Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Abstract

Urinary Tract Infection is a significant infectious problem managed in the general medical practice. Women are affected more than men. One woman in the five develops Urinary tract infection (UTI) at least during her lifetime. UTIs are not common in men, but lead to serious problems when they occur. The symptoms of urinary tract infections are similar to Mutrakriccha as in Ayurveda. There are various herbs in Ayurveda with varied action specifically aimed at mitigating urinary system disorders. An herb having various phytochemicals and secondary metabolites that naturally boosts the body to combat diseases. As most of the Uropathogenic bacteria are now antibiotic resistant. In this case Planet Ayurveda introduces UTi care pack, offer unique, natural treatment for urinary tract infections.

Introduction

Urinary tract infection refers to an infection related to the urinary system that includes kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra. UTIs are the second most common infectious disease in the world affecting 90% of the world population throughout their lifespan. Women are more prone to UTI, even though they have anatomically and physiologically normal urine tract. UTIs are also known as Fearnes syndrome is a microbial infection that affects any part of the urinary system. Usually urine is sterile, free from microbes but contains fluids, salts and waste products. In 80% of UTIs caused by Escherichia coli, which is naturally present in the colon near anus followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Mycoplasma hominis and many others. An infection occurs when bacteria or fungi get into the bladder and start to grow. The infection frequently begins at the opening of urethra where excretion of urine takes place.

Kinds of Urinary tract Infections

1. Urethritis – Infection of urethra
2. Cystitis – Infection of urinary bladder
3. Pyelonephritis – Infection of kidney
4. Uretitis – Infection of ureters
5. Vaginitis – Infection of vagina

Causes

People having following reasons are more prone to urinary tract infections

1. Sexually active with an infected person.
2. Vesicoureteral Reflux
3. Kidney stones
4. Dehydration
5. Diabetes
6. Constipation
7. Using dirty sanitary pads
8. Holding urine more than four or six hours
9. Using spermicide for diaphragms.
10. Using urinary catheter

Symptoms

There are specific symptoms for various kinds of UTIs

Diagnosis

1. Physical parameters for Urine examination : Color, turbidity, smell, foam in urine sample.
2. Microscopy : Microcopy examination of urine, presence of leukocytes, pus cells, bacteria, erythrocytes.
3. Microbial testing : Microbial identification of urine sample by culturing on Macconkey media, Hicrome media, SDA media.
4. Imaging testing : An ultrasound and CT scan of the urinary tract area.

Treatment

UTIs are mostly treated by these Antibiotics- Cephalexin, Nitrofurantoin, Ciprofloxacin, Fosfomycin and many others.

Ayurveda concept

Ayurveda is an ancient healing science present in nature. The line of treatment in Ayurveda is mainly based on Dosha Chikitsa (treatment). Urinary tract infections come under Mutravaha Srotas in Ayurveda. The formation and excretion of Mutra (urine) is the chain mechanism of Mutravha Srotas where functions of all other organs are related to each other. Many urinary disorders are manifested if pathology arises in any part of the Mutravaha Srotas. These are Mutrakriccha (Dysuria), Mutraghata (Severe obstruction in urination), Ashmari (renal stone), Prameha (frequent urge to urine), Mutrakshaya (lack of urine production), and Mutravriddhi (accumulation of excessive fluids). The disease Mutrakriccha has involved vitiation of Pitta Dosha along with vitiation of Vata Dosha. There are various herbs in Ayurveda that are involved in the flushing out of the toxins (Ama), cleaning out the blockage of urinary passage and tones the kidney (vrikka) function.

Herbal remedies for urinary tract infection by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a trustworthy manufacturer of herbal items and ayurvedic medicine in India with GMP certification. It is one of India’s top producers and suppliers of ayurvedic medications. All products are 100% pure and herbal. Planet Ayurveda formulates a complete pack “UTi care pack” for healing urinary tract infections. This pack includes 5 different herbal products which are very effective in UTIs. These products are 100% pure, herbal with no added preservatives or additives. These products are effective in various types of UTIs without leaving any harmful effect on the body. These products are:

1. Punarnava Capsule
2. Gokshuradi Guggul
3. Varunadi Vati
4. Chandanadi vati
5. Reno plan syrup

Products Description

1. Punarnava capsule

An herbal capsule made up of only Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) plant extract. It has many phytochemicals like alkaloids which helps in the removal of renal stones and is used as yonishool (infection of vagina). Punarnava is a potent herb that has Antibacterial, Anti- inflammatory and Diuretics effects and is highly effective for cystitis.

Dosage : 1 – 2 capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meal.

2. Gokshuradi Guggul

A poly herbal tablets consists of 9 herbs such as Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) , Guggul (Commiphora mukul), black pepper (Piper nigrum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), Amla (Emblica officinalis) and many more. This herbal tablet having Antibacterial properties against various gram positive bacteria such as Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative bacteria like Acientobacter baumanii, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, pseudomonas aeruginosa by modulating enzymes functions present in the bacteria. These tablets also show Anti-inflammatory activity that reduces the pain in the urinary tract during urination.

Dosage : 1 – 2 tablets 2 – 3 times a day, before and after food or as directed by Ayurvedic Doctor.

3. Varunadi Vati

A polyherbal tablet especially formulated for UTIs and Kidney stone (Mutrashmari) by Planet Ayurveda. It consists of 4 medicinal herbs in a specific concentration which alleviates the effects of each other. These herbs are Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Varun (Crataeva nurvala), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) and Shuddha Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). These tablets possess Diuretic (Mutravirechaniya) property which helps to reduce the deposition of the fluid in the body. This product has beneficial effects on the neurogenic bladder and decreases the residual urine volume. It improves the overall health of the genitourinary tract, strengthening and tone the kidneys, bladder and reproductive organs. Also, shows an Anti-inflammatory, pain relieving property and Antibacterial property.

Dosage : 1-2 tablets twice or thrice daily with lukewarm water.

4. Chandanadi Vati

A polyherbal tablet formulated to balance the Pitta dosha in the body that leads to UTIs. It is a unique formulation prepared by Planet Ayurveda for improving the metabolism of kidney and urogenital tract. It consists of Safed chandan (Santalum album), Kababchini (Piper cubeba), Safed Ral (Shorea robusta), Rasaut (Berberis aristata) and many more. These tablets are used to treat UTIs and Liver disease due to its Antifungal and Antibacterial properties against Multi drug resistance organisms (MDRO) that are resistant to traditional Antibiotics and against different kinds of Uropathogenic bacteria. These tablets are used in the retention of urine, incontinence of urine and in the healing of gastrointestinal ulcers and the wounds of the urinary tract. These tablets also improve Gut bacterial health, used as Antacid by making urine alkaline and helps in breaking and dissolving stones in the urinary tract.

Dosage : 1 – 2 tablets twice or thrice daily by lukewarm water.

5. Reno Plan Syrup

A unique poly herbal formulation consists of Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa), Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus Niruri), Gokshur (Tribulus Terrestris), Trapush (Cucumis Sativus), Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus) and many more. This formulation is helpful in the management of the urinary infections and proper functioning of kidneys by balancing Pitta. This syrup used to heal dysuria, irritation of the urinary tract, reduces specific gravity of urine. Also, shows the Antimicrobial properties, relieving the symptoms of burning urination and soothing effect on urinary bladder (Basti),

Dosage : 1-2 teaspoons twice a day or as prescribed by an Ayurvedic Practitioner.

Conclusion

Urinary tract infections can readily be treated by medicinal herbs as mentioned in Ayurveda. Modern Science focuses more on the symptoms without knowing the primary reason of the disease that leads to resistance of Antibiotics in bacteria which is a new hot topic nowadays. Although, In Ayurveda, identify the problem by understanding the root cause of the disease and heal by medicinal herbs without leaving any side effects on the body. By using the Ayurvedic Practices Planet Ayurveda formulates various products by using antimicrobial herbs especially for UTI in the form of UTi care pack which provides a complete solution in one go.