Dr. Ching Yao Shi, a licensed acupuncturist in Philadelphia who also holds an MD degree, created a tea made from a special blend of herbs to help IC patients. Patients who drink at least one glass a day report some improvement. For example, Pycnogenol, a bioflavonoid which is produced from grape pips or or the bark of the French Maritime pine, is used. However, no scientific research has been conducted to examine effectiveness or long term effects of this supplement. The herb, marshmallow root tea is believed to provide a soothing coating to the bladder because of the mucilage found in the plant.
Licorice root is believed to act in the same way to help ease bladder pain.
Some desperate patients, for whom all other treatment has failed, opt for surgical removal of the bladder, called cystectomy. This is a drastic procedure where the urine is redirected to a bag that is attached to the abdomen. However, the long term results of surgical procedures are not impressive. Methods include behavior therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and epidural anesthesia. There is a wide range in the success that patients experience from these treatments.