Overactive Bladder: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Overactive bladder, a condition characterized by a sudden and intense need to urinate, is defined as the involuntary contraction of the bladder muscle, resulting in frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and nocturia.

Caused by factors such as age, diabetes, neurological disorders, and certain medications, overactive bladder can lead to sleep disturbances, skin irritation, and urinary tract infections. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies like uva ursi, juniper berries, and saw palmetto, which have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, can be used in teas, tinctures, or capsules.

However, consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of overactive bladder, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of overactive bladder?

The main causes of overactive bladder are multifactorial and involve a combination of neurological, hormonal, and anatomical factors.

Neurological factors include damage to the nerves that control the bladder, such as spinal cord injuries, stroke, and multiple sclerosis, which disrupt normal bladder function and lead to an overactive bladder. Hormonal changes, particularly decreased levels of estrogen in postmenopausal women, can also contribute to the development of overactive bladder. Anatomical factors, including bladder prolapse, bladder tumors, and bladder stones, can irritate the bladder and cause overactive bladder symptoms.

Additionally, medications such as diuretics, sedatives, and antidepressants can exacerbate overactive bladder symptoms by increasing bladder contraction frequency.

• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve damage to the nerves that control the bladder, leading to an overactive bladder.
• Hypertension: Hypertension can damage the blood vessels that supply the bladder, leading to an overactive bladder.
• Obesity: Obesity can put pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, leading to an overactive bladder.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during menopause or pregnancy can affect the bladder's function and lead to an overactive bladder.
• Neurological Disorders: Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke can damage the nerves that control the bladder, leading to an overactive bladder.
• Medications: Certain medications such as diuretics, sedatives, and antidepressants can stimulate the bladder and lead to an overactive bladder.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney disease can cause an accumulation of waste products in the blood, which can irritate the bladder and lead to an overactive bladder.
• Infections: Infections such as urinary tract infections can irritate the bladder and lead to an overactive bladder.
• Constipation: Constipation can put pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, leading to an overactive bladder.
• Smoking: Smoking can damage the nerves and blood vessels that control the bladder, leading to an overactive bladder.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for overactive bladder?

The main medicinal herbs used for overactive bladder are Crataegus monogyna, Ruscus aculeatus, Urtica dioica, Cynara scolymus, Solanum dulcamara, Astragalus membranaceus, Curcuma longa, Cassia auriculata, Lavandula angustifolia, Vaccinium macrocarpon.

Crataegus monogyna has been shown to have a relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the bladder, reducing symptoms of overactive bladder. Ruscus aculeatus has been found to have a spasmolytic effect on the urethral sphincter, which helps to prevent involuntary urination. Urtica dioica has been traditionally used to treat urinary incontinence due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce inflammation in the bladder.

Curcuma longa, Astragalus membranaceus, Cassia auriculata, and Lavandula angustifolia have been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the bladder, while Solanum dulcamara has been found to have a relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the bladder and Cynara scolymus has been found to have a diuretic effect, and Vaccinium macrocarpon has been traditionally used to treat urinary incontinence due to its antioxidant properties.

• Crataegus monogyna: Crataegus monogyna may help with overactive bladder due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help protect the bladder from oxidative stress and inflammation that may contribute to bladder overactivity.
• Ruscus aculeatus: Ruscus aculeatus may help with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the bladder, which can contribute to bladder overactivity, due to its flavonoid and saponin content.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica may help with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the bladder, which can contribute to bladder overactivity, due to its flavonoid and saponin content.
• Cynara scolymus: Cynara scolymus may help with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the bladder, which can contribute to bladder overactivity, due to its flavonoid and saponin content.
• Solanum dulcamara: Solanum dulcamara may help with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the bladder, which can contribute to bladder overactivity, due to its flavonoid and alkaloid content.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus may help with overactive bladder due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help protect the bladder from oxidative stress and inflammation that may contribute to bladder overactivity.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa may help with overactive bladder due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help protect the bladder from oxidative stress and inflammation that may contribute to bladder overactivity.
• Cassia auriculata: Cassia auriculata may help with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the bladder, which can contribute to bladder overactivity, due to its flavonoid and alkaloid content.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia may help with overactive bladder due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help protect the bladder from oxidative stress and inflammation that may contribute to bladder overactivity.
• Vaccinium macrocarpon: Vaccinium macrocarpon may help with overactive bladder due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help protect the bladder from oxidative stress and inflammation that may contribute to bladder overactivity.

What are the main herbal preparations used for overactive bladder?

The main herbal preparations used for overactive bladder are Tincture, Decoction, Suppository, Capsule, Cream, Gel, Ointment, Salve, Powder, Pill.

Tincture of saw palmetto and stinging nettle may help reduce symptoms by relaxing the bladder muscles and improving urinary flow. Decoction of corn silk and juniper berries can help to reduce inflammation and improve bladder function. Suppositories made from herbs like cramp bark and blue cohosh can provide localized relief by relaxing the bladder muscles and reducing spasms.

Capsules or Pills containing a combination of herbs such as pygeum, uva ursi, and marshmallow root may help to soothe and protect the bladder lining, reducing symptoms of overactive bladder.

• Tincture: A tincture of the plant Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) helps with overactive bladder by reducing urinary frequency and incontinence due to its astringent properties that decrease urine production.
• Decoction: A decoction of the plant Corn Silk (Zea mays) helps with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and irritation in the bladder and urinary tract, thereby alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder.
• Suppository: A suppository of the plant Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with overactive bladder by directly applying its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to the bladder and urinary tract, reducing irritation and inflammation.
• Capsule: A capsule of the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) helps with overactive bladder by its antispasmodic properties that reduce muscle spasms in the bladder and urinary tract, alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder.
• Cream: A cream of the plant Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) helps with overactive bladder by its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that reduce irritation and inflammation in the bladder and urinary tract, thereby alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder.
• Gel: A gel of the plant Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with overactive bladder by directly applying its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to the bladder and urinary tract, reducing irritation and inflammation.
• Ointment: An ointment of the plant Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with overactive bladder by directly applying its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to the bladder and urinary tract, reducing irritation and inflammation.
• Salve: A salve of the plant Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) helps with overactive bladder by reducing urinary frequency and incontinence due to its astringent properties that decrease urine production.
• Powder: A powder of the herb Corn Silk (Zea mays) helps with overactive bladder by reducing inflammation and irritation in the bladder and urinary tract, thereby alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder.
• Pill: A pill of the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) helps with overactive bladder by its antispasmodic properties that reduce muscle spasms in the bladder and urinary tract, alleviating symptoms of overactive bladder.