Effective Natural UTI Remedies for Quick Relief

After years suffering with UTIs that have crippled me with pain I have realized how to treat them AND to understand what helps and why.

Alka-seltzer was the first remedy that helped me. My bladder infections cause me to bloat so parents and doctors thought it was gas. Alkaseltzer every day and the pain was gone. It turns out that this is because it changes the acidity of the urine. It alkalinizes it, as does bicarbonate (baking soda), for a period of time after taking it. This helps with pain but it will not cure the underlying infection unless the pain is due to overly acidic urine, and not a true infection. Alkaline urine can actually assist an infection in spreading.

Cranberry juice does the exact opposite. It renders the urine more acidic. This does not help with pain for me at all, but it ensures that bacteria can't grow and hence it's more of a long term approch. But it must be pure, unsweetened cranberry juice or pills, and no apple or other sugary juice in it. Sugar feeds any infection in the body. I prefer the pills if I take it, but I prefer other methods that I feel work better.

Probiotics ensure the body has the proper intestinal and urinary and reproductive bacteria and is a great preventative. The best is bio K, after that I like the pearl brand - extra strength.

Instead of salt, I use miso. It's naturally salty and also loaded with probiotics and minerals because it's fermented. You add it to hot, not boiling water and drink as a broth. It's tasty and better for you than commercial yogurt, some of which is pasturized after they add the probiotics, and most of which has sugar added.

Regarding recurring infections, there are triggers I have found in myself and don't know if they apply to others. Sexual activity, sugar, orange or citrus juice - even fresh pressed, dehydration, and coffee or tea or any caffeinated drink. The reason caffeine brings it on is that it dehydrates the body and you have to drink so much more water to compensate.

Lastly, antibiotics NEVER work for me to clear it completely. They are garbage, in my opinion. I use colloidal silver as an antibiotic, and it works better. But I use it for at least three weeks when I get it. The reason people get them in repeatedly in a short time frame, as in my case, is sometimes because the infection is not actually gone. It can be low grade and they don't pick it up on their tests at the doctor's office but in a week you have a bonafide infection again. I am sure I had low grade infections for years. Here's what helped:

Tincture of marshmallow root, uva-ursi, and goldenseal or drink marshmallow root or slippery elm powder and take goldenseal tincture. I do this as needed throughout the day when I have any signs of infection, even just the urgency. An epsom salt hot hot bath with a drink of bicarbonate in water for pain management. Colloidal silver for a full blown infection, with the above. I can't touch citrus juice or caffinated dinks if I have any sign of infection, and I have to drink 12 glasses of water a day. I always use probiotics and take miso regularly. I take zinc supplements (picolinate works best for me) daily, and I do not use any soap but Dr. Bonner's liquid soap diluted. Oil of oregano did not work for me, but olive leaf at the same time as colloidal silver helps. I also drink pau d'arco tea at night on a regular basis, which is an antifungal and will really help if yeast is involved.

Vitamin C did nothing noticable either way, but I take 3000mg night and day for other purposes. I do not know if it helps.

The herbs and natural remedies can be gotten at health food stores. There are no exact amounts to use... I just take what I think and if that doesn't work, try a bit more. As with any med, the dose has to be in the therapeutic range to work. This is my cumulated knowledge after 20 years suffering and then studying holistic nutrition. Hope it helps someone!

For A bladder infection:

Baking Soda!! Haven't taken antibiotics in years since I found this remedy. It works during all stages. You get pain relief almost instantly as the Baking Soda will raise the acid-base balance of the acidic urine and clean your whole bladder out.Depending on how badly your UTI has progressed (how long it went untreated), here is my dosing schedule:

• Day 1: 1/2 - 1 tsp baking soda in dissolved in water 3 times a day
• Day 2: 1/2 - 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in water 2 times a day
• Day 3: 1/2 - 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in water 1 time a day
• Day 4: 1/2 - 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in water 1 time a day
• Day 5: 1/2 - 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in water 1 time a day

You can continue this treatment from 3-7 days depending on the severity of the infection. Its important to continue drinking this mixture once a day for a couple days after symptoms are gone to make sure that it will not come back. If your UTi is severe you can do 3 x a day for the first few days if needed.

Don't drink this mixture on an extremely full stomach, as you will get a horrible stomach ache, but some food is fine.

Remember to take your vitamins as baking soda will deplete you of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins, folic acid and chromium. Take a Vitamin B supplement and other daily vitamins if you are worried.

Drink an extra glass of water after your glass with baking soda and remember to stay hydrated, you won't kick this thing unless you are clearing out your bladder, which will only happen with lots of water drinking..

Having an alternative to antibiotics for UTIs is a useful thing for at least three reasons. One, antibiotics can have significant side effects and two, bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics and if you are prone to frequent UTIs, you can eventually run out of reasonable antibiotic options. Three, antibiotics can kill needed good gut bacteria and thus lead to further complications.

The active component against UTIs in cranberry/cranberry juice is D-Mannose, a common supplement. D-Mannose is much more potent and works by binding to the E.coli bacteria preventing the bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract surfaces and bladder interior surface, allowing the bacteria to be safely flushed away when urinating, preventing the infection from spreading or continuing to exist. Because of this method of action, bacterial resistance to D-Mannose does not occur because D-Mannose is not attacking the virus, but rather just binding to it. This can become a major problem with antibiotics which the bacteria become resistant to.

Another issue with antibiotics is that they tend to destroy the gut bacteria both good and bad and this can contribute to more UTIs in the long run if good gut bacteria is destroyed that would normally keep E.coli controlled. Here is a link to a study where they show that D-Mannose can be used as a preventative for frequent UTIs in women who are prone to these infections, but my experience is that it is also effective in men, but women get significantly more UTIs than men :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32597599/

Many people who have frequent UTIs develop bacterial resistance and then stronger and stronger antibiotics are needed to try and fight the UTI, but these more potent antibiotics can bring a myriad of side effects that nobody wants or needs! For example, one highly potent antibiotic that can be used for UTIs is Ciprofloxacin / Cipro and this particular antibiotic has the well known side effect of causing torn tendons and ligaments and blown achilles tendons (OUCH!). I wrote about this serious issue in another EC post and explained how to help repair some of this ligament and tendon damage.

D-Mannose is thought to be effective only against E.coli based UTIs which means it will not likely work for all UTIs, but it will work for the majority because E.coli is the most common cause of UTIs at approximately as high as 90% of cases.

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/urinary-tract-infections#:~:text=The most common bacteria found, 90 percent of the time

D-Mannose can also be used as a preventative against UTIs when traveling to help prevent a UTI from getting started in the first place. Here is a link to typical D-Mannose supplements and powder :

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=D-mannose&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

All you need to do is mix the powder with water and drink it down or take the capsules, all per label directions.

Two other simple preventatives is to void as soon as the urge is felt so that the urine does not sit in the bladder longer than it has to in an environment that can be conducive to bacterial growth. The second preventative is the use of probiotics such as L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri and L. casei shirota.

Art

Thursday I was having abdomen pain but figured something I ate didn't agree with me. The pain got worse and worse. At bedtime I used a castor oil pack, which always seems to help. But it didn't this time. I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep. I was pretty sure it was a UTI but was starting to worry that something worse was wrong. I was very close to waking up my husband to drive me to the ER. I finally had the presence of mind to get some frankincense oil. I dumped many drops onto my hand and massaged it into my abdomen (lower center, where the pain was). Within 20 minutes the pain was improving. I was able to sleep in spite of discomfort and some chills. In the morning I took my temp and did have a fever of about 100*. My husband made me very strong plantain tea (1/3 cup dry leaves to one quart boiling water. Steep 30 minutes. Sweeten with a little honey and add some lemon juice.)

I drank hot apple cider with a Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it.

Later in the day my neighbor got me some 100% cranberry juice which I mixed with apple cider.

I continued to apply frankincense throughout the day. By afternoon my fever was gone.

Today I am still tired. I made more plantain tea and am drinking my cranberry juice in apple cider.

Honestly that bottle of frankincense oil saved me a trip to the ER. I just ordered another bottle. Definitely an "essential" oil in my book!

~Mama to Many~

Urinary Tract Infection--Garlic/ACV/AC

I have been visiting this website for home remedies for over a decade. So I'm glad to be able to participate more usefully! Recently I had my 2nd uti. The first time it took almost 3 weeks to get succesful permanent results. This time around I knew I had to step up my game. I was determined to cure it without antibiotics. And I did! One thing I noticed that hasn't been talked about is the effects of raw garlic. This literally was my 'white knight' in shining armor. After a few days of going back and forth and sometimes even getting a worse infection, I was at a breaking point. 6 days in and still fighting it. Then I had a light bulb moment. Garlic. Garlic is one of nature's most avaible potent sources as a natural antibiotic. I luckily had fresh local garlic. Nice and potent. Chinese garlic tends to be a tad weak. But probably would work by consuming more. I peeled and sliced up 3 large cloves. Vigorously I chewed tiny slice by slice and drinking plenty of water. It will most likely burn but only temporarily. Taking small breaks from eating the garlic I would also add 2 tbs of ACV to a large full glass of water every 2 hours. While also drinking copious amounts of regular water. You have to pee it out!

Concerned of detox on the rest of my body, I also took 2 capsules of AC (activated charcoal). I would say I spread this out over 6 hours. By morning my bladder/kidney pain had subsided as well as having clear urine. ((Sidenote- I also chose to sit in opposite direction on toilet to help with emptying bladder))I continued with drinking ACV in water the next 2 days for good measure. I can't believe I forgot how powerful garlic is. Sure some people will avoid you like the plague(Garlic breath) but to me it's worth every funny face made cause atleast I can laugh! Next uti won't have a chance! Good luck to all.

I am a 46-year old white female (I wouldn't mention my skin colour except that EC suggests it can be useful for readers to know). I am now in good health, 5'7" and weigh +/- 140lbs. I'm writing this post after 18 months of taking charge of my own health, with a lot of help from this site. I hope my comments help some of you looking for relief.

I had many yeast infections in my 20s but I first experienced a bladder infection only in my mid thirties. Took the usual course of antibiotics, only to have recurrence a few weeks later. A new sexual partner seemed to be the cause. Infection followed infection, and the doctors, including a bladder specialist, were mystified. After painful and invasive testing and many agonizing weekends spent waiting for help in clinics, I was put on a daily low dose of antibiotics. This was a great relief as I could not have sex without getting an infection within hours. Travel was a nightmare as I didn't have access to my usual doctor, and any sort of stress seemed to bring on infections as well. Even the smell of red wine seemed to trigger that stinging pain in my urethra (so stopped drinking that right away of course). Very little was said to me about diet, and as a vegetarian of almost 15 years I thought I was doing ok on the health front.

Fast forward ten years and while I was no longer on the daily antibiotics I had great sensitivity in my urethra. Sex was still a trigger, even with drinking lots of water, urinating right before and after sex, washing with perfume-free soap right before and after sex, and getting my partner to do the same. Even minor health issues - colds and viruses, PMS, stress at work - seemed to trigger that tingling pain in that part of my body. My sex drive was almost zero as I expected to pay the inevitable price if I had intercourse. I was frustrated but resigned. No doctors had been able to help me.

But 18 months ago, when my keratosis pilaris stopped responding to the over-the-counter lotions I had been using for 20 years, I decided to take my health into my own hands. I took a good look at myself. I was about 155 pounds, with a large behind, thick middle, and sagging jawline. My hair was rapidly going grey, my face was lined and exhausted, and I had no energy. Although my bloodwork came back as normal I felt as though I was on the fast track to a serious illness. Both my parents had died young of cancer and had had multiple health problems throughout their lives. It was time to stop hoping that conventional medicine could help me. I made my KP my test project to learn about and improve my health. I never expected that my journey would help me to manage my bladder infections/interstitial cystitis as well.

Thanks to all the amazing people who have posted to this site I learned a lot about the relationship between food and skin. I stopped eating virtually all processed foods, and started eating more raw vegetables, including lots of spinach and kale (organic whenever possible), and good fats, especially organic eggs, olive oil, avocados, nuts, also organic wild salmon (thus making me no longer a vegetarian). I cut down dramatically on sugar, anything with white flour (and breads in general), and alcohol. I had been drinking white wine almost every day but that is no longer the case, and I would say the quality of my health depends on not drinking more than once or twice a week. I also began eating at least a tablespoon of virgin, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil every day, mixed in to my coffee or just gulping down a spoonful. And the very first thing I consume most mornings is the juice of half a lemon squeezed into a glass of room temperature water. (This helps to make the body alkaline, which can help with fighting infection generally, and in the bladder specifically.)

I began dry brushing, almost every day, and oil pulling, almost every day, with virgin, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil. I also gave up almost all commercially produced lotions and skin creams, and only use coconut oil as a moisturizer and sunscreen in the summer (adding heavier oils, such as rose hip, in the winter as my skin is dry).

The success stories on this site encouraged me to be excited about these changes in my diet but the most encouraging thing was my body. Dry brushing feels fantastic, and oil pulling clarifies the skin and makes the teeth bright white. To my astonishment, my burn-prone skin, which was developing darker pigmentation around my mouth and on my chin, has rarely burned since I stared using organic coconut oil, and the pigmentation has disappeared. I attribute this to the absence of chemical-saturated lotions and sunscreens, and to the twice-daily application of coconut oil to my skin.

My keratosis pilaris has 80% disappeared. The bumps are greatly diminished and the redness is gone except if I happen to eat a lot of wheat, dairy, or drink a lot of alcohol. So I would say that my dietary and skin routine changes are healing my skin but they are a permanent choice for managing the problem rather than a 'cure' that allows one to go back to unhealthy habits.

My dietary changes also helped me to lose 15 pounds and gain new energy and optimism. I believe the dry brushing helps greatly with skin tone too and to a limited extent helps with cellulite. I recently celebrated my 46th birthday, but several people I've met over the last few months said they thought that I was 5-10 years younger than that. My facial wrinkles and skin sagging have by no means vanished but have definitely diminished. My grey hair remains the same : )

Along the way I began to rethink my bladder issues as part of the general health picture of my life. I had read enough on this site to know that all health problems are related, and most stem from diet or exposure to toxic substances. As I child, I was given multiple courses of penicillin, sometimes for weeks at a time, for even minor ailments such as colds. From my research on this and other sites, I realized that these massive doses of antibiotics had probably affected my body permanently, with my propensity to bladder and yeast infections as one effect. What I learned is that after even 3 bladder infections the lining of the bladder is cracked and damaged, which prevents the naturally-occuring e-coli bacteria from flushing out, as it gets stuck in the cracks. Hence why we keep getting the infections, and why as soon as the antibiotics are done they come back.

The supplements I now take daily are with a view to countering my 'normal' state of fragility because of all the antibiotics taken in childhood, and in my thirties and early forties, and the damage to my bladder lining from more than 30 bladder infections. I experimented with doses until I found what seems right for me.

2 capsules of multi-probiotic (10-strain formula), morning and night, and at ANY sign of tingling in the urethra or dull pain in the bladder, always with a lot of water

2 buffered cranberry extract (D-Mannose) tablets before sex, and after sex, always with a lot of water

Morning, with food:

1 1000mg tablet of buffered Vitamin C

1 575mg tablet of Norwegian Kelp (source of iodine - helpful for KP)

1 large cod liver oil capsule (source of Vitamins A, D, and E - good to take together for bladder and skin)

1 capsule of collagen-glucosamine complex (mine has 40mg collagen, and 100mg glucosamine. I read that this supplement helps heal the lining of the bladder, as can hyaluronic acid, and you should take the latter with buffered vitamin C for best effectiveness)

Night:

I tablet of Calcium + Magnesium (important to take together for best effect - this tablet has the additional benefit of helping me to fall asleep)

All this adds up in terms of expense, but the value of not being chained to the medical system is worth it. I now feel I can manage any hint of bladder/cystitis pain at the outset. I recommend bringing the buffered cranberry/D-Mannose tablets with you everywhere you go, as they do not need to be refrigerated and are very discreet. I try not to take them except when necessary/as a targeted preventative as there is some debate as to their effectiveness over time. I think it's fundamentally important to build up your health through diet.

I also only use virgin, cold-pressed, organic coconut oil as a lubricant (you can only use condoms made of polyurethane if you use any kind of oil as a lubricant, btw, otherwise they will break). Coconut oil has natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties and is very good and soothing for your urethra while being an excellent lubricant. Most commercially-produced lubricants contain carcinogenic chemicals and glycerine, which is a sugar, which is the last thing your urethra or vagina need introduced into the moment of sex, as any yeast will go crazy. I also like to use coconut oil after my shower, just smoothing half a teaspoon in to the urethral/vulva/perianal area is great for your sexual health in general if you are prone to yeast or bladder infections, also any yeast-related itching.

I think I will be living with these health issues for the rest of my life but the silver lining to taking charge of my health has been to learn more about what makes me feel good and strong, and to have improved my well-being overall. People say they don't recognize me from 18 months ago and I hardly recognize myself. What's most important is that the entire process has taught me to listen to my body and to make my body the most important thing in my life. To finally give myself the care I needed but was not getting, either at home or in the doctor's office. Interestingly, I found that once I made my health my priority, other struggles in life became easier. I was less likely to burn out at work, or put up with people who took too much of me. As I stopped relying on sugar, carbs, and alcohol to buffer me from the world, I found I had more energy, clarity, and ability to provide myself with self-care and say "no" when it was right for me to say no.

And on that last note, I do think it's possible that whatever your partner consumes (food, alcohol, cigarettes) ends up being a factor in your urethral/bladder health. In the course of my research I've read so many testimonies from women who never had bladder infections until they started seeing boyfriend X. Then their nightmare began. I know that this is beyond the scope of EarthClinic's mission but I do want to say - in case there is anyone out there with a similar story to mine - that the person I was with, who seemed to trigger my miserable decade of struggling with bladder infections, was a smoker and daily consumer of beer.

I am now seeing someone who doesn't smoke or drink beer and there is a palpable difference in the cause-and-effect of sex -> infection. In other words, I have not had an infection since we became intimate. But that could also be 18 months of dedicated change in my diet and taking a very proactive approach to my health.

If you are suffering from cystitis or bladder infections, my heart goes out to you. It is a lonely, invisible, infuriating, and excrutiating condition that no-one can really understand unless they've experienced it themselves. It hurts us in our most vulnerable place. I hope you find your health and your cure very soon, and get your life back - you deserve it! Thank-you to all the people who posted about their KP, bladder problems and solutions. You made a huge difference to my recovery.

My mom, who is diabetic, was suffering for the past 5 days with a painful burning urinary tract infection. I told my dad to give her Ted's Sea Salt cure yesterday morning, which consists of taking 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water, on an empty stomach (first thing in AM).

She did this, and called me CRYING tears of happiness at having NO PAIN when she urinated later in the day - the SAME DAY. She called me this AM to ask if she should take another dose, and I said, no, if there's no more burning, Ted says one dose is usually enough to cure most UTI's.

I have had bladder infections for 42 of my 65 years, starting at the age of 21. I'm guessing 100+ infections - and that is not an exaggeration. I learned early on, that I am seriously allergic to Erythromycin, which is a common antibiotic used for bladder infections. So, Cipro became the antibiotic they always prescribed. However, eventually the bacteria became resistent & the Cipro stopped working. It was at that time (about 8 years ago), that I was beginning to embark on my alternative medicine journey. I decided I needed to find a holistic approach to treat & prevent my frequent, painful bladder infections.

I tried all of the other remedies (and then some) listed here, with little to moderate success: Apple Cidar Vinegar (ACV) Grapefruit Seed Extract Olive Leaf Extract Olive Essential Oil (EO) Cranberry Juice + Mannitol Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Lemon juice SOLE' made with Himalayan Salt Colloidal Silver Rosemary EO Thyme EO Sage EO Plus, the above 4 combined in a tonic. If I was persistent enough, usually, after a several days to a couple weeks, the infection went away, only to return within a month - meaning all of the bacteria weren't killed off & they eventually multiplied and increased, to form a full blown bladder infection.

A couple years ago, I came on the idea of using baking soda, to alkalize my urine, which would stop the bad bacteria from growing. That worked fairly well. But occasionally, if I didn't use it for a week after the bladder pain stopped, eventually a low grade would return, meaning the infection was returning. I think the reason the baking soda works, is that the bad bacteria thrive in an acid environment. The baking soda (and ACV, for that matter) turn the urine alkaline - thereby creating a hostile environment, in which, the bad bacteria can't survive.

Then, after more research, I came to the realization that I was missing one important fact: Sugar feeds bacteria. As long as I eliminated all sugar from my diet (including fruit & honey), my infections went away a lot faster and didn't return. I haven't had an infection in a year and a half. I eat very little sugar these days. But, if I go out to dinner, and do eat a few bites of something sweet, I will take 1 Tablespoon of the below solution. This seems to counter balance the sugar, which might feed bacteria in my urine. I do my baking soda remedy differently than the above member Kelly (Vancouver, Bc) on 07/27/2016 mentioned.

I use 1/4 tsp of baking soda in water, 3-4 times a day. To make a larger quantity, so I don't have to get the baking soda out multiple times a day, I do the following:

4 level teaspoons baking soda 2 cups very hot filtered water 2 cups cold filtered water 1- 1 quart (32 oz) glass bottle.

Mix baking soda in hot water, until dissolved. Add cold water to cool the solution. Using a funnel, pour water into glass bottle. Do not use plastic bottle or utensils, as plastic molecules can leech into the solution. Its also important to drink plenty of filtered water a day. I drink 8-10 [8 oz] glasses spaced throughout the day. If I am outside in the Texas heat, of course I increase that to 12-16 glasses, depending on how much I perspire.

Each 2 Tablespoons = 1/4 tsp baking soda dose. I take 3 to 4 doses spaced out through the day. Since this tastes really salty, making it taste awful, I add the 2 Tablespoons to 8 oz of filtered water. It still alkalizes my urine, and is easier to take.

I would caution against taking several teaspoons a day of baking soda, without keeping tabs on the pH of the urine. Most people walk around with a total body pH of 4.5 to 6.0. Ideal urine pH is 7 to 7.5. Having a pH higher than 7.5 is just as detrimental as a lower pH. Taking too much baking soda could push the pH over the ideal 7.5. So, if a person is taking baking soda, it is important to test their urine pH at least 2-3 times a day. Don't test first thing in the morning, as the urine is more concentrated, after the bladder not being emptied 6-8 hours over night. PH test strips can be bought on amazon dot com - a jar of 100+ strips for approximately $11-13 USD.

I get HORRIBLE cystitis when I eat high oxalate foods. It took me a while to figure it out. (I had FOUR tests that showed I had no infection, so I figured that it must be something, and then I came upon oxalates. I was having spinach smoothies every morning, plus lots of almond butter, and when I stopped those the cystitis went away. (You have to stop slowly or you'll "dump" a lot of oxalates and that is horrible.) every time I tried to reintroduce oxalates to test this, the cystitis came back.

Oxalates certainly may not be an issue for everyone, but it's useful to rule out.

The fastest remedy for urinary tract infections I have tried.

I am amazed that cream of tartar is not included in the list of remedies for UTI's.

I have been hounded by them for years but last year I had an incredibly bad time with them recurring, particularly in the summer when I was perspiring a lot in our intense heat. I would drink copious amounts of water to counteract this but would often end up with a weekly infection anyway.

I tried cranberry tablets, D-Mannose, apple cider vinegar without quick success. It usually took a week or longer of treatment to feel as though I was OK. Then, I found one post in my internet search, by a lady who suggested cream of tartar. As I have it in my pantry, that was an easy one. 1/2 tsp in a glass of water stopped the infection and ALL the symptoms dead. With the cream of tartar, the pain and discomfort, brain fog, disorientation and weakness, etc. all vanished WITHIN MINUTES.

With most remedies, they work for some and not for all, I agree. However, my husband started to get the burning sensation one night after not drinking as much water that day and I suggested he take the cream of tartar. Within minutes he was comfortable and that was the end of the UTI for him. He was amazed.

A few days ago I heard my sister had a serious infection with blood in the urine, brain mush as she calls it, weakness, etc. She had been suffering for four days, although she was taking many of the remedies mentioned here. She was no longer passing blood but still had all the other symptoms. I told her about this remedy and suggested she at least try it as she had nothing to lose. So, she popped down to the local supermarket and paid $3.75 for 125g (how cheap is that for something that works! ) She was totally amazed that her symptoms also left and she could go back to work with a clear mind - no more fog.

You only take it when you feel the symptoms appear, not as a preventative.

This is now our go-to remedy for UTI's.

Judging by the comments here, it is a shame that most people have not heard about this SENSATIONAL remedy. Nothing else has worked as fast as it does for us!! Most people I have known in the past with these infections, have to take other treatments for days or weeks before they start to feel well again.

If you have tried everything else, without success, or your favorite remedy is slow to work, you might like to give the speedy, but humble cream of tartar a try.

It is an old remedy used frequently for various diseases, by doctors before big pharma showed up.

MULTI-PRONGED TREATMENT

After experiencing a burning, urgent, painfully swollen, agonizing UTI two nights ago, I relieved the symptoms in a matter of hours (approximately 2 to 5-6 hours) using a multi-faceted treatment (see below). Previous remedies I have used include cranberry juice and D-mannose, but they never worked after the 2nd or 3rd time, and I don't like taking antibiotics as they upset the gut biome.

Imo, my UTI'S are a result of an overload of bacteria from excessive sugar consumption (including alcohol, although I personally don't drink) that tips me into the UTI state (pre-diabetic, perhaps, too?). Perhaps those who contract UTIs after sex have a reaction to the bacteria/alcohol glucose in their partner's body fluids?

In any case, I believe that when a person ingests enough “bitter” supplements/food as listed below, those supplements swing the urine PH from acidic to alkaline and help eliminate the horrible, aggravating UTI symptoms.

Here is the protocol I used:

STEP ONE:
– take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water
– take 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a 1/2 cup of water (ugh!)
– sit in a bath in 1/2 cup of baking soda mixed into very hot bath water; afterwards, with a towel, wash vaginal area with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water; rinse again with warm water if it stings
– drink a STRONG cup of dandelion or Uva Ursa (or green if you don't have the first two) tea

STEP TWO:
about half an hour later:
– take 3 drops of oregano herb in a 1/2 cup of water
– take 20 to 30 drops of golden seal herb in a cup of water

STEP THREE:
a few minutes later
– eat 1 clove of minced garlic mixed into 1-2 tablespoons of sauerkraut (preferably the probiotic/refrigerated kind you buy at the health food store)
– take 1 probiotic capsule

STEP FOUR:
about 20 – 30 minutes later:
– take several Vitamin C tablets or capsules
– * put a few drops of Frankincense oil on a menstrual pad or tissue inside your underwear — believe it or not this helps create a healing mentholatum sensation!
– mix a couple of drops of Frankincense oil into some olive, castor, or coconut oil and rub onto lower pelvic area and kidneys

Obviously, you'll want to make sure that you have most of these items in the house at all times. I don't think the order of the protocol matters, but I believe that the substances' bitter qualities — especially the oregano and golden seal herbs — help create an extreme alkaline state in the urine that helps kill off the offending bacteria. As with drinking extremely strong green teas, you can taste the bitterness in your mouth with these herbs so you can imagine what they do to your entire body system.

RESULTS:

From an agonizing 2-4 hours starting at 11 pm one evening to about 4 am that morning, my symptoms improved so much that I could finally fall sleep in relative comfort without needing antibiotics. I awoke the next morning with no pain and on PH strips my urine's PH had changed from the previous night's light yellow to med/light green (you can buy PH strips to test your urine- it's very easy to do). I am continuing the protocol and will for the next week or so.

People should be aware that baking soda can increase one's blood pressure and, imo, they should be careful not to take more herb drops than directions on the bottle indicate. Also, if one experiences chills or fevers or aching kidneys or blood in the urine, she/he should go immediately to emergency hospital as that indicates a more serious infection.

This protocol could be repeated over the next 2 or 3 days (cutting back on baking soda and the herbs by half, perhaps) and then by half or less each day for at least another week or so.

* As a precaution from now on, I am going to carry cranberry tablets in my purse to take immediately whenever I have “cheated” on my mostly plant-based diet by consuming too much sugar when eating out. If at home, I will make sure to take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or baking soda or golden seal in water immediately after having a sugary treat. I hope to never have a return of a UTI again! My heart deeply goes out to all the poor women in the third world who suffer from this condition and who have no access to these herbal remedies or antibiotics.

WARNING!

Hello all on this thread,

Let me just sound a warning on the dangers of lower tract infections. Self treatment is good to consider but ...

IF the urine is cut off completely or nearly completely and you feel that urine is backing up...enough to start becoming painful...DO NOT play around with this condition...quickly you need an emergency room for a catheter. As much as many of us on this site would try to avoid standard medical treatments, do not mess around with a condition that can be potentially life threatening. If the urethra becomes largely closed then urine backs up and if not dealt with can cause organ failure and death.

In a male, one might have dealt with numerous UTIs over the years, but if the Prostate becomes infected, for instance, then in hours the urethra can be closed down because the urethra runs through the prostate. You might think at the outset, Oh, another UTI...no problem just take my favorite anti viral and its gone, but in another hour the bacterial infection has shut off the urine flow...complete urinary blockage...

Can you say "emergency"? In a mere three hours you can be doubled over in pain...get to an ER fast.

UTI infection, March 2023...Well this may be anecdotal evidence from a 70-year-old male but I had a UTI infection, which caused a lot of standing-on-your-tip-toes pain during voiding, and many nightly trips to the bathroom with little to show for it, but the urge was there, I ended up light headed with foggy brain function and with what can only be described as kicked in the balls swollen testicles, I went t to outpatients, they put me on intravenous anti-biotics I did this for 3 days, went home with an anti-biotic prescription for another 10 days, what seemed to be working stopped as soon as the meds were gone, then back to the hospital for another round of antibiotic intravenously, and still, it came back.

Then I thought I remembered from earth-clinic there was a treatment for an acidic body, I tried it again... I used1 decent-sized squeezed lime/lemon juice, 3/4 tsp of baking soda added in small increments (the fizzing never stops), and 1 tablespoon of ACV, mixed in distilled water, within 4 days the results were amazing this may be as I say anecdotal but if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck, empirical data is much more than what scientist like to claim as not pure science, this worked for me and it worked damn well just throwing this out there...

A friend recently had a UTI / bladder infection that was resistant to just about everything tried. I suggested the ever popular Himalayan Pink Sea Salt remedy since there was some on hand and that UTI is now a faded memory in three days or less!

One half teaspoon in a cup of water 3 or 4 times per day.

Art

In response to this thread about bladder infections occuring after intercourse, I think I stumbled onto one of the best kept secrets ever. Sometime during menopause I started using coconut oil as a lubricant. It's cheap, unscented and as an anti-bacterial agent it prevents UTI's. Perfect! Slather it on ladies - this is one tip you won't forget.

Recent UTI affliction had me in a lil discomfort and a lot of annoyance, mostly confined to the proximity of the toilet. I made plantain tea but only had enough leaves for one cup, my prior experience showed requirement (and great results) from 3 cups. Took some vitamin c, Olive leaf, and grapefruit seed extract, large dose of LI but when I found blood in urine I really had to act.

Recently reminded of the benefits of baking soda, I knew raising the alkalinity of my body would be beneficial and immediately consumed a tsp with glass water. About an hour later I took another tsp, this time with 'medicinal' kombucha (kombucha second fermented with parsley, lemon buds and rosehips) instead of acv, purely because I have more kombucha because I make it, and good tsp or two of coconut oil.

I did this mix twice more that evening, taking the baking soda and water to bed with me so when I got up through the night I could take it. By bedtime I had had much improvement but in the morning everything was back to normal. Relief!!

A precaution I had read regarding UTI/bladder infection was if you didn't treat it long enough it would reach the kidneys and cause more problems. At the same time, baking soda is recommended for improving kidney function so I didn't really see a problem. Have continued to take two doses daily of the baking soda for a total of three days. I am now recommitted to the use of baking soda and used it on my son's chalazion which was soothing while acting as a poultice. If I had uti again I would go for the plantain, the results were almost immediate, but if unavailable because of travel, etc, my second choice with absolute confidence would definitely be the baking soda. Best to all.