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.
Grapefruit Seed Extract and Clove Oil
Posted by Sarahd (Spain) on 01/11/2016
★★★★★
I had a very rare UTI (first one in 5 years) after this Christmas and a little too much champagne and sherry trifle. I love Earth Clinic so came straight here to check out the remedies and used what I had already at home to start with.
I started with alkalising salts (carbonates of sodium, magnesium and potassium) - quite high doses of around 6-8 teaspoons per day. I also took buffered Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) - about 20-30g per day in 3-5g doses at a time. This combination kept the pain at bay but it did NOT cure the infection.
So I went out to buy some other remedies including D-Mannose, probiotic and grapefruit seed extract. I took the D-Mannose in high doses (about 800mg x 5) and the probiotic about 400 million cultures x 4 per day). I took the recommended 15 drops grapefruit seed extract about an hour after I'd taken the probiotic and took this 3 times a day.
Nothing really changed but on day 6 I read that clove oil could help so I added 3 drops in a capsule to try out one morning and decided to up the dose of the GSE. This actually seemed to have an effect - the UTI reduced for a few hours but came back with a vengeance later in the day.
Sadly, after 3 days of taking the really high doses of D-Mannose and probiotic I ran out of both although neither seemed to have made any difference to the UTI - it was still quite painful.
However, one thing I realised was that the combination of more GSE and clove oil seemed to have been effective. So now, left with only the alkalising salts, Vitamin C, clove oil and grapefruit seed extract, I decided to go all out for it with the GSE and clove oil! So I upped the dose to an intuited 40 drops about every hour or two and ignored all advice about limiting the clove oil and took 3 drops every 2 hours.
I drank a HUGE amount of water along with the alkalising salts (about 6 litres) but I do drink a lot of water regularly so this was only 2 litres more than I would drink on a summer's day. Anyway at the end of the day, I got a result!
UTI was MUCH better and hardly any pain. I took a load of water to bed and some alkalising salts and another clove oil capsule and when I woke up to pee (too much water! ) I drank the glass with the salts and clove oil. In the morning I almost felt normal.
Today is day 7 and I have drunk about 4 litres of water and taken much less of the alkalising salts as I feel I don't need them. I'm still taking the GSE and clove oil but can tell that I'm healing and should be clear in another day or two. I'd gone from pain of 8 out of 10 to 2 out of 10 in one day (with the extra GSE) and then today I have no pain, just a little feeling in my bladder that is not even discomfort - just that it feels a bit different and tells me I need to keep taking the GSE and clove oil.
The downside of taking so much Vitamin C is that it makes your stomach a bit uncomfortable. The clove oil does not taste that nice and the GSE may taste a bit sour to some but I drink the juice of 4-5 lemons a day anyway so for me it was OK. The upside is that with all the alkalising, Vitamin C and water my skin looks amazing - it's glowing, plumped and I look at least 5 years younger than last week! So good comes out of bad and I will always keep GSE and clove oil just in case, in 5 years time, I get another UTI after Christmas champagne!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by John (Trang, Thailand) on 10/09/2015
Urinary Tract Infection
I was wrong, when I stopped the drugs, or something else had reared it's ugly head. The side effects of both antibiotics and the pain/sphincter drugs were unbearable and I stopped them, they fogged my brain, tired but no sleep for two full nights, plus, plus. But the penile pain and dribbles every 15 to 30 minutes won. I restarted the drugs. This is along with two a day ACV with bicarb soda, boxed grapefruit juice [tasted like crap], water, nice apple juice, mandarin juice, fenugreek tea, horsetail tea, ginger tea, stinging nettle caps, zinc, 1000mg V.C . So, after all that, the whole bullet may be working. Who knows? Pain has eased, good long peeing but at night after I manage to get some sleep I have to wake every 30 mins - one hour to pee. Nearly forgot, the lovely Lugols Iodine 6 drops in juice once a day and I stopped jockey underwear and use boxer shorts. And now, two weeks later, no problem. John
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lacie (Pennsyvania) on 01/02/2016
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story of being an advocate for your own health as well as the specific steps you have taken. It's inspiring and very helpful!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Cece (New York) on 07/16/2016
Thank you so much for this post. You were very thorough and it helps to know that like me other women are out there that are doing the right thing for their bodies. I have had yeast and bladder infections all my life. This one has not gone away in 2 weeks and is worse just before I empty bowels in the morning. I know the ecoli bacteria have something to do with it. My diet is very clean and I take supplements and probiotics. I've been on cranberry juice and d-mannose for two weeks. I got off of antibiotics for Lyme disease and every time that happens, the UTI is back. So I will continue to make myself better. You are an inspiration. I'm 64 and 110 lbs. white Female. all the best and thanks again. C.
Enterococcus UTI Remedies
Posted by Moka (Ny) on 08/13/2015
I have been fighting an enterococcus UTI for 3 months now, being gram positive it does not respond to the usual d-mannose nor cranberry.
- I tried oregano EO, 1 drop in 1 tsp of olive oil multiple times/day: did not help.
- I tried a product UTI-clear with uva ursi, echinacea and other herbs: did nothing.
- I paid $190 a homeopath who sold me $160 worth of useless products that did absolutely nothing to "fix my terrain" (his words).
- I am now trying Goldenseal tincture 3x/day.
- If this doesnt work I will try olive leaf.
If that won't work I am at a loss as this bacteria is antibiotics resistant.
Enterococcus UTI Remedies
Posted by Memi (California) on 01/10/2016
Hello Moka,
I am sorry to hear that you have been fighting an enterococcus UTI for such a long time. I also have a UTI caused by enterococcus, and can't get rid of it with antibiotics. I was wondering if you have found a solution? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Enterococcus UTI Remedies
Posted by Anon (Usa) on 11/24/2017
Is it possible you are reinfecting yourself through food or drinks, such as contaminated milk or juice? Or even tap water? A reusable water bottle or contaminated shower head? Even soap?
Lactobacillus
Posted by Mika (Ny) on 09/09/2015
Hi, what kind of bacteria did you have? I have an enterococcus uti (asymptomatic) can't get rid of it! Can you suggest a way to get rid of it once and for all? Please help! Thanks.
Horseradish
Posted by Jen (New York) on 03/20/2015
★★★★★
I've been struggling with UTI/bladder infection for the past year, and it's passed the tipping point where antibiotics are now part of the problem (they clear the infection, by my diminished flora can't protect me against the next one, so the cycle continues). I take high quality probiotics to restore my flora, but it's not enough. I'm sure many in this forum are familiar with the problem.
I went in search of a natural antibiotic, and I found one: horseradish. The German version of the FDA has actually acknowledged the power of horseradish in fighting certain bacterial infections, including UTI. It has to be fresh to work, but a tablespoon morning and night has been giving me real results. I chase it with a glass of pure cranberry juice with a teaspoon of powder d-mannose (morning and night), and usually have at least one glass of water with a teaspoon of d-mannose powder during the day (in addition to several glasses of plain water).
I wanted to share this because after trying almost everything (unsuccessfully), this seems to be working. I thought it was important info to share.
And a sidenote, for me at least, the d-mannose powder works much better than the capsule form.
Horseradish
Posted by Robin (Rural Va, US) on 03/20/2015
Where do you find "fresh" horseradish?
Horseradish
Posted by Marci (USA) on 08/26/2022
Any grocery store should have fresh horseradish and the jarred stuff too.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Phyllis (Tuscumbia, Alabama) on 03/21/2015
I agree with L J. It sounds like gallbladder to me also. I just had a severe attack a few months ago and came here to find a remedy. I don't remember who posted it but what I found worked and was easy to do. You mix 3 tablespoons of ACV with 6 ounces of apple juice, I got the Mott's for Tot's because it's a very light juice with very little sugar. The attack had started on Thursday and I drank the mixture Thursday evening, Friday morning and evening then Saturday morning I passed a gut full of gall stones. Of course my gallbladder was still irritated and the ACV, apple juice and water was all I could hold down so I just sipped on those for the rest of the week-end and by Monday afternoon I couldn't tell the attack had ever happened. I now take my ACV with apple juice every day because apple juice is very effective in dissolving gall stones. I don't ever want to go through that again!
Probiotics, Uva Ursi, Teapills
Posted by Dlin (Usa) on 01/18/2015
★★★★★
For me there are 3 components to successfully getting rid of a UTI or bladder infection in addition to drinking more water and cranberry concentrate (unsweetened). The alkaselzer method will help with reducing pain but won't actually kill the bacteria causing the problem.
1. Probiotics are absolutely necessary to keep this type of infection away. Adding Probiotics can be as simple as the kind you get at a healthfood store or a specific kind for females. Females have 2 specific kinds of friendly bacteria that are not found in males. The jarrow brand FEM is fantastic at assisting repopulation and the only one I have found with the female related probiotic strains.
2. Uva Ursi assists with antibacterial properties - the liquid form is best for acute UTI - be aware it may create a herx (healing crisis) feeling/symptoms if lots of bacteria is present.
3. 8 Righteous Teapills
For me, it takes 5-10 days to get rid of the majority of the symptoms.
Coconut Oil, Honey and Oregano Oil
Posted by Krys (Chicago, IL) on 09/18/2014
★★★★★
Coconut oil 1 teaspoon plus 1 teaspoon raw honey and two drops oil of oregano. Mix it very well and next time your child will go to bathroom, it will be without screaming. It workes every time when my child has urinary track infection or cries when going to bathroom.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Wieas (England) on 08/01/2014
Hello, am looking for some advice please.
My 80 year old father has just been diagnosed with a urine infection and a slight chest infection. He has been prescribed antibiotics.
I was wondering if it would be okay to give him some Colloidal Silver to take alongwith the antibiotics. If so, how much and how often.
Thanks.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Brandy (Salt Lake City, UT) on 08/24/2014
There's different types of colloidal silver. The kind I got the help to me with my UTI was called ASAP22 plus Silver solution. I would also highly, highly recommend D-Mannose!
Grapefruit Seed Extract, D-Mannose
Posted by Bighypno (Md, Dc, Va) on 03/22/2014
★★★★★
As a man, I had extreme painful urination and after about 4 days of feeling funny, I noticed white pus? or sperm? or yeast or something white coming out of my penis. I went to the doctor. The piss test revealed nothing, he then asked had I had sex recently and I said yes and he said oh its definitely gonorrhea or trichinosis probably mixed with chlamydia then. I said doc, those infections have green or yellow pus, this is white. They also come with very swollen lymph nodes, etc. He said "I see this all the time". I said Doc, none of the women I been with are complaining about even the slightest discomfort or odor so it cant be gonorrhea as women are much more symptom prone than men and I hadnt been with anyone for 10 days at this point. So rather than sit there arguing, I deferred to the "medical doctor" who then gave a shot of resofin (sp?) in my butt and 250mg Azithromycin 1x day and 500 mg Metronidazole 2x day.
I didnt feel better after 5 days of taking the medicine the doctor prescribed. At this point I was hoping I didnt have bacteria resistant gonorrhea. It still felt like there was something stuck in my penis and the burning at the very tip felt maybe 50% better. I then went to my stash of natural medicine and before I went to bed I took 15 drops of Grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water and drunk the water while taking 2 tablets of 250mg D-Mannose then around about 4am I woke up out of my sleep and my penis didnt feel swollen. I went to the bathroom to urinate and things felt a lot better. I then woke up and took the same dosage 2 tablets of D-Mannoose and washed them down with water containing 15 drops of GSE again and continued first thing in morning and last thing at night for 5 days with the combo. I have not had any problems since.
Any of a few things couldve happened. 1. All 3 prescriptons which basically cover 99% of the possible STD's I could have had didnt work. 2. The prescriptions didnt work until I took the grapefruit seed extract with it, in the literature about grapefruit seed extract they are known to make antibiotics twice more powerful when combined with them. 3. None of the prescriptions did anything and the grapefruit seed extract and D-Mannose combo cured it. 4. The GSE cured it alone. 5. The D-Mannose cured it alone.
All I know is that had a infection that normal medicine and a 3 prescription combo couldnt kill and had I not taken the GSE with the D-Mannose I would still be in a TON of pain. Yet I am 100% cured with no issues. Hope my story helps, ask me any questions you may have.
Grapefruit Seed Extract, D-Mannose
Posted by Bighypno (Md, Dc, Va) on 03/24/2014
Just wanted to add before I went to the doctor I did heavy doses of Apple Cider Vinegar. I then did Centex. I also did 3 diff types of Cranberry extracts. Vitamin C high doses and GSE tablets. None of them did much if anything to slow the infection.
D-Mannose
Posted by KT (Texas) on 02/21/2014
★★★★☆
I've only been using the D-Mannose powder on myself for a day and a half but it seems to be helping - though I still couldn't sleep through the night. Seems like if I don't take it every couple of hours, it starts feeling worse again. I'm going to stick with it for a few days. I woke up yesterday morning at 1 or 2 am with a sudden pain and urgency - weirdly I had a dream of blood in my urine right before - and sure enough when I went, it was pinkish. Anyway, today the urgency is the worst part for me, I guess that IS the pain. I ran a low fever most of the day yesterday but that's gone today. Ted said not to drink tons of water so I'm a little conflicted on that, but I can see his point as it increases the pressure and feeling of urgency.
I also took 1TBS ACV (apple cider vinegar) yesterday once and today just once so far. I may try taking more of that if the DM doesn't work better.
In the past I have tried D-Mannose on a cat with pretty good success. That's why I already had it in stock.
Uva Ursi
Posted by Pauline (Pembrokeshire) on 07/24/2016
LadyB. I was delighted to read your post. I am just like you! D Mannose did not work because mine is not E. coli. How much Uva Ursi do you use, and can you use it long-term to prevent further UTI's? Also, which probiotic do you use. I am in the UK so wondered if I could get it here.
Many thanks, Pauline
D-Mannose
Posted by Baldev (Maharashtra, India) on 09/08/2013 184 posts
Hi Art, your post does not indicate as to how much D-Mannose you dissolved in 500 ml of water. If you can give this detail. Thanks, Baldev
D-Mannose
Posted by Art (California) on 09/12/2013
Hi Baldev,
It was 3 capsules @ 700mg each dissolved into a 500ml bottle of water @ 3 bottles per day. If you are using bulk powder I would imagine 2 grams/2, 000mg per bottle would work just fine. It dissolves quickly and is pretty much tasteless.
I think I may have worded the dose improperly in my initial post, so to clarify, it is 3 bottles spaced out throughout the day with approximatelly 2 grams of d mannose in each bottle for a total of 6 grams of d mannose per day.
Btw, his bladder infection has not returned, but he is well stocked on D-mannose now just in case! This turned out to be perfect timing for him since he had no more options as far as antibiotics go.
Art
Vitamin C
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, USA) on 07/17/2013 2048 posts
Elizabeth: ACV is acidic but produces alkalinity by conversion in the body. Do be careful of too much vit-c as can cause kidney stones.
Another effective protocol is D-Mannose (day 1), Cranberry (day two), Uvi Ursi (day 3).
Citric Acid Supplements
Posted by Megan (Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada) on 04/22/2013
Wondering. Have any of you ladies tried magnesium citrate or calcium citrate to help treat this? How did it work for you? How much did you take? I just read that one theory is that oxalate in your diet builds up and when excreted in urine it may cause pain/irritation/discomfort over time and that these supplements inhibit the growth of oxalate crystals. Any thoughts? Anyone tried? I've put myself on so much stuff it's getting expensive any advice would be good. Thanks!!!!
Link to Drinking City Water
Posted by Gramma_elaine (New Brighton, Minnesota, Usa) on 04/03/2013
I get a bladder infection every time I drink city water. I think it is an allergy to either the chlorine or the fluoride. Try drinking purified water and see if that helps prevent bladder infections. My doctors never would acknowledge this fact and just kept giving me antibiotics and I finally had bladder repair surgery, which I would never do again.
Link to Drinking City Water
Posted by Kathy (the USA) on 04/03/2013
When you would drink city water were you in a place that used colored or a different brand of toilet paper? Just a thought due to the trouble I used to have. If you used any kind of hand lotion, that could be transferred to the tp before you use it... That was another discovery of mine. Over the years I also learned not to use fabric softener and to be sure any detergent is thoroughly rinsed out of underwear. When the rise water is not clear, rinse again.
Link to Drinking City Water
Posted by Gramma_elaine (New Brighton, Minnesota, Usa) on 04/03/2013
Kathy, I did so much reading about bladder infections and I did not use colored TP and I do not think anything on my hands would have caused it either. I rinse all of my laundry twice and use only a very small amount of laundry detergent, just enough so the water has a slight slippery feel to it. It has been about 15 years since my last full blown infection, and the only thing I am doing differently is the drinking water. IF I have the feeling that one was starting, I did this remedy: 1 tsp. baking soda in glass of purified water, once a day for three days. This remedy works really well.
Link to Drinking City Water
Posted by Kathy (the USA) on 04/04/2013
GRAMMA_elaine, Sorry... Your post sounded as if it was a current problem. I used to get frequent bladder "flare-ups"/infections and I was just trying to offer what I learned contributed to mine. Constipation seemed to contribute also.
Urinate After Sex
Posted by Georgis (Eastern, Sd) on 02/21/2013
★★★★★
I used to get UTI after intercourse then I read somewhere if you go urinate afterwards this cleans the pathway. Ever since I read this I have not had an UTI.
Plantain Tea
Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 02/21/2013
★★★★★
I woke up in the night with terrible pain that I knew from previous experience was a bladder infection. Usually I take cranberry, but someone had recently told me about using Plantain Tea, so I tried it instead. I boiled water, poured it over a T. of plantain leaves, steeped for 15 minutes, and strained. I sweetened with a couple of drops of Stevia. I drank about 4 cups of it that day and felt fine by night. I had several cups a day for several more days to be sure. I also make sure to drink a half a gallon of water a day.
Baking Soda
Posted by Ria (Mombasa, Kenya) on 09/07/2012
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi there. Yesterday I woke up with with a burning sensation while urinating and the urge to urinate often made me realize that I might be getting a UTI. I had read somewhere that a quick remedy to fix a start of a UTI is taking 1 tsp of soda bi carbonate with a glass of water every hour for 3 hrs to make the urine less acidic. I took 1 tsp and another 1 tsp an hour later. Never got to do the 3rd one. The burning sensation disappeared but today I woke up with a feeling of tiredness and a headache. Can it be a side effect or an overdose of soda bi carbonate? thanks!
Baking Soda
Posted by Nicole (Usa) on 06/04/2017
Sounds like a healing reaction.
D-Mannose
Posted by Dana (USA) on 08/19/2022
Have you tried Boric capsules? They work for UTIs and BV
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jfrost231 (Hackettstown, New Jersey, United States) on 06/11/2012
Well, not to be rude, but I simply can't go to a clinic or a doctor. My family doesn't have the money right now, I have the choice between going to the doctor or not eating for an entire month, that's how my financial situation. And anyway, my mother who is a nurse told me that the infection would have traveled to my kidney's by now, and she said the symptoms would be very bad back pain, a fever, blood in my urine and extreme pain during urination. I don't have any of the symptoms of a kidney infection, my mother is going to check me to see if I have any cysts on my or near my urethra that might be causing discomfort.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Chuck (Calgary, Alberta) on 06/13/2012
Cranberry juice works perfect for UTi especially with d-mannose combined, works like a miracle.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Chuck (Calgary, Alberta) on 06/13/2012
Drink 100% cranbery juice 3x a day, take d-mannose at least 3x a day and in 2 weeks you most likely gonna be good as new.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jamie (Lake Worth, Fl) on 06/14/2012
At the health food store I get cranberry capsules. You dont have the calories or other ingreedients from juice. Its also just seems easier to take.
Uva Ursi
Posted by Jfrost231 (Hackettstown, New Jersey, United States) on 06/03/2012
Hi, I currently have a bladder infection that i've had for about two weeks, and you know how bladder infections are, they are stubborn. I've tried a lot of things so far, I've been taking high doses of vitamin c, been drinking lots of water and cranberry juice, I've taken apple cider vinegar for about 2 weeks straight and even though it makes urination less painful, it hasn't cured my bladder infection. I've also been taking acidophilus, echinacea, and a cranberry supplement. So none of this is CURING my infection, I need to get rid of it, I don't have the money or insurance for a doctor's visit and antibiotics.
So I heard about uva ursi, and it sounds like a good idea. But my mom who's a nurse told me that it can be dangerous taking in high doses, so is it safe to take the capsules up to 4 times a day? I don't plan on doing this past a week.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Effie6 (Sheffield, Uk) on 03/07/2012
Hi Ted, I have suffered with recurrent UTI's for years but a few months ago had a particularly severe one which I took 4 different antibiotics some not finishing the course because I felt they weren't working (stupid I know, probably the reason I'm in this mess I know). I don't think it ever really went. But my urinary symptoms completley died down after a course of trimethaprim.
After about a month I became severely brain fogged and tired and weak and couldn't do anything. I thought I had ME. I had strong smelling urine and occasional twinges when weeing but no normal UTI symptoms. Then after a while it transpired I had a UTI. The sensitivity test said it was sensitive to amox so the doc put me on 250mg 7 day course. The symptoms improved but didn't go. I then had a 5 day course of 500mg amox and the symptoms seemed to lift. I was so happy to feel clear again.
2 weeks later the symptoms have slowly crept back and I am now brain fogged again and have strange urinary symptoms-slight stingy twinge on weeing and lower abdominal pain/gripes but without the fatigue. I got drunk with my friends a few days ago and that seemed to make it a lot worse. I have now just started another course of augmentin. I am a 5th year dental student approaching my finals and I can't think straight. I just failed a practical exam and my tutor said I just didn't seem with it. She was right I never feel with it at the moment. It is making me so sad. I feel like I have a super infection. Oh and now my urine test has come back negative apart from slight white blood cells and the docs keep telling me I am making the symptoms up. I have tried ACV and cranberry and d-mannose. Nothing but the antibiotics seem to make a difference but even they don't seem to keep it away.
Should I ask to be put on long term antibiotics? The brain fog affects me so much I hate it, has anyone ever experienced anything similar or have any suggestions as to what I should do?
