Herbal Medicines For Bladder Disorders

Some alternative approaches may help promote the natural passage of small bladder stones and also prevent their recurrences (large, obstructive stones require prompt medical attention). Otherwise, alternative therapies are useful primarily for symptomatic relief.
Acupuncture
Stimulation of points along the urinary bladder, kidney, and stomach meridians may ease pain and facilitate the passage of stones. Similarly, acupuncture needles placed along the bladder, liver, kidney, and spleen meridians are said to help relieve pain.

Herbal Medicine
Herbalists recommend a tea made from varsity leaves to treat bladder stones and other urinary disorders. Other herbal remedies include teas made from goldenrod, watermelon seeds, or marsh mallow root.
Nutrition Therapy And Naturopathy
For bladder stones, a therapist may advise taking daily supplements of 10 milligrams of magnesium and 10 milligrams of vitamin B6 to reduce calcium oxalate, a substance found in some stones. To reduce the formation of oxalate stones, she might suggest adopting a low salt diet and not taking vitamin C supplements. Limiting such oxalate-rich foods as spinach, chard, beet greens, and rhubarb, as well as tea and chocolate, also may help. To help prevent restricts, naturopaths suggest a regular intake of citrus fruits and juices to acidify the urine, which may help stop bacterial growth Blueberry and cranberry juices also contain a compound that inhibits the growth of bladder bacteria.
Self Treatment
Self care can playa significant role in both the treatment and prevention of bladder disorders. Extra fluids dilute the urine, helping to prevent restricts as well as bladder stones, and also to pass those that may have formed. Avoiding legumes, organ meats, and other foods high in urine may help. If bladder stones contain calcium, lowering calcium intake may be a good idea, but this should be done only under a doctor's supervision, because too little calcium can contribute to osteoporosis. In any event, avoid high dose calcium supplements and calcium based antacids. Inactivity can also increase calcium in the urine. Other measures to alleviate bladder problems include the following:
Don't delay urination. Holding urine increases bladder irritation.
Bathe daily, but avoid perfumed soaps, bubble baths, genital deodorants, and feminine hygiene products, which can irritate the genital area and set the stage for restricts. Empty the bladder before sex. Afterwards, drink a glass of water and wait an hour to urinate again. This allows the bladder to fill enough to flush out bacteria. Using a mild, unscented, and water soluble lubricant or contraceptive foam or jelly (which is bactericidal) during intercourse can make penetration easier and lessen trauma to the urethra and bladder.
Other Causes of Bladder Problems
Interstitial cystitis, marked by inflammation of the bladder wall without an active infection, can also cause chronic, debilitating bladder pain, especially in women. In men, an enlarged or inflamed prostate (prostatitis) may cause similar problems. Stress, too, can manifest itself in urinary tract problems, especially an irritable bladder Following menopause, many women experience increased urinary urgency, even when the bladder is relatively empty.

Herbal Medicines for Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva-the transparent membrane that lines the eyelids and the eyeball. Conjunctivitis is caused by a highly contagious viral or bacterial infection or by an allergic reaction in the eye. Infants that are born with blocked tear ducts sometimes develop conjunctivitis (surgery can correct this condition). Regardless of the cause, the symptoms for conjunctivitis are the same.

When caused by a bacterial or viral infection, conjunctivitis is highly infectious and can spread quickly. When an infected person touches a door-knob, telephone, keyboard, or other surface after rubbing her eye, the virus or bacteria is transmitted to that surface. If another person touches the infected surface then later rubs his eye, he may develop conjunctivitis. Symptoms usually appear within two days after contact with the bacteria or virus.

Signs and Symptoms

Burning, itching, watering, and redness in one or both eyes

Yellowish discharge in the eye that forms a crust at the lash line during sleep

Light sensitivity

Conventional Medical Treatment

If you think you have conjunctivitis, visit a doctor for a checkup. Your doctor may analyze the eye discharge to see what type of conjunctivitis you have, and, thus, determine a treatment strategy. To treat bacterial conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops. If your conjunctivitis is caused by an allergy, an antihistamine may help. Viral conjunctivitis is typically not treated with medication.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation

Vitamin A is necessary to maintain good health of the eyes and the membranes that line the inner eye socket. combine vitamin A with vitamin C and zinc, which help the body fight infections, including conjunctivitis.

Nutritionists recommend the following dailY supplements for treating conjunctivitis:

vitamin C (2000 to 6000 mg in divided doses)

vitamin A (50,000 IU for 1 month, then reduce to 25,000 IU daily; do not exceed 8000 IU daily if you are pregnant)

zinc (50 mg)-use lozenge form

(For an acute condition, take supplements until your symptoms subside. If symptoms persist, seek the advice of your healthcare provider. For a chronic condition, consult your healthcare provider regarding the duration of treatment.)

Homeopathy

Conjunctivitis may respond to homeopathic treatment. However, the selection of a remedy-more than one is available-depends on your symptoms and the stage of the condition. Don't try treating this disorder yourself. See a homeopathic professional.

Hydrotherapy

Apply alternating hot and cold compresses several times daily to temper the-itching, inflammation, and gritty feeling that accompanies conjunctivitis. Use the hot compresses for 2 to 3 minutes; follow with cold compresses for 20 minutes.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture Because practitioners generally attribute conjunctivitis to a damp-heat condition, they typically treat with acupuncture therapy for damp-heat syndrome. The acupuncturist typically focuses on various points along the liver meridian, along with the eye, liver, and related organ points on the ear.

Acupressue Acupressure can be helpful in relieving inflammation and calming irritation. Points that may be targeted are Liver 3 on the foot, Stomach 36 near the knee, and related eye points on the temple and ear.

Chinese Herbal Therapy The herbalist begins by assessing whether the conjunctivitis is caused by an allergy, infection, poor nutrition, or stress. Soaked, big, chrysanthemum flowers laid on eyes will soothe and cool. Patent medicines prescribed may include Ming Mu Shang Ching Pien or Niu Huang Shang Quing Wan