★★★★★
This infection was aggressive. 2 hours within the first tingle, I had blood in my urine and I would estimate my pain level at a 7 or 8. I started taking the old extract and had some relief. Pain decreased to a 2/3. I only had enough for 3 doses, not enough to cure it.
I went to the store and found 1 more bottle of extract. I used it, as I had before but as soon as I finished the bottle, the feeling came back. I couldn't find any more extract so I purchased a $35 product with D-mannose and some use and other things. I was determined to fight this naturally and the blood in the urine had not returned, the pain was starting to increase to a 5 and my kidneys were beginning to ache - I knew I didn't have much time before I would have to go to the doctor. I also didn't want to use a $35 product.
I researched my old natural healing books and decided to follow the baking soda regimen used in WWII, before they had flu medicine (google: Mercola baking soda regimen) It starts with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in water every two hours. I use it for flu/cold successfully all the time and I figured this bacteria would be no different. I would NOT recommend using the suggestion to consume a tsp or more of baking soda at one sitting (google: baking soda poisoning).
I added to that, grapefruit seed extract which I also had on hand for successfully fighting cold and flu. I did 10-15 drops in 12 ounces of water, every 3 hours. This stuff is NASTY. I held my breath and it was still so bitter, I winced every time I drank it. I didn't want to mix it with juice and add sugar to my system.
I had cut out all coffee, all beer, all spicy foods, all simple carbs and sugar for 4 days. These are things I love. If I could do it, you can to :) I drank dandelion tea 1x per day. I drank LOTS of water. I peed often to remove bacteria from bladder faster.
So, essentially, for 2 days, I was taking baking soda every 2 hours and grapefruit see extract every 3 hours. When I went to bed, I had a glass of water with 1/4 tsp of baking soda that I would sip through the night. Plus the above additions.
In 2 days, the infection was gone...and this had been an AGGRESSIVE bacteria. I believe it would have been antibiotic resistant if it caused blood in the urine and such intense pain so quickly. It took me a full bottle of a tincture + other methods when normally one day and half a tincture bottle would have done it. I also believe that an increase in sugar and beer (we had gone to a party the day before)vmade my system week to the attack.