Today, I want to address a health issue that’s actually pretty common – urinary tract infections (UTIs). According to the National Kidney Foundation, around 1 in 5 women will experience a UTI in her lifetime, whether that be from sexual intercourse, a side effect of birth control, or other causes.
I’ve personally had plenty of experience with recurrent UTIs over the years. Many of those experiences have gone the same way: calling the doctor to make an appointment, going to the appointment, peeing in a cup, receiving a prescription, getting it filled, and then taking antibiotics until the UTI finally goes away.
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Unfortunately for me, this process is often followed closely by yeast infections because the antibiotics killed the good bacteria that keep yeast levels in check by fighting harmful bacteria. Ugh!
Author’s Note: I would only recommend these home remedies if you’re sure that you’re suffering from a run-of-the-mill UTI and have only mild UTI symptoms. If you have intense pain, burning sensation during urination), fever, nausea, or vomiting, it may be a sign that the urinary tract infection has spread to your kidneys. If you suspect you may have a kidney infection or bladder infection, you should seek medical treatment from your healthcare provider or urologist immediately!
5 Natural Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections
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Essential Oils
The first thing I did was turn to my essential oils. After reading about several different protocols, I came up with my own blend of oils that I have been taking three times a day. (I call it the “Bladder Bomb,” but you can call it whatever you want.) ;-) Fill a gel capsule with the following oils, and take one tablet 3 times a day.
- 6 drops Defend essential oil blend
- 6 drops oregano essential oil
- 2 drops frankincense essential oil
A few more essential oil remedies for UTIs and the associated pain:
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D-Mannose
I’d never heard of this before, but after reading several articles about D-mannose, I decided it was definitely worth trying. D-mannose is a type of sugar found in several fruits (including cranberries) and is available as a dietary supplement. I found a bottle at our local health food store, but you can also find it online!
It doesn’t kill any bacteria (good or bad) — it just helps to flush them out and keep them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Take the D-mannose capsules according to the package directions.
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Vitamin C
Vitamin C increases the acid content of urine, which helps chase bacteria away and strengthens the immune system. It’s recommended to take 1000mg of Vitamin C daily to help fight off an infection. (Stop taking it if you experience an upset stomach or loose bowel movements.) If you suffer from frequent UTIs, taking 1000mg of Vitamin C per day has been shown to be effective at preventing recurring infections.
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Cranberry Juice
Unsweetened cranberry juice works as a UTI remedy because it has been found to make urine more acidic, combating bad bacteria such as E. Coli. Look for beverages that are at least 25% cranberry juice and contain minimal amounts of added sugars. If drinking the tart beverage is not for you, cranberry capsules are another reliable option.
A 2015 study found that treatment with cranberry juice in a pill form that is equal to two 8-ounce servings of cranberry juice has the potential to minimize the occurrence of urinary tract infections by half!
It should also be noted that if you take the blood-thinning medication, Warfarin, you should not partake in this UTI treatment as it has been found to interact negatively and can cause bleeding.
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Probiotics
Probiotics are the beneficial microorganisms that aid in balancing the good and bad bacteria in your tummy. Studies on probiotics have shown that they not only fight harmful bacteria and infections but also help with digestion.
You can find probiotic supplements in your local health market, or you can incorporate foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir into your diet.
Do’s And Don’ts For UTI Prevention
Treating UTIs naturally is great, but preventing UTIs is even better! Here are a few DO’S and DON’TS to consider:
- DON’T try to “hold it.” When you’ve got to go, go! If you hold your urine, you’re more likely to experience a backup of bacteria, which can lead to infection.
- DO wear cotton. Women should wear breathable cotton underwear or cotton-lined pantyhose to stay fresher and dryer. Guys should go for boxer shorts.
- DO make a habit of urinating after intercourse, even if you do not feel like you have to go; urinating will help to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.
- DO practice good bathroom hygiene.
- DO supplement your diet with probiotic-rich foods or supplements). These friendly bacteria can reduce your chances of a repeat infection.
- DO drink water – and I mean LOTS OF WATER! If you tend to get recurrent urinary tract infections, drinking water is a must — about 8 cups per day. You should be urinating at least every four to five hours to prevent a bacterial infection.
For those of you who have experience with UTIs, do you have any tricks for treating them? Please share them below, I would love to know!
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Natural Remedies
Watch sugar intake. No caffeine. No processed foods. Eat as natural as you can. Processed pre packaged foods are inflammatory.
Great post. When I was suffered from UTI then I have taken natural supplements for UTIl. These natural supplements contain natural herbs which help to destroy bacteria, burning sensation and pain.
Anyone who has suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections recognizes the symptoms. When I get the first signs of the UTI, I take the Lady Soma Cranberry Concentrate and it nips it in the bud and provides relief. It contains methenamine, a substance that arrests the growth of bacteria in urine, and sodium salicylate, a mild analgesic. I take them like they say on the package and these pills work quickly providing much needed relief from the burning and pain of a UTI.
BARLEY SOUP IS A SURE PREVENTITIVE AND CURE FOR UTI… CHECK IT ONLINE…
1 cup Pineapple juice
1 teaspoon Cream of tarter
Mix well. Drink once a day for 3 -5 days consecutively. Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine,spicy food, acidic food,carbonated drinks, and you should start feeling relief really soon. If infection is really bad drink solution for 7 – 10 days. It really works.
Many years ago a friend on her honeymoon (spent in a fire lookout tower without modern plumbing) got a dangerous infection. The doctor said that the problem was that she should have been sitting in a hot bathtub (after all that honeymoon sex). I learned that if you alternate showers with nice hot baths at least weekly you avoid UTIs. I taught that to all my daughters, and even when camping, I heated up water and put it in a little wash tub and they retired to our tent and soaked in that every several days when we camped all… Read more »
How long do you take the essential oil protocol? I followed your instructions and I am feeling relief of symptoms but I do not want to stop the taking the essential oils too soon as they usually suggest you continue your antibiotic until it is finished even if you are feeling better.
A day or two after the symptoms subside should do the trick :-)
Thank you!
I’ve suffered from a number of UTIs in the past. Lots of women experience them, especially if you’re sexually active. The best thing to DO is pee after sex. This is a must. Afterwards, I also drink a glass of water with some 100% cranberry juice added to it (maybe 1/4 cup). Make sure you get the real stuff, not the juice cocktail that has tons of sugar. I buy R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry.
Asparagus fresh or canned, half in the morning and half at night for three days. I also take asparagus pills.
I have suffered for decades with UTI’s. Over the years being dirt poor and most of the time without insurance I have learned to make sure I drank loads of water which I don’t mind. I can’t handle cranberry juice but I use the Cranberry Fruit pills I get at Wal-Mart. I use the gel caps so they melt easily to get them into my system. Now being 66 I don’t have the thirst I once did and anytime I realize I have not drank enough during the day I’ll take 5 to 8 of the Cranberry Fruit gel caps… Read more »