The volatile or 'essential' oils which give their dinstinctive odor to plants are usually mixtures of hydrocarbons of various groups, generally containing terpenes and oxidized aromatic derivatives. Their chief application is for their local effects, consisting of deep irritation with minimal tissue destruction. The sensory stimulation is followed by some anesthesia.
They may exert a favourable influence on chronic inflammations, partly by their antiseptic and irritant action and partly by chemotactic attraction of leucocytes. They generally irritate the kidneys, produce diuresis and act as urinary antiseptics.
The terpenes like diosphenol from buchu and terpinen-4-ol from juniper are excreted as glycuronic compounds, which have a slight antiseptic action and not affected by the reaction of the urine. Gonococci are not killed but the control of putrefactive bacteria presumably puts the mucous membranes in a better position for resistance.
Juniper oil is supposed to act by mild irritation of the kidney, therefore, it is contra-indicated in kidney parenchymal disease. It also has some reputation as emmenagogue, stimulating and normalising menstrual flow and so should not be used in pregnancy.
The flavonoids are water-soluble compounds, therefore, not easily absorbed. On the other hand, Rutin which is a rhamno-glucoside of quercetin and hesperidin are absorbable when given with other bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid, which makes absorption possible with the whole plant.
Bioflavonoids control capillary permeability and fragility and, therefore, are essential for maintaining the strength and functioning of the capillaries. In the context of the urinary antiseptics, the flavonoids will be helpful in maintaining the integrity of the afferent and efferent arteriole of the glomerulus in cases of hypertension and diabetis mellitus, or other factors which could cause inflammation of the capillaries. Saponin haemolysis of human erythrocytes is decreased by several flavones.
The tannins will have an astringent effect, precipitate proteins such as micro-organisms in the urinary tract and astringe any inflammation either of the glomerulus or the tubules.
The saponins have a variety of functions which makes them very useful. They are diuretic in Betula pendula and Zea mays.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi contains the simple phenolic glycoside arbutin which on hydrolysis yields the aglycone hydroquinone and glucose. Hydroquinone is an antiseptic on the urinary tubules when excreted. Uva-ursi is effective only if the urine is maintained at an alkaline pH, therefore, the diet should be rich in vegetables especially tomatoes.
The most common bladder infection causing bacteria is Escherichia coli. E.Coli produces two constituents known as adhesins that cause the organism to cling to the epithelial cells and then multiply rapidly. Constituents in cranberry juice inhibit adhesin activity, therefore, the bacteria cannot attach itself to the bladder wall. Cranberry should be used to prevent an infection but not to be taken when you already have one because it contains hippuronic acid which will increase the acidity of the urine and cause more burning sensation.
There is a theory that as estrogen levels decline, bacteria is more prone to adhere to the bladder lining and vaginal tissue. During menopause the ovaries produce less estrogen which makes these antiseptics useful.
FRIEDLI ENTERPRISES
Georges-Louis Friedli, PgDip., MSc., PhD.
georges-louis@friedli.com