There are several types of problems that may occur to the kidney or bladder.
Glomerulonephritis occurs when the minute filtering units of the kidney become swollen and inflamed. There are 2 forms of glomerulonephritis that affect children. Cystitis is infection of the bladder, and pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney.
Pyelonephritis can be chronic or acute. A kidney infection is often serious, requiring hospitalization.
Bright's disease involves nephritis, a chronic inflammation of the kidneys, and it is characterized by blood/protein in the urine with associated hypertension and edema. The kidney can not properly excrete salt and other wastes, resulting in retention of salt and water (edema). When the bloodstream becomes toxic with wastes due to kidney malfunction, uremia develops.
The symptoms include chills, fever, urgency and frequency of urination, back and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. The urine is cloudy and often bloody. Pain may be sudden to intense in the back just above the waist and running down to the groin. See the doctor if you have these symptoms.
Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
Distilled water, 6-8 oz. every hour while awake (extra fluids are very important, quality of water is essential for proper urinary tract function).
Acidophilus tablets or liquid, 3 tablets per day or liquid 3 times per day, is especially important if taking antibiotics.
Vitamin B6, 50 mg. 3 times per day, reduces fluid retention.
Choline, 1,000 mg.
Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids, 2,000-4,000 mg. daily, acidifies the urine, potentiates immune function, and aids healing.
Dandelion root or extract and pumpkin extract, taken as directed on the label, aids in excretion of the kidney's waste products.
Calcium, 1,500 mg. daily (calcium and magnesium should be in 2-1 ratio in the body. Do not take bone meal.).
Magnesium, 750 mg. per day.
Hydrochloric acid (HCL) and digestive enzymes, taken as directed on the label, is necessary in digestion (for the elderly, but omit if stomach ulcers are present).
L-Arginine, 500 mg. 4 times per day (food sources are: legumes, fish, soybeans, and seeds).
L-Methionine, taken as directed on the label, is for improved kidney circulation.
Lecithin, 1 tbsp. 3 times per day, is needed for nephritis.
Multimineral complex, taken as directed on the label (mineral depletion is common in kidney disease.
Vitamin A emulsion, 25,000 IU per day in divided doses, is important in healing of urinary tract lining and in immune function.
Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. per day, is needed for nephritis.
Riboflavin (B2), 25 mg. 3 times per day.
Vitamin E emulsion or capsules, 800 IU emulsion daily; or 200 IU capsules gradually increasing to 1,000 IU, promotes immune function and is an important free radical destroyer.
Zinc, 50-80 mg. per day, is an immunostimulant necessary for healing.
- Alum, wild, root
- Bearberry (Uva ursi)
- Beech tree
- Birch, bark
- Blazing star, rough
- Boneset, purple
- Broom, tops
- Burdock, great, root
- Butternut bark
- Caraway seeds
- Carrot, wild
- Centaury, American
- Cherry, wild
- Clover, red
- Clover, white
- Cohosh, black
- Couch grass
- Cubeb berries
- Cucumber seeds
- Elm, slippery
- Geranium, wild or spotted
- Goldenrod, tea
- Gooseberry leaves
- Grape, Rocky Mountain, root
- Gravel root
- Gravel weed
- Heart's ease
- Hibiscus flowers
- Horse radish
- Indian hemp, black
- Indigo, wild
- Jalap, wild
- Joe-Pye weed
- Juniper, berries
- Labrador tea
- Marshmallow, root
- Milkweed, four-leaved
- Mullein, common
- Onion, nodding wild
- Pennyroyal, American
- Pumpkin seed
- Pyrola, leaves
- Quinine, wild
- Raspberry, leaves
- Rose hips
- Sage, bud
- St. John's wort
- Sarsaparilla, hairy
- Sassafras, root tea
- Sanicle, black
- Shepherd's purse
- Sorrel, wood
- Speedwell, common
- Strawberry, wood
- Sweet flag
- Trumpet weed
- Walnut, black
- Watermelon, seed tea
- Water-plantain, common
- Yellow dock
Drink one quart of marshmallow tea daily. It will help to strengthen the bladder, to cleanse the bladder and kidneys, and to expel kidney stones.
Diet should be low-protein, obtaining protein from vegetable sources, such as: peas, bean, lentils, mushrooms, and asparagus. High protein diets cause the body to lose calcium, and when this is excreted, it passes through the kidneys and can cause painful kidney stones.
Protein is broken down by the liver and kidneys. Accumulation of protein can result in uremia, which is the toxic build-up of protein waste (such as urea) in the bloodstream.
Drink 3 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily. It inhibits growth of bacteria by acidifying the urine.
Diet should consist of 75% raw foods. Reduce intake of potassium and phosphates. Do not use any salt or potassium chloride (salt substitute). Also avoid fish, meat, eggs, spinach, rhubarb, Swiss chard, beet tops, tea, chocolate, and cocoa because of their high oxalic acid content. Excess oxalic acid may lead to kidney stones.
Eat garlic, potatoes, asparagus, parsley, watercress, celery, cucumbers, papaya, and bananas. Watermelon and pumpkin seeds are also beneficial. Watermelon should be eaten alone. Eat seeds, sprouts, and green vegetables.
Avoid dairy products except those that are soured such as yogurt, buttermilk, and cottage cheese. Goat's milk is acceptable.
Women having recurrent bladder or kidney infections should not use tampons, and should always wear cotton underwear. Never Nylon.
Recurrent urinary tract infections indicate the possibility of a serious underlying problem------See The Doctor!
Omit iron supplements while this problem exists.