Female troubles....

[Occamstazer]

Weeeelll...I know how to chart ovulation, but that wouldn't be good enough for me, I'd still chew my nails to the wrist worryin' about it

 

[patandchickens]

Gotta agree with the recc for _Taking Charge of Your Fertility_. I doubt I'd have two kids (at ages 40 and 43) without it. The author possibly overestimates the universality and reliability of things, but not IMO by much and at least for 98% of women it is a REALLY useful book. I cannot fathom why these things are not taught in high school. Well ok I understand it perfectly well but think it is =wrong=

Noobiechickenlady, it is mostly about a variety of signs in your body that help you know where in your cycle you are, and some quantitative methods for charting those signs to either avoid or achieve pregnancy, depending on which you're wantin'.

I've known a lot of people have quite good results with cranberry juice in getting rid of UTI's -- the REAL, UNSWEETENED, expensive stuff, or just eating a whole lot of cranberries or blueberries, without adding much sugar to them. Yes, it's not to everyone's tastebuds' greatest preference, but then you have to think about how much you like UTIs either People can 'tolerate' all sorts of things if they are motivated.

Pat

 

[Occamstazer]

About the straight real cranberry, I mix it into a spritzer with sprite zero, or mix it into a glass of tea with some stevia. That way it's yummy. You gotta drink tons, but you'll enjoy it

 

[Mackay]

Mackay, the cranberry (and other deep colored berries like free mentioned, blueberries especially) are supposed to make the lining of the urinary track "slicker" so the bacteria don't adhere & multiply. Since the bacteria are being flushed from your system when you urinate, lessening the numbers your body has to fight off; I'm not sure how that would put you at risk. Would you explain, please?

?

I dont think you really read my post. I explained how the cranberry juice prevents adherance of bacteria to the walls of the bladder.

My issue with it is if bacteria are just slipping past and not imbedding in the tissue, you still have a bacteria issue even though you may not be feeling it. Your urine is pathogenic. Urine should be steril like the blood. No pathogens. If pathogens continue to be there, just not imbedding, you are still at risk. I would not have this for myself or anyone else.

I prefer an outright kill of pathogens and preferably with homeopathy which will boost the immunity so the body can destroy the pathogen on its own. But the others methods I mentioned will do an outright kill also without concern for developing resistant bacteria.

This is why I suggest D-mannose an absolute last resort. D mannose prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder. It is easy to use and highly effective if that is the path you have chosen but it will not cure an infection and I doubt cranberry juice will either in most cases. I guess it might be possible for the infection to flush away if it cannot imbed. But if it comes back in a couple of months then you know you never cured it nor had you elevated your dynamic resistance to infection.

 

[Beekissed]

But, in a SHTF scenario, how many of us would have access to even cranberry juice? I don't know of anyone growing them around here, so what is a good alternative?

I mean herbs or methods that are found or can be grown by the common gardener or forager?

I have seen the herb uva ursi work on bladder infections that even cranberry could not defeat. This groundcover from the southwestern United States contains a powerful antiseptic that is activated when it reaches the urinary tract. Once there, it kills bacteria, removes infectious material, reduces inflammation and probably even strengthens the urinary tract lining. Interestingly enough, medical researchers have found that this herb works best in the alkaline environment produced by bacteria. Uva ursi enjoyed official recognition in the prescription guide known as the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as late as 1950, when it was replaced with sulfa drugs (antibiotics). In Germany, this herb is still used by doctors to treat urinary tract infection and inflammation. On the advice of herbalist and author Michael Moore, I use manzanita, a close relative of uva ursi, since it grows abundantly where I live in the northern California mountains.

For all its good, uva ursi can slightly irritate the kidneys and upset your stomach if used for more than a week or so. However, this should give you plenty of time to knock out even the most stubborn bladder infection. One way to mellow out uva ursi's harshness is by adding marshmallow to your formula. Marshmallow soothes the urinary tract and also fights urinary tract infection in a way similar to uva ursi, although it is not quite as powerful. Your best bet is to take these herbs as indicated below, then, when the symptoms have subsided, switch to cranberry, blueberry or umaboshi. You can also use a massage oil on the bladder area that contains an antiseptic essential oil such as tea tree, for extra soothing.

Other urinary tract infection fighters that you can put on your dinner plate include garlic, nasturtium and rose hips (which is high in the infection-fighting vitamin C). And next time you dine out, you should think twice before leaving your parsley garnish on your plate. One of the compounds found in parsley seeds is a basic ingredient in pharmaceutical drugs used to treat urinary infections. Since parsley seeds can be toxic in large amounts, however, you should stick to using the leaves and the root. One food that contains plenty of both parsley and garlic is the Middle Eastern salad known as tabbouleh. You can purchase this salad already prepared at many delis or you can make your own.

Several herbs reduce the inflammation and pain that often accompany a bladder infection. Marshmallow, cramp bark and especially goldenrod are good choices. Another herb that can be used to soothe irritation is purslane. Although you may not find purslane in stores, you may find this "weed" growing in your garden. This sprawling succulent is so healthful, in fact, that some vegetable gardeners have taken to planting it in their gardens. To use it, simply chop it up and add it to salads and vegetable dishes.

If you suffer from urinary tract spasms and constriction, both of which make it difficult to urinate, try taking meadowsweet, fennel seed and hydrangea. European herbalists suggest drinking a "tea" of lemon and barley water as a soothing diuretic. You can make barley water by cooking barley with a whole chopped lemon, then straining and drinking the water. Or you can get the same health benefits by dining on barley soup (in chapter 126). For other recipes to allow you to eat your way to good bladder health tabbouleh and dishes that include parsley, nasturtium flowers and garlicsee chapters 125 to 135.

Interesting, huh?

ETA: Here's the link to this site. If what they say is true, it sure would be neat to find out. Anyone have a really good medicinal herb garden?

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/66.cfm

 

[Occamstazer]

I have used a tea of uva ursi and goldenseal root in the past with very good results, Bee.

 

[Crusty McPottydoodle]

I consume vast quantities of Vitamin C. My doc told me that it's the acidity of the vit c in cranberry that makes an inhospitable environment for the bacteria. Vitamin C is not fat soluble, so any excess is flushed out of the body. I make sure there is PLENTY of excess.

Also, pee every last drop out. As was said earlier, the more bacteria you get rid of (and the more often you do it), the less they can multiply.

And of course, the cardinal rule ALWAYS wipe front to back.

 

[chipmunk]

Hey Crusty! Haven't seen you since I came over from BYH and got addicted to SS!

 

[Beekissed]

Welcome, Crusty!

ETA: Here's a great tip for UTIs that my mother never knew. Hers were dramatically lessened after I informed her to urinate after intercourse. Nine kids and she never knew that....... I felt really funny telling my mother that when she was well into her 60s!

 

[ORChick]

But, in a SHTF scenario, how many of us would have access to even cranberry juice? I don't know of anyone growing them around here, so what is a good alternative?

I mean herbs or methods that are found or can be grown by the common gardener or forager?

I have seen the herb uva ursi work on bladder infections that even cranberry could not defeat. This groundcover from the southwestern United States contains a powerful antiseptic that is activated when it reaches the urinary tract. Once there, it kills bacteria, removes infectious material, reduces inflammation and probably even strengthens the urinary tract lining. Interestingly enough, medical researchers have found that this herb works best in the alkaline environment produced by bacteria. Uva ursi enjoyed official recognition in the prescription guide known as the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as late as 1950, when it was replaced with sulfa drugs (antibiotics). In Germany, this herb is still used by doctors to treat urinary tract infection and inflammation. On the advice of herbalist and author Michael Moore, I use manzanita, a close relative of uva ursi, since it grows abundantly where I live in the northern California mountains.

For all its good, uva ursi can slightly irritate the kidneys and upset your stomach if used for more than a week or so. However, this should give you plenty of time to knock out even the most stubborn bladder infection. One way to mellow out uva ursi's harshness is by adding marshmallow to your formula. Marshmallow soothes the urinary tract and also fights urinary tract infection in a way similar to uva ursi, although it is not quite as powerful. Your best bet is to take these herbs as indicated below, then, when the symptoms have subsided, switch to cranberry, blueberry or umaboshi. You can also use a massage oil on the bladder area that contains an antiseptic essential oil such as tea tree, for extra soothing.

Other urinary tract infection fighters that you can put on your dinner plate include garlic, nasturtium and rose hips (which is high in the infection-fighting vitamin C). And next time you dine out, you should think twice before leaving your parsley garnish on your plate. One of the compounds found in parsley seeds is a basic ingredient in pharmaceutical drugs used to treat urinary infections. Since parsley seeds can be toxic in large amounts, however, you should stick to using the leaves and the root. One food that contains plenty of both parsley and garlic is the Middle Eastern salad known as tabbouleh. You can purchase this salad already prepared at many delis or you can make your own.

Several herbs reduce the inflammation and pain that often accompany a bladder infection. Marshmallow, cramp bark and especially goldenrod are good choices. Another herb that can be used to soothe irritation is purslane. Although you may not find purslane in stores, you may find this "weed" growing in your garden. This sprawling succulent is so healthful, in fact, that some vegetable gardeners have taken to planting it in their gardens. To use it, simply chop it up and add it to salads and vegetable dishes.

If you suffer from urinary tract spasms and constriction, both of which make it difficult to urinate, try taking meadowsweet, fennel seed and hydrangea. European herbalists suggest drinking a "tea" of lemon and barley water as a soothing diuretic. You can make barley water by cooking barley with a whole chopped lemon, then straining and drinking the water. Or you can get the same health benefits by dining on barley soup (in chapter 126). For other recipes to allow you to eat your way to good bladder health— tabbouleh and dishes that include parsley, nasturtium flowers and garlic—see chapters 125 to 135.

Interesting, huh?

ETA: Here's the link to this site. If what they say is true, it sure would be neat to find out. Anyone have a really good medicinal herb garden?

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/66.cfm

I have used uva ursi tincture successfully in the past for UTIs, but I don't get them often, luckily. I keep a small bottle in my "medicine chest' just in case. The only thing I take exception to in the above article is the bit about where it grows. Uva ursi is more of a northern plant, only growing at higher latitudes further south; it does seem to be pretty widespread however: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctostaphylos_uva-ursi