Natural Remedy to Prevent and Treat Cystitis, UTI and Bladder Infections

Urinary tract infection (UTI) usually occurs when bacteria enter the opening of the urethra and multiply in the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the two kidneys, ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder itself, and urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder to the urethral opening).

The special connection of the ureters at the bladder help prevent urine from backing up into the kidneys, and the flow of urine through the urethra helps to eliminate bacteria. Men, women, and children can develop UTIs.

Urinary tract infections usually develop first in the lower urinary tract (urethra, bladder) and, if not treated, progress to the upper urinary tract (ureters, kidneys). Bladder infection (Cystitis) is by far the most common UTI. Infection of the urethra is called Urethritis.

Bacteria may enter the urethra due to poor hygiene, during sexual intercourse or due to the use of a catheter. The urinary system is especially designed to guard against infection. Normally urine is sterile and the flow of urine from the bladder usually helps to wash bacteria out of the body. A healthy immune system also plays a vital role in the prevention of all infections, including UTI's.

Some people, e.g. diabetics are more prone to developing a UTI. This is usually because of a compromised immune system.

Women develop the condition much more often than men, for reasons that are not fully known, although the much shorter female urethra is suspected. The condition is rare in boys and young men.

Twenty percent of women in the United States develop a UTI and 20% of those have a recurrence. Urinary tract infections in children are more common in those under the age of 2.

• Back pain
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Cloudy urine
• Inability to urinate despite the urge
• Fever
• Frequent need to urinate
• Painful urination (dysuria)
• Malaise (general discomfort)

Statistics show that one woman in five will develop a UTI during her lifetime. Some women are prone to recurring infections.

Women who have had more than three UTI's are likely to continue to develop recurrences within 18 months of a UTI. In severe cases this can be even more frequent. Continued use of antibiotics is thought to increase the frequency of recurring UTI's and to make them more resistant to treatment.

While men develop UTI's less frequently than women, their infections tend to be more severe. UTI's in men are often caused by an obstruction (e.g. a urinary stone) or an enlarged prostate.

Prostate infections are more difficult to cure via conventional means because many antibiotics do not easily penetrate infected prostate tissue.

• Diarrhea
• Excessive crying that cannot be resolved by typical measures (e.g., feeding, holding)
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting

• Flank or lower back pain (with a kidney infection)
• Frequent urination
• Inability to produce more than a small amount of urine at a time
• Incontinence
• Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area
• Painful urination (dysuria)
• Urine that is cloudy or has an unusual smell

Although antibiotics certainly have their place, there are two main problems with antibiotic use for urinary tract infections:

Firstly, due to the frequency of antibiotic use for UTI's and other infections, bacteria are developing a resistance to the antibiotics, making them less and less effective. The 'smarter' the antibiotics become, the 'smarter' are the bacteria, which mutate to avoid the effects of the antibiotics.

Secondly, frequent use of antibiotics will also affect your immune system functioning. As we have seen above, a healthy immune system is important in the prevention of UTI's. This means that the antibiotics that are used to cure your UTI, may make another infection more likely in the near future.

Using the knowledge and experience of experts in the field of natural and indigenous medicine, Feelgood Health has developed UTI-Clear - a unique formula containing a total of seven therapeutic herbs, especially selected to relieve the symptoms of UTI and promote the health of the urinary system.

• Agothosma betulina (buchu) is a urinary antiseptic and possesses diuretic properties. Buchu has been used by the natives of the Western Cape of Southern Africa for many centuries. Early Dutch settlers used buchu to make a brandy tincture and Boegoebrandewyn (buchu brandy) is still used today to treat many disorders.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi has been shown to kill bacteria in the urine.
• Achillea millifolium contains alkamides and volatile oils rich in sesquiterpene lactones which act as an anti-inflammatory.
• Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean region but is widespread throughout Africa. It is often used as a general nervous system restorative, digestive calminative and to reduce blood pressure. It acts as an anti-viral and its active ingredients include volatile oil (including citronella), tannins, flavinoids, tocopherols and choline.
• Avena sativa is used as a restorative and nutritive tonic and as a diuretic.
• Hypericum perforatum is used for viral and bacterial infections.
• Echinacea angustifolia increases body resistance to infection and has a powerful antiseptic action.
• Vaccinium myrtillus (billberry) contains anthocyanosides, a potent bioflavonoid complex with antioxidant properties.

Dosage:
Adults: Take 15 drops in a little water or juice 3 times per day.
Children: Dilute one drop per age year of the child in a little water or juice. Continue for 5 - 7 days.

For maximum results use with ImmunityPlus (see ComboPack below).

After that, use UTI-Clear for three days at the very first signs of a recurring infection to stop the infection in its tracks.

• Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Remember that urine flushes out bacteria from the urinary tract and therefore prevents infection. Sufficient water every day is necessary for regular urination.
• Some women are prone to develop a UTI after sexual intercourse. Cleansing the penis and the vagina both before and after making love will help to prevent infection. It will also helps for women to completely empty their bladders after sex, so that the urine can flush out any bacteria which may have entered the urethra during intercourse.
• Avoid the use of scented vaginal sprays and douches. These products are more beneficial to their manufacturers than they are to female health! Always wear panties with a cotton gusset.
• For recurring infections, it is recommended that both men and women take a regular course of ImmunityPlus - a natural remedy especially formulated to boost the immune system and protect against all types of infection, including UTI. (see our UTI-Clear/ImmunityPlus Combo Special Offer)
• It is also highly recommended that all men over the age of 50, use Prostate DR - a formula that promotes prostate health and helps to relieve and protect against the symptoms of BPH and prostatitis. BPH (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy) is a condition which causes swelling and enlargement of the prostate gland, which in turn can increase the likelihood of men developing a UTI.