Natural Home Remedies for UTI - How to Prevent and Treat Urinary Tract Infections

UTI is the infection occurring any place along the urinary track - urethra, ureters or bladder. Our kidneys are a pair of small organs located around the waist line on both sides of the spine. They have a very important function of removing the waste from our bodies and turning it into urine. Kidneys are also responsible for removing excess water and regulating blood pressure. Once the waste is turned into urine, it will be drained from each kidney into the bladder by two narrow tubes called ureters. The bladder is a small organ that looks like sack and its primary function is to collect the urine and then expel it once it reaches certain level. Once the urine is ready to be expelled from the bladder, it will travel outside using a small tube called urethra.

Most of the Urinary Tract Infections are caused by E. coli bacteria which resides so plentiful in our intestinal tract. Poor hygiene, anatomy, taking too many antibiotics, issues with immune system, holding urine for too long - any of these factors can lead to UTI. And, unfortunately, 1 in 5 people do experience Urinary Tract Infections. Women are more prompt to Urinary Tract Infections because a woman's urethra is much shorter than a man's and this makes it easy for the bacteria to get in the urinary tract. Once the bacteria gets in, the lining of the bladder and urethra will become very irritated causing pain in the pelvic area.

The most common symptoms of UTI are:

• Burning when urinating
• Blood in urine or cloudy urine
• An urge to urinate very frequently
• Pain in lower abdomen or back pain
• Mild Fever
• Nausea
• Smelly urine
• Dizziness

Most of the UTIs occur in urethra, ureters or bladder. These are considered to be simple Urinary Tract Infections and are treated with 3-5 days course of antibiotics. The complicated UTIs occur in kidneys and they have to be taken more seriously and treated with the longer course of antibiotics.

Sometimes, antibiotics can cause more problems in the future because they destroy the "good" bacteria which prevents "bad' bacteria from growing. In time, more E. coli infections can develop.

Luckily, there are quite few natural home remedies you can try to help your treat the UTI and prevent it in the future.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry Juice has been recommended as number one home remedy for the treatment and prevention of the UTIs. This wonderful juice contains lots of tannins and antibacterial compounds which help destroy the bacteria and prevent it from growing. It has been proven to be very effective against E. coli bacteria which is the main cause of Urinary Tract Infections.

It is recommended to drink up to 3 glasses of cranberry juice a day to help with the treatment of the Urinary Tract Infection. Drinking one glass of cranberry juice a day is the best and easiest way to prevent the Urinary Tract Infections from occurring in the future.

Tip: Always choose fresh pressed cranberry juice because it is more natural and effective than the one from concentrate. You can add half glass of water to a half glass of cranberry juice to dilute it and help with acidity. You may add a spoon of honey when drinking unsweetened cranberry juice. Honey also has antibacterial properties and will help to speed up the recovery time.

D-Mannose

D-Mannose is a supplement which has been proven to be very effective when treating Urinary Tract Infections. It is a simple sugar similar to glucose. It is found in some fruits like cranberries, blueberries, apples, peaches and oranges. Broccoli and Aloe Vera are also on the list of plants containing natural D-Mannose.

Researchers suggest that D-Mannose stops the bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder and aids the elimination of bacteria while urinating. It has no side effects and can be taken by children, adults and even those suffering from diabetes.

Asparagus

For hundreds of years asparagus has been recommended as an effective remedy for the Urinary Tract Infections due to the fact that it is a very powerful diuretic. Asparagus can also help with prevention of kidney stones and improving the immune system. Just cook and enjoy!

Water

We all know how important it is to drink plenty of water. Our bodies need constant hydration and water is the best source. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water when you are diagnosed with UTI to help flush the bacteria. Increase your water intake at the fist symptoms of UTI to help you get rid of infection quickly.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is rich in minerals like potassium and this can prevent the bacteria from multiplying and growing. It is used like a natural antibiotic to treat the variety of infections.

You may use two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it twice a day for 3 days.

Amla

Amla is also known as Indian Gooseberry. It is on the list of superfooods very rich in vitamin C. As we know, vitamin C helps to stop the growth of bacteria.

Amla is mostly sold in powder and can be easily added to your diet. Use one teaspoon of powder for a glass of water or juice once a day. You may also add one half of the teaspoon of turmeric powder to this drink - turmeric is also a great antibacterial remedy. Amla also has lots of other health benefits and can help you improve your overall health.

Blueberries

Just like cranberries, blueberries have bacteria-inhibiting properties and they are also good for your immune system. You may consume fresh berries, blueberry juice or dried berries. Blueberry powder is also available and can be added to your smoothies.

Getting into a healthy habit of having one glass of blueberry juice a day will help to prevent Urinary Tract Infections.

Parsley

Parsley is known as a very powerful diuretic. Consuming parsley during UTI treatment will help to get rid of bacteria quickly. For the best results, use one cup of chopped fresh parsley for a cup of water. Bring water to boil and add a cup of parsley. Let the mixture boil for about 10 minutes on low heat. Remove and drain. Drink warm or cold.

Ginger

Ginger will be a great home remedy to help you treat the symptoms of UTI. Ginger has been used for hundreds of years to help reduce the inflammation in the body, reduce the fever and ease nausea. A cup of ginger tea twice a day may be a great comfort for those recovering from UTI.

Horseradish

Powerful home remedy with very strong antimicrobial effect. Horseradish helps to kill the bacteria in your body by breaking its cellular membrane and making it impossible for the bacteria to reproduce.

Horseradish is sold in all grocery stores and can stay refrigerated for a long time. Add one teaspoon of horseradish to your meal daily to help prevent the Urinary Tract Infections.

Heat

Apply heat to the pelvic area to help relief the pain and discomfort. Use heating pad carefully, follow the safety instructions.

Baking Soda

Baking soda will help your neutralize acidity in your urine and relief the discomfort from burning while urinating.

Use 1 teaspoon of baking soda and one 8 oz. glass of water. Dissolve baking soda in a glass of water and consume this water once a day. You may use this remedy for 3 -5 days.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial remedy when applied externally. Add about 10 drops of tea tree oil into your bath. Warm bath will help to relief the pain associated with Urinary Tract Infection as well.

It is very important to avoid certain foods and drinks during recovery from the Urinary Tract Infections. Avoid drinking alcohol because it will further dehydrate you and cause more irritation in your bladder. Avoid sodas and caffeine drinks since they will also make your condition worse. Stay away from sweets and different types of desserts.