Herbs for cystitis caused by viruses and protozoa

Treatment of non-infectious cystitis comes down to removing the irritant and relieving inflammation of the bladder tissue. In this case, even herbal treatment with a selection of plants that provide a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect is sufficient. True, there is a risk that self-medication can lead to complications, i.e. to the addition of a bacterial infection. And then you can’t do without antibiotics.

Inflammation of the bladder is sometimes caused by viruses. Although such situations are much less common, it is important to know that the treatment of non-bacterial cystitis differs from the treatment of inflammation caused by bacteria and protozoa. In the case of a viral infection, immunotherapy comes to the forefront, because the immune system is capable of coping with most viruses on its own. And to help it, if a persistent virus is detected, antiviral drugs can be prescribed.

Many herbs have the ability to influence our immunity. Echinacea, eleutherococcus, ginseng, and Rhodiola rosea are primarily responsible for increasing general immunity, preventing the virus from entering the body, penetrating living cells, and actively multiplying pathogens. By taking decoctions and infusions of these plants internally, we prevent many infectious diseases, including cystitis.

If cystitis is of a viral nature, such treatment gives the body the strength to effectively fight the infection, which means that they can be included in a comprehensive treatment that also includes the use of diuretics, anti-inflammatory, and general tonics.

It should be said that many herbs contain useful vitamins and microelements, so using them for cystitis, we also get a general strengthening effect. Moreover, some of the plants that have a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect also help to increase local immunity. Such plants include chamomile, yarrow, St. John's wort, lingonberry, as well as lemon balm, cranberry, elderberry and many other plants that are useful to take both for infectious and non-bacterial cystitis.

It can be said that herbal treatment of viral cystitis is generally similar to the treatment of the common bacterial form of the disease. You can use the same herbs and plants, focusing on compositions that stimulate immunity and increase the body's defenses, reducing the sensitivity of bladder tissue to infection. By taking such natural medicines internally, we achieve that they act both through the blood and through the urine, healing not only the bladder, but also the entire urinary system.

Recently, chlamydial infection has become widespread (its uniqueness is that chlamydia is an intracellular parasite that has properties of both bacteria and viruses), as well as infections caused by protozoa: lamblia, trichomonads, etc. They can enter the bladder both through the blood and from the outside (from the genitals and perineum to the urethra and further along the urinary tract).

Doctors, having determined the type of parasite, prescribe the appropriate medication. But to make it more effective, traditional therapy can be supplemented with herbal medicine (with the doctor's permission!).

Most often, cystitis is caused by sexually transmitted protozoa. We are talking about trichomonads, which provoke severe tissue inflammation. These parasites are very sensitive to antibacterial drugs from the imidazole group (like some other protozoa). A single dose of antibiotics is enough to completely destroy the infection.

Despite the fact that such treatment can be prescribed even to pregnant women, many, having a biased attitude towards antibiotics, do not want to resort to it, so they look for other methods of combating protozoa, often turning to folk remedies.

It can be said that some herbs are indeed highly active against protozoa. Among such herbs are: Amur or common barberry, birch leaves and buds, immortelle, bitterweed (saussurea willow-leaved).

Barberry

Barberry has antiparasitic, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hemostatic and diuretic effects. These properties can be useful in the treatment of any form and type of cystitis. At the same time, the bark, root, fruits and leaves of the plant have healing properties. Leaves and ripe fruits can be added to salads and other dishes, adding a pleasant sourness, and a decoction of the bark and roots of the plant can be taken for cystitis as a medicine three times a day, 1 teaspoon.

Prepare a decoction at the rate of 10 g of plant material per 200 ml of water. Boil it for half an hour, then leave it to infuse for at least 45 minutes, filter, bring to the initial volume with boiled water and use as described above.

A decoction of barberry is not recommended for pregnant women, as well as for patients with severe liver diseases, gallstones (it has a pronounced choleretic effect), or increased blood clotting. [ 1 ]

Birch buds

Birch buds collected in early spring during their blossoming have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, tonic effects, and are also effective against protozoa. This is a universal remedy for cystitis caused by various pathogens (bacterial, viral, fungal, caused by protozoa and non-infectious).

A healing decoction can be made from birch buds. Take 1 heaped tablespoon of plant material (leaves or buds) per glass of boiling water, boil over low heat for 20 minutes, then remove and leave to infuse for 3 hours.

You need to take a decoction of birch buds twice a day, 1 glass at a time. It is best to do this half an hour before meals. Such a drink will cleanse the bladder and strengthen the body as a whole.

Infusion of birch leaves for cystitis is used for sitz baths. Fill a three-liter jar halfway with birch leaves, top up with boiling water, wrap it up and leave to infuse for 2 hours. Pour 10 liters of warm water into a bowl, add strained infusion of birch buds and take a sitz bath for half an hour, periodically adding hot water.

The only contraindication to the use of birch buds is an individual intolerance to the plant, which manifests itself in the form of allergic reactions. [ 2 ]

Immortelle

Recipes from immortelle have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, doctors believe that they are also effective against protozoa.

For cystitis, oral administration of an infusion of dried plant flowers is effective. It is prepared as follows: 10 g of plant material is poured with 2 glasses of boiling water and infused in a warm place (it is better to use a thermos) for at least 1 hour.

Take the infusion in a 20-day course of 1.5 glasses in 3 doses. It is better to drink the infusion half an hour before meals.

This recipe will also help those whose cystitis is caused by helminthic invasion.

Compositions based on immortelle should not be taken for a long time, because the accumulation of active substances in the body leads to the appearance of overdose symptoms. They should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, people with increased acidity of gastric juice, with liver diseases manifested as jaundice. [ 3 ]

Saussurea salicifolia

A low-toxic plant with a pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, used to treat and prevent infection with giardia and trichomonas, which can cause the development of cystitis. Additionally, the herb helps to normalize the intestinal microflora, which has a beneficial effect on its cleansing (regular bowel movements allow the body to remove harmful substances that poison it and provoke inflammatory processes) and the state of the immune system. [ 4 ]

For cystitis caused by protozoa, taking Saussurea infusion is recommended. Take 1 tablespoon of crushed plant material (can be purchased at a pharmacy) per glass of boiling water and leave to infuse for 3 hours. Drink the strained mixture three times a day, 1 tablespoon at a time.

If there are no contraindications to taking alcohol-based compositions, you can use Saussurea tincture. The plant and vodka are taken in a ratio of 1 to 10, the composition is left in a dark place for 14 days. Take three times a day half an hour before meals. The recommended single dose is 20-30 drops diluted in ½ glass of water. Therapy for cystitis with tincture is carried out for no more than 2 weeks.

It is believed that the plant should not be used in cases of increased blood clotting and a tendency to thrombosis, hypotension, chronic constipation and intestinal obstruction. It is also undesirable to take the plant during pregnancy or lactation.