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Bladder health is something many people struggle with in silence — whether it is the discomfort of a urinary tract infection, the inconvenience of an overactive bladder, or the gradual changes that come with ageing. In my experience, bladder complaints are among the most responsive to herbal treatment, particularly when addressed early and comprehensively. Herbs like uva ursi, corn silk, buchu, and couchgrass have a long and well-documented history of use for the bladder, and more recent research has validated much of this traditional knowledge. The posts in this section cover the full range of bladder complaints and the herbal options available for each.
ASOHM News
29 March 2021
Common club moss is found world-wide and grows abundantly in moors and dry, evergreen forests. However, if the forests are cut down, the plant shrivels up and turns yellow due to the direct sunlight. Common club moss thrives in acidic, well-composted habitats while being sheltered with shade. The plants develop yellowish spikes which yield spores […]
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ASOHM News
15 June 2020
Oedema is the medical term for fluid or water retention and it occurs when excess fluids build up inside the body, in the circulatory system or within tissues and cavities. Oedema however, while having nothing to do with fluid intake, has everything to do with malfunctioning organs. It is almost certainly the result of sluggish kidneys not […]
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ASOHM News
6 November 2019
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) was probably the first cosmetic herb, setting the scene for the popularity of cosmetic surgery centuries after Nicholas Culpeper wrote in 1649: “When drank and outwardly applied, it helps women who have over-flagging breasts, causing them to grow less and be hard”. Today, the surgeon’s scalpel performs that task and Lady’s […]
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ASOHM News
17 September 2019
The German healer Sebastian Kneipp (1821–1897) once said: “Many people died while the herbs that could have cured them, grow on their graves” and I wholeheartedly agree with him. The finest books in the world have remained unread for centuries, which makes me wonder how effective some of the hidden herbal cures are, if used in place […]
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ASOHM News
31 May 2019
The History & Folklore of Agrimony Agrimony or Agrimonia eupatoria is named after Mithridates Eupator, King of Pontus (132-63 B.C.) who was a renowned concoctor of herbal remedies. The plant is native to Europe, belongs to the rose family, and is one of the most graceful of the smaller herbs. Traditional folklore states that if […]
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ASOHM News
23 April 2019
In recent years, asparagus has been promoted and enjoyed as a “superfood” but, like so many foods and plants which are constantly being “rediscovered”, asparagus predates recorded history. In fact, it is first recorded as being used for food in 200 BC, and the Greeks and Romans boiled it so quickly that they developed a […]
Read article →Bladder health encompasses a range of conditions from acute infections to chronic irritability. The herbs discussed here address different aspects of bladder function — some are antimicrobial, some are anti-inflammatory, and some soothe and tone the bladder tissues. As always, significant symptoms or recurrent infections should be medically assessed.
Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is the primary antimicrobial herb for lower urinary tract infections — it is most effective when urine is alkaline (avoiding acidic foods and taking sodium bicarbonate can help). Corn silk is soothing for the irritated bladder. Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) prevents bacterial adhesion and is best used preventatively. Buchu (Agathosma betulina) is a South African herb with urinary antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Mild, uncomplicated lower UTIs in otherwise healthy adults may respond well to herbal treatment, particularly if started immediately at the first signs. However, if symptoms are severe, include fever, involve blood in the urine, or have persisted for more than 48 hours, medical assessment is essential — ascending infections affecting the kidneys (pyelonephritis) require antibiotic treatment. Do not delay medical care in these situations.
An overactive or irritable bladder — characterised by urgency and frequent urination — can benefit from antispasmodic herbs. Corn silk is soothing and anti-inflammatory. Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) is antispasmodic and can help reduce bladder urgency. Pumpkin seed extract has some evidence for reducing overactive bladder symptoms. Reducing caffeine and alcohol is also important.
Cranberry works not by acidifying the urine (a common misconception) but by preventing E. coli bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder and urethra. This makes it effective as a preventative measure rather than a cure for active infection. Regular use can significantly reduce the frequency of recurrent UTIs.
Yes — the shorter female urethra means bacteria reach the bladder more easily, making urinary tract infections far more common in women. Post-menopausal women are particularly susceptible due to changes in urethral and vaginal tissues. Topical estriol (a weak oestrogen) is sometimes used medically; herbal alternatives include phytoestrogenic herbs such as red clover.
Lesson 4 of our course covers the entire urinary system — including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra — their physiology, the disorders that affect them, and the herbal treatments with the best evidence and tradition of use.
Very much so. Adequate water intake, reducing caffeine and alcohol (both irritate the bladder), maintaining a healthy weight, pelvic floor exercises, and avoiding prolonged holding of urine are all important for bladder health alongside any herbal support.
The urinary system is one of twelve body systems we explore in depth in our course. If you want to understand bladder health — and the herbs that support it — from a thorough, physiological perspective, our Lesson 4 is an excellent starting point. View lesson packages and enrol today.