I think it’s pretty much consensus that pharmaceuticals are not the panacea for IC and bladder pain. At least that was my experience with the IC patients who I worked with. Herbs offer an alternative to pharmaceuticals and we have discussed a number of them for use such as CCF tea, the use of turmeric in cooking, as well as aloe vera gel.
Herbs fall into 3 categories when looking at their functional effects. Unlike pharmaceucals one herb category enhances digestive strength in all its various aspects of function, for example turmeric. A second category is composed of therapeutic herbs that solve very specific problems, such as aloe vera gel. Taken alone they are not as effective, but done with nutritional work they can be highly effiective. Aloe vera when combined with a Pitta-reducing nutritional format can have an almost immediate (one to two weeks) impact on flares.
The third category is a special group of herbs that are rejuvenative. These herbs restore youthful vigor and vitality and are the topic of this post.
Herbs can offer immediate relief in some situations and support the nutrition and metabolic lifestyle behaviors in the long term. But herbs, unlike pharmaceuticals, are not primary but secondary in management. This is a clear departure from current thinking about disease management, but is tantamount to success in dealing with chronic disease. Having said that herbs can help jumpstart a system that is under stress as in cases of patients who have long standing IC and are debilitated.
Herbs that are rejuvenative in nature are useful because they have the capability of strengthening the fatigued low energy body that has been under the stress of chronic disease such as IC, while at the same time dealing with the imbalance that is going on.
The interesting thing about rejuvenative herbs is that they have an impact on mind. This can be very helpful for those who are depressed and feeling helpless. It is this particular aspect of rejuvenative therapy that can be quite helpful in creating more space for lifestyle changes.
So the special place that rejuvenatives have is that they impact or shift our DNA which in turn affect our choices in selection of various alternatives presented to us so that you make better choices with respect to the management of IC. They also help to modify our lifestyle behavioral choices so that old habits that are not supportive of healing IC are easier to get out of.
Aloe vera I have mentioned this herb numerous times in the past because not only does it offer cooling to the hot urinary tract system but on top of this it is a rejuvenative. That is, it has the capability of helping you morph lifestyle changes in choice of all kinds. So for example when making choices about foods that may be not such good choices and choice about foods that are better choices, eg coffee habits. Also choice around lifestyle behaviors that are not conducive to healing and those that are.
Gokshura Also known as Caltrops this herb targets the water or urinary tract channel and is effective in reducing inflammation but is also good at reducing the incidence of stone formation. It is this latter effect that suggests that gokshura is an important herb in facilitating glycosoaminoglycan (GAG) layer formation. Its best use is in formula, but it could be used in basti (below) due to the GAG-formation enhancement.
Purnarnava Translated as “that which renews us” this herb also like gokshura has affinity to the urinary channel. It strengthens the kidneys and in doing so aids in our overall health and vitality. Its action is more tonifying to the kidney than to the urinary bladder and therefore would be a second line herb in dealing with straightforward IC.
Guduchi An important rejuvenative for Pitta and nutritive herb to take during recovery periods. It is a potent detoxifier, buring ama without aggravating Pitta. It is a great tonic for the immune system . Taken with ghee it reduces Vata, with sugar reduces Pitta, and with honey it reduces Kapha.
Shatavari This is one of the more important herbs in reducing Pitta and used for women’s Pitta imbalances around menstruation but in the IC condition is unique in its application, particularly around tea decoctions for bladder therapy below. It is a rejuvenative as well. It is useful in treating dry and inflamed mucous membranes. In addition to its Pitta pacifying use, it also soothes calms Vata.
The basis of selection of which herb to use is based on the individual not on the disease. So the evaluation of the individual to use targeted therapy is based on who needs it.
Sir William Osler, said to be the father of Modern Medicine wrote, “A good physician treats the disease, the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”
Until next week To Health as a Skill Love DrBil
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