Tag Archives: cranberry buchu

Kidney Stones: Causes, Prevention and Emergency Treatment

Bladder and Kidney, Healthy Solutions, , , , ,

Kidney stones can be the cause of great pain and distress.  Symptoms could include pain originating in the middle back and radiating around to the front lower abdominal area.  The urine may contain blood or pus.  There may be nausea and vomiting.  Irritation by the stones may induce an infection in the urinary tract causing fever and chills.  Once a stone starts growing in the kidneys, it continues to grow without any specific symptoms.  The jagged stone travelling down the urethra and scraping the lining causes pain.

 

CAUSES of  KIDNEY STONES

There are several different kinds of kidney stones; if possible, collection and analysis will help determine exact cause. However, they are all due to mineral imbalance of some kind. 80% or more are calcium-oxalate stones, formed by an imbalance of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus (both meat and milk are higher in phosphorus than calcium). An excess of phosphorus displaces the calcium and causes it to precipitate out of solution.  Magnesium helps keep calcium in solution in the body so the calcium does not precipitate to form stones.

Calcium-oxalate stones also form when there is a deficiency of Vitamin B6.  When vitamin B6 is under supplied, the amino acid glycine is improperly utilized and changes into oxalic acid. Omitting foods containing oxalic acid (rhubarb, spinach) does not stop stone formation, as oxalate stones can still be formed even when there is no oxalic acid in the diet.  The problem is the B6 deficiency.

 

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS

A good supply of Hydrochloric digestive acid (use Protein Digestive Aid or Digestive Enzymes with HCl) is important when consuming meat, to properly digest and absorb minerals, and help prevent stone formation.

Acidic foods like apple cider vinegar (stimulates natural HCl secretion) and pure cranberry juice (can be sweetened with Stevia) help keep calcium in solution by acidifying the urine.

 

PREVENTION FOR KIDNEY STONES

  • Avoid anti-acid preparations.  They create severe magnesium deficiency, causing stones, as well as alkalizing the urine contributing to stone formation. Take digestive aids to prevent the problem.
  • Drink plenty of pure water – about 2 quarts per day – to flush out the kidneys on an on going basis.
  • Two tablets of Magnesium (#1786-6) with one Vitamin B6 tablet (#1626-6) will prevent most stone formation. Take this daily, once stones have been eliminated. These two and either of the following herbs are recommended for maintenance.
  • Hydrangea (#395-6) is a herb used for its solvent properties for kidney stones or gallstones, and gout.  Two capsules per meal for a couple of months may help dissolve existing stones.
  • Uva Ursi (#710-9) is a herb that supports urinary function, treats infections, and has been used to dissolve kidney stones.
  • Cranberry Buchu (#834-5) Cranberry helps acidify the urine and Buchu helps dissolve kidney stones, as well as prevent infection. When taken as a combination,  you have enhanced synergy for better results.
  • Any of the above can be taken as capsules or may be made into a tea (1-2 capsules/cup) a quart or more can be drunk every day.

 

EMERGENCY KIDNEY STONE PROCEDURE

Every 15 minutes drink the juice of one lemon, preferably organic. Take Marshmallow (#440-0), about 4 capsules 4 times a day – it is a mucilaginous, slippery herb and helps the stones to pass with less pain and damage to the urinary tract. It is high in Zinc to promote healing. Also take Hydrangea (#395-6) 3 capsules 4 times a day to help dissolve the stone. Lobelia – internally – .5 ml every ½ – 1 hour as needed, will help relax the ureters, and calm nerves to decrease pain.  Externally – rub a few drops over area for pain and to stop spasms.

Usually this will take no longer than 12 – 14 hours to pass stone(s).  If you urinate through a strainer and can collect the stone(s), it can help to determine to which type you are prone.

Afterwards, Echinacea and  Golden Seal (#835-2 capsules – up to 6/day or #3180-1 liquid – 3ml/day) can be used to aid healing and to help prevent infection in damaged ureters.

Then follow maintenance suggested under “Prevention for Kidneys Stones”. The supplementation to prevent future attacks, especially for Magnesium and B6 is not expensive, especially when one considers the pain and possible damage caused by a stone. Correcting the underlying imbalance with natural aids will also help prevent other chronic conditions and enhance overall health.

The kidneys are essential to life; if you are having challenges, consult a trained herbalist or natural health practitioner to guide you in the healing process.

 

Resources:

“Let’s Be Well” by Adelle Davis

“Nutrition Almanac” by Lavon Dunne

“Health in the Space Age” by LaDean Griffin

“The Ultimate Healing System” by Donald LePore

“Prescription for Herbal Healing” by Phyllis Balch

“The Merck Manual”

Benoit and Associates Health Education

© Prepared by Benoit and Associates Health                                                  250-748-6802 TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com

 

Bladder Infections

Bladder and Kidney, Healthy Solutions, , , , , ,

Bladder Infections

Bladder infections can cause irritating problems, such as sudden urge to urinate, leakage, inability to stop the flow of urine, itching, or burning. Untreated, there is a possibility of infection progressing up the tubules connecting to the kidneys, which is not desirable. Women are more prone to bladder infections due to the shorter urether. As much as doctors may say bladder infections are normal for women, they are not healthy, and should not be the norm in anyone. If they re-occur, it is because they are not getting treated properly in the first case and are re-infecting, or the cause has not been eliminated. In other words, there is no reason women, men or children should have these, and if you do, you need to get to the bottom of it and get rid of it!

Some causes in women can be:

  • wiping in the wrong direction and contamination with feces
  • yeast/candida infections
  • too much sugar in the diet, which lowers the immune system
  • improper diet, which creates pH imbalance
  • anti-biotic overuse, which creates resistant bacteria and flora imbalance
  • food sensitivities
  • chemicals from personal care products: douches, deodorants, soaps, lubricants, powders, bathing products

Treatment consists of determining the cause(s), then treating naturally so the pathogen is eliminated, then creating a healthy environment where they don’t flourish. Herbs bring the body into balance without upsetting the natural flora and fauna and protective shield of mucous membranes. They also do not cause side effects as do many antibiotics.

One of the best formulas is K Combination designed for overall health of the urinary system, containing parsley root, juniper berries, uva ursi, and dandelion root. It is a herbal source of iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, vitamin A and riboflavin.

We suggest adding Cranberry Buchu, which is a concentrated capsule of 435 mg. pure cranberry with Buchu. The herb buchu prevents infection-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, from adhering to the lining of the urinary tract. It has been traditionally used to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.

If the infection is very established, stronger herbal antibiotics, such as Golden Seal Echinacea combo and or Silver Shield used as a douche and internally may be required.

Along with the herbs, clean up the diet, eliminate ALL sugar, drink plenty of pure water, (more than your recommended ½ oz. per pound of body weight), add fresh lemon, lime and or Chlorophyll to help alkalinize the blood, and get adequate rest. Many suggestions for healthful lifestyle including diet, stress, exercise and recipes are in my book:

 Lorene Benoit’s book: The Paw Paw Program – A “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally

If the above do not clear it up, seek the advice of a qualified natural health practitioner.

If one has taken chemical antibiotics in the past 6 months, a quality probiotic/ prebiotic combination is recommended to re-establish growth. Certain probiotics capsules may also be used as a vaginal suppository to relieve some symptoms and re-lubricate.

For people who have had several bladder infections, we suggest that once the infection is cleared, to continue on a maintenance dose of 2-3 Cranberry Buchu per day for at least 3 months, then 1-2 as needed to remain clear of infections. This is inexpensive insurance to avoid the hassles and strain to the immune system of having repeated infections.

To order any of the above items or for personal assistance, please contact our office at 250-748-6802 or comment on this post. Products can be ordered directly at Nature’s Sunshine Worldwide ; or Nature’s Sunshine Canada for discount use Sponsor # 309344. No charge to set up membership for home delivery and discount.