Bot Med 3: Urinary, Reproductive, & Thyroid Herbs

Jenn Dazey, N.D.

Winter 2010 Welcome back!!!!!

Quick Review… GI Liver/GB/Lymphogogue Musculoskeletal

Achillea millefolium

Althaea officinalis

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Foeniculum vulgare

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Hydrastis canadensis

Galium aparine

Arctium lappa

Silybum marianum

Rumex crispus

Piscidia piscipula

Salix alba

Stachys officinalis

*

Withania somnifera

Urinary Review

Aquaretics vs. Diuretics

• Aquaretics increase blood flow in the kidneys, which increases GFR, and urine output is increased. • This process increases the amount of water excreted through urination, but it does not increase elimination of electrolytes.

• Used for UTI, stones, gout, cleanses • Diuretics increase the excretion of electrolytes, and water follows, thereby increasing urine output. • Used in the management of hypertension, liver disease (ascites), and congestive heart failure (edema) • Diuretics do not treat the cause

Galium aparine

Juniperus communis

• Volatile oil (Terpinen-4-ol) is a kidney irritant

Equisetum arvense

• Harvest before leaflets are 90 degrees to the stem

Apium graveolens

• Diuretic AND sedative nervine

Petroselinum crispum

• Aquaretic and emmenagogue

Urtica dioica Lf.

Taraxacum officinale Lf.

Anti-lithics

Kidney stones are a result of supersaturated urine with high levels of calcium, uric acid, oxalate, and cystine.

7 Bark

Hydrangea arborescens

Eupatorium purpurea

Case Study

• 16 yo female returns with her 3rd “bladder infection” in 4 months. She has frequency and urgency and slight burning on urination x 2 days.

• Her urine is a dark, cloudy yellow-brown with a strong odor. Dipstick and microscopic analysis reveal mucus and lymphocytes, but no bacteria, RBC’s, crystals or casts. Specific gravity is high. All other findings are normal.

• There is no CVA tenderness, fever or nausea.

• She is under a lot of stress with regular track meets and honors classes.

What is your DDX?

More history…

• She notices the onset coincides with dining at the local Steakhouse. Whenever her track team celebrates after a meet, she drinks a large rootbeer float and orders the largest steak on the menu. • Her symptoms began at bedtime.

What is your plan?

• What is your most likely diagnosis given the new information?

• Is a diuretic appropriate for her?

• (Remember the therapeutic order.)

Her Treatment Plan

• Avoid soda -- consider hydrating with water and electrolytes before & after a meet • Keep steak portions to a minimum and include a large salad • Tea Formula: – Juniperus communis – Urtica dioica Lf – Petroselinum crispum Rt – Gallium aparine 2 parts 4 parts 2 parts 2 parts