Native Americans mixed Hydrangea with Agropyron repens (Couch grass) and Ahhaea rosea (Hollyhock) for serious kidney disorders including nephritis. It acts as an antiseptic, diuretic and helps to dissolve bladder, kidney and gallstones which cause inflammation of the urethra and prostate. It reduces irritation and helps to soothe irritated tissue (including gout).
One of my favorite stories on this is the parable of the old donkey that fell in the dry well. Since the owner could not get the donkey out, the townspeople helped him alleviate the animals suffering by trying to bury the donkey alive. At first, the donkey was really afraid as the dirt was shoveled into the well, but he shook the dirt off his back and stepped up. The process continued hour after hour. With each scoopful of dirt, the donkey shook the dirt off, then stepped up. Eventually the donkey was able to step right out of the filled well. Life sometimes seems like a bunch of dirt being tossed into a well in an attempt to bury us alive. We don’t get through life without experiencing that. Will you step up or be buried? It’s your choice.