Cranberry: urinary tract infections.

Dale Woika, Charlotte Weiss, Hilda Marshall, Dec 1994, afh

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: urinary tract
From: dww5.psu.edu (Dale Woika)
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 02:34:08 GMT

>I'm trying to improve a recipe to help cure urinary tract infections. For now, I use usnea linchen, uva ursi and pipsissewa. Any suggestions? If this is a sexual contracted infection both partners should be treated. My question on this is, is there a different treatment for men and women. How long do people use the treatment. For now, I suggest a maximum of five to seven days, and if symptons continue, off to the doctor.

This has been tossed back and forth many times, but it works most of the time: good 'ol cranberry juice. Dose: 8oz 3x daily for two or three days. The active ingrdient is thought to be the benzoic acid & related metabolites, & for a host of conditions which cause burning or frequent urination, it seems to do the trick. If it doesn't work in 4 days or if you suspect it might be more serious than a simple bacterial inf., see the doc.

It is of intrest to note: many long-term care facilities (nursing homes & such) serve cranberry juice to the patients. It changes the smell of the urine, which really makes the whole place more livable for all. Just FYI.

Dale

From: Charlotte.M.Weiss.jpl.nasa.gov (Charsky)

>This has been tossed back and forth many times, but it works most of the time: good 'ol cranberry juice.

Cranberry Gelcaps work even better. It does not contain the sugar which in effect counteracts the alkaline base of the Cranberry.

Charlotte

From: hilda.elf.com (Hilda Marshall)

> It does not contain the sugar which in effect counteracts the alkaline base of the Cranberry.

Well, technically, sugar doesn't counteract alkalinity, and cranberries are acidic anyway - but it's true that there's only so much cloying-sweet cranberry-juice "cocktail" I can stand; and only so much pure cranberry juice I can afford!

Gelcaps are also handy for traveling!

Love, Hilda