Coochie Cure #1: Urinary Infection - Cranberry Juice, Echinacea, Probiotics

Recently I wrote about how my reluctance to stay hydrated and take regular trips to the bathroom led to a painful urinary tract infection.  Ouch.

Well, one thing you’ll learn about me is that I DON’T VISIT DOCTORS.  I’d say I don’t “believe” in doctors, but I don’t wanna risk offending my readers.   :-D  Yes, I’m one of those “wacko” vegans who believes in homeopathy and the healing power of a healthy diet.  (Sorry if that turns you off…  But don’t fear, I don’t thrust my beliefs on others…  I respect everyone’s right to her opinion.)

This was my second time getting such an infection, and both times, what cured it was

1. Cranberry juice.  Unsweetened, not from concentrate, mixed with water.  I take it in the form of pills, too, and have never tested to see if one works without the other.  (Sweeten w/apple juice or grape juice if it’s too bitter.)
2. Echinacea.  I take it as a liquid tincture…y’know, the drops.  Alcohol or glycerin base.  And I’m not really scientific - I just take a dropper full (or two) whenever I remember during the day (maybe 6 times?).  Reportedly Echinacea shouldn’t be taken for sustained periods of time - some caution not to use it every day for more than a month.  If I’m sick, I usually take it at least twice a day for 3-4 days.
3. Probiotics.  Probiotics are the friendly bacteria in your stomach and intestinal track that help you digest food.  Since I believe all health stems from the gut, I try to help my gut do its job better.  I’ve even been told by a wonderful young woman at my health food store that making a PASTE of probiotics and water and applying it topically to the urethra can help with any burning.  (Although, my pain has been more internal than that, so I haven’t tried this method.)

Now, for the record: I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR HEALTH PRACTITIONER OF ANY KIND.  So don’t hold me responsible for this information I’m sharing with you.  I am simply sharing my experience.  You must do what you feel is best, including seeking and following the advice of your doctor.

I’ll say this…after my first infection was healed, I went for a check-up/pap (which I do about once every 7 years).  The nurse said to me, “No, I’m sure you didn’t cure an infection with Echinacea.  I’ve never heard of that.”

I told her to let me know if my test results revealed that the infection was still present.  I never heard back from her.  That was four years ago.

Just wanted to share this with anyone who, like me, is always scanning the internet for natural, healthy treatment alternatives.

What other non-medical remedies do you swear by?

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Living Juicy: Prioritizing Self-Care

There are those of us who put the needs of others over the needs of ourselves.

WHY DO WE DO THAT?

I, for one, have prided myself on the extent to which I can neglect my own needs.  I’ve always thought of myself as “stronger” than other people because I can do without pampering and self-care.  (I think maybe it came from those years of reading about the virtue of being “longsuffering” when I was bored in church as  kid.)

A few weeks ago, I was knocked out by a urinary infection.  It’s only the second one I’ve ever had, and if you’ve never had one, let me just say, there’s no pain like pee pain, ok?  (Let’s be real.)

I know EXACTLY why I got the infection.  I was so focused preparing for my business launch that I went days without drinking water.  And to top it off, I was so caught up in what I was doing I refused to get up and use the bathroom when I needed to.

MY ENTIRE LIFE I’VE NEGLECTED MY BODY…

Partly because I HATE routine.  Having to do the same thing, repeatedly, bores and annoys me.  That includes taking a sip of water every few minutes, and running to the bathroom all the time.  It may sound crazy.  But when I am focused on something, I HATE to be interrupted, even by life’s little necessities.

Another reason I habitually neglect my body, is because, as a child, to survive years of sexual abuse, I trained myself to “live in my head, not in my body.”  (So that the “real me” wasn’t being affected.)  So when I’m busy doing head-work, I tend to completely ignore my body.

BUT THIS RECENT AILMENT WAS THE LAST STRAW…

A few really good coaching sessions with a dynamic new family coach, Sylky Resnicoff, helped me realize that if I don’t take care of myself, everything else that I pour my energy into will suffer.

If I’m not healthy, how will my business be healthy?  If I don’t take care of myself, how can I take care of my family?

I’VE DECIDED TO LIVE JUICY…

Instead of living a dehydrated, shrunken-down-like-a-raisin life, I am committing myself to full-out self-care.

I’m calling this campaign: Live Juicy

Borrowing imagery from a lovely book, entitled, Succulent Wild Woman by Sark (www.planetsark.com), I am on a mission to re-hydrate my body and my life.

For the past 2 weeks I’ve been armed with a 40 oz stainless steel water bottle filled with water, or water + cranberry juice, or water + liquid chlorophyll.

I’ve also been salads filled with succulent spinach, juicy tomatoes, and rich avocadoes.  And snacking on juicy things like oranges, apples, and grapefruit - instead of starchy things like rice and potatoes.

Breaking an old habit like self-neglect takes concentration.  But so far, I’m enjoying this new approach of LOVING my physical body.  I naturally care for anything I love…now I’ve just added my body to the list.

WANNA JOIN ME?

Comment on this post.  Let me know if you’ve also struggled with self-care, or if you have a really good idea about how to incorporate self-care on your list of priorities.

Let’s LIVE JUICY together.

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