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The
Bladder -
Urinary Retention
Difficulty Voiding - Paruresis
an article by Susun S. Weed
Step
0 . Do Nothing
Oops, thats the problem. Seriously, though,
relaxing deeply can open the valves. If it doesnt,
there may be an obstruction.
Step
1. Collect Information
Because the prostate gland encircles the urethra
(the tube that allows the bladder to empty), when
the prostate is swollen, it becomes difficult to
empty the bladder. The urinary stream may start
and stop, be scanty, or feel urgent without much
result. As much as a cup of urine may be retained
even after emptying.
Trauma
during, or from, childbirth, and after prostate
or pelvic surgery, can also interfere with the ability
to urinate.
If
urination stops completely for several hours, treat
as an emergency situation. Catheterization in sterile
circumstances is life- (and bladder-) saving.
Step
2. Engage the Energy Homeopathic Zea mays is specific for
retention or suppression of urine, and it is suitable
for young, old, and in-between.
Step
3. Nourish and Tonify
Dandelion,
chickweed, and nettle are three good friends whose
leaves and roots work together or alone to increase
voiding ease and relieve retention. Go slowly, as
they can increase urinary output. A drop or two
of each tincture may be enough.
Step
4. Stimulate/Sedate
Traditional
Chinese Medicine practitioners view urinary retention/difficulty
voiding as kidney yang deficiency and dysfunction
of the Triple Burner. The modified TCM formula uses
cinnamon bark to promote fluid flow, turkey tail
mushrooms and dandelion as diuretics, astragalus
to increase overall chi, peony root to replenish
kidney yin and strengthen the bladder, licorice
and dandelion roots to clear bladder heat, fennel
seed to bring chi to the Lower Burner, and plantain
seeds to clear heat from the Lower Burner and remove
Triple Burner dampness.
Herbs traditionally used in tinctures to relieve
urinary blockages of all kinds include parsley root,
buchu leaves, juniper berries, and uva ursi leaves.
Saw palmetto berries and pygeum are favorites for
men with voiding difficulties, but all offer benefits
to everyone. Depending on the severity of the problem,
dropperful doses may be used 1-8 hours apart. (Do
avoid capsules.)
Step
6. Break and Enter
If
you have prostate cancer and urinary problems -
such as a weak stream or difficulty voiding, then
radioactive seed therapy (brachytherapy) may
not be ideal as it often fails to relieve
urinary problems and occasionally worsens them.1
Bladder
Star - Comfrey
An herb that can improve muscle tone in the bladder,
ease irritation in the bladder lining and ureters,
heal all surfaces, counter inflammation, and create
resilient health throughout the urinary system is
a true bladder star. Thats comfrey - Symphytum.
I dont use Symphytum officinale, which is
often cited, and is associated with alkaloid-overdose
of the liver. Instead, I use the comfrey from my
garden, Symphytum uplandica x, also called Russian
or blue comfrey. In fact, Ive
never seen anyone growing officinale, which is a
small plant with yellow flowers. I strongly suspect
that all the comfrey for sale in the United States
in uplandica.
The allantoin in comfrey is a superb healer of mucus
surfaces, such as those lining the bladder and ureters.
It gives almost immediate relief to those with interstitial
cystitis and works to counter urge incontinence
and overactive bladders. Comfreys anti-inflammatory
action relieves urethritis and prostate swelling,
too.
The astringent tannins in comfrey help tone and
tighten the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, countering
stress incontinence. Comfrey also relaxes the detrusor
muscle.
The lavish amounts of minerals, vitamins, and protein
found in comfrey allow the body to engage in any
repairs that are needed and may counter bladder
cancer.
A sitz bath of the leaves or roots works well for
those reluctant to consume comfrey. But, for best
results, comfrey leaf infusion, a cup or two a day,
gets my vote.
1.
Urinary Symptoms and Prostate Cancer Treatment,
HealthNews, June 2004.
Legal
Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace
conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions
made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or
symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided
by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare
practitioner with a specific formula for you. All
material in this article is provided for general
information purposes only and should not be considered
medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable
healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical
care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second
opinion.
Susun
Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com
and www.ashtreepublishing.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact
us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has
garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking
lectures, teachings, and writings on health and
nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches
with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic
knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman,
her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging
and often profoundly provocative.
Susun
is one of America's best-known authorities on herbal
medicine and natural approaches to women's health.
Her four best-selling books are recommended by expert
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and cherished by millions of women around the world.
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This
article is © copyright Susun
S. Weed Republished here with kind permission. |
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