Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a serious health concern affecting an individual’s urinary tract. Your urinary tract includes kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra, and all these parts of the urinary tract need to function properly to excrete wastes from your body. Bacterial colonization of any part of your urinary tract can lead to Urinary tract infection, commonly called UTI. A wide range of harmful pathogens can cause this infection. The most common ones include Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. [1] UTIs are also called Fearnes Syndrome, and usually, these infections start at the urethral opening and gradually move upward into the urinary tract. [2]
In Ayurveda, the ancient healing system, Urinary tract infection is known as Mutrakrichha. An imbalanced Pitta Dosha can trigger these infections of the urinary tract. The main symptoms produced by UTI are:
- Fever or Chills
- Urination Urgency
- Increased Urination Frequency
- Painful micturition
- Weakness
- Mild Vertigo
- Burning micturition [3]
- Cloudy, Reddish Urine
Although antibiotics are prescribed to a patient suffering from urine infection, these infections can easily be managed through simple home remedies for urine infection. Apart from the commonplace UTI home remedies, there are also some highly effective home remedies for urine infection in Ayurveda. In this article, we’ll talk about the various home remedies for urine infections. Read on:
20 Best Home Remedies for urine infection
Generic/Natural Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection
- Include fruits rich in D-mannose in your diet.
D-mannose, a kind of sugar, is found in certain fruits like cranberries, apples, blueberries, and peaches and has shown proven results against UTI-causing bacteria. [12]
- Treat with garlic
Allicin, a compound in garlic extracts, can suppress bacterial proliferation due to its antimicrobial properties, and taking garlic supplements or garlic in a diet can effectively fight urinary tract infections. [4]
- Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can have an antimicrobial action and destroy UTI-causing bacteria. However, too much of it can trigger tooth decay and throat irritation. Therefore, exercise moderation. [5]
- Switch to Coconut Oil
Monolaurin and Lauric Acid in Coconut oil can fight bacteria and can, therefore, function as an effective home remedy for urinary tract infections. [14]
- Use heat therapy
Though heat has nothing to do with killing the infection-causing bacteria, it can definitely soothe the pain, burning, and discomfort associated with UTIs. So, try using hot bags but with caution.
- Cranberry juice helps
Drinking cranberry juice is one of the most effective home remedies for urine infection. Proanthocyanidins, a compound in cranberry juice, stop the bacteria from clinging to the urinary tract’s walls, and that actually helps. [9]
- Stay thoroughly hydrated
Drink as much water as you can. Also, you may drink other fluids alongside. When you drink more water, you tend to urinate more, which helps flush out harmful bacteria from your urinary tract. Those who are dehydrated will not urinate much, and their bacterial counts will obviously increase. [11]
- Abide by healthy hygiene practices.
This is one of the most vital urine infections in kids home remedies and urine infection in women home remedies. In fact, this is the first step towards preventing UTIs and preventing the infection from aggravating in children and women. Kids are prone to UTIs because they are mostly unaware of healthy hygiene practices, and women, too, are prone to UTIs because the distance between the urethral opening and the anal opening is shorter in women than in men. First of all, holding the pee for long is to be avoided. Secondly, urinating in public toilets is to be avoided. And last but not least, women should wipe from front to back with a clean washcloth after peeing. Wiping back to the front should never be done.
- Take the support of probiotics.
Probiotics can be effective in combating bacterial growth in patients with UTI. So, include yogurt, a natural source of probiotics, in your diet, and try taking probiotic supplements. [11]
- Lower your consumption of Yeast-based food products.
Excessive consumption of yeast-based food products may lead to an aggravation of the E. Coli strains that reside in your gut normally. Aggravated bacterial strain may push the bacteria from your gut to your urinary tract, causing an infection.The same holds true for excessive consumption of poultry and meat too. [13]
Home Remedies for Urine Infection in Ayurveda
- Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris)
Using Goksura is one of the best home remedies for urine infection in Ayurveda. An imbalanced Pitta dosha is responsible for urinary tract infections and the burning sensation and pain associated with such diseases. Goksura has sita (Cold) and mutral (Diuretic) properties and, therefore, can manage the symptoms of UTI aptly. [7]
- Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa)
Punarnava, or Indian Hogweed, has diuretic and anti-microbial properties and that helps in eliminating the bacterial load from one’s urinary tract. Roots and leaves of Punarnava may be boiled in water to make an herbal decoction, which may be consumed two times a day to get rid of UTIs. [10]
- Guggulu (Indian Myrrh/ Commiphora mukul)
Guggulu has been used for ages in treating various genito-urinary problems in females. The herb has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, making it a suitable drug for treating female urinary tract infections. The herb may be used as a supplement or powder. This herbal remedy stands out as one of the best home remedies for urine infection in females. [7]
- Daruhaldi (Indian barberry/Tree turmeric)
Daruhaldi roots may be used to prepare a decoction for patients with urinary tract infections. The herb’s anti-inflammatory and infection-fighting properties can bring relief to a person suffering from UTI.
- Yashtimadhu (Licorice)
Yashtimadhu, or Licorice, is a traditional cure for urinary tract infections. Licorice tea acts as a tonic for your kidneys and urinary system. The cooling action of this herb can treat UTI symptoms like painful urination, burning sensation during urination, and fever. [8]
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Taking Shatavari tea or churan with lukewarm water is one of the most effective home remedies for urine infection. The herb has diuretic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which improve urine flow and output, thereby flushing out bacteria from your urinary tract. [7]
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla is loaded with Vitamin C, which protects your bladder against bacterial invasion. Eating one Amla fruit daily or taking Amla juice or churan with lukewarm water is beneficial in treating Urinary tract infections. [6]
- Dhaniya (Coriander)
Dhaniya, your most common kitchen spice, may be used to treat UTIs and manage its annoying symptoms. Dhaniya tea, a decoction prepared by boiling dhaniya seeds in water, stands out as one of the home remedies for urine infection in Hindi. [15]
- Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa)
This is an amazing herb to treat inflammation in your urinary tract. Take Kutki churan with lukewarm water every day and bid goodbye to UTIs. [15]
- Giloy (Tinospara Cordifolia)
Giloy decoction, if taken every day on an empty stomach, can destroy the bacteria in your urinary tract. Giloy is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic in nature and is simply great for treating urinary tract infections. [15]
FAQs
• What are the dietary restrictions for bladder infection?
When you have a bladder infection, you must avoid food and drinks that irritate your bladder. Thus, stay away from food and drinks such as citrus fruits, acidic fruits, spicy food, artificial sweeteners, caffeinated beverages, coffee, and alcohol.
• Can UTIs occur due to sexual intercourse?
No, it cannot be transmitted sexually. The UTI-causing bacteria are not ‘trapped or caught’ during copulation. However, there might be chances of getting a UTI within 24 hours after intercourse. Therefore, home remedies for urine infection in females must be used to lower such chances.
• Why is there an increased incidence of UTIs among pregnant women?
Pregnancy can cause UTIs because of hormonal changes and the growing size and weight of the uterus. The weighty uterus blocks urine from passing out of the urinary bladder. The collection of urine in the bladder increases the risk of a UTI in pregnant women. Therefore, all pregnant women should use the best urine infection during pregnancy home remedy every day to avoid such risks. [16]
Conclusion
Although the Western medical system has several modern medications to treat UTIs, patients, in many cases, do not get the desired results due to factors like limitation of the prescribed antibiotics, drug resistance of the microbes, adverse side-effects of these medications on the body’s immune and metabolic systems. Therefore, many patients turn to natural and home remedies to treat this issue. This article has aptly discussed the various home remedies for urine infections.
Disclaimer
This article is written from a health and wellness perspective and is not medical advice. Kindly seek the help of a certified medical practitioner before initiating any treatment.
References
- Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options
- Ayurveda and Urinary Tract Infections
- Management of Urinary Tract Infection with Certain Ayurveda Medicines: A Case Study
- Using garlic to combat antimicrobial resistant urinary tract infections
- Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression
- Natural Home Remedies for Urine Tract Infection (UTIs) – Natural Cure
- Management of Urinary Tract Infection with Certain Ayurveda Medicines: A Case Study
- Influence of Herbal Complexes Containing Licorice on Potassium Levels: A Retrospective Study
- Cranberries for treating urinary tract infections
- Nephroprotective Role of Boerhavia difusa in Renal Disorders: A Review
- Natural therapeutics for urinary tract infections—a review
- Role of D-mannose in urinary tract infections – a narrative review
- Escherichia coli ST131-H22 as a Foodborne Uropathogen
- Antimicrobial Properties of Lauric Acid and Monolaurin in Virgin Coconut Oil: A Review
- Effective Home Remedies to cure UTI
- Urinary Tract Infection Quiz
