The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Plantain Tea
Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 02/21/2013
★★★★★
I woke up in the night with terrible pain that I knew from previous experience was a bladder infection. Usually I take cranberry, but someone had recently told me about using Plantain Tea, so I tried it instead. I boiled water, poured it over a T. of plantain leaves, steeped for 15 minutes, and strained. I sweetened with a couple of drops of Stevia. I drank about 4 cups of it that day and felt fine by night. I had several cups a day for several more days to be sure. I also make sure to drink a half a gallon of water a day.
Urinate After Sex
Posted by Georgis (Eastern, Sd) on 02/21/2013
★★★★★
I used to get UTI after intercourse then I read somewhere if you go urinate afterwards this cleans the pathway. Ever since I read this I have not had an UTI.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Kiks (London, Uk) on 01/24/2013
★★★★★
Diet can definitely be a factor. I had chronic "infections" but no bacteria was being picked up in the urine tests. As I was also suffering with stomach problems I cut out gluten and within a few days felt like a new person! I found out I'm severely intolerant to gluten, and eating any irritates my bladder within an hour (along with my stomach).
Interestingly some children wet the bed when they eat gluten--it's all related!
Acidophilus
Posted by Meg (Somewhere, Tx) on 01/07/2013
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Sasha (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 12/10/2012
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda cleared my UTI infection. I had two urine tests done before I started taking it and it showed that I had a UTI. Went here on earth clinic to search up remedies and started taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 1/4 baking soda in a full glass of water. I did this 2 times a day after meals... I wanted to do it 3 times but I didnt want to drink after 6 pm (because I would be urinating all night). I did this remedy for 4 days. I went to another doctor to take a urine test and they called me to tell me that my test came back negative! Which means my urine was normal! Oh my god, I was so happy!! So it really does work! I'll keep you updated because I still had an appointment so see a Urologist so i'm going to double check one more time with him which is good. So please, try this remedy - it is AMAZING. Thank you earth clinic!
Probiotics
Posted by Sheila (Boise, Id) on 12/03/2012
★★★★★
I was feeling that 'twinge' of a UTI coming and I didn't want to take an antibiotic, or cranberry anything (cranberry can make things worse for some women due to an intolerance to d-mannose). I found someone's blog who wrote about the pH level of the vagina, with recommendations on staying healthy; one recommendation being the use of a probiotic suppository.
I tried drinking diluted ACV, but it wasn't catching on fast enough, so after rushing to the healthfood store I administered the recommended probiotic supplement as a vaginal suppository. After 30 minutes I wasn't sure if it was working, but after an hour the 'twinge' was gone as well as most of my stress. A vegetarian gel cap takes longer to dissolve, unless there is sufficient stomach acid.
For the first 3 hours, one capsule every hour, or each time after urinating. I'm using one capsule every 2 hours now. Drinking water. I also took a capsule orally figuring it wouldn't hurt to have one in the digestive system. The suppository was enough to nip the UTI in the bud, and urgent care office was avoided.
Be well, Sheila
Himalayan Salt
Posted by Nicola (Wexford, Ireland) on 11/13/2012
★★★★★
I tried your remedy of 1 tsp of this pink rock salt in water and it worked and then I forgot to post up my YEA until now! Thank You so much Earth Clinic- I was going to go to the Doctor the next morning because the pain was getting to bad to bear, and I don't do anti-biotics but last time I had a UTI I tried all the other remedies and they made it feel better for a few hours but just wouldn't make it go. Anyway after the salt I woke up and the pain was gone- there was still a funny feeling when I peed, but I knew it was getting better. As I knew that the salt had worked I took another tsp in water that morning as a precaution and to wipe it out- as anyone who has had a UTI knows- you will do anything to relieve the pain- but thank you this time it wasn't antibiotics!! I will use this remedy next time. It was magic- I no longer live in fear of a UTI!! Nicola
Alkaline Diet
Posted by Mystikat (Lv, Usa) on 11/04/2012
★★★★★
Been having a terrible time with the UTI symptoms and same as everybody else doctors try one thing and then another. Finally found a good doctor who took a lab test for kidney, did not show anything major, just a slightly elevated creatinine, not considered anything to worry about. I give all the credit to the doctor for at least focusing on the cause of the problem. I read all about kidneys on my own, came across renal tubular acidosis (does not show a high BUN or creatinine) and the explanation and cure is very simple and it is highly treatable--just raise the pH to 7.5, but for awhile go on an 80%/20% alkaline to acid forming foods diet. After achieving proper balance maintain 60/40 alkalinity. Important thing, potassium citrate very important to work with calcium and to prevent kidney stones which can cause burning like uti. Only about a week and feeling much better. Hope this helps along with the other alkalizing remedies etc. people say are helping them.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Heather (Edmond, Ok) on 11/01/2012
★★★★★
I've suffered from UTI issues for most of my adult life. I've followed every suggestion from my doctor and other women & I just believe it's something i'm just prone to. I've spent my time, money & energy back and forth from the doctor getting antibiotics that also have harsh side effect for me. I even had a hospital stay due to one that got out of hand & gave me a massive kidney infection. A couple of years ago, I started seeing a doctor that also gave me alternative options to help prevent infections. First I tried the cranberry capsules, it helped speed up my healing, but it was always in conjuction to antibiotics. I tried taking them as a preventative, but this didn't seem to work for me. What did work was Uva Ursi. Now, the minute I feel the urgency, pain & low fever I do the following (only use the following at the first signs of an bladder infection - do not use with kidney infections):
1 500mg Uva Ursi 3x per day (Capsules any health food store)
1 1000mg Vitamin C 2x per day (if you can get one of those immune system boosters that you dissolve in water - that works the easiest. But minimum, Vit C)
Water, Water, Water - I will carry a bottle of water with me throughout the day & just keep drinking so I go to the bath room as much as possible.
Bananas - eat a couple a day
Online there is alot of information on uva ursi - it flushes your kidneys & acts as an antiseptic. It also comes in the form of a tea, but i've only done the capsules. DO NOT TAKE IT IF YOUR INFECTION IS ALREADY CAUSING LOWER BACK PAIN OR YOU SUSPECT YOU ALREADY HAVE A KIDNEY INFECTION - GO TO THE DOCTOR. This supplement can be toxic if over done. Look at the back of the bottle & follow the directions exactly.
Vitamin C will help boost your immune system to help knock out the infection.
Water will help flush out the infection and bacteria causing the infection, plus help the uva ursi do it's job. The bananas will help resupply your body with potassium. I understand uva ursi can cause potassium deficiency. So keep up foods rich in potassium to avoid this. I've done this for 6 months now & it's worked!! I was going to the doctor at least every other month with UTI issues, now I'm feel great.
Baking Soda
Posted by Silver Star (Palo Alto, Ca) on 10/03/2012
★★★★★
CURED... I was getting UTIs all the time until about 5 years ago. then I discovered the baking soda remedy. I'm sure the alkaline diet is a much healthier way to go but I needed an instant remedy and haven't had a UTI in 5 years. All I did was take a few pinches of baking soda (Very Alkalizing!!! ) with a glass of water every 2 hours for the first day or two (not while I slept of course), then when the pain went away I took a few pinches with water as I felt any tiny bit of pain. Baking soda made me retain water while I was taking it and I would be careful if I had high blood pressure. Those are the only issues I know of so I'm a huge supporter!! I was so tired of antibiotics!!!
D-Mannose
Posted by Dewchild (Matthews, Nc, United States) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★
I have been a long time "lurker" on Earth Clinic. I first came to the site when I started having frequent UTIs, (monthly for a year) and the doctors were unable to help. I tried it all. Apple Cider, Vitamin C, Cranberry, Water. You name it. I went to two different Urologists, that basically gave me a refillable Rx for antibiotic and sent me on my way. During this time, I continued to get yeast infections, as well - from the antibiotic use. It seemed like there was a link to the yeast infection and the UTI, but my general practicioner ignored me when I mentioned it. Finally the third Dr. I saw was a Uro-Gynocologist. He had me take probiotic on a regular basis internally and also to open a probiotic capsule and put the probiotic in my vaginal cavity, so that I could restore the good bacteria there. His theory was that the antibiotics had killed all of the good bacteria in my vaginal area and by replacing it with probiotics (actually putting the probiotics in there), the good bacteria could start to flouish and kill off any bad bacteria before it made it into my bladder.
He also gave me an antibiotic. I threw the antibiotic away and used the D-Mannose instead. I did the probiotic internally and the infections never came back. It's been over a year since then, but I wanted to come and share my story in case it could help someone else.
In retrospect, I don't think I had frequent UTIs. I think I had a UTI, that never went away. I was probably resistant to all of those antibiotics and the D-Mannose did the trick. It was like a miracle for me. I haven't had an infection since, but if I do start to feel like one might be coming on, I take a dose of D-Mannose and drink lots of water! Big thanks to the Earth Clinic for helping with the healing!
Chinese Herbs
Posted by Bour0245 (Greenwood, Nova Scotia) on 09/11/2012
I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the chinese capsules or tell me the name of the store you got them from.
Baking Soda
Posted by Ria (Mombasa, Kenya) on 09/07/2012
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi there. Yesterday I woke up with with a burning sensation while urinating and the urge to urinate often made me realize that I might be getting a UTI. I had read somewhere that a quick remedy to fix a start of a UTI is taking 1 tsp of soda bi carbonate with a glass of water every hour for 3 hrs to make the urine less acidic. I took 1 tsp and another 1 tsp an hour later. Never got to do the 3rd one. The burning sensation disappeared but today I woke up with a feeling of tiredness and a headache. Can it be a side effect or an overdose of soda bi carbonate? thanks!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jr (Av, Mn) on 08/27/2012
★★★★★
After yrs of UTI and antibiotics, I found what works for me. I do have to start with an azo pill, just to stop the pain and contractions. Then I take 1 Tablespoon Collidal silver or sometimes 1 teaspoon 3x a day. I take 3 cranberry pills 3X per day. Then at night, several hours after collidal silver I take a probotic, so the good stuff is there to work thru the night. ( make sure you do not take Collidal silver and probotics at the same time, they nix each other). Also, drink 64 oz. or more of water per day to flush your system. NO, sugar stuff and lay low on caffeine.
I feel better within a day or two, but continue this for 3 days to a week depending on how bad you have it.
I've done this for the last several yrs now, they are getting fewer and farther apart. I've have not needed any antibiotics since I started this.
Water
Posted by Aaron24 (Ascencion, Chihuahua) on 08/23/2012
★★★★★
Hello there! Im a male 24 yrs old and I wanna share my natural cure with the world because I also suffered from UTI last year. So I decided to post this information to help the many people that suffer from this problem, I cured my UTI by drinking 8 glasses of water a day, water helps to flush out the bacteria that causes the burning sensation when urinating, so that all you got to do just drink 8 glasses of purified water (not tap water) minimum a day. Before I had tried many powerful antibiotics that did not worked, so try it out it easy and simple, 80% of the body is made up of water so it is that significant, you must eat plenty of water to be in good health and cure yourself of UTI, I wish you all good luck.
Sea Salt
Posted by Darlene (Otto, Nc, Usa) on 08/23/2012
★★★★★
A couple of nights ago my 83 yr. old mother was complaining... Whenever she went to urinate she was burning very badly, and felt she had to go constantly. I looked up Ted's sea salt remedy and made her a glass (1tsp. Sea salt in glass warm water) to sip on before bed; the next morning she said there was no more burning, and she felt much better... And not having to constantly go to the bathroom. Thanks Ted! So thankful to have you and earth clinic.
D-Mannose
Posted by Giuliana (Sacramento, Ca) on 08/13/2012
So I've read a lot of responses about UTI and D-Mannose. Ive had reoccuring UTI's for four years now and recently antibiotics stopped working when they were successful before.
After doing some research and talking to my family it turns out my entire moms side has been dealing with Candida for years. My Grandfather has been on a candida diet (gluten and sugar free) for 20 years, my cousin couldn't eat anything with sugar or gluten her entire childhood and my Aunt has had numebr after number of UTI's and had to change her diet. My mom has been dealing with UTI like symptoms for several years and has just been diagnosed with a kidney infection, close to kidney failure, because antibiotics wont work and the doctors dont know why.
I was just unsuccessful with my second bout of antibiotics. I was ready to tear my hair own when I read about D-mannose and candida. I have been gluten and sugar free for a week and I feel more awake than I have in a year.
About 10 months ago I had a period of 3-4 months where I was CONSTANTLY fatigued, I mean, I couldn't keep my eyes open at 7pm and couldn't wake up in the morning, my whole day was foggy. During that time I was eating a ton of bread, sugary stuff and drinking a lot of beer and liquor. Since I've cut it out I feel like a new person.
D-mannose or whatever you try may not work as well if you're not adjusting your diet too. I feel like the supplement's have been helping a lot, I don't feel the urge or pain anymore, and I'm not eating anything that fuels the bacteria.
It's worth it to eat right for a couple weeks if it stops the frustration for a long period of time.
Red Fruit Herbal Tea
Posted by Leah (Jerusalem, Israel) on 08/05/2012
★★★★★
During the last year, I've gotten several very painful (with blood also) Urinary Tract Infections - I've never had them in my life before this year.
I have found a GREAT way to prevent them. When I start to get the symptoms, dull pain during urination, totally *clear* urine - I IMMEDIATELY drink a hot glass of red herbal tea - cranberry tea is the best, but any red fruit herbal tea does the job just as well. It's really a race against time because the infection comes on fast, so I always carry the tea bags with me in my purse. I only use 1/2 glass of boiled water so that the tea gets more concentrated and I drink it down as fast as I can. It stops the symptoms right away. Amazing. Hope this helps you also!!
P.S. - This site has *literally* saved my life and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I really feel the love coming off these pages. You really do care about saving your fellow human beings. May God bless you all with only good things in life!! Shalom from the Holy Land. :)
Coconut Milk
Posted by Bern (Sydney, Nsw) on 07/14/2012
★★★★★
To the person who posted the email regarding the coconut milk and her friend who was hospitalised with kidney infection, I cannot thank you enough (so thank you, thank you, thank you). About three months ago I had a uti (urinary tract infection) that I could not shake - the usual symptoms being the feeling of a constantly full bladder, a nagging pain in my tail bone/coccyx/rectum, hot and cold sweats causing quick flushes. I was on my third set of antibiotics (keflex, norafloxacin, macrodantin (nitrofurantoin family of drugs) and fast losing hope of a remedy.
Then I consulted earthclinic. I tried the sea salt, the apple cider vinegar with organic cranberry concentrate and lemon juice, morning and night for about three days. Nothing. I still felt just as bad. Then I tried two tbspns cold presssed organic coconut oil with a cup of low fat coconut milk first up on the evening of the fourth day and then drank two cans of low fat coconut milk for the next two days. This was followed by a can of coconut milk mixed with a can of coconut water (refrigerated) each day for the following three days. I am now cured.
So this is what I think. The sea salt, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and cranberry concentrate might have all worked had I been at a minor stage of this illness. Past this initial stage, there was no effect. The first cup of coconut milk gave instant noticeable relief. I'll admit that I did sick up after the fifth cup (so it might have helped if I'd diluted it earlier with coconut water). If you're prone to uti (as I am), I have been drinking wheatgrass extract for eight months and never caught uti during this period, so providing an alkaline environment in your body inhibits uti. Also, coconut water is said to inhibit uti. (I cannot comment on providing an acidic environment because I'm not a regular drinker of apple cider vinegar). I heard somewhere that taking daily 2 tbspn organic cold pressed coconut oil assists with alzheimers. After curing my uti with coconut milk, I can only say, WOW, coconut appears to be one of these "super" foods.
D-Mannose
Posted by Amber (Little Rock, Ar) on 07/10/2012
★☆☆☆☆
I took over the reccomended amount every 3 hrs for 2 days and it didn't work I had to get on antibotics. I kept taking it while on antibiotics and the bladder infection still didn't go away. I took the powder and pill form. My mother tried D-Mannose as a preventative and it didn't work for her either. It helped with symptons but didn't cure the infection. Cranberry and ACV didn't work for me either. Next time I get an infection I'm going to try colloidal silver.
Cranberry
Posted by Maximac (Trussville, Alabama, Usa) on 06/15/2012
I will have to try the cranberry sauce. I awoke at 3:00am with horrible pain with my trip to the bathroom. I knew exactly what is was as I am prone to the uti. As the morning progressed, the pain got worse and I also noticed blood in my urine which I haven't noticed before. I could hardly leave the toilet the frequency and pain was so bad. I eventually came here to EC to see what I could find out. I read the things I already knew, baking soda, aspirin/alka seltzer (haven't had that in years), ACV, etc.. I didn't get any relief even after some popular OTC medication for this I had. I knew I had to go to the Dr. Since there was blood in the urine and I'm missing a day of work which I would recommend for anyone. The Dr gave me the usual but dreaded antibiotic and said that my case was quite moderate approaching severe. I am now home and resting and hope to be pain free this afternoon. I am following up with the probiotics and cranberry. 2 times a year for this stinks.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jamie (Lake Worth, Fl) on 06/14/2012
At the health food store I get cranberry capsules. You dont have the calories or other ingreedients from juice. Its also just seems easier to take.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Maria (Frankfurt, Germany) on 06/13/2012
Try purple or red grapes juice without sugar. It helped me a lot in clearing my UTI during pregnancy but I also took Ted's sea salt remedy and after one dose of one ts of sea salt in one glass of water drank water with 1/4 ts of sea salt in one litre water regularly. According to Ted' s instruction drinking more water without sea salt makes the UTI worse. You must more drink water but with sea salt. I am now almost eight month pregnant. I never have further UTI during my pregnancy. Whenever I visit my doctor every month I start drinking red or purple grapes juice and water with sea salt four days before and my urine report is always clear without any infection. So I am thankful to Ted and Earth clinic for treating my UTI with natural remedies as I don't want to take antibiotics during my pregnancy. I hope that it will help you. Good luck.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Chuck (Calgary, Alberta) on 06/13/2012
Drink 100% cranbery juice 3x a day, take d-mannose at least 3x a day and in 2 weeks you most likely gonna be good as new.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Chuck (Calgary, Alberta) on 06/13/2012
Cranberry juice works perfect for UTi especially with d-mannose combined, works like a miracle.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 06/12/2012
The real cranberry juice treatment worked for my chronic urinary tract infection when NO antibiotics did. You need to buy the real cranberry juice and NOT the cranberry juice mixtures sold at grocery stores wich have very little real cranberry juice in them.
I was prescribed this treatment by a urologist when all the antibiotics failed to work. You drink three cups of cranberry juice per day preferably on an empty stomach. If it works it works fast. It did for me in about 2 weeks when nothing else did....Oscar
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jfrost231 (Hackettstown, New Jersey, United States) on 06/11/2012
Well, not to be rude, but I simply can't go to a clinic or a doctor. My family doesn't have the money right now, I have the choice between going to the doctor or not eating for an entire month, that's how my financial situation. And anyway, my mother who is a nurse told me that the infection would have traveled to my kidney's by now, and she said the symptoms would be very bad back pain, a fever, blood in my urine and extreme pain during urination. I don't have any of the symptoms of a kidney infection, my mother is going to check me to see if I have any cysts on my or near my urethra that might be causing discomfort.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jennifer (Sunrise, Fl, Usa) on 06/11/2012
A bladder infection is nothing to play around with. I've had a kidney infection before from ignoring a bladder infection and let me tell you, it is not fun. A persistent bladder infection can cause serious damage to your kidneys or scarring of the urethra if untreated.
Usually, when I feel a bladder infection coming on, I take ACV and it goes away. Some people have success with using probiotics. All the remedies I would suggest to you it seems that you have tried already. If you've tried everything and your bladder infection hasn't gone away, you should really go on antibiotics. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but a bladder infection can cause some serious complications if not treated quickly and properly. If you are still having some discomfort, it means your bladder infection is still hanging on (or you've caused some damage to your urethra by not treating it properly). If you are worried about the side effects of antibiotics, take probiotics to replenish the "good" bacteria in your system.
I know it's expensive to go to the doctor, but depending on what state you live in, pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens and Target have walk-in clinics that will treat you for UTIs/bladder infections for under $80. Generic antibiotics are also usually not very expensive. I think you should go and not wait any longer. Home remedies are good when they work, but if they aren't working for you, you shouldn't put off seeking professional treatment.
Best of luck to you, Jennifer
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jfrost231 (Hackettstown, New Jersey, United States) on 06/10/2012
Okay, so I'm not sure if I even have it anymore, though I still feel some slight discomfort during urination.
So if I still have this infection, I'm going on week number 3 of having it. I really dont want to take antibiotics, plus I can't really afford going for a doctors visit plus a prescription. So week one, I chugged lots of water and cranberry juice, drank apple cider vinegar 2tbsps a day, took cranberry supplements, vitamin c, echinacea, acidophilus and the apple cider vinegar seemed to help me. But I was still having irritation, then last week, I was still chugging water and cranberry juice, still doing vitamin c and all the pills I listed above, only I was taking 2 tbsps of apple cider vinegar 3 times a day.. And it helped at first, but then at the end of last week it started to hurt a lot more.
Then this past monday, I got Kidney Bladder remedy, I researched beforehand on how Uva Ursi is really can help get rid of the infection, so I went to the local health food store to get it, but then saw the blend for Kidney Bladder which contains Uva Ursi, but also contains Juniper, Parsley, Ginger, Marshmallow root, cramp bark and goldenseal root which I hear are all awesome things to help get rid of a bladder infection. I cut out the cranberry juice this week, and have just been drinking water. Your supposed to take this blend twice a day, so I did for monday and tuesday. But I later read on tuesday night that cranberry and vitamin c make my blend pills pretty much ineffective. So I stopped taking the cranberry supplements and vitamin c, and have just been chugging the water, taking this blend with all this stuff in it, echinacea, and acidophilus. So I feel like I've really improved, it's a lot better. But I'm still feeling irritation, it hasn't moved to my kidneys, thats for sure. But it's been like 4 effective days of taking this blend, and I can only take it up to 7, because past that is dangerous.
Though my mom who is a nurse, said that maybe the infection is gone and that there is more to it, that I possibly could have irritable problems with my urethra that's causing me discomfort/irritation while I urinate. So what should I do? Does it sound like I'm on the right track to being cured? What else should I do if not? Could my mom be right?
Uva Ursi
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 06/04/2012 2041 posts
Jfrost231, Uva Ursi is definitely the master herb for Bladder/UTI infections, but as you are advised cannot be used in excess or by pregnant or nursing women. Also do not take Uva Ursi w/ (at the same moment or hr) vit-C or Cranberry as it decreases effectiveness. About 5 days use will provide much relief and by that time side effects of vasoconstriction will begin w/ itching or painful veins or possibly numbness in hands and feet. Must discontinue for at least 2 weeks before resuming (if necessary).
Another nutrient extremely beneficial for Bladder/UTI infection is the simple sugar D-Mannose. And for your insufficient immune response, Vit-A & Zinc at recommended dosages daily for 1 month or more.
