Our kidneys are a remarkable filtering system: every day, they filter about 180 liters of water through the approximately one million functional units of the kidney (nephrons) – of which about 1.5 liters leave us again via the bladder and urethra. The kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra serve mainly to excrete fluid and waste. Unfortunately, this complex excretory system is susceptible to various disorders that impede the elimination of metabolic products and upset our salt-water balance.
Flushing therapy with stinging nettle
The plant bears its name not without reason, everyone knows it by its unpleasant burning leaves. Less known, however, are its many medicinal effects. Yet it has been a popular and common medicinal plant since ancient times because of its tonic, diuretic, digestion-regulating and blood-purifying properties. In folk medicine, patients with measles, scarlet fever, paralysis or pleurisy even had to endure flogging with fresh nettles. Today, nettle is recommended mainly for flushing the urinary tract. Nettle leaves and herb are used in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and to prevent kidney gravel. Preparations from the root also relieve prostate complaints, such as urinary urgency and difficulty urinating.
Stones often block the way
Urinary stones have existed since ancient times, and today 4% of Germans already suffer from urinary stones one or more times in their lives. It is estimated that there are 400,000 urinary stone patients per year. Men in particular are affected by kidney stone formation, but in recent years the proportion of women has also been increasing. Stones are formed by oversaturation with stone-forming salts and minerals, for example, due to insufficient fluid intake. The deposits, known as sand or semolina, gradually grow into crystals or stones that become lodged in the draining organs. The best prevention is to make sure to drink plenty of fluids so that the kidneys are well flushed. Medicinal herbs such as nettle, birch, bean or dandelion are particularly suitable as a preventive flushing therapy. Avoid a high-protein diet (lots of animal products) and foods containing oxalic acid (spinach, chard, rhubarb, beet); the same applies to foods rich in purines (offal, skin of fish and poultry, sardines, herring, mackerel). Make sure you get enough fiber (whole grains, salad, vegetables), and go easy on the salt.
Bladder infection – a burning nuisance.
Women in particular – due to their shorter urethra – often suffer from urinary tract infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria. Constant and burning urge to urinate are the first signs of a bacterial bladder infection (cystitis). Causes are usually hypothermia, inadequate irrigation of the bladder or lowered defenses. The best prevention: drink a lot to flush the bladder: at least 2.5 to 3 liters. Teas or a plant juice cure with nettle or birch are also suitable for this. Patients with chronic cystitis should drink cranberry or cranberry juice more frequently, which reduce bacterial colonization. Avoid getting the bladder and kidney cold, prefer jackets and sweaters that go above the waist, change a wet bathing suit immediately, and do not sit on cold floors.
A typical male problem
Men also often struggle with urination problems after the age of 40. However, the cause here is not due to the excretory organs, but to an enlarged prostate that presses on the urethra. It is only afterwards that bacterial colonization can occur due to the obstruction of urine flow and residual urine remaining in the bladder. A good prevention is a lot of exercise (regular endurance sports) and a normal weight. Diets high in meat are suspected of accelerating prostate proliferation, as are high-calorie foods (sweets) rich in animal fats. A high consumption of fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils, soybeans or cereals should protect against this. A course of nettle juice relieves problems with urination and urge to urinate. Presumably, the anti-inflammatory agents lead to a decongestion of the prostate gland.
Relieves the pain of rheumatism
Rheumatism is just an umbrella term for many different diseases. Translated, it means the “flowing pain“.With the nagging ailment with so many faces, there is of course no universal therapy. In recent times, however, the supportive treatment with stinging nettle has become more and more popular. The effect is presumably based on an influence of certain tissue hormones, prostaglandins, which have a pro-inflammatory effect.