10 Natural Remedies For A Urinary Tract Infection
Do You Ever Find It Ironic . . .
That the side effects of some prescription medications are worse than the conditions they’re supposed to treat? Seriously, what man wants to stop hair loss only to grow breasts? What woman trying to cure acne wants to grow hair on her face? And that little blue pill? Turns out the men that take it may stop seeing that particular color altogether, or else see it on everything!
Of course, not all side effects are quirky twists that make us want to say “WHAT???” Some are serious, even if their effects may not be apparent for a long time. For example, we now know that our bodies may never fully recover from antibiotic use, and that the loss may extend to future generations. And in cases when they’re really needed antibiotics are starting to fail us due to to the rise of resistant strains.
So what can we do? Of course the first thing is to not prescribe medications unnecessarily. In the case of urinary tract infections, they are sometimes necessary to avoid kidney damage, BUT before I went that route here’s what I’d try first:
#1 – D-Mannose
Found in cranberries, blueberries, apples, and even birch trees, d-mannose is a simple sugar that acts as a magnet for e. coli, the most common cause of UTI’s. Because it is indigestible to us it simply grabs as much e. coli as it can and then flushes through the body without affecting our blood sugar. The best part? It’s considered safe for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children if consumed in moderate amounts. (source)
How to choose a D-Mannose supplement: Though I’m usually a fan of taking supplements in their whole form, D-Mannose is most effective as a concentrate. Natural D-Mannose is derived from birch/beech wood using a solvent-free separation process and is a white, sweet powder. It has no known side effects. On the other hand, synthetically produced D-Mannose may use potentially harmful chemicals in its manufacture. I recommend taking this in powder form to avoid potential GMO additives.
Contraindications: D-Mannose can bind to sperm, so couples that are trying to conceive should avoid this supplement. Also, D-Mannose only works for infections related to e. coli. If another strain is the issue it will not have a therapeutic effect.
#2 – Cranberry Extract
Cranberry extract works well as a preventative measure because it prevents e. coli from attaching to bladder wall and urinary tract lining. It can also be used to assist D-Mannose in flushing out e. coli. Though pure cranberry juice with no added sugar is a good second choice, the naturally occurring fructose it contains will diminish it’s healing properties.
#3 – Probiotics
Actually, I recommend the whole trifecta for intestinal health that Weston A. Price chapter leader Katherine Atkinson mentions here. Fem-Dophilus by Jarrow may be a good choice for short-term use because it contains two strains of bacteria specifically designed to help with UTI’s.
#4 – Natural Vitamin C
Vitamin C stimulates immune function by increasing our levels of interferon, a protein which block the replication of pathogenic microbes. (source)
How To Choose A Vitamin C Supplement: About 99% of all vitamin C products on the market today are synthetically made ascorbic acid or something similar, and some studies show that these synthetic versions can actually weaken the mitochondria and possibly cause kidney stones. (source) Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to tell what’s what just by reading labels:
Almost all of the vitamin C in supplements is made in a laboratory, despite labeling that implies otherwise. For example, the label might say, “ascorbic acid from sago palm.” Dextrose, a form of sugar that contains no vitamin C at all, is extracted from sago palm and used as the base molecular material for a complex laboratory process that synthesizes vitamin C. Or the label might say “vitamin C derived from the finest natural sources.” True, but the vitamin C was synthesized. It might also say “with rose hips and acerola,” which are then used as the base material for the tablet or capsule. But a tablet of rose hips or acerola can contain only about forty milligrams of truly natural vitamin C; the rest is synthesized.
Ron Schmid, ND ~ Dietary Supplements: What The Industry Does Not Want You To Know
When looking for a quality Vitamin C supplement I recommend you look for something in which the Vitamin C is derived from 100% rose hip or acerola powder. If you are unable to find the powder you may be able to find rose hip tea. (Note: Rose hips are recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, there is not much research on acerola powder so talk to your trusted healthcare provider before using it)
#5 – Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar – preferably raw with “the mother” culture – is thought to help flush out bacteria by dislodging “clingy” bacteria from the urinary tract.
#6 – Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Unlike industrially processed cod liver oil, fermented cod liver oil is rich in naturally occurring vitamins A & D.
“Vitamin D, it turns out, is necessary for the production of anti-microbial peptides, substances that fight off infection-causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses when these pathogens try to move into organs and through mucous membranes.” Some of these peptides, called cathelicidins, work specifically in the bladder. (source) Vitamin A helps cells maintain their integrity, making them for resistant to bacterial infection. (source)
How to choose a cod liver oil: There is only one manufacturer of fermented cod liver oil. You can find them on my resources page.
# 7 – Homeopathic Remedies
The five most popular remedies for UTI’s are cantharis, berberis, sarsaparilla, staphysagria, and pulsatilla. Joette Calabrese, HMC,CCH,RSHom has covered everything you need to know about them here.
And A Few More Things . .
Like take showers instead of baths (#8), wear loose, cotton underwear (#9), and DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!! (#10).
What I Didn’t Include: Baking Soda
Though baking soda won’t cure a UTI, it will lower the pH of urine so that it doesn’t burn. Though pain relief is a good thing and possibly appropriate at times, I think it’s better to raise the pH and kill the pathogenic microbes rather than lower it and ease discomfort.
So There You Go!
Ten remedies that won’t give you green spots, make you sprout a third eye or lower your voice 3 octaves, but just may do wonders for your UTI! Did I miss anything? Let me know what’s worked for you in the comments below!
Photo credits: Half Chinese, The Green Party, SimonQ, Koosh King
Alison
I swear by the baking soda! I take it at the first sign of burning and symptoms are gone…..however, I haven’t really had any UTI’s since adding Cod liver oil to my diet and cutting out crappy foods for the most part, so i’m sure that played a part….I am going to look into the homeopathics though, thanks for including them!
Greta
My 3 year old daughter had a UTI a few months ago and her naturopath gave us the same regime you mentioned above: D-Mannose, cranberry, vitamin C, probiotics, cod liver oil, and lots and lots of water. Nothing helped. When she did the urine test, she said her UTI was not caused by e. coli. When the natural remedies didn’t work, I started researching online and found many sources that said that the D-Mannose only helps when UTIs are caused by e. coli (which is the vast majority of them). So I went ahead and put her on the antibiotic because I was really worried about kidney damage.
Is there anything else I can do if this happens again? I really, really hate using antibiotics.
Natalie
I have always used collodial silver and found that it works 99% of the time! Since using collodial silver any beginning stages of an infection are cured within a day! I usually pair it with cranberry extract which helps with the burning.
Whittney
I’ve had such mixed results with all of these things since dealing with more UTI’s after having Henry – anatomy change/prolapse issues the cause. Some are so acute and painful that I vomit, get vertigo and in general feel like I’m dying. UTI’s are tricky and each is different but this a good place to start!
Melissa
When D-Mannose failed me I used uva ursi. My understanding is that it breaks down into an antibiotic-like compound in either the liver or kidneys and kills the bacteria on the way out. It works better in an alkaline environment, so I took baking soda in water when I took the pills. But, there are many cautions about uva ursi on the web and I’m pretty sure most Dr.s will freak out about its use. It worked for me, and I preferred to do that than go back to my cipro-loving Dr. for a prescription, but you’d have to do your own research and weigh the risks for yourself.
Leah G
I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis many years ago and after all the lovely treatments the Dr gave me I finally found D Mannose . WOW. changed my life. I now prescribe D mannose, Probiotics, and ACV to anyone with UTI issues. In fact my sister called Thanksgiving with bloody urine and I was able to get her back to normal no antibiotics! I no longer have cystitis issues either. The FCLO goes without saying.
Cara
Another preventative measure, urinate asap after intimacy.
YLewis
I recently healed a UTI that had gone to my kidneys as well with a week of Oil of Oregano capsules several times a day, cranberry extract, and Soil Born Organisms (a heavy hitting probiotic). It took 6 days, but I never had to take the antibiotic.
Rebecca
I have never had UTI issues (except when it was due to obvious reasons like sex, etc.) but I had one cat that had UTIs all the time. I wonder if these things would be ok for animals as well?
Heather
Hi Rebecca! I’m not really sure, but a holistic vet might be able to tell you!
Debbie
I have a remedy that has worked for 100% of the time. I had chronic UTI’s as a teen – along with a terrible diet. Since becoming an adult, changing my diet and having a healthy lifestyle they are non-existent, however when they have happened I do this (along with lots of water) Tall glass of water and add a teaspoon of Cream Of Tarter. It will not dissolve in the water and I tend to stir as I drink it down. Drink it in one sitting. Because the granuals are so fine, they pass through the body and pull out the offending bacteria. It has a strange sour flavour, but tilt your head back, get it in there and within an hour, symptoms will be diminished. One more tall glass a few hours later and it should be gone completely. Follow up with several more glasses of water and rest. I am an RHN (registered holistic nutritionist) and have recommended this to clients suffering from UTI’s with success every time.
Carrie
I have had chronic bladder infections since I was a child. My doctor thinks it might be the way my body is shaped/tilted – it is just easy for bacteria to get inside. As an adult I wanted OFF the antibiotics so I started researching online and read about D Mannose. I started taking one capsule (Swanson brand is the cheapest – about $9 per bottle) per day in October 2010 and have been UTI free ever since. Now I take them about every few days instead of daily to maintain.
Because I started taking them as a preventative (rather than reactive) measure, I don’t know how it would work when you actually have an infection, but I hope to never need to find out. Two years – UTI free! I cannot say enough for what D Mannose has done for my life.
Alyse
For 6 weeks I tried EVERYTHING listed here and also blueberry extract, as well as marshmallow root, uva ursi, pipsisewa, corn silk. Visited my ND and nutritionist for support plus urine tests. Turned out to be a yeast and bacterial UTI. So that brought out the herbal anti-biotics which did start to move the UTI out. Plus inserting probiotic gell caps up my vagina. Pee before and after sex, hubby washed his junk with apple cider vinegar. The new smell of sex which brought some new laughter and pet names into our bedroom pillow talk! The UTI still hung on became more low level and just on the edge. I was researching the Mouth Summit and came across the oil pulling. It sure wouldnt hurt anything to try and Somehow I got that this might help so I started oil pulling. 5 days OP and now the UTI is Gone!!! Yay!
Shari corr
Great advice. I have also had good luck with tinctures of usnea and UVA ursi. Also I read once that asparagus has something that makes it hard for the bacteria to adhere to the urinary tract. I am a practitioner of the Arvigo techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy which can help to restore organs to the proper place, thereby freeing up the flows if blood, lymph, nerve and chi in the body. Many women who have suffered with chronic UTIs have been helped with this gentle external treatment.
Michellealeta
Hi Shari,
I’m interested in Arvigo techniques of Maya abdominal therapy… that you mentioned relating to another condition that I have. Can you please send or share info regarding? Thanks much and God bless you and yours. Grandma Shelley