Interstitial Cystitis
Natural Remedies

Top Natural Remedies for Interstitial Cystitis Relief

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 Supplements


Posted by Julie (Oregon) on 04/24/2020
★★★★★

After much trial and error here is what tamps down a flare up of IC for me every time. Hope it works for others as well. Here is what I take: Grapefruit seed extract: 2caps. ( I think this works as an antibiotic.) UVA Ursi: 2 caps Prelief: 2 caps (I order from amazon but hear Walgreens carries it). D-Mannose: 2 caps ( I now buy this in bulk from bulk supplements on amazon. Way cheaper. Take a Tlb.) AZO 2 tablets. ( for the pain and urinary urgency) Aspirin, ibuprophen or Tylenol ( for the pain). I either lie down with a heating pad or I buy from dollar store a stick on heating pad.

One that heats up when air touches it. Has round disks embedded in fabric that heat up. There is no medication in it. Just warmth which lasts for hours. I usually can only find the kind that goes on shoulders but I put it on my lower stomach and it's held in place with the two self stick ends and my own pants. Feels very comforting. Usually I just have to do one round of this but occasionally I've had to do two rounds in a day. This works every time and stays away until something triggers it again. Sometimes I use it right away before symptoms flare up if I know I'm going to be triggered such as after intimate relations. This works as a preventative in that situation.


Ozone


Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn.) on 04/27/2017

The only problem that the FDA has approved Ozone for is Interstitial Cystitis. I am presently reading Dr Shallengeberger's latest book, The Ozone Miracle, and he describes where folks that require self bladder catheterization can easily treat this problem with ozone.

I have just redone all my ozone tubing after 5 years of deterioration and now back in business. Today, I drank a large glass of ozonated water and did my ozone ear insufflation. Later, I will breath it for 10 minutes while bubbling ozone through olive oil.

Finally back into my ozone. ==ORH===

Replied by Missy M.
(Virginia)
08/11/2017
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Hi, I did ozone in my bladder for IC ad it made me ten times worse. Ozone will deteriorate the lining of the bladder wall. I did with Dr. S and I wish I had not. Tread lightly.


Ozone Installations


Posted by Anne Hutson (Houston, Texas Usa) on 02/01/2017
★★★★★

I have intersticial cystitis and was cured in just a few weeks with a very new treatment called ozone installations. Most traditional doctors know nothing about this. I had it done by my integrative medicine doctor and she's only been using ozone to treat this for about a year. It's very new. Anyway, it involves being catheterized and having ozone (a gas) put into the bladder for 20 min. That's it. No pain at all, other than a little discomfort when the catheter is put in place, but that is only for a few seconds. To get full relief, a number of installations will need to be done, depending on how bad it is. Initially, I went about 4 times a week. Then 3, then 2. You taper off. While having these done, I also followed a careful diet given to me by my doctor and drank water with baking soda in it to keep my urine alkaline (1/2 teaspoon 5-6 times a day). Decrease as you begin to feel better. Use Ph strips that you can buy at the drug store to test your urine and try to keep it 7.0-7.5 for best results. Not many doctors do this treatment yet since it's so new. You can read about it on the web and hopefully find an alternative medicine doctor (or integrative medicine) that does it, or knows someone who does. It can be expensiveBest wishes!

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile, Tn)
02/02/2017

HI U ANNE,,,,,,,,, spent lots of time in Houston in the '70s on engineering projects. Being a hick, the interstate loop put me in the top of a tall pine tree. The women would pass me doing 90 mph and looking into the rear view mirror putting on their lipstick. I was white knuckled holding on to the steering wheel.

My dad had bladder cancer and I'm sure he would have been cured with the protocol you describe. I just got an e mail from Dr Shellenberger asking for spider vein volunteers to undergo an ozone treatment to address that problem. He has successfully cured 4 of his patients. Ozone is wonderful, but only about 16 states allow it's use. I just did an ozone ear insulflation this morning after my IFR sauna. Years ago we bought a medical Ozone generator from Longevity. It cost about $3,400 but keeps us perking. We have the equipment to do anal and vagina insulflation and suspect that you could do the protocol you did at home. You would just have to have the smarts.

Folks may think they cannot afford an Ozone Generator but my truck is 17 years old and instead of driving a new truck every 3 years I spend that money on health toys. All should too.

Thank you for your enlightening post.

======ORH=======

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile, Tn)
02/02/2017

ANNE,,,,,,,,, since I's SJS, I failed to read your last sentence that this procedure can be expensive. No way JOSE, this procedure costs pennies and can be done at home. The problem is the protocol, and I can tell you that is not a deal because it can be done by trial and error. You just error to the safe side.

You have done all a service by telling us about this procedure, but it is not rocket science stuff. The medical folks just want to keep the details a secret so they can milk the patients for all they can. Business as usual. Not fussing at you.

=======ORH=======

Replied by Julie F.
(Houston)
03/22/2017

Anne, I live in Houston an am in need of a doctor to help me with IC. Can you please tell me who you saw for the ozone treatments? Thank you!

Replied by Robert Henry
(Ten Mile, Tn)
03/23/2017

JULIE,,,,,,,, let me tell you a story. The only thing that Ozone has been FDA approved for is Interstitial Cystitis. That was many moons ago. It will cure a jullion things, but our med folks don't want that.You don't need Anne to tell you a doctor to go to. Just go on the internet and ask Google to tell you of an Ozone doctor in Houston. Talk to all and choose which one to go to. If it is expensive, then that is not the one. Ozone is dirt cheap and if the doctor is high, then they are typical doctors and will die by drowning when they see themselves in the water and fall in love with themselves and fall in and drown.

That story is not original with me, but still a true story.

I wish you well. ====ORH========


Pelvic Floor Therapy


Posted by Kaylap (Abbotsford, Bc) on 02/03/2018 5 posts
★★★★★

Yes I would second pelvic floor therapy for Interstitial Cystitis. My physio who I saw said that I had muscles firing when they shouldn't be (overactive) and no muscles firing when they should (underactive). My muscles were all confused and stressed out from the chronic inflammation and pain. Intercourse was an absolute NO for a solid year because my muscles were just in a spasm knot. IC free for several years now. I do still need to be careful with intercourse to relax and not tense. I feel like pelvic floor therapy helped though once I was over the worst part of IC and was working on long term healing and future prevention. It did not really help with any of the acute immediate pain.


Pelvic Floor Therapy
Posted by Amy (Nevada) on 12/21/2016
★★★★★

I went to Stanford in 2001 and received pelvic floor therapy for my IC. It seemed crazy at the time, but it literally saved my life. I still do the exercises when I have flare ups.


Peppermint Oil


Posted by Celestine (Berkshire, UK) on 07/16/2020
★★★★★

I realised quite recently that I have suffered from interstitial cystitis for a long time. It has been aggravated at times when I was on the pill and again now that I am on HRT. In the past I thought it was straight cystitis - but often the urine samples came back as negative for infection.

After it became bad again recently, and I was getting up in the night a lot - even though I was only doing a tiny bit of wee each time, I decided to research further. I found a research paper online. It was a very small study. The key learning was that women who DON'T suffer from interstitial cystitis have more menthol in their urine than women who do have IC. Menthol is a by product of kidney function I believe. Peppermint is the plant that contains menthol.

Immediately I started to drink peppermint tea which helped somewhat. Then I bought some peppermint oil capsules. Mine are the High Strength 100mg soft gel capsules and I take one in the morning and one before bed. I'm in the UK so I get the brand Nature's Best. Complete gamechanger! I am getting up only once in the night now. Going much less often during the day. Also just less aware of bladder pain. They are not very expensive so perhaps worth a try?


Potassium Iodide, DMSO Douche


Posted by Lisa (San Diego, Ca) on 05/15/2013
★★★★★

Interstitial Cystitis: Hi everybody! I have suffered terribly like so many of you with yeast infections and urinary problems. I found a solution after many hours of research. What works for me is 2 T of distilled water, 10 drops of potassium iodide and 10 drops of dmso in a small glass or ceramic bowl. I swirl it to mix and lay a tampon in it to absorb. I insert the tampon for 30-60 mins and all pain and inflammation is gone! Now when I feel a flare coming on, ( which I suspect it is from some kind of food), I treat myself. It works every time! I hope this helps!


Pumpkin Seed Oil


Posted by Shabdagirl (CA) on 04/01/2023
★★★★★

I've used baking soda successfully as well, though with a larger dose of about 1/3 tsp. in a lot of water. I don't use a lot of salt, so this wasn't excessive sodium for me. It took me a long time to discover baking soda though, and I seldom use it. Before that, two things made a big difference, in addition to having an acid-avoidance diet. The first was an herbal formula, Marshmallow and Fenugreek by name, only available through Nature's Sunshine; it also contains Fennel. Buying the herbs separately didn't work for some reason. The second thing, which actually made the biggest difference and permanently reduced the tendency to IC, was Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil from Activation Products. I read something about this oil specifically helping IC, and after I started taking it - about 1 tablespoon/day - after three weeks the tendency towards IC went away by over 90%. If I'm careless with diet it may come back, but I went from having to avoid most foods to being able to eat very normally. I'd experienced IC for about three years before finding Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil, so I'd tried quite a few things by then. It's pricey, but worth every penny in my case.


Pumpkin Seed Oil
Posted by Holland (Los Angeles, CA) on 05/18/2022
★★★★★

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil for Interstitial Cystitis

For several years I suffered from interstitial cystitis brought on by a year's use of an anxiety supplement with low levels of an acid in it. The suffering was often intense, and initially I could only control it through diet, avoiding anything that was acid-forming in foods or beverages. I had a very narrow range of foods I could tolerate. The first thing that started to control it was an herbal formula with Marshmallow & Fenugreek as the main ingredients, with a little bit of fennel as well. But dietary lapses still brought the burning pain with a vengeance. To be clear, it was not a bladder infection as nothing for bladder infections made any difference at all, and I'm not prone to them.

I read an article mentioning Styrian Pumpkin Seed oil as a remedy for this. Desperate, I tried it and within about three weeks the cystitis was basically gone. I used one or two tablespoons/day of a high quality oil sold in a black glass bottle. I don't have to continue with the oil to keep symptoms away at all at this point, though if I eat very badly I can still have a rare reoccurrence of it. I've since discovered that about 1/2 tsp. of baking soda in water will eliminate a temporary flare up within about 10 minutes. My case wasn't as severe as some I've read about, but it was a daily concern, often awful, and I lived in fear of eating the wrong thing. Now, that is all history.


Pumpkin Seed Oil
Posted by Sunny (Ca) on 01/02/2016
★★★★★

One thing that absolutely helps with the ic pressure/pain/ urgency is... Pumpkin seed oil. The best is cold pressed! I get it in softgels. I take like 4 or more softgels, depending how I feel, I can think of the mfs now. But just get as high mgs as you can find. I believe it works because pumpkin seeds are super high in magnesium. One of the highest foods with it, (another is spinach). And as you know, magnesium is a muscle relaxer. And so it helps your bladder to relax. However, the oil has many other properties like it being antimicrobial. You have to try it, its a life saver!!! Sunny <8

Replied by Sunny
(Ca)
05/07/2016

I wanted to share that Puritan's pride is an excellent brand at an affordable price. Disregard that it's directed toward men, it's for women too. But you can buy any brand as long as it is cold pressed. Try it!!

Replied by Lynn
(United States)
10/13/2020

Has anyone else tried this?


Pumpkin Seed Oil
Posted by Linda (Allentown, Pennsylvania) on 10/07/2012
★★★★★

Hi All, Ive been reading over these postings because I was curious about Cayenne pepper as a Tx for I. C. I really empathize with you all and desire to share my Tx remedy. I suffered with mild I. C. for years while having my children (5, total). After my fifth, the I. C. really flared up and I just couldn't get more that 45 min. of sleep at a time. In addition, activities involving impact of any kind (ie. Running, household chores, intimacy) were out of the question.

My husband did some research and started me on a two week regimen of Cornsilk extract (20 drops in 1/4 cup water 2-3 times per day) followed by 2x daily dosing of Pumpkin Seed oil everyday. I have maintained the oil at 1 tablespoon in am and 1 tablespoon in pm, preferrably with food or drink, for about 2 years now. It has made all the difference in the world. If I maintain this dosage I have no symptoms except for mild ones during ovulation and the first two days of my period. I up my dose by another tablespoon sometime in the middle of the day during these times. If I run out of oil, pumpkin seeds (in any form, roasted, raw etc. ) will suffice until I can restock but they add a lot fiber to my diet since I need to eat almost 3/4 cup of them per day to achieve the desired effect. I also stay away from Tannic Acid whenever possible and have greatly reduced the gluten in my diet. I am otherwise a healthy 38 year old mother of five. I don't get back here very often at all so I may not be available to answer any questions but I truly hope that this helps as many people here as possible!


Quercetin


Posted by Janetspencer (London, United Kingdom) on 05/26/2010
★★★★★

Dear all,

I also like the naturale food supplements and remedies. I tried a natural product composed of Quercetin, D-Mannose and other natural products from plant kingdom. It was a great solution for my IC problems and now after about 5 months of treatments I'm really feeling well.

I suggest you to try Quercetin products, there are no side effects and you won't get antibiotics anymore. Feel you free to contact me for any further information.

[email protected]

cheers.
Janet

Replied by Renae
(Mpls, Mn)
10/16/2010

Chamomile Tea: A lifesaver!!! I drink 4 teabags at a time in a large mug. 3 mugs per day. I keep extra tea bags in the car for emergencies. Chamomile also helps w/Irritable Bowel, and it contains Quercetin. Too much Quercetin is pro-oxidant even though it's an anti-oxidant. I can only take 1/day (Quercetin capsule also has Bromalin) I also recently added some couchgrass, Marshmallow, cayenne (Note: for us older gals: (I am age 47) 1xday on 1st 1/2 of menstrual cycle... Too many hot flashes on 2nd half.. It's estrogenic and so is quercitin, which I still take all month). Always remember that flairs can come back so do maintenance forever.

Replied by Francisca
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
10/17/2010

Hi Renae, I take Quercitin twice a day for my allergies. You got me worried by saying that it is pro-oxidant..... Maybe I should stop. Anyway, I didn't feel that it helped me much although I took it together with Vit. C, other vitamins and Evening Primrose Oil. I thought that Quercitin was quite harmless....

Replied by Renae
(Mpls, Mn)
10/27/2010

If I take 2 quercetin per day, my skin gets all wrinkled in the morning from my P. J. S and stays that way for hours. My skin is actually Puffy! Just type Quercetin and pro-inflamitory in a search engine for more info. Remember I take 4 tea bags of Camomile 3X per day also, and this contains Quercetin.


Quercetin
Posted by Teresa (Rockville, Md) on 04/27/2010
★★★★★

I have suffered from IC for years. I take a prescription med but also take quercetin. I have been in remission for 8 years.


Reader Feedback


Posted by Lonelyhearts (Jackson, Ms) on 06/11/2011

I have had issues with my bladder since age 4. I had frequent accidents and infections that led to doctors doing numerous serguries. Once reaching puberty I no longer had severe bladder issues but numerous other issues from abnormal pap smears with pre cancer on the cervex, hormonal imbalances, and pregnancy mask. Was told I could probably never get pregnant. Many yeast infections and uti after any sexual intercourse being given an antibiotic pill to take afterwards everytime. Incontinence was always an issue and uncontrollable urination at times.

As I have gotten older I do have two beautiful girls and had to have c sections with both. After the first I was convinced there was a problem and Dr. did test after test and showed nothing. After my second child I was finally diagnosed with IC. I have had strep in my bladder leading to a hospital visit, finally got a bladder sling and hystorectomy to try to stop flair ups which has help not having a period anymore. But after the bladder surgery I didnt think I would ever heal. Numerous instilations and pain meds weeks and weeks of misery much worse that anything I had ever experiences. I was given the 10 or 12 medications and still had no releif and since stopping all meds the IC is better almost non existent. I can no longer take any antibiotics and very few over the counter meds without it causing a flair up and colitis landing me in the hospital numerous times. My Doctor will not give me anything anymore.

I've always had allergy to Citrus causing mouth ulcers headaches and swelling. Fruit is the only food that I can directly tell effects my bladder but tomatoes coffee and soft drinks don't seem to bother me but if I drink water I am miserable. (crazy Huh?)

Sex is my biggest issue now. I avoid it at all costs making my husband miserable. When I finally give in, I enjoy it painfree once more than once and its physically impossible due to the pain. I have a huge IC flair up that is unbareable for weeks.

I can drink baking soda and use mullein and marshmellow root to get it under control and lots of baths with tea tree oil and baking soda but it takes forever and my sweet husband is a mess worrying about me and then we go months and months.

Help! Any suggestions?

Replied by Penny
(Hueytown, Al.)
08/20/2011

Lonelyhearts from Jackson, Ms. I read your feedback about IC, which I have too, but you are the first person that I have found that water aggravates or starts the flare up. I have been telling my husband that and he cant hardly believe it. He as well as the doctors say water is good for your bladder. But I know when I drink over maybe a cup of water a day or even koolaid with water in it my bladder will start burning and thee goes a flare up. I can drink coke and like you said , thats crazy. I dont know what to do cause I know I need more water. Any solutions out there?

Replied by Sb From Jersey
(Egg Harbor, New Jersey, Usa)
09/13/2011

New here and hoping you all can help me sort this out. I've been to my general doctor, to my ob/gyn many times. Nothing seems to be wrong. I went to a uro, he sent me for a cat scan, bladder scope and potasium test ( need to go for these two). I have had symptoms since February. It started with 2 weeks of intense urgency right after relations. I have also been having a lot of tingling in the whole area, which comes and goes. Now it has been on and off with pain mainly around my urethera. But when I lay down at night it completely stops. Uro is suspecting IC. Do you have any suggestions? I've looked at the home remedy board, but there is so much to choose from. Please, where do I start?? thank so much for any help!!!

Replied by Teri
(Tacoma, Wa)
05/19/2012

To all who are facing the challenge;

I was diagnosed with IC in 2002. I was scared and devastated because I soon realized that IC has no cure. I had the most respected urologist in the area as my doctor and great health insurance, yet the treatment plan he offered me was useless. I was facing a future of misery. My doctor wanted me on 5 different medications and wanted to schedule a surgery for my incontinence. I left his office and never returned. I realized that I was going to have to do my own research if I was going to have any hope at a normal life.

First I changed my diet, just with this careful analysis I drastically reduced my symptoms. In time all of my symptoms went away. I was symptom free for years. My incontinence resolved as well.

Now over the past 2 years I've had two flare ups. In the last flare up I went to urgent care and was treated for a UTI. Upon examining my urine they confirmed that most definitely I had a UTI, however my lab results were negative.

So again, my quest for treatment has resumed. I have been enjoying all the info on this site. I plan to try most of what I'm seeing here because it's less intrusive to the body than what my Dr offered. And because it seems to work better. If it works, it works.

One thing I have found to bring instant relief from the burning pain around the urethra and surrounding tissue is lavender oil. The real essential oil. I mix this with vitamins E and rub it liberally and gently where it hurts. The pain stop instantly. It is replace by a sort of menthol cooling sensation. I have a couple recipes for this blend. You can add Bergamont eo and a tiny bit of oregano oil. But I think the main relief comes from the lavender. This doesn't surprise me because lavender is great for burns. It takes the sting out.

Lavender 30 drops

Vitamine E. 1 tbls

Oregano 1 drop

Bergamont 5 drops

I carry this with me at all times.

Regards. Teri


Reader Feedback
Posted by Jo (Anchorage, Ak) on 05/18/2011

I have just had bladder distension & cysto and confirmed I have CI today. The urologist has put me on some temporary antibiotics and told me about Elmiron. I have done enough research on this drug not to consider it. As I have read in this blog, the medical profession does NOT know how it works. For those of you who found relief, I'm glad. I am choosing to go the natural remedy route first and your site has helped a great deal.

I have found a hot bath before bed helps with the spasms for me. I went from going to the bathroom 10 times a night to 1-3 times. For me this was a small miracle... it literally happened the first night.

From the research I have read about IC, I am not suprised I have it. I have had endometrosis, I have sjorgren's. Firbrolymalgia, arithritis, diabetes-ALL autoimmue related. I will read the books mentioned on this site and continue to learn as much as much as possible.

Thank you for your help and good luck to all of us!

Replied by Karen
(Anderson, Mo)
07/15/2011

Jo--I was diagnosed wih IC in Jan. Of 2007. I have found since that I had many food sensitivities that caused IC flair-ups. In addition to acidic foods, chocolate, caffeine, I am sensitive to corn, oats, most nuts and most cheeses. If I avoid these foods, I have little pain. The frequency, however, I have not resolved. I still get up an average of 10 times at night and struggle with insomnina as well. I will try your hot bath at night suggestion. Also, I use a product called Arthrosoothe that helps with the pain. I get it from Designs for Health; it's about $36 for a month's supply.

Let me know of your progress with this disease. It is a tough one. Maybe we can all help one another.

Replied by Leota
(Stl Cloud, Mn)
06/05/2012

You sound exactly like me. Human Growth Hormone Homeopathic Spray helps me get back to sleep faster and dream more. I spray it in my mouth at night after I pee. I used to stay awake almost all night!

Replied by Ducklucky
(Monroe, Maine, Usa)
07/24/2012

Diet is essential. My hub has severe IC with hunners ulcers and the whole shmear. Over the past 3 years we have tried EVERYTHING and finally gave in to pain meds, which he hates. Last month he became so frustrated we had to do something drastic. Even tho we followed the IC diet, we went to an elimination diet, basically starting from scratch like you would a baby. There is much info on the web. We are following the strictest. Voila!!! Pain has decreased from 8-10 to 1-3. It has been a journey. Found he had a definite sensitivity to bananas of all things! Just starting to add one thing at a time, our garden is filling with green beans, so we will give that a try next. This diet has worked for him, and he has lost 15 pounds in a month, which he desperately needed to do. Just puttin' this out there, it is pretty healthy. And as for the no dairy aspect, he was drinking a gallon of low fat milk a day, boocoo calories! And the diet is no dairy, so we switched to unsweetened almond milk. There is so little ICers can drink and he is always thirsty. Also marshmallow root tea brewed w/wo a cinnamon stick and honey sweetened, hot or iced works well. Pure seltzer with some allowable juices and a little honey scratches the soda itch. It is time consuming and involves some research, but anyone can do this. He can have brown rice, so found web recipes for brown rice flour breads, muffins and pancakes with no yeast (diet is NO gluten). Have seen a lot of ICers are gluten intolerant, so that is worth a try for anyone. It's real basic, no wheat, gluten, dairy, red meat other than lamb, turkey, fish/shellfish, nothing "white"... We hope this continues to work, even if it doesn't "cure" him, to keep his pain level way down and keep that bladder happy. Good luck everyone!



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