Bot Med - Urinary Tract Flashcards
What is a urinary tract infection?
typically a bacterial infection of the the bladder (e.g. cystitis ) or kidneys
(e.g. pylonephritis)
Symptoms of UTI?
- dysuria (painful urination)
- urgency
- turbid (cloudy) urine
- hematuria (bloody urine)
Herbal actions useful for treating UTI?
- diuretic
- urinary antiseptic
- antiadherence
- demulcent
- astringent
Herbs useful for treating UTI; Antiadherance? Antiseptic? Demulcents? Astringents?
Antiadherance • cranberry juice (Vaccinium spp.) • blueberies (Vaccinium spp.) Antiseptic • bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) • juniper (Juniperus communis) Demulcents • marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) Astringent • horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Cautions regarding UTIs?
Bladder infections that spread to the kidneys (pylonephritis) are a serious
medical condition and must be managed aggressively.
Diuretic (aquaretic) does?
Increases the production and elimination of urine.
When would one use a diuretic?
- urinary tract infections (UTI)
- kidney stones
- detoxification
Herbs with diuretic properties?
- parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- juniper (Juniperus communis)
- bear berry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Phytochemicals in diuretics?
- essential oil
* alkaloids (e.g. methylxanthines)
Actions of parsley (petroselinum sativum)?
- diuretic
- carminative
- antispasmodic
when would one use parsley?
• urinary tract infections (UTI)
Phytochemicals in parsley?
- phenylpropanoids (apiole, myristicin)
- furanocoumarin (psoralen, bergapten)
- flavonoids
What does parsely inhibit in the kidneys, leading to what?
Parsley inhibits the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in the kidney leading to
sodium and water excretion and potassium reabsorption.
Cautions regarding parsley?
• Pregnancy (uterine stimulant) - myristicin is an abortifacient in high
doses
•Side effects: Photosensitization may occur due to furanocoumarins.
Urinary antiseptics do?
discourages or inhibits the growth of microorganisms in the urinary tract.
when would one use urinary antiseptics?
urinary tract infections (UTI)
what herbs have urinary antiseptic properties?
- juniper (Juniperus communis)
* bear berry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
phytochemicals on urinary antiseptics?
- essential oil
* alkaloids (e.g. methylxanthines)
Actions of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)?
- antiseptic (urinary)
* astringent
when would one use bearberry?
urinary tract infections
phytochemicals of bearberry?
- arbutin (hydroquinone glycoside)
* tannins
how does hydroquinone of arbutin become active?
Beta-glucosidase enzyme cleaves the sugar from arbutin releases the
active hydroquinone.
Caution regarding bearberry?
arbutin generates reactive oxygen species and thus long-term use may
increase the risk for cancer.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) actions?
- diuretic
- urinary antiseptic
- antimicrobial
When would one use Juniper?
urinary tract infections
phytochemicals on Juniper?
- volatile oils (monoterpene & sesquiterpenes)
* monoterpenes (α-pinene, myrcene, camphor, terpinen-4-ol)
Comment on Juniper and kidney disease?
Kidney disease - use with caution because essential oils irritate the
kidneys.
Antiadherances do?
prevents the attachment of certain microorganisms, which is required to
establish the infection. to the mucousa of the host.
when would one use an antiaderhance?
urinary tract infection (E.coli)
herbs with antiadherance properties?
cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
phytochemicals of antiadherances?
- proanthocyanidin
* carbohydrates (e.g. mannose)
Actions of Cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon)?
- antiseptic (urinary)
- diuretic
- astringent
- antioxidant
when would one use cranberry?
urinary tract infections
phytochemicals in cranberry?
- proanthocyanidins
- anthocyanidins
- fructose
Caution regarding cranberry?
Considered safe during pregnancy.
Demulcent (urinary) does?
Increases mucous production to protect the kidney, ureters, bladder and
urethra against friction and irritation
when would one use a urinary demulcent?
- urinary tract infectons (UTI)
- urinary gravel
- kidney stones
Herbs with urinary demulcent properties?
marshmallow (Althea officinalis)
Actions of Marshmellow (Althea offinalis)?
- demulcent
- expectorant
- emollient
When would one use marshmellow?
Irritations and inflammation of urinary tract:
• cystitis
• urethritis
Phytochemicals in marshmellow?
- mucilage
- soluble fiber
- tannins (root)
- flavonoids
- phenolic acids
herbal actions useful in treatment of kidney stones?
- antilithic
- diuretic
- astringent
- antispasmodic
herbs useful in treating kidney stones?
- chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)
* joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
caution regarding kidney stones?
Oxalic acid (oxalate) - avoid certain vegetables (e.g. beats, spinach, swiss chard, chocolate, nuts, beans, rhubarb, black tea).
Antilithics do?
Prevents and aids the expulsion of liths (i.e. stones) from the body.
when would one use an antilithic?
- gallstones
* kidney stones
herbs with antilithic properties?
- chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)
* joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
Chanca pedra (phyllanthus niruri) actions?
- antilithic
* antispasmodic
when would one use chanca pedra?
- urinary gravel
* kidney stones
Joe-Pye weed (eupatorium purpuream) actions?
- antilithic
* diuretic
when would one use Joe-pye weed?
- urinary gravel
- kidney stones
- urinary tract infections
phytochemicals of joe-pye weed?
- benzofuran (e.g. euparin)
* flavonoids
caution regarding joe-pye weed?
Photosensitization? - contains benzofurans
What is Hematuria? caused by?
• blood in the urine usually caused by, but not limited to:
• urinary tract infections
• kidney stones
• enlarged prostate
• Note: blood in the urine can also be associated with serious conditions
(e.g. cancer, kidney disease) and therefore the cause should be
discovered and treated.
herbal actions useful in treating hematuria?
- astringent
- antiinflammatory
- demulcent
Herb useful in treating hematuria?
horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Astringent does?
contracts and thickens tissues to decrease permeability and increase
resistance to physical stress
when would one use an astringent?
hematuria
herb with astringent properties?
horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
phytochemicals of astringents?
tannins
caution regarding astringents (phytochemical of)?
Tannins can impair absorption of nutrients.
Horsetail (equisetum arvense) actions?
- astringent
- diuretic (mild)
- styptic
when would one use horsetail?
- hematuria
- urinary tract infections (adjunctive herb)
- enuresis (bed-wetting)
phytochemicals in horsetail?
- tannins
* silica
Horsetail and connective tissue?
believed to help strengthen connective tissues
