Herbal Remedies for Urinary Health

The kidneys are one of the most under-valued organs in the human body. Your kidneys and urinary tract keep poisons from entering your bloodstream, and keep your body moving efficiently. Keeping the urinary tract clean and healthy is vital to your good health, and there are herbal methods that make it easy.

Hydrangea

• This flowering herb grows well in many backyard gardens. The root is the medicinal part and it is easily dug out and harvested. Grind and steep in boiling water. Hydrangea is excellent for the renal system and helps fight urinary tract infections.

Uva Ursi

• Pick the leaves of the uva ursi at maturity, grind into a powder and steep in boiling water to make a brisk tea. This plant is wonderful for many areas of digestive and urinary health. It is safe in moderate amounts, but do not drink Uva Ursi tea while pregnant or nursing.

Aloe Vera

• Aloe vera is available in capsule form or can be taken directly from the plant. Break apart a leaf and squeeze out the secretions into boiling water for tea. Aloe vera is a soothing drink for the urinary tract and calms painful infections. Do not take aloe vera in any form if you have heart problems requiring digitalis, as this herb is known to cause problems when mixed with that prescription drug.

Oxalis

• Also called "Wood Sorrel," this herb cools and soothes inflamed urinary tracts and gives relief from infections. It must be used in moderation because too much of the oxalic acid contained in this herb is irritating and actually blocks absorption so that the beneficial effects of the herb are lost.

Yarrow

• This is an antiseptic herb that makes a great skin astringent. Yarrow is safe in moderate doses, but do not take if you are pregnant or nursing.

Goldenseal

• Purify and cleanse the urinary tract with herbal teas made from goldenseal root. Buy ground powder from your local health food store, online herbal store, or grow and harvest the root on your own.

Cranberry

• The cranberry is well known for its urinary health aspects, and it makes a wonderful herbal tea as well. It tastes great, is cleansing and has no known ill effects.