoying your site for almost a year now. I'm 61 and it appears I'm beginning to have recurrent UTI's. First began in 11/2001 and I believe it was from Aspartame. The next was a few months later and I don't think my auto-treatment took care of the infection, completely. The next one after that, 9mos, later, was I believe from chemical contaminant and it was the most serious yet. This last one, 19 mos after the last was the VERY worst an frightening. I felt symptoms beginning on Thurs afternoon and by Fri early A.m. I was in such pain of such intensity it felt as a claw was inside of me attempting to pull everything out. I barely drove to the clinic and was so weak I was shaking, could hardly stand, urinating every 10-12 minutes and almost unbearable pain that wasn't like the typical burning. Then I saw not just typical red blood which can resul from a serious infection but this color was rust almost a chocolate brown color that last about maybe 6 hours. I was given a strong sulphur drug until the culture was specific and then two days later the nurse called for me to pick up Cirpofloxacin? I believe. which I read was very powerful antibio used for Anthrax.
I havn't been feeling secure about the danger of another UTI attack and worry when I feel the slightest change in sensation when I need to void and the void is only 4 oz when I feel the urgency to eliminate is more like 8 oz or more.
Anyway, I'm very concerned about going back on such a broad spectrum antibiotic and wanted your input. I've read an artical on Colloidal Silver (Soveregin Silver and one called ASAP) that are strong enough to destroy UTI bacteria and read that some herbs as ORegon Grape, Ursi Ursi? and Junper are good. I would like to try some extracts but they are a bit expensive to be taken the amt needed for UTI treatment. HOw can I make a tincture or extract at home? Do you use Pow/Leaf/or cut herb and Vodka for the the alcohol extraction?
I've been told to that being 61 and post menopausal, the decline of hormones has made more susceptible to UTIs. I'm almost fanatical about toilet habits in cleaning myself and use a tea tree/listerine solution on Baby Wipes to help disinfect the genitalia area and I change every or every other day. I just not sure what to do to keep these cursed UTI at bay and after the last Acute attack that almost hospitalized me, I've become quite afraid of them and that fear and anxiety in itself might contribute to their onset. HELP! Thank yOu.
A: Hello, I hear your desire to finally be able to relax comfortably about all this. I know from experience dealing with something so bothersome and scary, afraid of its return, I am acutely aware of anything that might signal this, so much so it adds extra stress. It would be nice to break oneself of this worry. The positive side is you are being extra attentive and aware of your body.
Have you had a chance to read this excerpt from Susun's New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way on "Bladder Infections". It does mention that some of the remedies are not good to try if you have interstitial cystitis. Are you sure this is not something you have? She has lots of suggestions for what you can do in here. The mention of Uva Ursi is listed as best taken as infusion. So for this you do not need to learn to make tinctures, and would save money by ordering the dried leaves in bulk (or perhaps harvesting if you are in such a locale).
She also mentions Yarrow that can be used as an infusion of the dried herb or as a tincture of the fresh. If you live somewhere where Yarrow is in flower right now, and prefer to make the tincture, I would be happy to walk you through how :) Same with Echinacea tincture, if you can harvest purpurea or angustifolia roots after frost, or afford to buy the Echinacea angustifolia roots dried, I would be happy to help you learn how to make the tincture too. It is quite simple and very rewarding, not to mention money-saving.
I am concerned your attention to cleanliness could be too much for the area and adding to the irritation. I think you will find the article a great help. As well, I know this topic has come up on our forum a number of times. Perhaps, if you haven't already, you would like to peruse and/or post there,http://www.herbshealing.com/wisewomanforum.htm. Please let me know what else I can do to help.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com
Q: Hello Karen,
Thank you for your swift response. I read Susan's article on Bladder infections and how to deal with them on a more natural level. What is an infusion? Heard of it but not sure. Also, are the pelvic exercises she mentined on page xxx? to strengthen the bladder and urethra.
OH, and this is confusing to me. Article mentione the risk of more infections by using soap and water to cleanse the Vulva area. I use homemade natural honey or tea tree soaps. IF you shouldn't use soap to cleanse the vulva then how do you cleanse it to remove bacteria in the area? I've been so carefully lately washing the area and using baby wipes after BM's and I get another one, it would appear that E.Coli bacteria have legs that march from the rear field to the forward front.
YOu asked if I might have Interstitial Cystitis. I have never been diagnosed with this but I was told by the nurse on this last infection that it was caused by a form of E.Coli. Must have been a mean one because I was a SMG? drug (sulphur) and then she called two days later with the specific I.D of the bacteria and I was put on Cipro. which I don't wish to take anylonger or any antiobiotic due to the broad spectrum killing of every type bacteria, including the good and I know that eventually these bacteria will develope an immunity to antibios and then...Well, that's enough to frighten me.
Have you heard that Juniper berries help with UTI's? I can get any of these herbs article suggested online but don't have that are fresh in this area. Would appreciate your walkign me through making a tincture or extract of some of the herbs I now have on hand. Thank you.
A: Hello, here is how to make an infusion of an herb. Take an ounce by weight of the herb you are infusing. When using cut and sifted bought herb, this usually equals a large handful, or two small. Put into a quart jar that has a lid; I use canning jars. Pour boiling water over the herb until the water reaches the top. As I pour I turn the jar to try to get all the herb wet, not crucial, just helps. Then cap it completely and let sit for four hours or overnight. In the morning, or after 4 hours, strain the herb out of the water into another jar or glass, and enjoy. You can refrigerate this strained infusion and keep it for another day and a half usually. Drink however you most enjoy it. I usually drink as is at room temperature. You can heat it, chill or ice it, sweeten it, or mix wiht other liquids to taste.
The pelvic floor exercise, also called Kegels, are found on page 188 of New Menopausal Years. Susun writes:
"Begin with fewer repetitions and gradually increase. Expect results within 4-6 weeks"
and then...
*"To tone vagina and bladder: Sit in a basin or bathtub with water up to your hips. See if you can suck water in your vagina and expel it. Suck in as you breathe in; push out as you breathe out. Do 20-50 times.
*"To identify and strengthen the muscles that control voiding: Next time you pee, stop the flow. Hold as long as you can (work up to at least ten seconds) before letting go and peeing again. As soon as you can, stop and hold again."
*"To improve bladder control: Pulse your urine flow by pushing the flow out very strongly, then slackening it off until it barely dribbles out, then push out strongly again, and agin slack off. As a variation, push out strongly and increase the flow powerfully, then shut it off completely. Repeat as many times as possible."
As I understand it, we also have beneficial bacteria in the area, so don't want to overclean. I use soap around the area but not in, and use water and watch how I wipe (front to back). I also try to provide a healthy environment by wearing loose natural fabrics and no underwear. The last may not be an option for some, but if wearing them I would choose loose cotton ones.
What herbs do you have on hand? To make a tincture it is best to use fresh herb. If doing this, you fill a jar of any size to the top with the fresh herb coarsely chopped enough to fit the jar. I pack it for a fairy - loose enough to be comfortable, but not too loose she falls through; tight enough she stays on top, but not so tight it is too hard. Once packed, pour 100 proof vodka on top, poking with a chopstick as you go, so the liquid gets into all air pockets. Pour until the liquid comes over the top of the herb. Cap and label with name of herb, menstruum, and date. Put in a cool place out of direct sunlight for at least 6 weeks (can be longer) before straining to use. You can use some herbs dry. I do this with Echinacea augustifolia root and some berries, like Vitex and Hawthorn. For this the ratio is 1/5 the jar with the dried herb before filling with the vodka.
I have heard about Juniper berries. In Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs, Gail Faith Edwards writes: "...Astingent juniper releases bound up uric acid, helping relieve urinary problems ..... Many American Indians used juniper berries to treat colds, coughs, urinary problems, and to build blood." She doesn't elaborate on how best to prepare the berries though. In Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West, Michael Moore writes: "Besides chewing berries, other uses are as aurinary tract disinfectant/diuretic for urethritis in acid pH urine (usually sexually transmitted) and in combination with Yerba Santa... Parts used: Ripe berries and dried needles. Preparation: Berry tincture, 1:5, 75% alcohol, 20 to 40 drops..." Both authors mention a wide number of herbs to help those dealing with infections of bladder and/or urinary tract, as well as herbs to help strengthen these areas. These are too many to list here. Perhaps you can find, through interlibrary loan, either of these books.
Please let me know if I can answer any more :)
Blessings,
Karen Joy
Q: Hello Susan,
Thank you for the info on infusions, Extracts and the Bladder-strenghtening exercises. I just purchased some 80 proof vodka (I don't drink) which means it is 40% alcohol. Will this suffice or do I need a stonger version?
I have on hand the following dried herbs I purchased at a nearby healthy food store: Parsley leaves (pow), Uva Ursi (pow) Oregon Grape root (cut) Walnut Hulls (pow) Sheep Sorrel (pow) marshmello root? (leaves)
Far as the vulva cleaning. I use a herbal soap but don't lather up inside. My main objective is to keep the E coli cleaned and far away from my urethra.
CUrious. What are infusions for over just steeping herbs in hot water like tea? How much tincture or Extract should you take for a disorder? Thanks again, Karen. have a wonderful day wherever you are.
A: Hi again.....
Infusions steep a large amount of herb for a long time, while a tea steeps a small amount of herb for a short time. Teas are more often used for herbs with essential oils, while infusions are used with herbs from which we want to get their nutrition, benefiting from the longer time and larger amount.
How much tincture one would take to support oneself depends on the person, the concern, and the herb.
Eighty proof vodka will work, but possibly won't extract as much as you would want from the herb.
I looked in the books I mentioned for the herbs you have now bought at the natural food store. Though there is mention of these herbs, these herbalists use them most often fresh from the wild, or freshly dried themselves or by someone they know. Herbs that are in a store like that are often exposed to the light nearly constantly, and it is unknown how long since they were harvested, or by whom. Then once they are processed their value degrades fast, and most of what you have is powdered. When you mentioned what you had on hand, I assumed you were referring to what grows outside your door. If it were me I would empty the powdered herbs on the compost and explore what is outside. I know this is not possible for everyone, and imagine you want to make use of what you now have. But having done this myself too long, I realized the great power in allying with a plant or two and being very picky with how I obtained it - from my own harvesting or reputable dealers, in the freshest, least alterated state. I again invite you to post this on the forum when it is back up in the next few days. There may be other women who have had more personal experience with working with these particular herbs in these forms. And this personal experience is much more invaluable than what I can quote from a book. Sorry I can't help more on that.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
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