Excretory system disorders

Disorders of the excretory system can be uncomfortable and painful. They can also be embarrassing to have investigated but it is important to do so because, if any disorder is left untreated, it can develop into other more serious health issues.

The diet is often the cause of excretory system disorders and can be rectified quite quickly in most cases and there are many natural remedies for most dysfunctions of the intestines, colon or bowels.

Any change in bowel movements and stool is always an important indication that something is wrong. It could be caused by many conditions such as liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney or gall bladder problems. It could be an obstruction within the intestines or be caused by an imbalance of the beneficial and pathogenic bacteria which reside in the intestines, or it could be due to a parasite infection.

Whatever the root cause, it does needs to be investigated thoroughly and treated before it leads to more serious problems such as infections, nutrient deficiencies, scarring of the intestinal walls and even cancer.

What is a normal stool?

An ideal bowel movement is medium brown. It leaves the body easily with no straining or discomfort, has the consistency of toothpaste and measures approximately 10 -25 cm (four to eight inches) long. The stool should enter the water smoothly and slowly sink once it reaches the water. There should be very little gas or odour.

Any change in colour, consistency, size or shape of stools or times of bowel movements that continues for more than two weeks indicates that a condition may be developing and tests need to be undertaken to find out why. Pale stools can indicate a liver condition which needs to be treated to avoid further complications.

The best way to prevent these conditions from developing in the first place is to change the diet to natural healthy nutritious foods and plenty of fibre and avoid the following for a fortnight and see if there is any improvement:

• A sedentary lifestyle. Light exercise can help with bowel problems.
• Coffee (no more than one cup per day)
• Drugs (all unnecessary medications)
• Fatty meats and fried foods
• Food additives especially preservatives and artificial sweeteners
• Pesticide residues on non-organic foods
• Processed foods and premade ready meals
• Red meat
• Refined salt
• Smoking tobacco
• Stress
• Sugar. Check ingredients as sugar, in various forms, is added to most foods.
• Takeaway or home delivery meals
• White flour
• White rice

Which bacterial infections an cause excretory system disorders?

Bowel infections and diarrhoea can be caused by the Clostridium difficile bacteria

Natural antibiotic remedies for a Clostridium difficile infection:

• Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)
• Coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Diarrhoea can be caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria

Natural antibiotic remedies for a listeria infection:

• Allspice (Pimenta dioica)
• Blueberry leaf (Cyanococcus)
• Garlic(Allium sativa
• Mustard (Brassica juncea)
• Oregano(Origanum compactum)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)

Constipation and diarrhoea can be caused by the Paratyphoid bacillus (typhoid) bacteria.

Natural antibiotic remedy for typhoid:

• Zhi mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)

Dysentery can be caused by the Bacillus dysenteriae shiga bacteria.

Natural antibiotic remedies for Bacillus dysenteriae shiga infection:

• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Zhi mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)

Dysentery can be caused by the Shigella dysenteriae (dysentery)

Natural antibiotic remedies for a Shigella dysenteriae infection:

• Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata)
• Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Garlic(Allium sativa)
• Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
• Hops (Humulus lupulus)
• Hu huang lian (Coptis chinensis)
• Juniper berries (Juniperus communis)
• Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)
• Pau d’arco (Tabebuia serratifolia, Tabebuia impetiginos)
• Radishes (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. Sativus)
• Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)

Diarrhoea can be caused by the Shigella sonei bacteria

Natural antibiotic remedies for a Shigella sonei infection

• Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata)
• Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
• Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)

Bacillary dysentery and severe diarrhoea can be caused by the Shigella flexneri bacteria

Natural antibiotic remedies Shigella flexneri infection:

• Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
• Hops (Humulus lupulus)
• Hu huang lian (Coptis chinensis)
• Mucura (Petiveria alliacea)
• Pau d’arco (Tabebuia serratifolia, Tabebuia impetiginos)
• Tarragon (Artemisia dranunculus)

Severe diarrhoea can be caused by the Vibrio cholerae (cholera) bacteria.

Natural antibiotic remedies for a Vibrio cholerae (cholera) infection:

• Apples (Malus domestica),
• Blue flag (Iris versicolor)
• Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata)
• Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii)
• Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
• Limes (Citrus aurantifolia)
• Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Gastrointestinal infection and colon cancer can be caused by the Eubacterium limosum bacteria

Natural antibiotic remedies for a Eubacterium limosum infection:

• Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)
• Psyllium husks (Plantago ovata)
• Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
• Oregano (Origanum compactum)

Irritable bowel syndrome can be caused by the Bifido bacteria

Natural antibiotic remedies for a bifido infection:

• Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)
• Psyllium husks (Plantago ovata)
• Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
• Oregano (Origanum compactum)

Salmonellosis, diarrhoea, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever can be caused by the Salmonella bacteria.

Natural antibiotic remedies for a Salmonella infection:

• Allspice (Pimenta dioica),
• Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Blueberry (Cyanococcus)
• Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita)
• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
• Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
• Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
• Curry leaves (Murraya koenigii)
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Garlic(Allium sativa)
• Oregano(Origanum compactum)
• Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus paradise)
• Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
• Honeysuckle (Lonicera pericylmenum, Lonicera japonica)
• Hu huang lian (Coptis chinensis)
• Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
• Mustard (Brassica juncea)
• Olive leaf (Olea europaea)
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens)
• Pink cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla)
• Radishes (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. Sativus)
• Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
• Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

How does the Intestinal flora affect excretory system disorders?

The correct balance of the gut bacteria is vital to life and health. Many factors can upset this fragile intestinal flora such as drugs, especially antibiotics, stress, toxins and excessive amounts of sugar and protein. Once the equilibrium is upset the excretory system can go awry. The consumption of prebiotic and probiotic foods can often resolve many excretory system disorders quite quickly and are worth trying as a first port of call.

The bacteria in the guts, that feed on the prebiotic food that is consumed, produce many beneficial substances, including short-chain fatty acids and the vitamins A, B1, B3, B5, B7, B12 and K2. The bacteria in the colon can produce at least half of the estimated requirement of 100 mg per day of vitamin K. They also promote further absorption of some minerals that have escaped the small intestine, including calcium and magnesium. 

This is why it is very important to consume both prebiotic and probiotic foods throughout life and especially when suffering from any kind of infections or health disorders involving g the intestines and excretory systems.

What are the prebiotic foods that feed the beneficial bacteria?

What are probiotic foods that contain beneficial bacteria?

Probiotic foods contain beneficial bacteria and come from the fermentation process that the food has been allowed to undergo. During and after any treatment with antibiotics, it is advisable to include more probiotic foods in the daily diet to replenish the friendly bacteria that are wiped out by antibiotics. It is advisable to consume probiotics at least an hour before other foods to enable enough beneficial bacteria to survive and pass through the strong stomach acids.

Probittic foods

• Brine pickles (eggs, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables that have been fermented by lactic acid bacteria)
• Kefir (fermented milk drink)
• Kimchi (a fermented, spicy Korean side dish)
• Kombucha (fermented black or green Asian tea)
• Miso (a Japanese fermented seasoning made with soya beans, salt and a type of fungus called koji)
• Sauerkraut (finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria)
• Tempeh (fermented soya beans)
• Yoghurt (plain with live cultures)

Psyllium husks are the most highly effective remedy for naturally resolving problems within the bowels by moving waste more easily through the intestinal tract. One teaspoon taken in warm water or juice everyday will greatly assist digestion and excretion and avoid and heal most bowel disorders including anal fissures. Always drink a full glass of water after consuming the psyllium husks.

Marshmallow root is a useful herb for the treatment of diarrhoea and indigestion; along with chronic diseases that cause these symptoms such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also useful for treating peptic ulcers, hiatus hernias, mouth ulcers, enteritis and colitis.

Which medicinal herbs can treat all types of excretory system disorders?

NOTE: Motherwort may be habit forming.

WARNING: Many herbs are powerful and can react with medications. Always check before taking at the same time as any drugs.

The following are excretory system disorders that there are specific natural remedies for:

• Anal fissures
• Constipation and diarrhoea
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticular disease
• Flatulence (and bloating)
• Haemorrhoids
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Sclerosing mesenteritis
• Ulcerative colitis

Related subjects

• A-Z of ailments
• Acid reflux (heartburn, indigestion and stomach ulcers)
• Anti-microbial healing plants and foods
• Bacterial infections and natural antibiotics
• Feed your friendly bacteria
• Intestinal system disorders
• Parasites