Urinary Tract Infections & Yeast Infections

Somewhere out there is a doctor who swears he can cure what ails you.  Cipro is the preferred antibiotic to be prescribed for Urinary Tract Infections for both men and women.  It may fix it, it may not.  What it will do is damage other areas you didn't think were related.

So what can be done about it?  There are some natural solutions you may not of thought of trying.  Natural solutions should be your first line of defense against any illness or infection.

Cranberry or Cranactin.  You can drink cranberry juice until you turn red but a single cranberry pill holds more power than a bottle.  For those unfortunate people with chronic infections, a cranberry pill twice a day keeps infections at bay.

Grapefruit Seed Extract or GSE.  Here's an interesting little known natural antibiotic.  I found this while searching to help my mother.  There is a fascinating article from some people who traveled to Africa and found that it actually helped a number of people with malaria.  The properties at work in GSE are high levels of vitamin C and E, and bioflavonoids. The important substances have an antioxidant action and can neutralize free radicals that damage cells and cause a number of illnesses.  It also has the advantage of being very safe. In the treatment of candidiasis it appears as effective as nystatin, caprylic acid, and other non-absorbed intestinal antifungal agents.  Grapefruit seed extract has no inherent toxicity and exhibits only minimal impact on beneficial intestinal bacteria.  It is non-allergenic. Even people who are allergic to citrus have had no adverse reactions.  It has varied uses not only with UTIs but also helps with the common cold and other ailments.  Handy to have a bottle of extract or pills in your cabinet.

Acidophilus.  Nature's marvel.  Basically it repopulates the gut with good bacteria, which are easily damaged with any illness.  Especially useful in yeast infections, take it for two weeks and the infection will be gone.

Marshmallow Root.  Increases the acidity of the urine thus inhibiting bacterial growth.  It helps to strengthen and cleanse the bladder.  It is a demulcent, emollient, and diuretic.  Marshmallow is the best source of easily digested vegetable mucilage which lubricates the body, protecting it against irritation and dryness.  It soothes the urinary system and is usually combined with other diuretic herbs to treat kidney and bladder inflammations, difficult or painful urination and kidney stones or gravel.  It stops bleeding in the urine.

Horsetail.  Is an active diuretic that is used if there is scanty, dark colored urine with an irritable bladder resulting in spastic urge to urinate.

Corn silk.  Corn silk is also known as corn, Indian corn, maize jagnog, Turkish corn, and yu mi xu. It has been used to treat urinary tract syndromes because of its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties for centuries. The supplement is produced from the female flower stamen (picked before full bloom) and fine soft silks about 4-8 inches long. It is a good aid to treating the pain of any inflamed/irritated mucous surfaces.