Urinary Tract Infection – UTI Home Remedies.

Urinary Tract Infection – What Exactly Is It? | UTI Home Remedies | What Causes UTI? | UTI Common Symptoms | Tips to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

What Exactly is Urinary Tract Infection?

UTI is also known as Urinary Tract Infection / Bladder Infection (Scientific name), mutra marg sankraman samasya / peshab marg me jalan / peshab ki thaili me infection (Hindi/Urdu), Mutra margata sankramana (Marathi), Cirunir patai noy torru / Neer Kaduppu / Neerkaduppu / Siruneer erichal nattu maruthuvam (Tamil), Mutra Margamu Sankramanam / Mutra Margam Sankramanam (Telugu), Mutrasaya Anubadha (Malayalam), Niao lu ganran (Chinese), Infecciones de las vias urinarias (Spanish), Infeccao do trato urinario (Portuguese), Mutra nalira sankramana (Bengali), Infektsii mochevyvodyashchikh putey (Russian), Infeksi saluran kemih (Indonesian). A UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary system. Women are more likely than men to get urinary tract infections, as the bladder and anus are much closer on the female body than the males, thus raising the chances of bacteria entering the urinary tract.

What Causes UTI?

Urine normally contains a mixture of fluids and salt, but it usually does not contain bacteria. When bacteria find their way into the bladder or kidneys, they multiply in urine and a urinary tract infection ensues. Acute cystitis or a bladder infection is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. Women are more likely than men to get urinary tract infections, as the bladder and anus are much closer on the female body than the males, thus raising the chances of bacteria entering the urinary tract. Cumin, coriander, fennel, barley water, oat water, juniper berries are some remedies worth to try along with your doctor prescribed antibiotics.

UTI Common Symptoms

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include a strong persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation when urinating, urine that appears cloudy, passing small frequent amounts of urine, strong-smelling urine, for women pelvic pain and for men rectal pain. Basically pain in the kidneys signals an infection in the upper urinary tract. If urine appears pink in color it can be a sign of blood in the urine. If the infection affects the kidneys, fever and flu like symptoms may also occur, such as chills, shaking, nausea, vomiting, high fever, and upper back and side pain.

UTI (Cystitis) Home Remedies

Here are 16 effective UTI home remedies.

1. Corn Silk: Corn silk is also a good cleanser of the urinary tract. A little of it eaten raw, with or without the corn kernels, will benefit the whole urinary system and may help to prevent cystitis. Corn and its products are also beneficial in the treatment of bed wetting in children, disorders of the prostate and cystitis, and inflammation of the urethra.
2. Cumin + Coriander + Fennel Tea: Cumin, coriander and fennel is widely used in Ayurveda to relieve irritation of the bladder while passing urine. Drink a tea made with equal proportions of cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds. OR Boil 4 tablespoons of coriander seeds in 4 cups of water until the liquid is reduced to 2 cups. Strain and drink with a little honey.
3. Drumstick Flower Powder: Take 1 tablespoon of drumstick plant flower extract and mix it with 1/2 cup of fresh coconut water. Drink at least twice a day.
4. Barley Water: Barley water is very helpful for urinary tract infections and cystitis. Add 2 tablespoons of pearl barley to 500ml of water and boil for 10 minutes. Strain, and add barley to a fresh pint of water. Boil for another 10 minutes.
5. Garlic: Garlic is active against E. coli and other bacteria that can cause UTIs. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Crush 4 garlic cloves and put in a mug (consider placing the crushed garlic inside a muslin bag or mesh tea ball). Pour the boiled water over the garlic. Cover the mug with a saucer. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the garlic, add the honey, and drink.
6.  Oat Water: Oat water is another easy remedy. Take 2 teaspoons of porridge oats and rub well between your fingers. Add to 1 cup of cold water. Stir well and leave for 20 minutes. Stir again and pass through a tea strainer. Makes a soothing drink for cystitis, and stomach upsets caused by antibiotics.
7.  Sandalwood Oil: Drink sandalwood oil. Start with 5 drops and day by day increase quantity till it becomes 10 to 30 drops. To increase efficiency of sandal oil add 10gm of ginger juice and water in it.
8. Okra: Take 100 gm of okra. Mix it in 1 and 1/2 cup of water. Then bring it to boil and let it boil for few more minutes. Finally strain the water and drink. Repeat twice a day.
9. Herbal Formula: You may also try mixture made with punarnava (5 parts), gokshura (4 parts) and musta 3 parts. Then mix these herbs in given proportion. Take 1/2 teaspoon of this herbal mixture 2 or 3 times a day with warm water.
10. Spinach + Coconut Water: Mix together 1/2 cup of spinach juice in same amount of coconut water. Drink this twice a day.
11. Juniper Berry: Juniper berries are a well known remedy. They act as a diuretic, drive toxins from the blood and encourage digestion. A tea made from the berries is very useful in the treatment of urinary inflammations, bladder disorders and water retention. Add one teaspoon of bruised dried berries to 1 cup of water, bring to the boil, cover and infuse for 10 minutes. Strain and drink a cup 3 times a day.
12. Radish Leaves: Drink 1 cup juice of radish leaves everyday morning. Repeat for 15 days to stop UTI pain.
13. Lemon: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to 1 cup of boiling water. Let the water cool down. Finish this water within 4 hour, drinking little at a time. It is not only helpful for irritation but also helpful if its bleeding with UTI.
14. Cranberry: Cranberries contain a substance which affects the acidity of the urine and acts as a bactericide. A daily glass of cranberry juice will prevent and treat cystitis, and discourage kidney stones. Fresh cranberries and cranberry juice are used in the treatment of prostate problems and urinary tract infections.
15. Cucumber Juice: Another simple remedy. Add together 1 cup cucumber juice, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Drink this 3 times a day. This reduces acidic contents from urine and helps to stop UTI irritation.
16. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaves tea is also very useful for cystitis. For tea, use 1 teaspoon dried leaves to 1 cup water and infuse for 10 minutes. For acute cystitis, take 1 cup of tea, or 1 teaspoon of tincture, 2 or 3 times daily for up to a week.

Tips to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

• Urinate whenever you feel the urge; don’t “hold it.” Urination helps flush out any bacteria before they have a chance to stick to the bladder lining.
• Try employing essential oils for relief from UTIs. Massage a couple drops of lavender essential oil into the skin above the pubic bone and then apply warmth to help.
• Drink lots of water, at least eight glasses a day, more if you live in a dry or hot environment or have been exercising. Thirst is a sign you need more fluid. Obey that urge.
• Avoid constipation because it can trigger a UTI.
• Use warmth. Fill a hot water bottle or turn on a heating pad and place it over your lower abdomen. Heat improves blood flow, relaxes muscles, and helps relieve discomfort from a bladder infection.