| Some yeast infection symptoms are similar to the | | | | entirely. Others should use it only for a few days at |
| symptoms associated with bladder problems. In many | | | | a time as it can be toxic with overuse. |
| cases, the antibiotics that are prescribed for bladder | | | | Buchu leaves, from a South African shrub, have been |
| infections actually trigger a yeast problem. If you are | | | | used as a disinfectant diuretic for mild urinary tract |
| taking antibiotics for a yeast infection you should eat | | | | inflammations. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 |
| plain yogurt daily or take acidophilus capsules. This will | | | | teaspoonful of buchu leaves. Cover and let stand for |
| help restore the proper PH balance in your body and | | | | 10 minutes. You can drink the tea two times a day. |
| will mitigate the chances of yeast infection occurring. | | | | Medical studies have found that the volatile oils in |
| The same preventive methods that help ward of | | | | lovage contain a host of anti-inflammatory and |
| yeast infections can also be helpful in preventing | | | | antiseptic constituents that can soothe inflammation |
| bladder problems:o Drink lots water every day. (If | | | | of the urinary tract. To make tea, pour 1 cup of |
| you have an active infection you should drink enough | | | | boiling water over 1 teaspoon of minced dry lovage |
| to pour out a good stream of urine every hour.)o | | | | root. Steep for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink. The |
| Avoid or reduce the use of alcohol and caffeine | | | | tea should not be consumed by people with kidney |
| because both of these irritate the bladder.o Try | | | | problems. |
| drinking unsweetened cranberry juice, which makes | | | | Parsley leaves and roots contain varying amounts of |
| your urine more acidic and helps to prevent both | | | | a volatile oil with diuretic properties. A parsley tea |
| urinary tract infectionso Avoid refined sugar because | | | | may be useful for mild bladder problems, to reduce |
| it aggravates yeast infections.o Keep up your | | | | the urinary tract inflammation, and to facilitate the |
| resistance by eating well, resting well, and finding | | | | passage of small kidney stones. Add 1 teaspoon of |
| ways to reduce the stress in your life. | | | | mixed leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Avoid the seeds |
| Some people prefer an herbal approach to treating | | | | and oil, which can be toxic in large doses. People with |
| yeast infection and bladder problems. Before the | | | | kidney disease should consult a doctor before using |
| discovery of sulfa drugs, the herb uva ursi | | | | parsley to treat their bladder infections. |
| (traditionally known as bearberry) was used as an | | | | Both yeast infections and bladder irritation can be |
| antiseptic to treat urinary tract infections. Tea bags | | | | uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing. If you |
| and extracts are now widely available. | | | | have chronic symptoms you should talk to your |
| The leaves' antiseptic effect results from the | | | | doctor about the best way to treat your yeast |
| metabolic breaking down of the herb's glycosides into | | | | infection and bladder irritation problems. |
| an antibacterial substance. The tea can be consumed | | | | Glossary: |
| three or four times a day. The taste is bitter and | | | | Uva ursi: An herb that has been used for many years |
| may cause nausea in children and those with sensitive | | | | to treat urinary tract infections. |
| stomachs. Pregnant women should avoid the herb | | | | |