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.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Jenk40 (Seattle, Wa, USA) on 08/28/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Warning: ACV and Baking Soda for UTI. I woke up and realized I was getting a UTI this morning so I came to EC site to find out what I could do without having to use antibiotics. I saw all the positive responses for ACV so I tried that. I put 2 tbsp into to 2 cups of water and drank it down. 20 minutes later I was still in pain so tried again; 2 tbsp ACV in 2 cups water. 40 minutes went by, nothing. Then read that some had needed to add baking soda to the mix. So I put another tbsp of ACV and mixed with 1 tbsp baking soda. In less than 15 minutes the pain had subsided. However, shortly after started having watery diarrhea. I had read in another persons post that people who are experiencing stomach problems should be careful with the ACV/baking soda mixture because it can act as a laxative, but for some reason didn't pay attention. Well, my stomach has been touchy lately and this definitely made it worse. It helps with the infection, but may cause other problems. I don't recommend this cure to someone with stomach issues.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Leslie (CT) on 04/26/2025
1 tbsp of BS is way too much. Should be 1/4 tsp
Apple Cider Vinegar, D-Mannose
Posted by Stefani (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) on 08/26/2009
★★★★★
I'm new to this site but SO glad I found it! I have been suffering from a recurring UTI for the past 3 months and I was getting fed up with all of the harsh antibiotics I'd been prescribed (Cipro, Bactrim). I am also without health insurance at this time, so I began to search on the internet for effective NATURAL remedies to get rid of this awful infection once and for all and that's when I read about apple cidar vinegar and D-Mannose. I bought a small jar of ____ Apple Cidar Vinegar (with the mother) from my local whole foods and not being totally convinced it would work, sprung for the D-Mannose tablets too. I've found that the apple cidar vinegar was pretty strong, but I still put two tsp in a glass of water (or tea or cranberry juice) three times a day for three days. The frequency of urination was beginning to subside, but because I was taking both ACV and D-Mannose, I couldn't determine which one was working. Since the ACV was giving my stomach a hard time, I decided to stop taking it for a day or two, but kept up the D-Mannose. To my astonishment (and relief), the D-Mannose seems to have done the trick! No more frequent, painful urination! Today is Day 6 of treating my UTI on my own (Day 3 of taking ONLY D-Mannose) and so far, so good! I feel like a normal human being again! I've read that D-Mannose is only effective in powder form, but I have to disagree, at least in my case. I take two capsules first thing in the morning with a full glass of water and one capsule at night before bed and presto! No moe UTI! (Although I do want to point out that since drinking the ACV, my skin has never looked better!) I just wanted to share my experience, as so many of you have shared yours, and hope that sharing my experience might help someone, as I have been helped by this site! Good luck in searching for natural remedies and remember - don't give up! There ARE other ways to treat infection and disease besides what your doctor pushes on you. Find answers and find good health!
Apple Cider Vinegar, D-Mannose
Posted by Bee (Detroit, Mi) on 11/22/2013
I have been drinking 1/8-1/4 C of Apple Cider Vinegar for about 2 1/2 mos....i do believe it has helped me lose fat as all my clothes are fitting loosely; but it did not work to prevent a UTI...bad one this time...belly pain, side pain then in the kidney. The D-mannose, that is a wonder herb. I have not been on that for about a month & I started noticing changes for the worse. I'd have to say that is what keeps them at bay. While my dr wants to do a scope on me because I've had too many too frequently, especially after not having one for 6 years, I am fighting not to do that but am a little concerned as to WHY I am having them so frequently without the D-mannose.
Antibiotics, Cranberry Juice
Posted by Cecilia (HI) on 08/19/2025
Please get tested for Lichen Sclerosis. You have to have a biopsy done. Lichen Sclerosis mimmicks the same symptom as those of a yeast infection or UTI. This usually more common in women.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry
Posted by Kali (Kailua Kona, HI) on 03/24/2009
★★★★★
after using a notoriously harmful birth control for the first time in 4 years (my husband warned me, i didnt listen) i developed my first uti in 5 years! i was so upset and remorseful that i didnt listen to him. after 4 days of using this birth control i had a full blown uti. i was urinating blood clots and all. obviously i stopped using the birth control immediately. refusing to go back to the doctors (SINCE THEYRE THE ONES WHO CAUSED THIS!!!) i started drinking 3 cups of an acv water mixture and 3 cups of a cranberry water mixture a day. after 2 days i am happy to say my urine is clear and i am urinating without being in pain! yayyy! acv is the besttt!
Bladder Infection Causes
Posted by Sadie (Ky, USA) on 01/30/2009
You can prevent a lot of bladder infections by simply going to the bathroom after any sexual activity. Peeing right after sex pushes all the bacteria out that would go on in otherwise and cause an infections. Its also best to take a shower instead of baths but if you cant give up your baths it might help to pee right after them too.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Harriet (Milton, GA, USA) on 01/10/2009
★★★★★
Baking soda and ACV cured my chronic Urinary Tract Infections. I was desperate to find relief one weekend, when I didn't want to go to "Urgent Care" which costs three times as much as a regular co-pay, so I consulted Earth Clinic. I took 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda (the organic kind from Bob's Red Mill with no aluminum) mixed with a tablespoon of ACV four times the first day, then 3 times the second day, twice the third day and it was completely gone!! Thank you for this amazing site!
Chinese Herbs
Posted by K (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 11/29/2008
★★★★★
Just thought I would let everyone in on my long history of UTI's. I have had them since I was 10 months old and I am now 23. There is these herbal vitamins that I picked up from the china town herbal store and I SWEAR by them!!! U take 5 .. 3 times a day with hot water and it goes away instantly. I would write the name of them but Its in chinese. I will look it up and get back to you all.. also I read some peoples stories about getting yeast infections, and I have never had one in my entire life so you might want to switch your medication. I also asked my doctor for 3X the amount of medications so that I can start taking them right away when my UTI is really intense. We all know how they feel OUCH! Also try taking warm baths!
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Sara (Gravette, AR) on 11/09/2008
★★★★★
I woke up this morning with a bladder infection. Didn't want to go to the doctor so I took a chance to find something online that would help so I type in home remedies. I at first, drank acv with baking soda then I drank water with lemon in it. Then I drank water with the alka selter. I felt a little bit better. Than I went to the bathroom and their was blood. (PAINFUL!) I went and drank another water with alka seltzer. I was scared to go to the restroom thinking I was going to scream again but It was better. Alot. No blood this time.Then I continued to drink serveral (didn't coun't) maybe 3 or 4 more water with alka selter. I am feeling alot better! I CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!! ~~~Sara Smith~~~
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Leilani (Seattle, WA) on 12/12/2008
★★★★★
I woke up with what felt like a bladder infection. These are my journal notes:
Day 1:
These used to be a massive reoccuring problem. Unfortunately I have been neglectful of the things that keep them at bay for me [which include regular vitamin c and good water intake.] So, I'm trying an at home remedy today and if it persists, I swear I'll take the uristat [pain drugs] and go to the doc for some antibiotics. We'll see how it goes... So far, this is my plan for the day: no sugars, less carbs, more water, vitamin C, and drinking a shot of plain unfiltered organic ACV [apple cider vinegar] in a big glass of water every other big glass of water. https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/bladder_infection.html Drinking teas with no soy milk no sugar or honey that are natural as well. *fingers crossed*
This morning: deep bladder ache feeling [stitch in side kind of pain]. Frequent urge to urinate and barely no flow when I did. Ache increased when urinating and afterwards. No back pain [whacked myself just to be sure.] Also realizing I ate a ton of sugar last week when I had a cold virus including - cough drops, sipping honey stuff constantly, etc.= Self- diagnosed UTI. Haven't had one in years...
The home-remedy regime:
One 16 oz. glass of water, 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp. baking soda
Followed over time by 2 16 oz. glasses of water
Then 1 cup of herb tea.
Additionally no sugars or extra carbs today - just eating chicken soup I made this weekend.
So far I've done the above twice today.
Other things I've done today:
+ 1x a day 1 tsp sea salt in warm water 6 oz or so
+ taking ester C - 500 mg at every meal
By the end of the day:
Very mild, deep pressure pain in bladder. Urinating large quantities and reasonably often every 30-60 minutes. No pain with urination.
I'd be interested in getting some cranberry extract or capsules and oregano oil as well in the home remedy options. Oh, well there's a bright side to all this. Two things: one I'll probably loose more weight as result of this.
Day 2:
So I did my thing yesterday as I outlined 4x total yesterday with the baking soda & ACV. [ack that s*** tastes bad].
Wrapped up the day yesterday with a hot bath with yet more baking soda and ACV. Yes, I didn't just drink it I bathed in it. It's actually kinda nice for a bath. And lastly, I took a ester C every time I woke last night to get up to pee because believe me I had to get up a couple times.
Today, I started the day with more ACV & baking soda. uck! And tea and water. I'll try to down the ACV & baking soda mixture three times today with lots of water as well. Continuing with the very minimal carbs and no sugars.
How do I feel: pretty much fine. No urgency. No discomfort when urinating or after. Very very mild awareness of my bladder which could be infection related or could because I still am peeing every 30-60 minutes since I'm drinking so many fluids. Oddly, yesterday I was wired after all that water & ACV.I slept in a little today. I'm hopeful at this point that I'm kicking this and it's going away. *fingers crossed*
Day 3:
I tried to exercise a little [light of my normal routinge = pushups and a number of situps, squats, etc.] That and the dose of apple cider vinegar & baking soda this morning made my tummy unhappy. But other than that, I now seem to be feeling generally ok. I had a little sugar today in my tea [as in sweetened rice milk] and had Vietnamese feast including rice noodles and table sauce which includes sugar. I feel a little hyper from all the good food but my tummy has stopped hurting [all that damn apple cider vinegar] and carbs taste good! I still had a couple esterC's today with lots of water today. Generally, I'm feeling mostly ok and not so damn scatter brained as yesterday [two days no carbs & sugar makes me dumb.] I seem to be going to the bathroom like a normal highly hydrated person and eating pretty ok. *fingers crossed*
Day 4:
I'm feeling even better today. Eating normally but less sugar over-all. Still taking ester C and doing 2-3 doses of ACV & baking soda a day. Mygoddess real food tastes good. Oh, and I realized I could sweeten the home remedy with stevia. doh. It's still nasty but not nausea-making. I'm thinking I'm through the woods but just being careful.
Over Day 4-6 drank unsweetened cranberry juice with stevia.
After Day 4 on...
Continuing to drink good amounts of water, take normal doses of Ester C, and taking at least one shot of ACV [2 tsp.s] every morning followed by big glass of water. Stopped ACV & Baking soda combination.
After Day 4 symptoms, seem to have gone. It's been a week since my first symptoms. And I feel normal and good. I've lost some weight which is a nice side benefit. Hope this helps someone else; it's nice to have to take antibiotics and throw off the whole system.
Thank you for this website!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Zel (Liberty , MO) on 10/24/2008
★★★★★
I had a very uncomtable UTI today. I used apple cider mixed with water and baking soda. In less than hour after taking it and drinking a lot of water the pain was gone and I did not have to go every few minutes. This really works I have suffered from UTI for years and this is the first home remedy I have tried that worked.
Alka Seltzer
Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 10/17/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Alka Zeltzer did not work for my UTI. I did it for a couple of days, didn't work at all.
Cranberry
Posted by Mia (Jacksonville, Fl) on 10/14/2008
★★★★★
For the life of me I don't know why studies can't conclusively say that Cranberry juice works to cure bladder infection.
I have had 3 bladder infections (or UTIs) in my life. Two turned into kidney infections.
I just got over symptoms of the third two weeks ago. Within 2 hours of the first symptom I had completely red urine (from the blood).
I read everything about how only pure cranberry juice will work IF it would work at all. I read so many reports that there was no conclusive evidence that cranberry would CURE a bladder infection. They said it may prevent them but there was no evidence of a cure. I can tell you I have evidence of a cure. I drank a glass as soon as my urine turned red. The symptoms began to improve slightly.
I went to the pharmacy and the pharmacist told me any fluid would work just as well as the cranberry so to be calorie conscious I started drinking straight water. NOPE! Within half an hour the symptoms were WORSE than before I began drinking the water.
So I began chugging ocean spray cranberry. It wasn't pure, it was sugary, and it WORKED. For good measure I also took 1/2 a tsp. of baking soda in a glass of water AND I went to CVS and bought some cranberry pills all these things against the advice of the pharmacist but the last kidney infection I had left me with BAD BAD side effects from the cure so I was really desperate and IT WORKED! I did this for three days.
Don't belive that cranberry doesn't work - even the Ocean Spray kind. I woke up the next day 100% better. Still some slight pressure after urinating but that was it and by the next day all symptoms were COMPLETELY GONE.
Cranberry
Posted by Stella (Ashevile, NC) on 09/27/2008
★★★★★
I take one cranberry capsule in the morning and one at night every day to prevent UTI's. It helps. I get mine at Sam's Club. I'm 54 and going through the change and more susceptible to getting UTI's than I used to.
Cranberry
Posted by Veronica (Thousand Oaks, California) on 09/10/2008
★★★★★
I have been plagued by bladder infections since being married. I know they call it the "Honeymoon" infection because it is common to occur after intercourse. Doctors have always prescribed an antibiotic for my infections, but as soon as I stop taking the medication, the infection returns a few weeks later. I was researching natural remedies and found that cranberry pills keep the bacteria from adhering to the inside wall of the bladder. I like ____ because it has other soothing and healing ingredients like Buchu leaf, Pipissewa, Uvu Ursi leaf, Oregon grape root and Marshmallow root. I take this right after intercourse with a glass of water and I haven't had a bladder infection in almost 5 years. This is amazing because I was constantly on antibiotics year-round and was absolutely miserable. This has been a huge miracle not to be on antibiotics. I'm so glad that I found this remedy that I wanted to share this with anyone who also has been plagued by bladder infections. It's such an easy remedy... I can't believe it took me 10 years to come across it!
Cranberry
Posted by Jill (Orlando, Florida) on 10/26/2013
Simply urinate immediately following sex, every time, & you will NOT get a bladder infection. This clears the walls of debris & is cleansing. It really works!
Cranberry
Posted by Jackie (Somewhere) on 06/28/2016
I do this and it doesn't help me at all. Just saying
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Kelly (Sacramento, CA) on 09/01/2008
★★★★★
I am 27 year old female. I have Fibromyalgia and a few other illnesses. I had a really bad UTI four years ago. I called my doctor and was put on antibiotic. It went away for a while but came back as a raging kidney infection. I had to go to the hospital and had a 103 fever. So two weeks ago when i started to have the UTI symptoms i wasn't happy. I called my doctor right away and had him prescribe antibiotic. I have had ill health since i was a kid and been on antibiotics on and off so I need a VERY strong one for them to work. This one didn't. The symptoms started coming back and even worse then before. I found this website and wanted to try the apple cider vinegar remedy. I took two tablespoons of it in a glass of water with some honey for taste. It made a difference but i was still miserable. So i decided to try it again and add a tablespoon of baking soda with it. And within a hour all my symptoms were gone! I am also taking cramberry liquid tabs and other herbs. I have kept taking it for a few days. Three to four times a day, and more you hurt the more you take. If i started to feel the symptoms again I would take another dose. Today I am stopping and will see what happens and if they come back but so far so good. The only warning I have is that if you have any stomach problems be really careful with the vinegar and baking soda. It can tear you up and be a laxative. It does clean out your sinus' and makes you have to urinate more which is great. I am so glad i found this site and THANK YOU to everyone that has posted. It is gross but So worth the result!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry
Posted by Alethea (Roswell, New Mexico) on 08/28/2008
★★★★★
For years whenever I feel like I"m getting a urinary tract infection I take 2 T spoons of apple cider vinegar twice a day. I also drink nothing but water and cranberry juice. I have not been to the doctor or wasted money on prescriptions since I was in high school (I am now 29). It really works!
Cranberry
Posted by Bret (Phoenix, Arizona) on 06/05/2008
Cranberry juice is not an antibiotic. It acidifies the urine which inhibits ecoli. Also, studies did show that e-coli bacteria cling to the sides of the bladder. Cranberry juice removes this adhesive property and the bacteria are more easily flushed away. Also, if you are drinking Ocean Spray or a Juice Cocktail, you are drinking very diluted stuff that is high in sugar. Frozen concentrate is your best bet, Cranberry tabs also are a great idea. I use these in my elderly patients who are incontinent and get frequestn UTI's. Cranberry is more preventative than curative. Bret
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by John (Medford, Oregon) on 05/28/2008
★★★★★
Since birth I have been a medical case that doctors have now concluded that they don't know what to do with me thus being handed around in an effort to get rid of me. In the end all that is prescribed are drugs that leave you in a state of lifelong vegetation and perhaps enough chemicals to embalm. It is ever more clear that a patient must conduct their own unbound exhaustive study. The amount of available and changing research is so infinite that I have been updating my personal doctor, who has no ability to focus on just one patient.
Yet after years of study I fell on this most simple remedy:
ACV and Baking Soda.
Bladder infection is an unmistakable experience that needs little diagnosis that you get slammed with.
Mixing ACV and BS is best not taken individually. You've seen those elementary classroom demonstrations of a volcano?
Anyways, every few hours I had a glass of the nasty stuff along with water...And, no week-long side effects requiring unproductive hours on the couch! Within 12 hours I was cured. All Gone!!
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Whilly (Cache Creek, BC Canada) on 02/02/2009
to betsy from capetown. wonder if you will get this message. sounds like you have bladder prolapse and possibly uterus prolapse - meaning they are falling out. sometimes feels like bladder infection. as the bladder falls (eventually out) it pulls urethra. you have to pee all the time and unless you drink huge amounts of water all you get is a trickle = your bladder doesn't empty all the way. the more water, the less discomfort, but you should see a gynaecologist. and be sure he/she checks you while standing and pushing like you were carrying something. they can miss this problem if they only check you lying down and making a cough or two. then, one day, out of the blue you have a good chance your bladder will start coming out of you. seriously, this is true. i had problems for years. had surgery 2 months ago and feel great other than i now have a bladder infection. could have been the cateter or the meds or just happen. take care hope this gets to you.
