Here are 22 home remedies for urinary tract infections (UTI). Some are simple tips that will relieve pain and improve your health. And others will be incredibly helpful. Following these tips and home remedies will only do you good!
I. What is Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection is a type of pathology that affects mostly women.
A urinary tract infection is manifested by the need to pee more often, as well as by pain when urinating.
Cystitis is the most common name for urinary tract infections, which are usually caused by bacteria.
Urinary tract infections are often accompanied by various pains such as backache and pain in the lower abdomen.
II. 15 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
1. Drink plenty of water and fluids
It is important to drink plenty of water and fluids when you have cystitis. Fluids make it easier to eliminate bacteria, which will be flushed out through the urine.
To do this, it’s important not to hold back when you need to go to the bathroom. So drink at least 1 ½ liters of water a day.
2. Take more garlic into your diet
Garlic is a plus when it comes to urinary tract infections. In the same way as onions, garlic has antibiotic abilities.
This means that garlic helps fight bacteria, including those responsible for cystitis. It is therefore important to add garlic to your diet if you have a urinary infection.
3. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice
Cranberry juice takes advantage of the fruit’s properties, as cranberries are rich in flavonoids, which have antibacterial functions.
Because cystitis is caused by bacteria, cranberry juice is a natural product that can help you eliminate the infection.
Also, since it is a liquid, you will be able to flush out your bacteria more easily.
4. Boost your immune system
It seems that the immune system of the urinary tract is not adaptive, which can be one of the causes of cystitis recurrence.
This means that the immune system cannot remember the bacterial attacks it has experienced to adapt and react against them in the future.
For this reason, it is important to strengthen your immune system to fight urinary tract infections, especially by consuming probiotics to keep the intestinal and vaginal flora clean.
5. Pee when needed
A UTI is caused by bacteria or a germ. Urine is the body’s way of getting rid of germs in the body.
For this reason, it is important to urinate whenever you feel the urge, and not hold back. By holding urine in your bladder, you give bacteria time to spread.
If you want to treat your cystitis, drink lots of water and pee every time your bladder is full.
6. Have impeccable hygiene of the private parts (front and back)
To avoid a urinary tract infection as well as to cure it, have good hygiene of the private parts. To do this, when you clean yourself after going to the bathroom, always wipe yourself from front to back.
Good hygiene of the private parts allows you to avoid bacterial propagation, which is fragile because of the proximity of the anal area with the sexual parts.
7. Taking Vaginal Estrogen for Postmenopausal Women
For menopausal women, urinary tract infections require treatment with estrogen.
When women go through menopause, there is a decrease in estrogen, which can cause bladder contamination.
For this reason, menopausal women suffer from cystitis more often than other women. This is why menopausal women need to take vaginal estrogen.
8. Take D-mannose
Mannose or D-mannose is effective against recurrent urinary tract infections. It is a product that is easily found in pharmacies and is very useful in preventing the spread of bacteria (E.Coli).
This bacterium is involved in cases of urinary tract infection. This product can reduce the symptoms, in case of the beginning of a urinary infection.
9. Take methenamine salt
Methenamine salt is used to prevent urinary tract infections. It should be noted that long-term use of antibiotics can cause resistance.
Methenamine salt has great benefits when cystitis has not yet caused complications. It can be an alternative to antibiotics.
10. Changing the method of contraception for women
Spermicides as a method of birth control can be an aggravating factor in UTIs. Spermicides are birth control methods that neutralize sperm.
They can be pills or a device such as a diaphragm. Because they affect the vaginal flora, spermicides can be a breeding ground for urinary tract infections.
So consider changing your birth control method if you get a UTI.
11. Reduce red and white meat
Meats are not recommended for people with a UTI. These are foods that do not help the bladder, as they have pro-inflammatory effects.
This is because red and white meat contains “trans” fatty acids.
12. Avoid foods that irritate the bladder
Among the foods to avoid in case of urine infection, there are especially spices. Do not eat cinnamon, ginger, pepper, or cayenne pepper.
These products are particularly dangerous for the bladder. Similarly, avoid alcohol, coffee, and dairy products.
13. Practice good sexual hygiene
It is important to practice good sexual hygiene when you have cystitis, and even daily.
Bacteria are often passed on during sex. To do this, use the right kind of birth control and remember to pee after every sexual encounter.
This is a simple way to protect yourself, as urine will wash away the bacteria.
14. Instead, wear loose, cotton underwear
Tight underwear is a health risk for the sexual area and can irritate because it prevents the genitals from breathing.
If you have cystitis, it’s important to choose loose-fitting underwear that will keep your private parts comfortable and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Cotton is also a good choice of material because it is better for the skin and allows for better air circulation.
15. Take antibiotics
Sometimes antibiotics may be necessary to treat urinary tract infections. If natural methods have not worked, you should consult a doctor.
Antibiotics are then prescribed to you, either in single doses or over 3 days. This can be important to avoid complications such as pyelonephritis.
III. Other Not Well Known Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
1. Baking Soda
Drinking bicarbonate is a great way to fight cystitis. This product helps rebalance the pH of the body.
So, you can drink a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda diluted in it several times a day, if you are affected by cystitis.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
It is also possible to act on a urinary tract infection by drinking apple cider vinegar because this product is antibacterial.
All you have to do is put in a glass of water 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar, and a little honey to sweeten it, and drink at least 2 times a day.
3. Herbal Green Tea
Teas are often useful for urinary tract infections, as long as they are diuretic drinks. Green tea can be combined with cranberry, for example, which also helps to secrete urine.
Other teas and herbs can help, such as meadowfoam or bearberry.
4. Coconut
Coconut is useful in case of urinary tract infection. It has many properties on the body. You can not only benefit from it by drinking coconut water, but also by taking coconut oil.
You can drink coconut water to fight against your cystitis because it is antibacterial. It can prevent urinary tract infections.
Coconut oil is not to be outdone. During the day, you can directly ingest two tablespoons of unrefined virgin coconut oil.
5. Turmeric in Food for UTI
Turmeric is a spice that is not only antibacterial but also strengthens the body’s immune system.
Turmeric also acts on inflammation, as well as on the recurrence of the disease. To enjoy the benefits of turmeric, feel free to add turmeric to your dishes.
You can also take it in the form of tea. However, it is important not to take turmeric on an empty stomach.
6. Use Cinnamon in Food for UTI
Cinnamon can be used in oil form or even as a spice to fight cystitis. The essential oil is antibacterial.
To consume it, mix two drops of this oil with vegetable oil and consume the whole. Otherwise, it is also possible to add the cinnamon powder directly to your dishes.
7. Use Tea Tree Oil for UTI
Tea tree oil helps to fight many infections. In the case of cystitis, you can use it dermally.
Start by mixing it with vegetable oil, before applying the mixture to your lower abdomen. It is an essential oil rich in properties, which can even be used in pregnant women.
IV. How to relieve UTI pain quickly
There are natural methods to relieve the pain of urinary tract infections. Consume baking soda diluted with water for example or lemon juice in water.
But if the pain is too great, take a painkiller like paracetamol.
V. Why antibiotics sometimes don’t work for the UTIs
Antibiotics may not work as well as you might expect for UTIs.
This is because the body can develop resistance to antibiotics over time, which can reduce or interfere with the effectiveness of these products.
Lithiasis or the presence of a bacterial reservoir can also lead to antibiotic resistance and recurrence of UTIs.
VI. UTI prevention tips
To avoid urinary tract infections, it is necessary to have good intimate hygiene. Clean yourself after having a bowel movement from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering your urethra.
Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear. Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated to eliminate bacteria through urine.
VII. Other Questions about home remedies for urinary tract infections?
1. Can UTIs go away on their own?
It is indeed possible for your urinary tract infection to go away on its own after a while, about 3 days.
On average, this happens to one in two people or 50% of those affected by a UTI. Drinking plenty of water and peeing as often as possible helps a lot.
2. Is it safe to treat UTIs without antibiotics?
Rushing to antibiotics is not always the answer when you find out you have a UTI.
First, help your body fight the infection on its own by taking a few simple steps.
Drink plenty of water, use cranberry juice, avoid alcohol and limit your intake of meat and dairy products.
Do what you can to boost your immune system.
3. Are bananas good for urinary tract infections?
Eating mostly vegetarian when you have a UTI is a good way to help your body get rid of the condition.
It is therefore advisable in these cases to avoid meats and sweets, and turn instead to vegetables and fruits. For this, bananas are very recommended in case of urinary tract infection.
4. Is coconut oil effective in relieving symptoms of UTIs?
Yes, you can use coconut oil to fight your urinary tract infections. It is an antibacterial and antifungal oil, which helps fight microbial spread. In addition, coconut oil also works on inflammation.
5. How much cranberry juice do you need to help a UTI?
According to a study on the impact of cranberry juice on urinary tract infections, researchers recommended taking 240 ml of this natural juice per day.
This would be an effective way to reduce the need for antibiotics, but also the risk of recurrence.
6. Why do women have more UTIs than men?
Women are more likely to get UTIs because of their physiognomy. This is because the anus and urethra in the female body are very close to each other.
In addition, the urethra is shorter in women than in men. All this favors bacterial infection.
7. Is there instant relief from UTIs?
Yes, it is possible to get immediate relief from a urinary tract infection by drinking lots of water very quickly.
Cranberry juice remains a product of choice to fight against this condition. You can also opt for a massage of the lower abdomen, which usually offers almost instant results.
Mix 1 drop of palmarosa EO with 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. With all of this, massage your lower abdomen at least 3 times a day.
8. Signs your UTI is going away without antibiotics
You know your cystitis is going away when the symptoms that are specific to it start to go away.
For example, your pain during urination goes away, as does the pain in your lower abdomen. If you treat yourself naturally and don’t feel any improvement after 48 hours, see a doctor. Delaying a visit can lead to complications.
Useful Links:
Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Adults