The urinary system is the processing facility for waste removal from the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Lymphatic fluid enters the bloodstream and contributes to the volume and composition of blood plasma. As the blood filters through the kidneys, excess fluids, electrolytes, toxins, and hormones are separated to be removed from the body as urine. Proper kidney function is critical to ensure that this waste is removed from the blood and, ultimately, the body.
While western medicine doesn't offer many solutions in the realm of urinary system preventative care, this system is the first that Doctor Morse looks to when reestablishing proper elimination in the body. In any therapeutic protocol, we always recommend a Kidneys & Bladder formula to ensure you are properly supporting the function and health of the primary organs in this system.
In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 herbs for kidney health in Doctor Morse’s Kidneys & Bladder formulas. As we take a closer look at the unique phytochemistry of these herbs, you’ll learn why their diuretic action, mineral rich composition and volatile oil content have made these specific herbs the go-to for urinary system support for millennia.
Diuretic Herbs
#1 Juniper berry
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Resin, tannin, essential oil, pectin.
Juniper is an amazing urinary system ally which is included in every Kidneys & Bladder formula. It is a well-known diuretic and alterative, bringing nutrients to this eliminatory system to support the function of the kidneys and the flow of urine. Small amounts of juniper berry support circulation and glomerular filtration in the kidneys, and the high volatile oil content helps to keep a balanced bacterial microbiome. Juniper berry is also a prominent herb in our Adrenal Support formula.*
#2 Corn silk
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Maizenic acid, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, phytosterols, terpenoids, steroids, saccharides (sugars), allantoin and vitamins E and K.
Corn silk is a lovely option for supporting the urinary tract. The silky hairs of immature corn stalks are best, but the silk off any ear of corn will do! The saponin content helps to support the flow of urine making corn silk a popular natural diuretic. The allantoin content gives it a demulcency that supports the softening and moistening of the epithelial cell lining of the urinary tract. Corn silk also contains tannins, meaning that it supports the tightening and toning of lax tissue throughout the system. Corn silk is found in Kidneys & Bladder Restore, Kidneys & Bladder Daily and Kidney Tea.*
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Chlorophyll, trace minerals, antioxidants, fat, iron, Vitamin C, B group & K1, protein. The stingers are made of silicon and contain formic acid, histamine and acetylcholine.
Stinging nettle is a tasty diuretic herb that likes to grow near moving water; an indication of how it supports movement of the waters in the body. This mineral rich herb has a lot of potassium, which is an essential mineral for kidney health and fluid balance in the body. The sting of nettle is due to fine needles made of silica that inject a chemical mixture of formic acid, histamine, acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). This silica supports the strengthening of the lining of the urinary tract. Try nettle tincture on its own or in the urinary supportive formula Kidneys & Bladder Restore.*
#4 Parsley leaf and root
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Starch, mucilage, sugar, volatile oil and Apiin (flavonoid).
Parsley is employed in Kidneys & Bladder Drain and Kidney Tea for its strong diuretic action. It is traditionally used to support the flushing of the kidney and helps keep the kidneys and bladder free flowing. It also helps to calm spasms in the smooth muscle of the kidneys and bladder.*
#5 Hydrangea
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Resins, gum, sugar, starch, albumen, soda, lime potassa, magnesia, sulphuric and phosphoric acids, Hydrangin, coumarin & skimmin.
Hydrangea is a common landscaping plant native to north, central, and south America and said to have been used by the Cherokee Nation to support the free flow of urine. Its diuretic action is supportive to the system with both acute and chronic discomforts. It is the wild growing Hydrangea arborescens that is used for these purposes, not the landscaped varieties. Hydrangea root is found in Kidneys & Bladder Restore, Hydrate and Drain.*
Tonics, Alteratives, Diaphoretics, Demulcents & Immunostimulants
#6 Cordyceps
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Nucleoside, polysaccharide, sterol, protein, amino acid, and polypeptide.
Cordyceps are a fascinating fungal remedy. It is a parasite mushroom that sprouts out of the head of the infected ghost moth larva (caterpillar) and other insects. It is added to Kidneys & Bladder Restore, Kidneys & Bladder Daily and Kidney Tea for its action as a kidney tonic. Traditional Chinese Medicine use of this fungus is to support deficient yin and yang of the kidneys. Traditional Tibetan materia medica states that cordyceps support kidney strength, heat, and sexual virility.*
#7 Burdock
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Lignans, polyacetylenes, carbohydrates: inulin (45% to 50%), mucilage, pectin, sugars.
Burdock is an alterative root that is traditionally used to support the healthy function of the liver and digestive tract. Helpful for clearing the liver-to-skin eliminatory channel, burdock is a secondary therapeutic to urinary system health as the healthy elimination of water and urea from the sweat glands can support healthy blood pressure and take some of the load of water and waste removal off compromised kidneys. Find burdock root in Kidneys & Bladder Drain, Liver/Skin tincture and Heal All Caps.*
#8 Goldenrod
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Saponins, flavonoids, miscellaneous polysaccharides and tannins.
Goldenrod is a marsh-loving perennial that can grow from hip to head height and diffuses a pleasant odor from the leaves and small yellow panicle blooms. Goldenrod is traditionally used as a diaphoretic, meaning that it promotes sweating. Included in Kidneys & Bladder Restore, Kidneys & Bladder Daily and Kidney Tea, the diaphoretic action of this herb supports healthy blood pressure and promotes the eliminatory action of the 3rd kidney, the skin.*
#9 Marshmallow
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: mucilaginous polysaccharides, Root: mucilage, pectin, asparagine & tannins.
Marshmallow root is high in mucilaginous polysaccharides. These molecules are extremely hydrophilic (water loving), swelling as they encounter water, resulting in a thickening, hydrating effect. This makes marshmallow root great for delivering hydration directly to the tissues of the urinary tract, helping to sooth, rejuvenate, and calm irritated tissue. Marshmallow root is formulated into Kidney Tea, Kidneys & Bladder Restore and Kidneys & Bladder Hydrate.*
#10 Uva Ursi
PRIMARY CONSTITUENTS: Arbutin, some flavonoids, condensed tannins.
Uva ursi and its cousin madrone are commonly used by traditional herbalists to support the healthy bacterial microbiome of the urinary tract, especially when it has fallen out of balance. It has both astringent and demulcent characteristics, making it a great urinary system tonic for modulating tissue hydration and function. Uva ursi is in Kidneys & Bladder Restore, Kidneys & Bladder Drain and Kidney Tea.*
Other Therapeutics for Urinary System Support
Diet & Kidney Health
In the Standard American Diet (SAD), food lacks balanced nutrition and the primary source for minerals is table salt. This means that most folks in America are getting sodium chloride in excess but that’s about it! The trouble is, the kidneys can try as they might to find balance but once the scale is tipped, excess sodium remains in circulation. Going by the general rule “water follows salt,” when you eat food rich in sodium, the sodium enters the bloodstream and pulls water out from the cells into the bloodstream. More fluid in your blood leads to increased blood pressure.
Kidney Supportive Diet
- If you haven't yet, now is the time to switch out your table salt for sea salt.
- Consider fasting to reset a healthy mineral complex in the body using fruits, vegetables and teas. We have many helpful pdfs to guide you in proper food combining, food acidity and fasting protocols.
- Hop on the Dr Morse detox train and purchase the [Ultimate Detox Kit], which pairs fasting protocols with Dr Morse formulas to support the detoxification of the entire system.
Juicing Recipe
As we here at Doctor Morse’s promote a balanced diet of primarily raw fruits and vegetables, fresh pressed juices are a top choice for both fasting protocols and supporting healthy kidney function. Juicing is convenient and allows for a variety of fruits and vegetable combinations for tasty juices that help keep you on track.
All fruits and some vegetables provide support for the kidneys and the urinary system in general. Berry smoothies and grape juices are always a top option, but here is a unique and delicious combination worth trying.
For this recipe, a juice press is recommended (grinds then presses), but a masticating juicer or centrifuge juicer will also work well. You will get about 12 ounces of juice from this recipe.
Recipe
1.5 cups cut red grapes
1.5 pears
1.5 cups chopped herbs
1/4 of a lemon
Directions
- Wash your produce well!
- Quarter the lemon and put it directly through a juice press - rind and all
- Process the grapes, pears and herbs (cleavers, nettles, dandelion leaf, chickweed, parsley, etc.) press.
- Enjoy!
Cranberry Juice
We are often asked about cranberries and if they should be consumed, especially in periods of urinary discomfort. Cranberries are acidic. They are one of the few fruits that does not leave an alkaline ash in the body. Don't get wrapped up in treatment mentality of symptoms.
Urinary System No-Nos
No therapeutic protocol would be complete without mention of all the foods, beverages and lifestyle inputs to avoid when cleansing and restoring the urinary system. The items on this list will potentially exacerbate urinary discomfort and slow the rejuvenation process.
Foods/Beverages
Alcohol
Sports drinks/energy drinks/coffee/carbonated drinks
Refined sugar
Table salt
Too much citrus
Spicy foods
Artificial flavors
Lifestyle Awareness
Urinary retention – when you got to go, go!
Hot tubs/prolonged bathing - especially when using facilities that are shared; gyms, hotels, bathhouses. Water chemistry is a complex science and not everyone gets it right!
Tight/synthetic underwear - these materials can trap moisture and heat, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth and irritation of the urinary tract.
Scented hygiene products - the chemicals and fragrances in these products can irritate the sensitive tissues of the urinary tract, leading to discomfort and an increased risk of urinary tract imbalances.
Bladder Training & Kegels
Bladder training is a technique used to improve bladder control and frequent urination. Here are the steps to bladder training:
Keep a Bladder Diary - Begin by keeping a bladder diary for a few days. Record the times you urinate, the amount of urine passed, and any episodes of urinary leakage or urgency. This diary helps identify patterns and baseline habits.
Set a Schedule - Based on the information from your bladder diary, establish a fixed schedule for urination. Start with regular, scheduled bathroom breaks, such as every two to three hours, even if you don't feel the urge to urinate.
Delay Urination Gradually - When you start bladder training, you may find that you can't wait very long before feeling a strong urge to urinate. The goal is to gradually extend the time between bathroom breaks. For example, if you typically urinate every hour, try extending it to an hour and 15 minutes for a few days, then an hour and 30 minutes, and so on.
Use Relaxation Techniques - When you feel the urge to urinate but it's not yet time for your scheduled bathroom break, use relaxation techniques to help control the urgency. Take slow, deep breaths, and try to distract your mind from the sensation.
Kegel Exercises - Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can help improve bladder control and reduce urgency and leakage. To start, it's important to identify the pelvic floor muscles. One way to do this is to stop the flow of urine midstream. However, this should only be done to identify the muscles, not as a regular exercise routine.
Once you've identified the pelvic floor muscles, flex them by squeezing and lifting them upward. Be sure to avoid contracting other muscles, such as those in the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs. Hold your Kegel for 3-5 seconds and then relax for 3-5 seconds and repeat this constriction 10 times per session. For the best results, repeat 3 times daily.
Stay Hydrated - Maintain proper hydration by drinking enough water throughout the day. Avoid excessive fluid intake close to bedtime to minimize nighttime bathroom trips.
Adjust and Persist - As you become more comfortable with the schedule and notice improvements, gradually increase the time between bathroom visits. Be patient and persistent, as it may take several weeks to see significant results.
Seek Professional Guidance - If you find bladder training challenging or your symptoms persist, consider consulting a healthcare professional, such as a urologist or pelvic floor therapist. They can provide personalized guidance and may recommend additional treatments or therapies.