- Nux Vomica
Common name: Poison nut
Symptoms: This remedy is best suited to people who are intelligent, nervous and irritable, use abusive language and are prone to indigestion and constipation. These individuals are habituated to excessive intake of alcohol, wine and coffee. Symptoms that respond well to this remedy include:
- Painful urination due to infection in the urinary bladder, kidney stones and sexually transmitted infections involving the urinary tract
- Drawing pain in the abdomen and genital region while passing urine
- Dribbling of urine with a severe burning sensation
- Urge to pass urine at frequent intervals but a few drops come out even after straining
- Passage of thick white mucus with urine during infection
- Occasional hematuria (Passage of a few drops of blood with urine)
- Intense pain while passing urine after drinking beer
- Pressing type of pain from contraction of bladder muscles while urinating (commonly associated with kidney stones)
- Urinary stones, causing pain and expulsion of red-coloured deposits along with urine, which looks like brick dust
- Pain aggravated after alcohol intake, cold and touch and improves with rest, in damp weather and by applying pressure to the painful part
A case study indicated that nux vomica was effective in the expulsion of a urinary stone in a patient who was suffering from pain in the kidney region along with painful urination.
- Cantharis Vesicatoria
Common name: Spanish fly
Symptoms: This medicine acts well in people suffering from urinary tract infection and problems related to the kidneys. Patients who benefit from this remedy experience some of the following symptoms:
- Painful urination due to conditions like urinary stones and urinary tract infection resulting from sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea
- A desire to pass urine at frequent intervals with a cutting or burning type of pain while urining
- Frequent and strong urge to pass urine but an inability to pass more than a few drops of urine every time
- Severe cutting type of pain in the lower abdomen before, during and after passing urine
- Screeching and bending down due to the severity of pain
- Presence of a blood or brick dust like residue in urine, especially in case of urinary stones
- Continued burning sensation in the urethra without the passage of urine
- Symptoms worse from touch, cold drinks such as water or coffee and while passing urine
- Rubbing the painful area gives relief
A lab study demonstrated the positive effects of cantharis in inhibiting the growth of a bacterium called E.coli. E.coli results in urinary tract infection which causes painful urination and fever.
A similar study found that cantharis can treat bladder infection in animal models. Bladder infection is the most common cause of painful urination.
According to a recent study research study cantharis, along with two other homeopathic medicines, is effective in improving recurrent urinary tract infections which are one of the major causes of painful urination.
- Lycopodium Clavatum
Common name: Club moss
Symptoms: It is best suited for people who are intelligent but physically weak. They have a tendency for gas formation after a light meal and suffer from constipation. People who benefit from this remedy experience:
- Painful urination due to conditions like urinary tract infection, urinary stones and enlarged prostate gland
- Severe burning sensation while passing urine
- Passage of sticky mucus with urine due to UTI
- Burning sensation that continues for some time after passing urine
- Frequent desire to pass urine, especially during the night
- Painful urination occasionally associated with residue or red-coloured sediment due to breakdown of kidney stones
- Pain while passing urine along with a sensation of heaviness and bearing down in the lower abdomen due to enlarged prostate gland
- Painful urination in children
- Crying before passing urine and
- Fear of pain while passing urine, especially in children
- Pain aggravated by warmth, heat and between 4 pm and 8 pm, and better with motion (like riding a horse), after midnight, and warm food and drinks.
A research study found positive effects of lycopodium clavatum in the treatment of enlarged prostate gland that results in urgency, increased frequency and pain during urination.
- Staphisagria
Common name: Stavesacre
Symptoms: It is best suited to people who are worried, have a thin frame and prone to depression. People who benefit from this remedy have the following symptoms:
- Painful urination occurring due to infection of urinary bladder (after sexual intercourse in newly married women), enlarged prostate gland and after surgeries such as lithotomy (removal of stones from the urinary tract)
- Severe pain and burning sensation while passing urine
- Scanty flow or dribbling of urine with an intense burning sensation, which feels as if caused by acid
- Burning sensation aggravated during movement and in case of constipation
- A typical sensation as if a drop of urine is rolling inside the urethra
- Pain with an urge to pass urine right after urination
- Difficulty passing urine after prolonged and difficult labour
- Pain aggravated after indulging in frequent sexual intercourse and the slightest touch on the painful part. Pain is relieved with the application of heat, warmth and by rest.
Research studies indicate staphysagria is helpful in the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections and enlarged prostate, two conditions with painful urination as one of the main symptoms.
- Thuja Occidentalis
Common name: Arbor vitae
Symptoms: This medicine is best suited to people who are prone to enlarged lymph nodes and glands (such as the thyroid gland) and have a tendency to develop warts. People who respond to this remedy have the following symptoms:
- Painful urination resulting from conditions like sexually transmitted diseases and enlarged prostate gland
- Stitching pain with burning sensation in the urethra while passing urine that persists for some time after urination
- Sensation as if urine is flowing in drops in the urinary tract after urination
- Involuntary flow of urine in some cases, especially at night and while coughing
- Burning pain associated with the passage of kidney stone residues along with urine, which leads to itching sensation
- Symptoms worse at night, after drinking coffee and warmth of the bed while lying down
- Symptoms get better by drawing the legs up towards the abdomen
A research study shows the beneficial effects of thuja in the treatment of benign hyperplasia of prostate or enlarged prostate gland.
In addition to constitutional homeopathic remedies such as sepia, calcarea carbonica, sulphur and pulsatilla nigricans, there are a few organ-specific homeopathic remedies that are occasionally used in acute conditions related to kidneys and problems related to the urinary tract. These include sarsaparilla, hydrangea, ocimum canum and equisetum hyemale.
According to a research study published in the International Journal of Current Research and Review, the homeopathic remedy phosphoricum acidum was successful in the treatment of a condition called chyluria which presents with the passage of milky white urine due to the leakage of chyle (thick white fluid flowing through lymphatic channels and glands) into the urine. Chyluria occurs due to the blockage in the flow of lymph through the lymphatic system due to parasitic infections like malaria and filaria or due to anatomical defects in the organ structure. The condition is associated with symptoms such as intense pain and severe straining while passing urine and increased frequency of urination.