Cystitis

Herbs

Common juniper: This shrub has berry-like cones that contain a detoxifying oil Caution aviod if pregnant; aviod if you have damaged kidneys

Bearberry: The oval leaves of this shrub are shiny. In spring the branches are covered in delicate bell-shaped pink flowers followed by red berries.

Goldenrod: There are many forms of goldenrod. Make sure you get the species S. virgaurea, which is the best to use medicinally rather then a garden variety.

Heartease: In floklore, this wild pansy was said to be a love charm, helping lovers to wine the object of their desire.

Gathering

Aerial parts of goldenrod and heartease when in flower. Pick the leaves of bearberry as needed. Collect juinper berries at the end of the summer.

Remedies

Preventive tea

Make a standard tea with aerial parts of goldenrod, and heartease, and leaves of bearberry. Drink one or two cupfuls per day at the first signs of cystitis.

Cystitis tea

Make a tea with one teaspoon of lightly crushed juniper berries and one handful of mixed fresh leaves of bearberry, heartease and goldenrod per pot of boiling water. If you are using dried herbs use 1/2 teaspoon of crushed juniper berries and one teaspoon each of the other herbs. Drink a cupful about six times a day during an attack of cystitis.