By Debra Maslowski
These natural home remedies for UTI have been proven effective. Urinary Tract Infection and bladder infection affect more than 50% of women in their lifetime.
A bladder infection will affect more than 50% of women at least once in their lifetime. (source) Further, these infections can be very painful and irritating. There are many cures on the market, but a lot of them are chemicals and synthetics. Therefore, I am always in search of more natural treatment options.
Seems like you have a bladder infection but you’re not sure? Then we recommend you read about signs, symptoms, and causes here.
Home Remedies for UTI and Bladder Infections
There are many natural remedies to aid in the healing of a bladder infection, also known as a urinary tract infection or UTI. Some are quick and simple, while others may take more time.
D-Mannose
D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar that is very effective in the treatment of UTIs. Further, it has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in treating and preventing UTIs caused by E. coli. Also, it attracts and coats the E. coli, effectively flushing it out of the urinary tract so it cannot attach to the bladder. It can be found in capsule or powdered form and taken daily for prevention, or at the first signs of an infection.
In our study, D-mannose powder had significantly reduced the risk of recurrent UTI which was no different than in Nitrofurantoin group.[1]
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is another option for home remedies for UTI. It is a very strong acidic liquid that has been found to be effective in treating many infections, including bladder infections. For more information on this topic, we recommend this article.
preliminary data thus suggest an antibacterial characteristic of dried or fresh grapefruit seeds (C. paradisi) when taken at a dosage of 5 to 6 seeds every 8 hours, that is comparable to that of proven antibacterial drugs.[2]
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies can be very helpful in treating bladder infections. Since homeopathy works best when you choose a remedy based on your particular symptoms, we recommend you work with a professional to find the best one. Also, you can see all the possible homeopathic remedies for UTIs here. Because you can get remedies over the counter homeopathy is another option for home remedies for UTI.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry Juice can help to heal a bladder infection fast. It’s not a myth or an old wives’ tale, it really works. Cranberries have a substance that won’t allow bacteria, primarily E. coli, to stick to the bladder walls. If it can’t stick, it washes away and infections can be healed easier. You can take the straight juice or capsules. Avoid cranberry juice cocktail because the sugar it contains will actually help the bacteria to grow.
Uva Ursi
Uva Ursi can be taken for bladder infections. It contains tannins which help to fight the infection and arbutin which acts as an antiseptic in the bladder. It should not be taken by those with kidney disease or by women who are pregnant.
Cornsilk
Cornsilk will help mild bladder infections. It is a diuretic and helps to eliminate toxins in the body.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is a demulcent, which creates a slimy coating inside the bladder. It can help to ease symptoms. Slippery elm and plantain may help in the same way. (Plantain the herb, not the banana!)
Horsetail
Horsetail can also help to ease the symptoms. It contains diuretics which help increase urine production and flavonoids which can help protect the body against damage.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal and echinacea can help by boosting the bodies immune system, therefore increasing the healing ability for healing infections. Note: it should not be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing.
Baking Soda
Baking soda will help increase the pH of the urine, killing the bacteria. Mix a heaping teaspoon of baking soda in 12 ounces of water and drink. I add powdered orange juice (not the sugared kind, but straight powdered OJ) to cover the taste of the baking soda.
Probiotics
Put good bacteria to work. Foods high in probiotics and good bacteria include yogurt (without sugar), kefir, and other fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchee, and miso. You can also take probiotics as a capsule or tablet.
Limit Free-Radical Irritants
Limit your intake of irritants like alcohol, spicy foods, soda, caffeine, and nicotine. Smoking alone can decrease circulation and cause an infection to last longer. It also inhibits the absorption of vitamins which could delay the cure of infection.
Hydration
Water is perhaps the single most important cure for a bladder infection. Because it helps to dissolve and transport nutrients, wash away bacteria, and hydrate the body. Be sure to drink plenty of water, especially in warmer weather.
NOTE: Bladder infections, if left untreated, can become very serious. We are not doctors, so this information should not be a substitute for medical advice from your health care provider. If you are pregnant or nursing, please do your homework and consult with your doctor or midwife to ask about the safety of any natural treatment.
Preventing Bladder Infections
Sometimes an infection will occur no matter what you do, but many bladder infections can be prevented. Here are some tips on how to avoid getting a UTI:
- Drink plenty of water. This alone is the one thing that may help more than anything else.
- Urinate frequently. This will help flush out toxins. Voiding only once or twice a day is not good for the urinary tract.
- Keep the area clean. In warm weather, sweat can increase the chances of getting an infection.
- Wear loose clothing, cotton if possible. Tight clothing, especially synthetic, causes a warm dark environment. Bacteria love that!
- A preventative dose of D-Mannose can be taken daily for those who suffer from chronic infections. (Find more information here.)
- Eat yogurt and drink cranberry juice as preventatives.
- Stop smoking as this will decrease circulation.
- Keep your immune system strong.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep will only help to run down your immune system.
Have you used home remedies for UTI or bladder infection? What has worked for you?
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Sources
- Kranjčec B, Papeš D, Altarac S. D-mannose powder for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a randomized clinical trial. Feb 2014. Pubmed.
- Oyelami OA, Agbakwuru EA, Adeyemi LA, Adedeji GB. The effectiveness of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) seeds in treating urinary tract infections. April 2005. PubMed.
I had a bladder infection twice in a row several years ago and the one thing that took care of never having one since then was something my mother never taught me – always wipe front to back. I had never heard this, but of course it would keep fecal bacteria away. Happy to say I have been UTI infection free.
Thanks Pam! Another thing that should be a given, but I’d never thought of it either. makes a lot of sense!
I just moved to the Bahamas and needed bush medicine fast for my UTI. This weed or herb is called ceresea.
But it works and the woman here swear by it.
Take a lg handful and clean it in water. Boil it for a bit and let it steep. I let it steep for a couple hrs. This should be a quart or 2. To make it not so bitter at lemon juice or lime juice. 1 lemon/ lime or more…and salt. Ice tea or warm tea. Also I use apple cider vinegar in water.
Thanks JoAnn! I’d never heard of ceresea before your comment and was unable to find out much about it. What I did read was encouraging for bladder and UTI’s. I’ll be sure to try it if I can get o hold of some.
Helpful information, thank you for sharing.
I have treated UTIs for myself over the years, most recently a couple of weeks ago. For me the go-to herbs are echinacea (thanks to Susun Weed’s book on menopause) and yarrow. I also use joe-pye weed, which helps strengthen the bladder and urethra, as far as I can tell. When I’ve used joe-pye weed for a while the infections don’t escalate as quickly and respond better to herbal treatments.
Thanks Iris! Yes, joe-pye weed does work for some people as does yarrow and echinacea. Joe-pye weed is also called gravel root for the fact that it does help strengthen the urinary tract.
Thank you for the good tips…may I add something?
D-mannose, after a while, may cause bladder irritation. I’ve used it and so have several women I know and we’ve all found the same thing. If you have a really stubborn infection and keep taking D-mannose, your bladder can get very sore. I’ve never read this anywhere, just personal and friends’ experience.
Also, another super remedy is high doses of vitamin C. Several years ago I had a bladder infection with peeing blood clots, (talk about painful!) that didn’t respond to all the usual home remedies. Not wanting to resort to drugs, I found Dr. Andrew Saul’s website recommending vit. C. Worked like a charm, within a couple of hours I felt like I’d had a miracle.
Since it’s easy to add vit. C to my everyday routine, I haven’t had a bad bladder infection since. And if I think one is coming on, I just up my vit. C. With lots of extra water.
Sorry to be so long winded, but this subject is close to my heart…or bladder.
Thanks for the tips Susie. D-Mannose is new to me and I’m still learning about it. It makes sense that since it is a sugar, that it might hinder the results in the long run. Everyone’s body is different, so I think I would try it and see what happens. Betsy has had very good results with it, but someone else may not. And as for the vitamin C, that makes sense too, since it would probably cause the bacteria to not stick to the bladder walls just like cranberry juice does.
Good information UTIs are very uncomfortable to say the least and all the information you have provided I have been incorporating into my life. The simple suggestions for preventing bladder infections are very useful. Thank you
Thanks Karol! I use many of the prevention methods myself and actually have not had a bladder infection for a long time now.
These are all excellent tips. I’m going to share with my daughters as well. The antibiotics the doctor will give you can create other side issues, so it’s nice to have natural alternatives.
I agree with you Lori. I don’t use antibiotics unless there is no other choice.
Thanks for the extra information Betsy! I’d never heard of D-Mannose before this. I’ll be spreading the word…