Natural Remedies for Bladder Spasms

Urinary incontinence involves the loss of control over your bladder functions. There are different types of urinary incontinence, including urge incontinence, the sudden and unexpected contraction of your bladder. These bladder spasms can also be caused by bladder irritations due to the excessive intake of carbonated beverages, coffee and tea, as well as the consumption of artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, and spicy, sugary or acidic foods. Bladder spasms can make you need to urinate more frequently. Thankfully, some herbs can alleviate the condition.

Goldenrod

In "Women's Herbs: Women's Health," authors Christopher Hobbs and Kathi Keville explain that goldenrod is an herb that helps to alleviate bladder spasms. Goldenrod is often used to treat urinary tract infections, inflammation, cystitis, kidney infections and bladder spasms. The herb has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, and it also acts as a natural diuretic.

The authors recommend that you brew 2 tsp. of goldenrod in a cup of hot water. Drink this tea three to five times daily to alleviate bladder spasms. Alternately, add 2 droppers full of goldenrod tincture to a cup of plantain tea, and drink three to five times a day. Do not use goldenrod if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have cardiovascular complications.

Butterbur

In "Natural Treatments for Urinary Incontinence: Using Butterbur and Other Natural Supplements to Treat Bladder Control Problems," author Rita Elkins explains that butterbur is an herb that can alleviate bladder spasms. Butterbur is a natural pain reliever and contains petasin, a compound that offers antispasmodic properties. Butterbur is available in capsule form; consume 75 mg twice a day during meals for ease of digestion. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a physician before using this herb.

Yarrow

In "Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies," authors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli explain that yarrow has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Yarrow stops bleeding, tones your urinary tract and offers pain-relieving benefits while diminishing bladder spasms. To consume as a tea, steep 1 to 2 tsp. of the dried herb in 1 cup of boiled water for 10 minutes. Strain the tea, and allow it to cool. Drink this three times a day. As an alternative, take 2 to 4 g of yarrow in capsule form three times a day to relieve bladder spasms.

Do not use yarrow if you are pregnant or nursing; the herb can cause a pregnant female to miscarry, and there are not sufficient studies available revealing the effects of yarrow on a fetus. Yarrow may interact with antacids, cimetidine, famotidine, ranitidine, esomeprazole, Omeprazole and lansoprazole. Be careful not to use yarrow with blood pressure medications; yarrow can intensify their effects. Yarrow has mild sedating effects and may intensify the effects of anti-convulsants, phenytoin, barbiturates, alprazolam, diazepam, solpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone and ramelteon.