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.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kenorb (London, UK) on 01/18/2015
★★★★★
Most common UTI is caused by either waiting too long to pass urine or sexual intercourse and the main causal is e. coli. Please try the following bacteria-killer drink.
Brew a green tea (in a big mug), then add 2 slices of lemon (or squeeze half of it, alternatively use the Vitamin C powder - but don't overdose it), 2 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Manuka honey (or any other if not present), 2 slices of garlic, ginger and some clove and cinnamon (effective against E.coli), cranberry extract if present (or drink the juice separately), if having - mix in half of paracetamol sachet (250-500mg, find one without aspartame). Drink slowly and repeat every few hours during the day.
In addition, please drink plenty of alkaline water. During the night, give your liver a bit rest by drinking alkaline water only (high in pH, 9-10). Eat fresh fruits, vegetables (with peels when possible), food (avoid cooked, which is lack of enzymes) with garlic, onions, spices (ginger, clove and cinnamon) and anything that works as antioxidants. You may monitor your health by urine strips (leukocytes nitrites and blood). If your UTI is advanced to painful testicles or hematospermia (blood in your semen), ejaculate often for relief.
For external treatment, dissolve few drops of tea tree oil in warm water and wash gently. If not present, washing with any commercial gel/shampoo with SLS (neurotoxin) would do the job as well (by killing the bacteria). You can get some sunshine (which will work as detox), if not possible, try infrared sauna for the deep detoxification (raising body temperature assists the body to kill bacteria, parasites, viruses and other infections). Also don't forget to think positively and proper rest and sleep is the key factor as well. If conditions get worse, please contact with the doctor.
Lemon
Posted by Julie (Columbia, Mo) on 12/29/2014
★★★★★
I happened to be desperate and couldn't get any unsweetened cranberry juice, but there was lemon juice, and I had some stevia which I use as a sweetener, so I made myself some strong "lemonade", and it knocked out the bladder infection quickly! Of course, I continued to take several doses until all symptoms were gone, but it REALLY works! Hope this helps someone :)
D-Mannose
Posted by Autum (Nh) on 12/22/2014
★★★★★
My daughter had UTI when she was 5. I had no idea she had it that bad and being a young parent then I was clueless even though I had UTI myself. It was stressful for all of us and a lot of things happened. Lots of medical appointments, tests, procedure she had to go through. She was diagnosed urinary reflux disease stage 2 and the possibility of a surgical correction. This went on for 3 or 4 years. She was on medications and we saw the specialists. And then a nurse finally suggested the surgical route. I didn't like the news. How could they gave up on finding a better and noninvasive treatment. I started doing reading up and researching on alternative treatments. I've read that she can grow out of it. Finally I read about D-mannose. The reviews sounded promising. She has been UTI free for a few years now and she's no longer taking D-mannose. No more incontinence adult size because children's size were too pricey. She had to wear them at bedtime. I was so glad the D-mannose worked I told my mother about it. However because of her sensitive ulcer she could not use it.
Cinnamon
Posted by Joven (Philippines) on 12/10/2014
Hi I would like to say thank you in advance to Jim of Bellingham, me and my wife were so worried about the bladder infection. We didn't know what to do really until I searched and found out that cinnamon and yogurt will be effective on uti /bladder inpection. Thank you Jim, my wife will try it so we can end the problem, thank you very much and god bless you all.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Molly (London) on 11/05/2014
★★★★★
I never usually write comments on websites.. BUT in this case I just wanted to write a huge thank you to everyone who has put their advice on about UTIs. It has been such a help with my battle, both emotionally and practically to know that others are also going through the same thing. So thank you for all the tips. For those just starting with their UTI: I would suggest if taking antibiotics, to firstly make SO sure you are also taking probiotics. In conjunction, I used a combination of diluted hydrogen peroxide in baths, and as a wash (check label for dilution required), apple cider vinegar in diluted water daily, drunk lots of water, (did not drink cranberry juice due to high sugar levels, ) cutting out all caffeine and cut down significantly on sugar, took probiotics - the ones specifically designed for women. I also made sure not to use any shower gels etc? There is hope! It has got much better and am waiting to go get final check with the doctor. Good luck everyone. Also as one final note, although the doctor will be helpful in prescribing an antibiotic - they do not seem particularly interested in recommending alternative solutions.. so don't be surprised if they ignore anything that you quote that is not 'prescription medicine'!!! Stay strong!
Corn Silk
Posted by Rose Fenton (United Kingdom) on 10/06/2014
★★★★★
Having suffered from cystitis many times over the years, I always have handy some Cornsilk, and it has always worked for me. It is natural and cheap from a good Health shop. It is alkaline. You place a small quantity in a jug and pour on boiling water and leave it to cool. Best to leave it overnight, but if desperate, you can drink some after about 20 minutes. I also drink plenty of water afterwards.
I once had cystitis for 9 months when I had tried just about everything, but this was my first real relief. You can buy it from a good health shop and it is cheap. It is the dried ears around corn. God has given us everything we need in His creation.
Coconut Oil, Honey and Oregano Oil
Posted by Krys (Chicago, IL) on 09/18/2014
★★★★★
Coconut oil 1 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon raw honey and two drops oil of oregano. Mix it very well and next time your child will go to bathroom, it will be without screaming. It workes every time when my child has urinary track infection or cries when going to bathroom.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Brandy (Salt Lake City, UT) on 08/24/2014
There's different types of colloidal silver. The kind I got the help to me with my UTI was called ASAP22 plus Silver solution. I would also highly, highly recommend D-Mannose!
D-Mannose
Posted by Dee (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/03/2014
★★★★★
I used to get UTIs pretty much every time after I had sex. My Dr. would prescribe me antibiotics which cured the UTIs but left me with a slew of other problems. After dealing with this for over 5 years I decided to try the natural route. I went to my local health food store & was recommended D-mannose with CranActin (capsules). I followed the instructions which was to take 2 capsules a day w/ water or a meal & it worked like a charm. When I first started taking it I'd take 2 capsules every single day (whether I was having sex or not) but now I just take 2 capsules before I have sex and 2 capsules the day after and I'm good. I haven't had a UTI in over 4 years!
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Wieas (England) on 08/01/2014
Hello, am looking for some advice please.
My 80 year old father has just been diagnosed with a urine infection and a slight chest infection. He has been prescribed antibiotics.
I was wondering if it would be okay to give him some Colloidal Silver to take alongwith the antibiotics. If so, how much and how often.
Thanks.
Turpentine
Posted by Katie (Bellingham, Wa) on 07/11/2014
Last weekend I had another urinary tract infection. I've had them off and on since I was young. I'm 65 now. It was worse than usual. I had to urinate every 10 or 15 minutes. I thought I wasn't going to get any sleep that night. Then I remembered turpentine. I put about 1/2 teaspoon of sugar on a spoon and filled up the teaspoon with turpentine. In less than an hour I was sleeping and all okay by the morning. Of course, be drinking lots of water too. Anyone who has uterine tract infections knows lots of water is important.
Medical Emergency Signs
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 07/12/2014
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Hello all on this thread,
Let me just sound a warning on the dangers of lower tract infections. Self treatment is good to consider but ...
IF the urine is cut off completely or nearly completely and you feel that urine is backing up...enough to start becoming painful...DO NOT play around with this condition...quickly you need an emergency room for a catheter. As much as many of us on this site would try to avoid standard medical treatments, do not mess around with a condition that can be potentially life threatening. If the urethra becomes largely closed then urine backs up and if not dealt with can cause organ failure and death.
In a male, one might have dealt with numerous UTIs over the years, but if the Prostate becomes infected, for instance, then in hours the urethra can be closed down because the urethra runs through the prostate. You might think at the outset, Oh, another UTI...no problem just take my favorite anti viral and its gone, but in another hour the bacterial infection has shut off the urine flow...complete urinary blockage...
Can you say "emergency"? In a mere three hours you can be doubled over in pain...get to an ER fast.
D-Mannose
Posted by Amanda (Seattle, Wa) on 07/11/2014
★★★★★
D-Mannose is WONDERFUL. Like many women, I've gotten UTIs all my life, particularly after sex. I wish I had known about D-Mannose a long time ago, because it would have saved me from taking many courses of Bactrim and Cipro (and, as many of you know, the more antibiotics we take, the more resistant the bacteria become). D-Mannose works by attaching to e. coli and carrying it out of the urinary tract, so it's gentle on your system, and I have never noticed any side effects.
I recommend that you use the powder, rather than the pills. I didn't find the pills to be effective, especially when there's already an infection present- they might be more effective for prevention. The powder only tastes a bit sweet, like a mild sweetener, and dissolves easily into any liquid. If I have an infection, I'll take quite a bit of it, up to two tablespoons, several times a day. And then I drink a lot of water to aid it in flushing the bacteria out. My other recommendation is to buy it online, because it will be half the price it is at a store. I use the subscribe and save program on Amazon and just have it delivered regularly so I never run out (which, as I have learned, can become an unpleasant and desperate situation resulting in buying a bottle at Whole Foods for $36). As a nurse who used to work in a nursing home, I wish doctors knew about this stuff- so many of the elderly patients always had UTIs and were constantly on antibiotics. I wish more women knew about it, too...which is why I'm posting here! I hope my post will help some poor soul find relief, without a trip to the doctor and a script for unnecessary antibiotics.
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.
D-Mannose
Posted by Kelmorse (Brentwood, Tn) on 04/05/2014
★★★★★
D-Mannose powder works beautifully! I have had bladder infections since I was a child. In took-2 cranberry capsules per day for several years but eventually made my urine so acidic that I gave myself IC :/
Any way, d-Mannose is a type of sugar not absorbed by your body, it creates a barrier bw your bladder & urine preventing bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. I have been using it for a year & have had great success! No bladder infections! I also avoid sugar. Also I found out that I'm gluten intolerant. Food allergies can manifest in the bladdeR & cause problems. Not all allergist can detect food allergies with a skin test so you might want to try a holistic doctor. Good luck.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Bighypno (Md, Dc, Va) on 03/24/2014
Just wanted to add before I went to the doctor I did heavy doses of Apple Cider Vinegar. I then did Centex. I also did 3 diff types of Cranberry extracts. Vitamin C high doses and GSE tablets. None of them did much if anything to slow the infection.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Bighypno (Md, Dc, Va) on 03/22/2014
★★★★★
As a man, I had extreme painful urination and after about 4 days of feeling funny, I noticed white pus? or sperm? or yeast or something white coming out of my penis. I went to the doctor. The piss test revealed nothing, he then asked had I had sex recently and I said yes and he said oh its definitely gonorrhea or trichinosis probably mixed with chlamydia then. I said doc, those infections have green or yellow pus, this is white. They also come with very swollen lymph nodes, etc. He said "I see this all the time". I said Doc, none of the women I been with are complaining about even the slightest discomfort or odor so it cant be gonorrhea as women are much more symptom prone than men and I hadnt been with anyone for 10 days at this point. So rather than sit there arguing, I deferred to the "medical doctor" who then gave a shot of resofin (sp?) in my butt and 250mg Azithromycin 1x day and 500 mg Metronidazole 2x day.
I didnt feel better after 5 days of taking the medicine the doctor prescribed. At this point I was hoping I didnt have bacteria resistant gonorrhea. It still felt like there was something stuck in my penis and the burning at the very tip felt maybe 50% better. I then went to my stash of natural medicine and before I went to bed I took 15 drops of Grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water and drunk the water while taking 2 tablets of 250mg D-Mannose then around about 4am I woke up out of my sleep and my penis didnt feel swollen. I went to the bathroom to urinate and things felt a lot better. I then woke up and took the same dosage 2 tablets of D-Mannoose and washed them down with water containing 15 drops of GSE again and continued first thing in morning and last thing at night for 5 days with the combo. I have not had any problems since.
Any of a few things couldve happened. 1. All 3 prescriptons which basically cover 99% of the possible STD's I could have had didnt work. 2. The prescriptions didnt work until I took the grapefruit seed extract with it, in the literature about grapefruit seed extract they are known to make antibiotics twice more powerful when combined with them. 3. None of the prescriptions did anything and the grapefruit seed extract and D-Mannose combo cured it. 4. The GSE cured it alone. 5. The D-Mannose cured it alone.
All I know is that had a infection that normal medicine and a 3 prescription combo couldnt kill and had I not taken the GSE with the D-Mannose I would still be in a TON of pain. Yet I am 100% cured with no issues. Hope my story helps, ask me any questions you may have.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Dallas (Amesbury, Ma) on 03/14/2014
I too, have had to change my diet. Due to the fact that every time I took antibiotics, the UTI would come back right away as soon as I stopped taking them and the antibiotics have caused tendon damage and nerve damage, I had to quit taking them. I have tried many many home remedies, which have helped somewhat, but not cured the UTI. Being Celiac, I have cut out all gluten, all grains, and also sugar and all my food allergies, which are many (including cranberry). Strangely enough, and I would sure like to know if anyone else has found this to be true, weak coffee seems to be the most helpful - always clearing up the urine about 15 minutes after I drink a cup. I know that almost every website on the subject, if not EVERY website, condemns coffee for this but - go figure!
D-Mannose
Posted by KT (Texas) on 02/21/2014
★★★★☆
I've only been using the D-Mannose powder on myself for a day and a half but it seems to be helping - though I still couldn't sleep through the night. Seems like if I don't take it every couple of hours, it starts feeling worse again. I'm going to stick with it for a few days. I woke up yesterday morning at 1 or 2 am with a sudden pain and urgency - weirdly I had a dream of blood in my urine right before - and sure enough when I went, it was pinkish. Anyway, today the urgency is the worst part for me, I guess that IS the pain. I ran a low fever most of the day yesterday but that's gone today. Ted said not to drink tons of water so I'm a little conflicted on that, but I can see his point as it increases the pressure and feeling of urgency.
I also took 1TBS ACV (apple cider vinegar) yesterday once and today just once so far. I may try taking more of that if the DM doesn't work better.
In the past I have tried D-Mannose on a cat with pretty good success. That's why I already had it in stock.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Norm (Asheville, Nc) on 12/23/2013
★★★★★
I'm a 67 year old male who had ignored a urinary tract discomfort until it woke me up at 2:30 with acute pain. I read about the apple cider vinegar and baking soda cure, and went for it with 2 Tbs. of vinegar and the touch of baking soda. Back in bed it felt as if my whole body were being alkalized. After continuing with the treatment for 3 days, all the symptoms have gone, and I am grateful to this site for it's simple, effective wisdom.
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!
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.
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!