Herbs that increase the flow of urine and clear, soothe and disinfect the kidneys and bladder: parsley, juniper, uva ursi, gravel root, cleavers and the rest. Chapter 5 teaches this family as a whole.
No. 59Parsley
Traditional uses and main actions
Christopher's "universal kidney cleanser," the partner of juniper in Juni-Pars. A gentle diuretic for water retention, kidney and bladder complaints and gravel; a breath freshener; and a food rich in vitamins C and K, iron and folate. Part of Christopher's BPE and cold formulas.
How it's prepared
Fresh as food and juice; tea of the leaf or root; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day; fresh, freely as food.
Cautions and interactions
Food amounts are safe. Medicinal amounts of the root or seed (and the oil) are not for pregnancy or kidney disease. Rich in vitamin K (warfarin: keep intake steady).
Taught in Lessons 4, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 60Juniper Berry
Traditional uses and main actions
A strong diuretic and urinary disinfectant for bladder infections, water retention and gravel; also warming to the digestion. Schulze's chief kidney herb; good berries are blue to purple and smell like gin when crushed. Christopher used it for edema.
How it's prepared
Decoction (Schulze's juniper tea: ⅓ cup crushed berries in 2 quarts water, just below a simmer, for an hour); tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 2–3 cups a day for a week or two (Schulze: 3–4 times a day in an emergency); tincture, 1 dropperful 3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Short courses only (up to 4–6 weeks). Not in pregnancy or with kidney disease or kidney infection. Adds to diuretics and can change lithium levels. Use Juniperus communis berries; some other junipers are toxic.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 61Gravel Root
Traditional uses and main actions
The "stone dissolver": used for kidney and bladder stones and gravel, urinary infections, prostate swelling and gout. Part of Christopher's BF&C and Prospallate formulas.
How it's prepared
Decoction; tincture.
Typical amounts
Decoction, 1 teaspoon per cup, 2–3 cups a day; tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids: use in courses of weeks, not continuously. Not in pregnancy or with liver disease.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 62Uva Ursi
Traditional uses and main actions
The great urinary antiseptic for bladder infections; also astringent for bed-wetting and incontinence. Part of Schulze's Kidney/Bladder formula and Christopher's Juni-Pars and Nu-Fem.
How it's prepared
Cold infusion (less tannin) or tea; tincture; capsules.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1 teaspoon per cup, 3 cups a day; tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 3 times a day; for 1–2 weeks at a time. It works best when the urine is alkaline (vegetables, not cranberry juice, while taking it).
Cautions and interactions
Short courses only (no more than about 2 weeks, 5 times a year). Not in pregnancy, breastfeeding, for young children or with kidney disease. Turns urine green-brown (harmless).
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 63Wild Carrot
Traditional uses and main actions
A diuretic and urinary cleanser for gravel, stones and water retention; the seeds are carminative. The wild ancestor of the garden carrot (which Christopher also listed).
How it's prepared
Infusion of the seeds or leaves.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1 teaspoon seeds or leaves per cup, 2–3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Identify it with complete certainty: it closely resembles the deadly poison hemlock and water hemlock (Chapter 6). Look for a hairy stem, a carrot smell, and often a single dark purple floret in the center of the flower. The seeds are not for pregnancy.
Taught in Lessons 5, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 64Cleavers
Traditional uses and main actions
The sticky spring weed that clings to clothes: a gentle diuretic and the herbalist's favorite lymph cleanser, for swollen glands, skin conditions and bladder irritation.
How it's prepared
Fresh juice or cold infusion (it loses much of its power when dried); tincture of the fresh herb.
Typical amounts
Cold infusion of a handful of fresh herb in a quart of water, drunk through the day; tincture, 1–2 dropperfuls 3 times a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe.
Taught in Lessons 5, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 65Buchu
Traditional uses and main actions
A South African shrub, a urinary antiseptic and diuretic for bladder infections and irritation, with a strong, blackcurrant-like scent.
How it's prepared
Tea; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1 teaspoon per cup, 2–3 cups a day for a short time.
Cautions and interactions
Not in pregnancy or with kidney disease or kidney infection. Short term.
Taught in Lesson 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapter of the same number in this book).
No. 66Corn Silk
Traditional uses and main actions
A soothing diuretic for irritated bladders, cystitis, bed-wetting, frequent urination and gravel. Part of Schulze's Kidney/Bladder formula.
How it's prepared
Tea of the fresh or dried silk; tincture.
Typical amounts
Tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Adds to diuretic drugs.
Taught in Lessons 3, 5 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).
No. 67Dandelion
Traditional uses and main actions
Two remedies: the leaf is a strong diuretic that, unlike diuretic drugs, replaces the potassium it flushes out; the root is a liver and gallbladder tonic and gentle laxative. All of it is food. Used for water retention, sluggish liver, poor digestion and skin conditions.
How it's prepared
Leaf as tea or salad; root as decoction, tincture or roasted "coffee."
Typical amounts
Leaf tea, 1–2 teaspoons per cup, 3 cups a day; root decoction, 1 teaspoon per cup, 2–3 cups a day.
Cautions and interactions
Very safe. Avoid with a blocked bile duct. Allergy in people sensitive to the daisy family.
Taught in Lessons 5, 6 of Arukah's Herbalism certification (the chapters of the same number in this book).