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.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Trudy (Netherlands) on 10/09/2006
★★★★★
I tried everything for bladder disease. The regular doctor prescribed Nitrofurantoin... so bad.. it causes even bladder disease... so I became very very ill ONLY COLLOIDAL SILVERWATER was THE REMEDY( for E-coli). Bladder disease was gone. Afterwords I took DMannose...very good..no pain anymore...also good for interstitial cystitis...really true. I have to tell this for the doctor did not know that Nitrofurantoin causes bladder disease. read: Natural Medicine Encyclopedia C.Norman Shealy.
Acidophilus
Posted by Angie (Seattle, Wa) on 06/01/2012
For those of you exeriencing UTI's after intercourse consider that the contreceptive you use may possibly be causing it... I would always get a UTI after using a latex condom, regardless of peeing and washing afterwards... once I switched to the non-latex ones, I've never had another problem.
Watermelon Seed Tea
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 04/28/2009
★★★★★
Watermelon seed tea works for Bladder Infections. Just sprinkle about a half teaspoon in a mug and a cup of hot water. Take about 3 times a day, everyday until the pain is gone. Very effective. It has a bland taste.
Goldenseal and Echinacea
Posted by Natili (Montpelier, VT) on 03/21/2006
★★★★★
[reports that goldenseal and echinachea cured her UTI.]
D-Mannose
Posted by Liz (Stroudsburg, PA)
★★★★★
I have been through a lifelong battle with urinary tract infections. It's been a vicious cycle of antibiotics then yeast infections and once had laser surgery of my urethrea to open up passage. Cranberry helped, but never cured the problem. Finally my sister found the answer. It's called d-mannose. It is a type of sugar that bonds to the type of bacteria that causes the infection. It works only on infections caused by the bacteria that naturally live in our digestive system and escape into urinary tract. However these make up 90% of urinary infections. for me it's been a miracle. One dose can be taken as a preventative after intercourse. or a few doses a day in case of a full infection. great for pregnant women who don't want antibiotics. I went from having at least 6 infections a year to being antibiotic free for the past 3 years. Couldn't be happier.
D-Mannose
Posted by Eskaay (London) on 08/22/2025
Hello Art
Is d-mannose safe to take as my wife is suffering from frequent UTI issues who is pre-diabetic and also underwent total hysterectomy due to cancer (stage 1b)?
Thanks
Garlic
Posted by Lil (Europe) on 11/01/2022

Hi, can anyone comment on my experience please?
I'm obviously run-down....don't sleep well at all, over-weight and trying to lose it all the time plus the fact it's been a full-on summer and I'm dealing with a traumatic family event.....so I ended up with a bout of cystitis recently, which I've only experienced maybe 3 times in my almost 60 years.
It's lasted 2 weeks and I've been using cranberry juice and bicarb, then I decide I'd go the garlic route, rather than go for antibiotics.
To which end, I sliced up a very large, strong, fresh clove of garlic and macerated it overnight in a pint of water and then drank the whole lot in the morning except for a few bits of the clove which I chewed. As well as this, I made a strong garlic butter and left that overnight as well, before eating it on crackers the next day (and finger-dipping cos I love it so much! ).....
3 days later and I have a large mainly painless lump on my lower gum but no pain in my teeth, and a small painful (when I press it) on the back of my head on the diagonally opposite side to the gum problem.
What I am wondering is, if the garlic is routing any infection and pushing it out of my body by any means? As I sit here typing I'm sucking on a clove of garlic, having found the brilliant post all about infection in the mouth and garlic!
Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed to this interesting and invaluable site.
Thyme Essential Oil
Posted by Lauren (NY) on 07/15/2021
★★★★☆
For a UTI, I usually take olive leaf and turmeric caps as per my post under those headings. When I find that my UTI is being a little extra stubborn I draw a shallow bath, but a little olive oil on a washcloth along with some thyme essential oil, with maybe a little tea tree. I feel that the thyme is the most potent. It is important to dilute these with the olive oil. I then press this around the area gently and push out the bacteria into the bath. This really helps to tame the infection or get rid of the remainder of it.
Lemon
Posted by Charlotte (TEXAS) on 05/07/2022
Thanks for your blessing and info about Lemons 🍋 and UTIs. God bless you and keep you well and safe.
Avoid High Oxylate Foods
Posted by Elsa (New Zealand) on 02/11/2023
You are certainly right, Syd. Almonds and spinach are oxalates foods Not all superfoods are beneficial for us.
Corn Silk
Posted by Terry (Canada) on 05/04/2019
★★★★★
Corn silk works wonders for my dog's incontinence. He was suddenly dripping and peeing in his sleep even though he has never peed in the house in his life. I see that most of the posts have been about female dogs and their spay incontinence but I just want to say that corn silk capsules eradicated my adult male dog's incontinence by 99%.
He is a 70lb dog and I give him one capsule per meal twice a day. I also time when he gets water but not reduce the total amount of water given to him. This way he would not have to hold for as long. In two weeks he went from dripping in his sleep every day to needing to go out earlier than his potty breaks. We listened to him when he would indicate wanting to go and slowly his schedule was back to normal. It has been a month and a half and he stopped having incontinence completely. I will likely give him cornsilk long term since it is inexpensive and effective as incontinence prevention.
Sea Salt
Posted by Arlene (Silver City, New Mexico) on 09/14/2017
★★★★★
Your salt cure helped me so much I can't say it cured me but it helped a bunch with pain..I was able to make it through two twelve hour shift dispite peein blood.. I spent my days off drinking pure cranberry juice with raw honey distilled water and cream of tarter with lemon water ..n pink salt Water.. N vitamin c n eating fruit n plain yogert only ..I douche d with salt water n aged urine ..I'm much better now no more pain no more diarea. No more blood in urine..thanks so much earth clinic is my go to for any illness..today I looped my urine till it was clear as water ..it didn't look or taste infected anymore and I almost went to er glad I did not .
Cream of Tartar
Posted by Lisa (TX) on 03/08/2021
did you ever try the cream of tarter? Did it work?
Baking Soda
Posted by L J (Los Angeles, California ) on 07/30/2016
I must warn you that excessive ingesting of Baking Soda causes the kidneys to burn out.
So please beware...this from my urologist.
xoxo L J
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Mona (Oakland, Ca) on 07/09/2016
★★★★☆
I am suffering from recurrent UTIs, probably the aftermath of some antibiotics I have had to use not too long ago after surgery.
Anyways, I had felt some mild burning since a few days already, but only today the pain and need to pee every two minutes, hit me plus tinges of blood when wiping - it was not looking good, and I knew I needed to do something ASAP to try and eliminate the infection, or else it would be off to the ER.
First thing I did, was, heating up some water and pouring it in a small cooking pan, and adding some ACV (I did not measure it - just poured some in). Then, I wrapped my lower body in a big towel and sat over the pot on the floor, to allow the ACV/water steam to penetrate my nether regions. I do not have a tub, so this was the next best thing to a sitzbath. I felt relief almost immediately, though the urge to pee still remained. Hence, after the steam procedure, I took a small teaspoon of organic baking soda, and mixed it in a glass of water and drank this. Now, 30 min later, I feel so much better!!!
I prepped myself another glass of the water and baking soda mix, and will keep it next to my bed to sip on should I wake during the night.
I have not given this treatment 5 stars yet, as I still have to see how I will feel in the morning, but if I continue to feel better (and I will def repeat the steam procedure and water/ baking soda drinks for a bit), then this is an amazing home remedy. Thank you all for sharing!
Enterococcus UTI Remedies
Posted by Moka (Ny) on 08/13/2015
I have been fighting an enterococcus UTI for 3 months now, being gram positive it does not respond to the usual d-mannose nor cranberry.
- I tried oregano EO, 1 drop in 1 tsp of olive oil multiple times/day: did not help.
- I tried a product UTI-clear with uva ursi, echinacea and other herbs: did nothing.
- I paid $190 a homeopath who sold me $160 worth of useless products that did absolutely nothing to "fix my terrain" (his words).
- I am now trying Goldenseal tincture 3x/day.
- If this doesnt work I will try olive leaf.
If that won't work I am at a loss as this bacteria is antibiotics resistant.
Enterococcus UTI Remedies
Posted by Memi (California) on 01/10/2016
Hello Moka,
I am sorry to hear that you have been fighting an enterococcus UTI for such a long time. I also have a UTI caused by enterococcus, and can't get rid of it with antibiotics. I was wondering if you have found a solution? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Enterococcus UTI Remedies
Posted by Anon (Usa) on 11/24/2017
Is it possible you are reinfecting yourself through food or drinks, such as contaminated milk or juice? Or even tap water? A reusable water bottle or contaminated shower head? Even soap?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by L J (Los Angeles ) on 03/21/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I just read your comment on taking various remedies for what u think is a bladder infection. To begin with the bladder is not located under your right rib, that's where the liver is located the bladder is on the lower left side of the body down below your stomach..I think you had a gallbladder attack and should definitely seek medical help. Or at least take something for Gallstones.. Xoxo
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Katrinab (North Vancouver, CA) on 03/22/2015
Thank you for your feedback. I can assure you that it was not gallstones as I have no gallbladder. I had been having bladder pain after voiding for a few weeks before it developed into an infection. My right side was were the pain was radiating, not where it was localized. Sorry if I was not more specific.
Aloe Vera and Cranberry Juice
Posted by Jhlife (Atlanta, Ga) on 12/14/2014
★★★★★
I just wanted to add in regard to BV, I had it a couple of years ago and it was recurrent no matter what my Dr. gave me. Finally, I ask a friend of mines who is well versed with natural cures what I should do and she simply said, "2tbsp of natural aloe vera to 8oz of unsweetened cranberry juice. Not only does it get rid of the BV, I have also found that it works well with balder infections. Pray this helps someone as it did me.
Hotep (peace)
Corn Silk
Posted by Jean (Ohio) on 06/30/2016
Does corn silk tea is commercial or fresh boil corn silk? Does it bother your stomach?
How much corn silk do you use? How long do you take this treatment?
Thank you.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry, Vitamin C
Posted by Shannon (Toronto, On) on 12/14/2013
★★★★★
I've been plagued with the discomfort of recurrent bladder infections since I was a pre-teen. I usually get one about every 3 months and they sometimes last for weeks, it's so painful! I've taken cranberry extract before as a preventative, but it doesn't always do the trick at the onset of a bladder infection.
I had a nasty infection sometime last week (most likely caused by a pair of too-tight short shorts that I sometimes sleep in) and decided to try a combination of things to get rid of it faster. I took two cranberry pills (which was about 226mg), 2 vitamin C tablets (1000mg) and washed it all down with 2 tbs. of apple cider vinegar diluted in 2 cups of water. To my amazement, 20 minutes later the discomfort had vanished completely. No more bladder infection! I'm not sure if it was a specific remedy or the combination of all 3 that cured it so fast, but I've decided that I will be taking a tbs. of ACV in my water on a daily basis, continuing to take cranberry extract pills (at 452mg) and increasing my daily vitamin C intake. As long as I stay away clothes that are too tight, I'm hoping it will prevent me from ever getting another one!
Vitamin C
Posted by Elizabeth (Nashville, Tn) on 07/17/2013
I wouldn't recommend a high dosage on a regular basis. I only megadose when I'm sick and I always make
sodium absorbate, which reduces the acidity. It's also very important to
drink plenty of water. What your body doesn't use in 30 minutes is flushed out via the bladder. Megadosing Vitamin C helped me to overcome 2 months of pertussis this last winter. Two rounds of antibiotics and 3 packs of prednisone didn't touch it but once I added the Vitamin C, it was gone within days. I was averaging about 25,000 mg a day for a week. It's a Godsend!!
You are right about the uva ursi, it's helped me a time or two, as well.
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
Baking Soda
Posted by Nicole (Usa) on 06/04/2017
Sounds like a healing reaction.
Sea Salt
Posted by Conni (Boulder) on 04/07/2014

I suggest being very cautious using the sea salt remedy. I tried using just half a teaspoon, and within an hour had blood in my urine (or something pink, with a few lumps). This cleared up in about 3 hours, drinking more water with no salt. (I found that now I had an aversion to salt.) Some of us may be more sensitive to salt and I am guessing it was overloading my kidneys and creating stress. I'm not sure about this--just suggesting caution. Seems to me that large quantities of water everyone thinks is good. Stick with this and instead of using a whole teaspoon of salt (or even half like I tried), just add a little soy sauce to taste, and make it to your taste level. Your body will know if you need more salt or not to replace electrolyte balance from the water drinking.
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?
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 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 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.
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.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 03/08/2012
Hi Effie6... For an understanding of what might be causing all your problems, here is an in depth article on something called the Antibiotic Syndrome and how excessive use of antibiotics relate to causing dysbiosis(eradication of the good intestinal bacteria) which eventually causes the rise and dominace of Candida albicans problems in the the body:
Antibiotics, Dysbiosis and Candida
All the symptoms you have described seem to relate to candida problems: low thyroid, low energy, brain fog, memory problems with ongoing intestinal problems etc. The cause was perhaps over-use of strong antibiotics over too long a period. I have also had systemic candida and managed to get rid of it using natural protocols -- but it was a lengthy process.
For natural Candida remedies -- see these links:
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/mystery-diagnosis.html#AGT
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/candida.html
Acidophilus
Posted by Sharon (San Diego ) on 06/05/2017
Regarding the post from 2012, can someone provide the name of the product or probiotics that would help. I am in the same boat and any help would be greatly appreciated.
General Feedback
Posted by Dorothy (Oz, Ks) on 10/28/2011
I've read online that coconut may kill the bacteria that causes UTIs and throat infections. It may help your daughter in other ways too. This information was gleaned from the Coconut Research Center.
Wishing your daughter well!
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Kalina (Honolulu, Hi) on 06/20/2011
★★★★★
I find Nutribiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract (tablet form) to work on my UTI's. I also use Miracle II Neutralizer Gel to relieve the burning/itching. It will help in the vaginal area, but for maximum effectiveness, use some type of syringe or applicator to get it further up into the vagina. Make sure you wash the applicator well first.
These two work consistently for me.
General Feedback
Posted by Jennifer (Forster, Nsw Australia) on 04/14/2012
Re UTI infection the greatest thing that I have found is De-Mannose it is just magic. Thanks for the other tips re Grapefruit seed.. Is there a special brand? The other thing is to eleminate sugar and fructose. I have just started on the apple cider vinegar how amazing is that with sinus flu have that twice a day and into my infra red sauna what a difference in a day.. Almost gone. What a great site.. jennifer.
Baking Soda
Posted by Kk (Ny) on 05/10/2011
★★★★★
I suffer from frequent urinary tract irritations and do not want to alway go on antibiotics. I have tried almost every remedy out there from nettle tea to probiotics. For the past two episodes, I found a recommendation on the internet to drink a teaspoon of baking soda diluted in water and miraculously the burning goes away almost instantly. It might have something to do with the acid/alkaline in my system overreacting and the baking soda acts as a soother?
Baking Soda
Posted by Marla (Los Angeles, California) on 05/12/2012
I feel better but did not fully cure. I got yet another UTI, and it seemed indomitable. I took Cipro, (The God of antibiotics to cure UTI infections and it seemed to do nothing). I tried a million different things. ACV, Cornsilk tea, and asparagus, (2 cans a day for a week), nothing was working. I began to really worry about having interstitial cystitus, an awful and very debilating condition in which your bladder lining has microscopic cuts, ulcers, and damage, and your not able to eat hardly ANYTHING, and be on a strict diet, (basically vegetables and nothing with citurs or acids) as it will all burn you. Not even vitamins, or sugars are appropriate as these women live with chronic pain, even at night, to where they cant even sleep thru the night. I figured I did something to my bladder drinking all that apple cider vinegar for the last 4 years now, trying to control my reoccuring UTI's, lol!
I finally decided on the 1/2 half teaspoon baking soda in 8 oz of water every two hours for three days recipe. My GOD was this difficult. I drank tons of water, ate very lightly, I DID feel better, and I thought it was working. By the third day, I didnt complete the process cuz I was feeling pretty awful and getting side effects from the constant onslaught of baking soda(headache, dizzyness, just feeling not right, lol! ) I decided to go back to acidying myself again, and I fig, if I have interstitial Cystitus, I will know for sure, if I try this new remedy.
What did work, was taking massive doses of vitamin C. I read somewhere about a women that said this cure was failsafe, and she swears by it.
Take 5 1000mg vitamin C tablets every two to two and a half hours 4 times for one day. So, by the end of the day, you would need to have taken 20, 000mg vitamin c, and lots of water. So every two hours, I took 5 1000mg vitamin c pills for four times all day.
I did this yesterday, and by GOD, I think this has worked. (fingers crossed). The only downside as Ive had burning, acid runs since yesterday morning, but she said this was normal, and worth it if my bladder pain is gone. Fingers crossed I think it mite have worked :)
If it hasnt Im trying D mannose again, and echanacea, as that has worked for me before. OR a new remedy I just read about, 1/2 tsp cream of tarter in a few inches of water, twice a day for three days.
Uva Ursi
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/02/2011
18 mg to 20 mg a day of Vit. C is very little, are you sure this is the right amount Linus Pauling advised? I am waiting for one of his books so I have no idea..... But the advised amount is 60 mg which is also very little, even if you are healthy!
Uva Ursi
Posted by Granny Laura (Waco, Tx Usa) on 03/03/2011
Francisca, My mistake! Thanks for noticing so I can correct it. I meant to say 18 to 20 grams of vitamin C, not milligrams. Actually I've taken 6-9 or more grams a day for years. The only side effect I've noticed is that I look 15-20 years younger than I am. I can handle that kind of side effect just fine.