Dear Granny,

I am so sorry about the terrible fall, the break and all the continued challenges! Here are some ideas for you to try to help your situation with your bladder issue.

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum) is an herb that helps to stimulate the nervous system. If indeed the nerves need to be "woken up", this may be of help. The best way to take it in in juice. I would try 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon in some juice (I like it in grape) 2-3 times a day. You can get capsules, but they are more likely to cause temporary digestive distress. Alternately, you could sprinkle it liberally on your food.

Garlic is another herb that stimulates the nervous system. It also tones the nervous system. I recently saw an amazing turn around in a goat with a central nervous system disorder from one dose of garlic. Ideally, you would take fresh garlic, 1/4 teaspoon a few times a day. (But you will be pretty garlicky! ) We find it easiest to take on some toast or a cracker with honey.

Oats are also considered to tone and stimulate the urinary system. I see this first hand in my family. Oatmeal does have a mild diuretic action! Having oatmeal for breakfast each day may help.

Cornsilk is an herb especially for the urinary system. It helps to tone the bladder and also can help prevent or heal a bladder infection. You could get this in capsules or a tincture and follow package directions. Do get organic cornsilk.

All of the above information comes from the book, "Practical Herbalism" by Philip Fritchey, and our family has found it to be true through experience, though we have not had the issue you are dealing with. This is just what I would be trying for myself in your situation. All of these things are food and could really be taken with or without food at any time of day. Cayenne is so stimulating though, I would not take it near bedtime.

Garlic and cayenne have blood thinning properties. If you are on any type of blood thinner, you should keep this in mind. However, the thinning action may be much milder than that of prescriptions. But I don't know for sure. I just want you to have that information.

I don't know if you would have a way to work this out, but alternating warm and cold compresses near the bladder can help to bring healing. You could do this on your lower abdomen once or twice a day. Peppermint essential oil, just a drop or two, massaged into the same area may also help as peppermint is a nerve stimulant also.

I hope that something here will be helpful to you and that you will have that catheter out very soon. I also hope your recovery goes well! My mother-in-law went through this last year and she is about back to normal now. She also broke her hip in a bad fall. God bless you!

~Mama to Many~

I learned a lot watching John Bergman videos on utube of why stuff is the way it is , He was hit by a car, broke both legs, stuck in wheelchair with lots of pain meds looking for solutions and started to read and became a chiropractor PLUS

Dear Mama to Many,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. You are very kind. I am already a big fan of cayenne pepper and garlic and use them every day in my cooking. However, since I am in a rehab facility, I haven't had a chance to eat the way I would like. But I will start sprinkling my food here with cayenne right away. It is a wonderful spice. The garlic might have to wait until I get home in a couple of weeks. We printed your suggestions and I am keeping them beside my bed. Thank you again. God Bless You.