Botanicals for urinary tract health: not just cranberries!
The urinary tract consists of organs (kidneys and bladder) and ducts (ureters and urethra) whose function is to produce and eliminate urine. Our lifestyles greatly influence their health: in addition to proper intimate hygiene, drinking plenty of fluids (1.5-2 litres of water per day) promotes bladder emptying and prevents the stagnation of bacteria, while a diet rich in certain vegetables (cabbage, chard and spinach) and fruits (kiwi, citrus fruits and berries), which acidify the urine, makes bacterial proliferation more difficult. Despite this, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread disorder, especially in women, who are more exposed for anatomical reasons. According to the Italian National Institute of Health, about 40-50% of women suffer from them at least once in their lifetime (at a ratio of 4:1 compared to men), and for one in five, the problem becomes recurrent.
However, some botanicals can contribute to urinary tract health. In this article, we will learn about some of them, with a particular focus on a Mediterranean plant, Cistus.
Symptoms and causes of urinary tract infections
UTIs are one of the main reasons for medical consultations and antibiotic prescriptions. They consist of inflammation of the urinary tract caused mainly by microorganisms, particularly bacteria such as Escherichia coli, which can ascend the urinary tract. UTIs are divided into “uncomplicated” (when they affect healthy people) and “complicated” (when other risk factors are present, such as diabetes or pregnancy) and can affect the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder, causing urethritis and cystitis) or the upper urinary tract (ureters and kidneys, pyelonephritis).
The symptoms of UTIs vary depending on the location and severity of the infection. In lower urinary tract infections, the most common symptoms are:
- Difficult and painful urination
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Blood in urine
- Pain in the lower abdomen
When the infection spreads to the upper urinary tract, more serious symptoms may appear, such as flank or lower back pain, fever and chills.
A role for botanicals
UTIs are a condition that always requires medical consultation, as only a physician can assess the need for antibiotics. However, some botanicals are prescribed alongside antibiotics or after the acute phase to help prevent recurrent UTIs, thanks to their diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), a plant native to subarctic regions, is by far the best-known plant for urinary tract health, thanks to the action of its proanthocyanidins (PACs), which prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. However, there are also other plants common in the Mediterranean basin that can have a beneficial effect on the urinary tract. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) contains phenolic compounds and antioxidant tannins, with antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.), on the other hand, is known for its direct antimicrobial action, which can be useful in lower urinary tract infections. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.), couch grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), and mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella L.) are perennial herbaceous plants known for centuries because of their diuretic effect, which helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract. Finally, plants of the Malvaceae family are valued for their emollient and soothing action, useful for calming inflammation.
Cistus x incanus L.: a natural ally with new prospects
Among the plants useful for urinary tract health, a typically Mediterranean plant, Cistus x incanus L., is gaining increasing attention. This spontaneous hybrid between Cistus albidus L. and Cistus crispus L. has long been known for its beneficial properties in the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. In particular, in vitro studies have demonstrated that Cistus x incanus L. can counteract Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible for certain types of gastritis.
In some countries of the Mediterranean basin, its use is known for urinary tract disorders. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive properties are believed to lie in a phytocomplex extraordinarily rich in polyphenols, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins, some of which (flavonols) remain stable after simulated digestion.
A new study: science confirms traditional use
An in vitro scientific study, “Cistus x incanus L. extract as a complex polyphenolic blend with retained anti-adhesive and anti-inflammatory properties in a model of E. coli-induced UTI following simulated digestion", explored this very possibility.
The scientists used a cellular model of infection, consisting of human bladder epithelial cells (T24 line) infected with a particularly aggressive strain of E. coli. The aim was to understand whether a hydroalcoholic extract of Cistus x incanus L. was able to counteract the adhesion of the bacterium to the epithelial cells of the bladder, similarly to what had been observed in the case of the gastric mucosa infected with H. pylori.
The results were encouraging: the extract showed a dual action, anti-inflammatory (reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6) and anti-adhesive, i.e., stopping bacteria adhesion to the bladder wall, a crucial mechanism for preventing infection.
This study provides a solid basis for future in vivo research to reinforce the potential of this plant extract for urinary tract health, confirming its traditional use.
To learn more about the action of Cistus x incanus L., discover HarmoCyst®, our dry powder extract of Cistus x incanus L. standardized in polyphenols, designed to support urinary tract wellbeing.