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Urinary Tract
Infection
Homeopathic remedies are often helpful
during bladder infections (cystitis), relieving discomfort and
encouraging quick recovery. Symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate with burning or stinging sensations, and sometimes aching in
the bladder area. Offensive-smelling, cloudy, or discolored urine may
be passed. Very uncomfortable or long-lasting urinary tract
infections—especially those accompanied by fever, pain in the kidney
region, or other serious symptoms—should be treated by a doctor.
For dosage information, please read the information at the end of
this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional
Guidance” in What
Is Homeopathy?
Aconitum apellus: This remedy is
often useful when a person feels anxious both before and during
urination, with hot, scanty urine, and a burning or spasmodic feeling
in the outlet of the bladder. It can also be helpful if retention of
urine occurs after a person has been very cold and chilled, or after a
shaking experience.
Apis mellifica: This remedy is
indicated when the person frequently needs to urinate, but only small
quantities are passed. Stinging and burning sensations are felt
(especially with the last few drops) and the person may also
experience soreness in the abdomen. Heat and touch make the symptoms
worse, and cold applications, cool bathing, and open air bring relief.
A lack of thirst is another indication that Apis may be needed.
Belladonna: This remedy may be
beneficial if urging to urinate is frequent and intense, and the
bladder feels very sensitive. A cramping or writhing sensation may be
felt in the bladder area. Small amounts of highly-colored urine pass.
(This remedy is sometimes helpful if a person passes small amounts of
blood and no serious cause can be found on medical examination.)
Berberis vulgaris: Cystitis with
twinges of cutting pain, or a burning feeling that extends to the
urethra and its opening, may indicate a need for this remedy. The
passage may also burn at times when no attempt at urination is being
made. After emptying the bladder, the person feels as if some urine
still remains inside. Urging and discomfort are often worse from
walking.
Borax: This remedy can be helpful for
cystitis with smarting pain in the urinary opening and aching in the
bladder, with a feeling that the urine is retained. Children may cry
or shriek, afraid to urinate because they know the pain is coming. Borax
is often indicated for people who are sensitive to noise and inclined
toward motion sickness.
Cantharis: Strong urging to
urinate—with cutting pains that are felt before the urine passes, as
well as during and after—may indicate a need for this remedy. Only
several drops pass at a time, with a scalding sensation. The person
may feel as if the bladder has not been emptied, still feeling a
constant urge to urinate.
Chimaphila umbellata: If a person has
a troublesome urge to urinate but has to strain (or even stand up and
lean forward) to make it pass, this remedy may be useful. A scalding
sensation may be felt while the urine flows, with a feeling of
straining afterward.
Clematis: This remedy may be
indicated if a person has to urinate frequently with only a small
amount being passed. A feeling of constriction is felt in the urinary
passage, and the flow may be interrupted, or there may be dribbling
afterward. A tingling sensation may occur, lasting long after
urination is finished.
Equisetum: If cystitis is accompanied
by dull but distressing pain and a feeling of fullness in the bladder,
even after urinating, this remedy may be helpful. Urging and
discomfort are more intense when the bladder has recently been
emptied, improving over time as the bladder become more full.
Lycopodium: This remedy may be
helpful if a person has to urinate frequently during the night and
passes large amounts of urine. Or the person may feel a painful urge,
but has to strain to make the urine flow. Pain may be felt in the back
before the urine passes. (If fever is present, the urine has a reddish
color, or discomfort is felt in the kidney region, the person should
see a doctor.)
Nux vomica: Irritable bladder with a
constant need to urinate, passing only small amounts, suggests a need
for this remedy. Burning or cramping pain may be felt in the bladder
area, with an itching sensation in the urethra while the urine passes.
The person may feel very irritable, impatient, and chilly. Symptoms
may be relieved by hot baths or other forms of warmth.
Sarsaparilla: This remedy is often
useful in cystitis and often helps when symptoms are unclear, or if
other remedies have not been effective. Frequent urging is felt, with
burning pain at the end of urination. Urine passes when the person is
standing up, but only dribbling occurs while sitting. Flakes or
sediment are sometimes seen in the urine. (Sarsaparilla is
sometimes helpful when stones are forming or the kidneys are involved;
however, these conditions need a doctor’s care.)
Sepia: This remedy may be helpful if
a person has to urinate frequently, with sudden urging, a sense that
urine will leak if urination is delayed, and small amounts of
involuntary urine loss. The person may experience a bearing-down
feeling in the bladder region, or pressure above the pubic bone. A
person who needs this remedy often feels worn-out and irritable, with
cold extremities, and a lax or sagging feeling in the pelvic area.
Staphysagria: This remedy is often
indicated for cystitis that develops in a woman after sexual
intercourse, especially if sexual activity is new to her, or if
cystitis occurs after every occasion of having sex. Pressure may be
felt in the bladder after urinating, as if it is still not empty. A
sensation that a drop of urine is rolling through the urethra, or a
constant burning feeling, are other indications. Staphysagria
is also useful for cystitis that develops after illnesses with
extended bed rest, or after the use of catheters.
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Homeopathy
Dosage Directions
Select the remedy that
most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where
self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a
physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C)
should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually
printed on the label.
Many homeopathic
physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one
dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue
to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags
significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be
taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and
the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times
an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a
day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be
sufficient.
If no response is seen
within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.
For more information, including references, see What
is Homeopathy? and Understanding
Homeopathic Potencies. |
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1999 Healthnotes,
Inc.
1505 SE Gideon St.,
Suite 200, Portland, OR 97202
Authors of the best-selling book The Natural Pharmacy
The information presented in Healthnotes
Online is for informational purposes only. It is based on
scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical
experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article.
The results reported may not necessarily occur in all
individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment
with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also
available. Consult your physician, nutritionally oriented
healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health
problem and before using any supplements or before making
any changes in prescribed medications.
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