Urinary Antiseptics and Urinary Antiseptics and DemulcentsDemulcents

Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi

Arctostaphylos, from the Greek, 'arktos (arktos), "bear”, stafulh (staphyle), "grapes" uva-ursi, from the Latin uva, "grape, berry of the vine", ursi, bear; "bear's grape" Uva-Ursi, Kinnikinnick, Crowberry, Foxberry, Mealberry, Mountain Box, Mountain Cranberry , Upland Cranberry.

Family: Ericaceae

Grows throughout the Western foothills and mountains, from California through Alaska

Part used: Leaves

Qualities: Dry, astringent, cold

Constituents: hydroquinone glycosides (4-15%): arbutin, methylarbutin polypheneols , tannin (increased in older leaves), Flavonoids (quercetin), Acids (ursolic, gallic, ellagic), Allantoin, Volatile oil: lupeol

Arctostaphylos Uva-UrsiStandardized extract; 70 mg arbutin: two 0.7 g

tabs BID-TID. ; 400-840 hydroquinone derivatives calculated as water-free arbutin.

Tincture: 1:5 tincture: 10-17 ml qd; 1:2 2-4 ml TID

Infusion: 2-3 tsps/ cup boiling water. Drink 1 cup qid. [because the Ericaea leaves are tough, sometimes its helpful to do a modified version, simmering for a couple of minutes.

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Vaccinium macrocarponCommon name: CranberryFamily EricaceaPart used: Berry, juice of berryConstituents: hippuric acid,

Proanthocyanadins, Vitamin CCranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs)

that can prevent the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract wall. The anti-adhesion properties of cranberry may also inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and stomach ulcers.

Important note: the mechanism of action is not due to acidification of the urine.

“The anti-adhesive effects of cranberry have been attributed to both interactions of its components with the surface of bacterial cells and to inhibition of p-fimbriae expression…Here, we show that the morphology of E. coli is changed when grown in the presence of juice or extract from Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry). Gene expression analysis indicates the down regulation of flagellar basal body rod and motor proteins.”

Johnson BJ, Lin B, Dinderman MA, Rubin RA, Malanoski AP, Ligler FS. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Dec 19;377(3):992-4. Epub 2008 Oct 26.

“Impact of cranberry on Escherichia coli cellular surface

characteristics. “

Vaccinium macrocarponMedicinal action: Bacteriostatic

Medicinal uses: Acute urinary tract infection

Contraindications: It has no known toxicity, and appears to be safe in pregnancy and lactation.

Vaccinium macrocarponDosing:Standardized extract 400-500 mg TIDTincture (1:4): ½ tsp tid-qid

Non-etandardized encapsulated products vary widely in strength, and relative dose recommendations (usually around 5000 mg qd of fresh cranberry equivalent or 1500 mg qd cranberry juice equivalent)..

Fresh cranberry juice 0.5 L/day. It is important

to note that this needs to be pure cranberry juice that is sugar free. .. or is it so important?

Chimaphila umbellata

Chimaphila umbellataCommon names: Pipsissewa, Prince’s Pine, Winter

Green (not the same as Gaultheria procumbens)Family: EricaceaePart used: HerbaGrows locally and throughout the temperate

regions.Constituents: Arbutin, chimaphillin, methyl

salycilate, tannins.Actions: Astringent, antimicrobial (arbutin),

tonifying, diureticIndications: Acute urinary tract infections

Chimaphila umbellataDosing:Tincture: 2.5-5 ml BID-QIDInfusion:2-3 tsps/ cup boiling water. Steep 5-

10 minutes. Drink 1 cup 3-5x per day

(Barosma betulina) Agathosma betulina

Agathosma betulinaCommon name: BuchuFamily: RutaceaePart used: LeavesNative to South AfricaVolatile oil (2%): diosphenol (=buchu camphor),

pulegone, (+) and (-) isopulegone, 8-mercapto-p-menthan-3-one, 8-acetylthiomenthone, piperitone epoxide (+)-menthone, isomenthone, p-cymol, limonene, terpineol

Flavonoids: rutin, diosmin, hesperidin, quercitin and derivatives

Miscellaneous; B-vitamins, tannin and mucilage.

Agathosma betulinaMedicinal Action: Urinary antiseptic, stimulating

diuretic, diaphoreticIt also has some nervine action, and can be used

when there is anxiety accompanying urinary inflammation.

Dosing:Dried leaf: 3-6 g qdTincture (1:2) 1-2 ml BID, (1:5) tincture: 2.5-5 ml

BIDInfusion: 1-3 tsp/cup water infused for 10 min, 1

cup TID

Agropyron repensCommon name: Quack Grass, CouchgrassFamily: GraminaceaeDistribution: A common pest plant in

temperate regions. “Invades” lawns and landscapes

Constituents:SaponinsCarbohydrates (3-8% triticin polysaccharide,

2-3% inositol and mannitol, 10% mucilage)Volatile oil (agroyprene), fixed oil carotene, Minerals (silica, iron, potassium),

Silicic acid and silicates

Agropyron repens

Medicinal action A saponin and carbohydrate (mannitol) based

diureticDemulcentAntimicrobialExpectorant

Agropyron repensDecoction:

2 tsp/cup water. Bring to boil, simmer x 10 min. Drink TID.

Tincture (1:5 25%): 3-6 ml tid

No toxicity or contraindications

Zea Mays (Maydis stigmata)Common name: CornsilkFamily: Graminaceae/PoaceaePart used: Flower PistilsSaponins, allantoin, sterols (beta-sitosterol,

stigmasterol ), alkaloid (hordenine), vit. C, vit. K, potassium, carbohydrates including mucilage; cryptoxanthin, anthocyanins, plant acids, fixed oil (2%), essential oil (0.1%): carvacrol, terpenes, bitter compounds, polyphenols (12%), potassium salts

Zea Mays (Maydis stigmata)Acute: 2-4 g/day; infused in 1-2 Qt/day or 1

cup every hour [1tsp. = 0.5g]Best as a cold infusion.

Tincture (1:5 25%): 3-18 ml /day

Parietaria judiaca

Parietaria judiacaFamily: UrticaceaeName: Pellitory-of-the-wall

“Pariet” or “pared” means “wall”

Used to be called P. officinalis, and there is still controversy over whether p. judiaca is the same species or slightly different from P. judiaca.

Pollen is highly allergenic and sticky; plant often called “sticky weed”

Parietaria judiacaDiuretic and demulcentHigh in flavonoids and

potassiumMost useful for

inflammatory conditions of the kidney or bladder

Nephritis Cystitis

Considered a trophorestorative to the kidneys“Sylibum of the Kidney”

Parietaria judiaca

Case 163 year old woman with an extensive history of

recurrent cystitis treated using antibiotics.Had “bladder lift” surgery 5 years ago to correct a

malformed urethra and prolapsed uterus. The UTI’s did not stop, and she suffered extensive nerve damage.

She must self-catheterize to void her bladder if it fills past a certain point. She takes prophylactic antibiotics, which affects her digestion and promotes yeast infections.

Also a long history of anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and sedative medications x 40+ years.

At this point she seeks help from a naturopath, since the medical help she has gotten so far has only made things worse over the years.

What can we do for her?

Urinary FormulaArctostaphylos uva ursi 2 partsAgathosma betulinum 2 partsAchillea millefolium 1 partElymus repens 2 partsParietaria judiaca 2 partsZea mays 1 part

Infusion – one tablespoon per cup. 4 cups per day. Sweeten with mannose.

Also drink 8 oz. cranberry or blueberry juice per day.

Other treatment considerationsExercises for strengthening the pelvic floor

muscles.Gradually work toward discontinuing the

anxiety/depression/sleep medsUse diet and supplementation to support healthy

brain chemistryRegular counseling

Probiotics, bitters, astringents to restore digestive health

Vaginal suppositories to restore normal pH and floraBoric acid, Hydrastis, vitamins A & E, Acidophillus

REMEMBER…Dr. King’s birthday next week… No class!!