Did you know that 10,000,000 doctor visits every year are for urinary tract infections and that 1 out of 5 women will have one UTI in their lifetime (National Kidney Foundation, 2010).
This month’s Herbal Education post is not necessarily about UTIs, but it is focused on the entire urinary system and how herbs can be used to keep it healthy. Today, I’ll be sharing an overview of what’s taught in the 9th unit of the Online Intermediate Herbal Course at the Herbal Academy as well as 3 key takeaways and an herbal formula for a UTI infusion just in case you ever find yourself needing it.
The Urinary System
What I Studied
The ninth unit of The Online Intermediate Herbal Course is all about the urinary system, and it covers some of the following topics.
- anatomy and physiology of the urinary system
- how to urinary system works to maintain balance in the body
- structure and function of the urinary system
- drinks for healthy kidneys
- herbal actions pertaining to the kidneys
- common urinary complaints and herbal remedies
- urinary tract materia medica
Interesting Things I Learned
Below you’ll find 3 things that stood out to me most about this unit of study in HA’s Intermediate Herbal Course.
- The whole “eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day” rule has no clinical basis. According to the research of Dr. H. Valtin, a specialist in the physiology of body water balance, there are no studies to validate this guideline. Instead, it’s suggested that everyone should constantly sip water throughout the day or at the minimum, drink when you feel thirsty. I also found it interesting that they whole idea of already being dehydrated when you feel thirsty doesn’t make sense with the way our bodies work as the body begins giving signals for thirst way before dehydration occurs. Of course, ignoring these signals can lead to dehydration.
- With UTIs, there are two ways E. coli attach to the bladder wall… type 1 pili and type 2 pili. Type 2 pili are tricky and are the result of bacteria having been exposed to antibiotics. This creates a stronger bond and allows for pathogenic colonization.
- There are many interconnections between the urinary system and other body systems, particularly the cardiovascular system. When working with a condition that has a component of toxic accumulation, the enhancement of eliminatory systems, like the urinary system, is most often a part of the protocol. Examples include acne and arthritis.
A Recipe To Share
The following is a formula you can make and use as an infusion when you think you may be getting a UTI.
UTI Infusion
Ingredients:
- 2 parts marshmallow root
- 2 parts cornsilk
- 2 parts couchgrass
- 2 parts horsetail
- 1 part uva ursi
Directions:
- Add one teaspoon of the above blend to 8 ounces of hot water.
- Infuse 10-15 minutes.
- Drink hot, 4-5 times a day.
So there you have it! This is what is covered in the ninth unit of The Online Intermediate Herbal Course from the Herbal Academy. Be sure you check out HA’s online herbal programs, introductory, intermediate, and advanced, if you’re interested in getting an herbal education that is convenient, affordable, scientific based, and will meet you wherever you’re at!
Do you have any questions about the programs at The Herbal Academy? Ask away in the comment section below, and I’ll answer them in next month’s Herbal Education post!
REFERENCES:
- https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/uti.pdf