Interstitial Cystitis Research Paper {pdf download}
A 70 page, in depth paper on Interstitial Cystitis/ Bladder Pain Syndrome based on my research, personal experience and years of working with others within the realm of herbalism and this condition.
Interstital Cystitis is something that I have dealt with for most of my life and what actually got me into herbalism over 20 years ago. I have lots of personal insight and experience with this condition. My hope is that by sharing some of what I have learned, others can find relief in herbal companions that I have found so comforting over the years.
This paper does not claim to diagnose, treat or prescribe in any manner as herbs are not drugs, and I am not a doctor specializing in disease. I am an herbalist who specializes in plant therapeutics and working with the body toward a state of wellness. I wrote this paper to offer education and empowerment to those dealing with what can sometimes seem like a condition of complete mystery.
Not going to lie, this paper is long and dry in some parts, but I didn’t want to leave a single thing out. It includes:
Introduction, What is IC/BPS?, Diagnosis and Assessments, Causes, Symptom Picture, Modern Medicine, Complementary Therapies and Lifestyle Choices, Home Remedies, Herbal Therapies (20 of my top herbs regarding IC) SEE EXCERPT BELOW for an example of herbal information offered ;)
Some herbal allies you may find helpful after reading this paper that can be found on our website include:
Bladder Releaf herbal tea, Bladder Releaf tincture, Balance tincture, and single herbs such as Gotu Kola, Marshmallow root, Parsley root, Plantain leaf
Excerpt from the Paper…. (1 of 20 herbs described in this manner)
Cornsilk ~ Zea mays
Part Prepared: Fresh silk
Person Picture: The person benefiting most from Cornsilk could possibly show symptoms of burning in the pelvic region, burning urination, constrictive and tight feeling in the uterine/pelvic region, lower back pain, stabbing or sharp “zaps” in the urethra. This person’s symptoms may be dramatically triggered with sexual activity or physical acts such as riding a bicycle or motorcycle. Acidic foods trigger irritation. This person may also feel that they need to urinate constantly but never feel like they fully eliminate.
Personal Experience: This is one of my personal favorite herbs to manage my IC/BPS. My flare warnings tend to appear as a slight burn in the urethra, heaviness and cramping in the uterine region, and dull throbbing in the lower back. A flare warning can often be calmed within a few hours of administering 40 drops of Cornsilk tincture or 8 oz of Cornsilk tea containing 1 Tb of the herb at initial symptom and continued every 1-2 hours until symptoms subside.
However, if a flare warning continues after administering this herb after 24 hours, a formula may be best. My mother has battled with IC for 50 years. This is one of her top 3 herbs to control flares and burning. She had a full flare almost every month before Cornsilk as a maintenance herb. Since working with this herb 2-3 times per week along with Turmeric root and Plantain leaf, her flares are only occurring 1-3 times per year and always due to an identifiable trigger such as stress, physical triggers or acidic foods and beverages.
It can be helpful alone as a “maintenance herb” 2-3 times per week. Case study A.H., had his sleep disrupted 5-10 times per night due to nocturia. Once taking Cornsilk 2x per day, he was only disrupted 1-2 times per night to urinate. This success continued for 1 month. A.H. ran out of the tincture and stopped using Cornsilk thinking he may not need it anymore. Within 2 nights, he began needing to get up 4-8 times to urinate for the next week. A.H. got more cornsilk tincture from me and began taking it again to have symptoms subside to waking 1-2 times per night.
Over the past 5 years of gathering information from clients, this herb has shown highly beneficial when sex or physical irritation, such as riding a lawn mower, is a trigger. Many clients when coming in with IC/BPS symptoms find physical irritation to be a major trigger. This herb has shown time and time again to be helpful if the person will take 30-40 drops of this tincture or 1 cup of tea as soon as possible after sexual intercourse or physical trigger.
Literature and Research: Hall writes regarding the need for Cornsilk, “There may be a very irritated and over-acid system generally…Indeed, the ‘Cornsilk’ person may have an irritation around the bladder orifice too, and the feeling that urine is too ‘hot’, even burning…These poor souls can suffer burning irritation and real distress on every sexual occasion…It is purely and simply soothing, washing through tiny irritating pieces of calcium gravel or dead tissue, and lining the sore and inflamed areas so healing can begin” (146-147).
Hoffman notes that Cornsilk is, “As a soothing diuretic, Cornsilk is beneficial for any irritation of the urinary system”(596). He also suggests the benefits of Cornsilk in most of his urinary formulas for conditions such as urinary frequency, dysuria, hematuria, cystitis, cystitis with pain and discomfort and urinary calculus. This shows his broad benefits of Cornsilk when dealing with urinary system issues.
The Appalachian folk herbalist, Tommy Bass was recorded working with Cornsilk as his favorite urinary system herb. Crellin wrote, “Mr. Bass’s preferred treatment for all ‘kidney’ problems is corn silk” (171). I have often heard a teacher of mine, Darryl Patton, say the same thing as he passes down the information passed onto him from Tommy Bass, who learned his herbal wisdom from a black midwife whose name has never been shared with me. Darryl shares that corn silk is surpassed by few in the realm of urinary system supportive herbs.
Easley specifically states that Cornsilk is helpful for “relieving discomfort associated with urinary tract conditions such as inflamed bladder and painful urination.” He notes that it is cooling, demulcent, diuretic, and soothing. (218) This is specifically the type of assistance that can be of great benefit when dealing with IC/BPS.
David Winston, in class notes, mentions Cornsilk, “For interstitial cystitis and chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, use Corn Silk with Eryngo, Marshmallow, Couch Grass or Saw Palmetto, along with urinary analgesics such as Hydrangea root or Kava.”
The list of herbalists speaking of the power of Cornsilk for urinary system issues could go on for 10 more pages, but no need for repetitiveness when the message is clear; this herb can be very soothing to an irritated bladder or urinary tract. I only work with heirloom, organic corn for the silks and not the genetically modified (GMO) corn. I find this to be very important.
Dosage:
Flare or flare warning…
Tea: 1 Tb freshly dried herb per 12 oz hot water steeped for 30 minutes. Drink 6 oz 4-5x day.
Tincture: 30-60 drops 4x day.
Prevention… (Use this method quickly after a physical trigger)
Tea: 2 tsp dried herb in 6 oz hot water for 30 minutes. Drink immediately following physical encounter and repeat dosage again in less than 4 hours.
Tincture: 20-30 drops in water immediately following physical encounter and repeat dosage in less than 4 hours.
Maintenance…
Tea: 2 tsp dried herb steeped in 6 oz hot water for 30 minutes. Drink 2-4x week, depending on need.
Tincture: 20-30 drops 1x daily or 2-4 days per week.
Contraindications: Be aware if taking with diuretics to assure proper potassium levels are obtained.