Natural Remedies for UTIs: ACV, D-Mannose, and Bladder Infection Relief

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.

D-Mannose

Posted by Lisa (Pleasant Prairie, Wi, Us) on 01/23/2011

Will taking D-mannose when I do NOT have a bladder infection cause symptoms similar to actually having an infection? One month ago, before I had heard of mannose, I had a bladder infection diagnosed via urinalysis/lab results. I tried treating myself with cranberry, vitamin C, etc... But the pain got too intense and I resorted to antibiotics. After I finished the antibiotics (and lots of probiotics) I continued to take cranberry, then discovered mannose which I began to alternate with the cranberry for maintenance. One week later I started having those old feelings again!

I began the mannose as directed, 2-3 pills 3 times a day for about 4 days. In the meantime, I had a urinalysis that revealed no infection. I still had the heavy, full feeling in the bladder area, worsening as the bladder fills. I have stopped the mannose and the symptoms are lessening leading me to wonder if the mannose caused the symptoms (while no e coli present?). Thanks for reading. Go Packers :)

D-Mannose

Posted by Mustangmom (Tyler, Tx) on 07/25/2013
0 out of 5 stars

I have a UTI and started taking D-Mannose. I had such pain and bloat I thought I would burst. I blamed it on some take out we had eaten... took some more the next morning and had the same effect. Some of us just can't take this stuff... I'd rather have the UTI than the d-mannose.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Aimee (New Brunswick, Nj) on 01/11/2011
★★★★★

Re: Cures for Chronic (8 years) of UTI's

I have been feeling much better and though I must devote some extra energy to keeping myself healthy, the relief is well worth it! Here's what has helped me so far:

ACV- This has been a life saver!! I couldn't find the organic where I live in Mexico, so I just got the regular kind and it still worked wonders. I add a couple tablespoons to a large bottle of water which I sip over several hours. During an acute attack, I would drink a more concentrated solution and continue to drink a lot of water. I say would drink because I seldom experience the severe kind of pain that I used to feel. I can say pretty confidently that ACV has been one of the most helpful things in combatting these issues.

Water- I try to drink about 3 liters a day.

Probiotics- I take a strong probiotic everyday- helps to keep the general area in order, limiting vulvadynia symptoms and also keeps me more regular.

Fiber- speaking of regular... This helps with my bladder and female issues. If I am ever constipated, pushing at all can cause problems down there. I try not to push.

Kegel exercises- I contract the muscles and hold for a few seconds. I do this pretty regularly, but also when I am in the midsts of pain or discomfort. It really does seem to help.

Loose clothing- I used to wear tight jeans, sometimes a thong... Not anymore! I wear lots of skirts or dresses, cotton underwear and I make sure to wear pants and leggings that don't have big seems right through the crotch.

Stress- I know that avoiding stress is difficult at times, but it is paramount to reducing the severity of my health problems. So, I just pay close attention to what my body is telling me. If I am cleaning and start to feel a bit of pressure or stinging, well guess what- its time to stop for the day or maybe I just need to move slower. Lower back strain can make things worse, so I will try to sit more frequently, bend with the knees, that sort of thing. And I only cry when it is really worth it now. I think about whether or not what I am crying over is worth the pain it will cause a short while after. Usually its not. I am not a robot and it may be strange to say I choose not to cry-- but when you cry or worry or panic, the body tenses up and puts pressure on those nether regions. Sometimes the onset of my symptoms was enough to start this chain reaction of worrying and stressing and honestly it made it all much worse. Thinking too much about my symptoms never helped. I do what I know has worked for me and then try to keep calm and distract myself.

Things I try to avoid: sugar, lots of bread, alcohol (I immediately feel stinging in my bladder), really spicy foods, strong chemicals (bleach is the worst for me), pollution, cigarette smoke, lack of sleep.

Ice- I have several ice packs- I wrap one in a hand towel and place it down there when I start to feel swolen or stinging. It's instant relief.

Intimacy-Anything that touches down there must be clean. No after the game, after a long day anything with my husband. And right after, I make sure to pee and then rinse everything off. Maybe it hinders spontanaeity, but not as much as several days of pain.

I hope this is helpful. It's my arsenal and I'm sure that everyone needs to find what is specifically helpful for them. I have gone from having weekly bouts of severe pain, sometimes for several days... To having a problem once every couple of months.The first hint of discomfort and I am combatting it with everything Ive got. I really feel for anyone experiencing ongoing discomfort or pain of any sort and I wish you much peace and relief.

Lime Juice for UTI Prevention

Posted by Hayley (Hanalei, Hi, 96714) on 02/17/2010
★★★★★

Lime Juice as UTI Preventative for Chronic UTI's...

2 tbsp/8 oz. glass of water (2x per day, 1/morning, 1/evening)

I get a UTI at least once/month and they're primarily caused by sex. I've always done the routine of cleanliness (peeing before/after, showering so there is as little bacteria in the area to even tempt an infection etc.) when having sex though an infection always occurred no matter how careful I was. This has been happening for the past 7 years and I've only ever been prescribed antibiotics to cure/prevent. After being sick of taking so much antibiotics to keep up with my libido I started doing my research on alternative treatments and here's what I've found that worked...

If your story parallel's mine, I've found that drinking lime juice in the morning and evening diluted in water prevents me from getting a UTI. Though you MUST do this EVERYDAY. People in my situation are in a critical place considering body maintenance and keeping our bodies clean. Lime is very Alkaline with other beneficial vit.'s and I believe this has a lot to do with disallowing bacteria to develop - hence - no infections. Though once more, you must be discipline and drink EVERYDAY. I promise this will work.

Fresh Lime Juice is always best though there are crystallized forms if you're always on the go like me. I stock up on limes at the beginning of the week, squeeze my lime juice and keep in fridge. When I'm without it I always make sure I have the crystallized packets.

Make Sure it is a UTI

Posted by Liz (Sydney, Australia) on 02/17/2010

Just in regards to a negative culture for UTI. A few years ago I was bothered by many bladder infections where the culture test was negative. Turns out i had endometriosis over my bladder, quite severely. I went to the gyno for what i thought was an unrelated problem who sent me to an endometriosis specialist who did surgery and found that my bladder was covered. Endo on the bladder can cause symptoms that mimic bladder infection but you will get a negative culture. After the operation the problem went away although it can return as there is no cure for endometriosis. Just a suggestion on a possible cause.

Olive Leaf, Turmeric

Posted by Vonni (Coromandel, Waikato, New Zealand) on 07/21/2011

Veru interesting to read you UTI remedy - how long did you continue with it?

Cranberry

Posted by Corinthianblue (Albuquerque, Nm) on 10/17/2009
★★★★★

I have tried various cures on this sight for my UTI and none of it was working, even stuff not listed here. I tried just cranberry, I tried the extract, the pills, and different juices and none of it worked until I found a strictly cranberry juice (no sugar added or other juices). I poured a cup of the cranberry juice and diluted it with a cup of water and chugged the whole thing down. I did this once a day. First day, the pain dropped almost to nothing. Today, I did this drink when I got up and there is zero pain anymore. I'm going to do this one more day and just be done with it. I feel like I'm cured.

Alkaseltzer only worked temporarily.
ACV worked for that day only and stopped working.
Lemon seemed to help kill this faster.

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.

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!

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.

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~~~

EC: Urine in the blood can indicate one of many conditions. Read more here: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/blood_in_the_urine/page2_em.htm#Causes of Blood in Urine

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.