All right ladies, we all know the feeling… that sense of urgency, the painful urination, sometimes worse. Bladder infections are more than just a pain in the “you know what.” They can be a constant source of irritation and inconvenience. They also force us take medications and supplements that are just plain bad for you. Just thinking about it makes me want to cross my legs and squint my eyes! Throw in the subsequent yeast infection that trails the bladder infection (caused by antibiotics) and you’re left with a woman on the brink!
Why Antibiotics are Bad for You
Next time you find yourself in this predicament, don’t run to the doctor for a prescription of antibiotics or drink liters of sugary cranberry juice that not only blows your diet, but also feeds those hungry yeasty beasties. Antibiotics kill all the bacteria that live in our gut, the good and the bad. When we kill the good bacteria we not only get yeast infections but we seriously compromise our immune systems.
Forget about the Analgesics, Too
You can also forget about those nasty analgesics with the creepy chemical dyes that turn your pee orange. Chemical food dyes are so 1950’s, not to mention really bad for you! Did you know that America is one of the only countries that still allow chemical dyes into its food supply? It’s horrifying. But I will save that monster for another time….
An All-Natural Cure that Works!
There is an all-natural cure that really works! It’s called D-Mannose. It can be found in pineapples and cranberries, but the latest and most effective doses come from the Birch tree. For years we were told to drink cranberry juice to heal a bladder infection but you would have to consume bushels of them for it to be effective. That is why we kept calling our doctors for the antibiotic prescriptions and the day-glow over the counter analgesics. The great news is the Birch tree D-Mannose is now more powerful than cranberry juice and is not a drug! It’s actually a type of sugar that doesn’t interfere with blood sugar levels, so it’s also safe for diabetics.
How D-Mannose Works
Bladder infections are typically caused from bacteria in the colon that literally stick to the wall of our bladder with a fingerlike-grip. (Not a pretty picture). D-Mannose creates a slick environment in the bladder, which coats the bacteria so it can no longer stick to the bladder walls. The bacteria can then be flushed away with urine. Be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush your system and within a day your symptoms should dissipate and eventually the infection knocked out. If you don’t feel relief within 12-24 hours double your dosage. Natural cures sometime take a bit longer to work. Dig deep ladies and find the patience to let nature heal your body! In the long run you will be glad you did because you wont have compromised your immune system in the process. For those woman who get frequent bladder infections post sex, take D-Mannose after intercourse to avoid an infection. Now that’s a morning after pill I can really get behind! D-Mannose can be found at Whole Foods or most health food stores.
About the Author
Susan O’Brien, University of Texas at Austin design graduate and regular at the original Whole Foods market on Lamar in the 80’s, started Hail Merry Snacks in 2006 after traveling to Maui where she fell in love with the raw food lifestyle. For Ms. O’Brien “Going Raw”, an evolution of Vegan, seemed a natural progression from her decade-long yoga practice. Her journey would take her to Santa Monica where she trained with famed raw food chef, Juliano. Back home in Dallas, her cabana would be transformed into a test kitchen for raw snacks, which were then sold into a local natural foods market. Hail Merry quickly gained a devout following of vegan, gluten-free and raw enthusiasts who share a love for fresh, great tasting, pure ingredients which heal the body.
Ms. O’Brien is fascinated with how we can heal our bodies through food, in other words “Food as Medicine”. Whether you’re interested in raw foods, macrobiotics, ancient Ayruvedic principles or just want to improve longevity, Ms. O’Brien offers experience, knowledge and helpful tips for healing the body and achieving the “glow” that comes from a well cleansed and nourished body and soul.
She also exclaims – “Don’t mess with a mother when it comes to the health of her children.” She is adamant about seeing to it that her kids are not riddled with toxic food additives and dyes. Hail Merry can be found at select Whole Foods locations as well as other specialty and health conscious retailers. www.hailmerry.com.
