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.
Uva Ursi
Posted by Meadow (Tampa, Florida, Usa) on 03/01/2011
★★★★★
I have not seen the herb Uva Ursi mentioned to help clear women's bladder infections. Uva Ursi leaf (an herbal dietary supplement) is effective with stubborn lower urinary tract infections and kidney (pyelonephritis) infections. Uva Ursi has antimicrobial activity. Uva Ursi contains a glycoside called arbutin, which has an antiseptic effect on the membranes of the urinary tract. As a natural diuretic this herb drains excess water from cells and promotes an antiseptic effect on the kidneys.
It is best to take Uva Ursi leaf as directed on the bottle, with a large glass of water and the juice of half a lemon, lime or baking soad. Fresh lemon juice has alkalizing and anti-bacterial properties. Bacteria can not live an an alkaline environment. Uva Ursi and a cranberry supplement will work in synergy to clear the infection. The enclosed link is a non profit women's health website that includes:
D-Mannose
Posted by Traveler (Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa) on 04/30/2010
★★★★★
I got turned onto D-Mannose by a former roommate, and while I was sucking down Apple Cider Vinegar straight and water, I was having NO LUCK!
So I bought D-Mannose from the local big-chain health food store for about $35, and while it was expensive, it worked so good and immediately! I ended up getting some $25 stuff off of Amazon, and have used that occasionally if I feel "off" to good effect, though not all the time (like right now I thought I was treating BV and it's not responded expect a little, so I treated it like trich with tea tree oil and coconut oil and that really worked-- but it's only been a few hours.
But yes- D-Mannose is a necessity for a woman's medicine cabinet.
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Rice (Nyc, Ny) on 10/02/2009
★★★★★
a lot of people asking for the alka seltzer cure for uti - i googled it and you take it as directed on the box - 2 tablets in 4 oz od water. should work in 1/2 hour, many recommend taking 2-3x the day you have symptoms. happy to help and cheers!
Uva Ursi
Posted by Azg (Toronto, On) on 09/28/2009
★★★★★
For Urinary Tract Infections, please try Uva Ursi. It's a powdered leaf in a gel cap... you follow the instructions on the bottle (I think 2 gel caps, 3 x a day) and within 36 hours all symptoms of the UTI are gone! I used to get UTI's like clockwork - every 3 month. I remember reading something about how the bacteria that causes it burrows into the skin of the bladder to hide from the anti-biotics. Because the skin in the bladder sheds like the skin that covers our bodies, eventually enough skin is shed to uncover the bacteria - and BAM you have another Urinary Tract Infection.
I don't know how the Uva Ursi worked, but after treating ONE UTI with it, I haven't had one since...it's been about 4 or 5 years since my last UTI and I've recommended this to countless women in my life.
Earth Clinic, I don't know where you want to post this, but I think it's so important that women who deal with recurring UTIs read this information... THANK YOU for this amazing website.
D-Mannose
Posted by Kiki (San Diego, CA) on 07/04/2009
★★★★★
I used to get frequent urinary tract infections and was tired of paying $100 to go to the urgent care clinic for another prescription for antibiotics. Then, I read about D-Mannose. It's not an antibiotic because it does not kill bacteria. It is a type of natural sugar that gets excreted through the urinary tract. The sugar prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract and flushes it away when you urinate. The instructions are on the bottle, but it comes in either tablet or powder form. You take it with a glass of water every few hours. You can use it as a treatment and also as regular prevention if you are the type to get it often. If you want more information, there is a ton on the internet. Many web stores sell it also. This simple treatment saved me a lot of money and a lot of suffering!
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Kishore (London, Essex UK) on 05/04/2009
★★★★★
i have had recurrent uti as i am a diabetic. i read about the alka seltzer remedy on your site and tried it. Next morning my symptons had gone. can not believe it. Have been on antibiotics for weeks and having tried this simple remedy did the trick. Thank you
D-Mannose
Posted by Kelly (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) on 03/20/2009
★★★★★
I got a UTI (urethra) for the first time and the doctor prescribed me a round of Macrobid (antibiotic). I felt extremely sick 12 hours after taking one and almost threw up and had bad diahrrea (gross I know). The doctor wanted to prescribe me a different antibiotic but instead I searched the internet for natural remedies and came up with d-mannose. I bought a brand from a natural health food store. It wasn't as potent as some of the more popular brands. It took about 7 days to clear it for good, but it's gone now and when I went back to the doctor a couple of days after taking it she said my infection was "milder and almost gone." She wouldn't attribute this to the d-mannose though. It was better within a couple of days. I started out with 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of water, to make sure I wouldn't have a wierd reaction, about 3-4 times a day. In the first 3 days I recommend 1 teaspoon at least 5 times a day. If you want you can do it every couple of hours for the first day. You can wean yourself off of it, but make sure you take at least a teaspoon a day, when you feel it is gone to make sure. I am amazed! I was also taking apple cider vinegar on and off, but there is so much mixed information about whether you should create an acidic or alkaline environment for the bacteria. I took more baking soda in water too. About a teaspoon in a glass a day. As much as I could drink. The d-mannose helped the most though. I am now passing on it's curative ways to everyone I know. Now I hope ACV works for the cold/flu I have right now.
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Shannon (Litchfield, IL) on 02/27/2009
★★★★★
I was suffering from a terrible bladder infection and I just couldn't stand it anymore. I found this site and I first tried the ACV cure first (it had the most number of yeas). It worked okay, but to drink it made me so sick to my stomach. I had to try something else. I found my cure in the form of alka seltzer. I couldn't believe how well and how fast it worked! I would say in about 15 minutes I felt better than I had trying the ACV.
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!
D-Mannose
Posted by Jan (Seattle, Wa) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★
D-Mannose powder (simple sugar) eliminates urinary tract infection quickly (24-48 hours) and safely by causing the bacteria to be flushed right out of the body with normal urination. D-Mannose is easy to buy, your local Health Food store has it.
It is a shame and unforgivable that doctors are not recommending this product - to people and to pets! I have small 16 years old dog, the dosage I use - 1/2 teaspoon with a little of her favorite treats crumbled in it - 3 times for only 1 to 2 days, and the infection is gone! (No more blood in urine, no rotten smell.) It works like a magic for people and pets! No antibiotic needed!
Alka Seltzer
Posted by RO (New York, New York) on 11/05/2008
★★★★★
for Urinary Tract infections use Alka Seltzer the original - it works!
Vitamin E
Posted by Mary (Nowhere, VA) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★
Feminine itching/irritation: Vitamin E oil works great for that most personal itching and irritation. Just insert a gelcap at bedtime and morning. Don't forget to wear a pad, it can ruin your clothes. I had an extremely itchy irritation going that was caused by a UTI. Of course getting rid of the UTI helped, but it was completely relieved by the Vitamin E.
Baking Soda
Posted by MH (San Francisco, CA, USA) on 09/06/2008
★★★★★
This is my 4th bladder infection this year. :( I hate having to go to the doctor and taking antibiotics so I looked at your website. (Last time I took antibiotics, I ended up getting a yeast infection also. Go figure.) I don't know about other people, but when I have a bladder infection, I end up in bed miserable for at least 1/2 of my day (in between painful, constant urinations.) Then afterwards when the antibiotics kick in and the pain is a little better, by that time I'm exhausted and miserable.
I used 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda to 8 ounces of water, and low and behold, the pain stopped within 15 minutes and I was able to urinate more normally. Just to be safe I drank plenty of water and had 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
My bladder infection went away extremely fast and incredibly less painful than curing with antibiotics! (Let alone, cheaper!) Thank you for your advice everyone!
White Vinegar
Posted by London (Sandusky, OH) on 06/30/2008
★★★★★
Hello everyone.
I just want to relate my intense struggle with trying to cure a Urinary tract infection. I hate going to the hospital. I have actually had doctors misdiagnose me and tell me I didn't have a UTI, when I actually did, and then be forced to return with worsened symptoms, and have them finally confirm it. Anyways, after battling my latest UTI for a month, I got desperate, and drank a glass of white distilled vinegar.
I choked it down, it wasn't easy. I was nauseous for about an hour and a half afterwards, and chased it with a couple of glasses of water, but, Guess what? My symptoms were gone the next day, I swear to God. I'm still drinking plenty of fluids, all manner of Herbal tea,etc, and cranberry supplements. About two days after drinking the vinegar, I drank, another Quarter glass, the rest of it filled with water, and drank that. Just to be sure. It worked, it's been a month, symptom free. Let me tell you, I tried, Azo, Cystex, about 10 cranberry pills a day, Alka Zeltzer, Baking soda, Lemon ginger tea, everything. Vinegar works. Results ladies!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Betsy (Capetown, South Africa) on 05/20/2008
★★★★★
apple cider vinegar and bladder infections:
30 years of infections off and on, been on antibiotics so long that I can't have much immune system left. urologist doesn't know. I have had 10 bladder stretches, have to cath rise every time as bladder does not want to empty properly any more, was ready to have my bladder diverted as quality of life is just horrible. tried all kinds of remedies over the years but nothing helps had a full blown infection continiously until I found your site i tried apple cider vinegar with bicarb [baking soda] . i take it 4 x a day and i have been clear for the first time since the beg of 2007 i have been antibiot and it is now a 8 days later i test my urine 2 a day and i am completely clear it is unbelieveble I am exstatic i am so pleased I found your site .thank u thank u thank u !!!!!!!!!!!!!
regards Betsy
Baking Soda
Posted by Cory (West Hurley , NY) on 01/05/2008
★★★★★
I HAVE USED BAKING SODA FOR OVER 20 YEARS FOR NAUSEA IT WORKS EVERY TIME. IF I EAT GREASY FOODS OR JUST A STOMACH VIRUS. I WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT IT. IT ALSO WORKS GREAT FOR UTI'S IT MAKES THE SHAKING ICKY FEELING GO AWAY....
