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.
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?
Water With Lime and Lemon
Posted by Zoey (Dublin, Ireland) on 01/08/2012
★★★★★
Water with lime and lemon for UTI: Drink the whole day till night water with lemon and lime, fill for yourself at home a jug of water with lime and lemon...
General Feedback
Posted by Namaste78900 (Middletown, Ohio, Usa) on 10/28/2011
Can you please tell me why my daughter gets recurrent infections of UTI and throat? She has large lymph gland removes in 09 tonsils removed in 2010. She has been on about 8 antibiotics in 10 months. She seems to get uti and throat infections at the same time always running fever with them. She is now in college and this is affecting her alot. Does antibiotics affect immune system and make it weak?
THANKS
General Feedback
Posted by P (Middle, Fl) on 10/28/2011
Antibiotic kills all your good flora! Thats all the good bacteria that helps fight the bad ones. And if taken for a long time yes it breaks down your immune system. Your immune system starts in your intestines were all the nutrients are sucked into your body and if there is no good bacteria to fight the bad ones... Well then you left with only bad ones taking over. A good alternative to those antibiotics is Grape Fruit seed extract. I have used it with great results.
However; I have been doing daily research on this field and came across very interesting information and soon will start testing them. some of them are;
read all the remedies from the top tab, very informative. This is the best web site, I have benefited from many remedies posted here!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger Root Tablets
Posted by Crystal (Charlotte, Nc) on 10/27/2011
Earlier this week I felt the symptons of a bladder infection coming on. Since I have no insurance, I wanted to try the natural route. I bought some cranberry tablets that did absolutely nothing, in fact it seemed to make the burning/tingling sensation more intense. After doing some reading on this website and nother website, I decided to go to GNC to get some organic apple cider vinegar. While there, I purchased the regular _____'s ACV in addition to a ACV beverage by _____'s containing cinnamon (I heard both ACV and cinnamon were good for bladder infections and for lowering the ph of urine, which helps to kill of bacteria associated with this infection).
I immediately drank the beverage, then went to Walmart to get some ginger root tablets for $4 (ginger is also good for keeping urine alkaline and fighting off certain bacteria like e. Coli that is often responsible for uti's). I took three that day, and felt immediate relief the next time I used the restroom. When I went to use the restroom at the very end of the day before bed, there was no longer a burning/tingling sensation and my urine was no longer foul smelling or cloudy.
The next day I took a tablespoon of undiluted ACV with lots of water to wash it down. I also took 3 more ginger root tablets throughout the course of the day and again no symptons. When I woke up today, the symptons still appear to be gone. Over the next couple of days, I think I will continue to take 1 tablespoon of ACV and maybe try oregano oil or garlic tablets, just to make sure the infection stays gone.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 07/08/2011
★★★★★
I used to have bladder infections a few years ago but not anymore. I did several things, I started drinking more water because I noticed that if it was very hot and I didn't drink enough I would get one. I also started peeing and washing myself after intercourse, I do it every time now. And using lube..... When I did a kidney and bladder scan to see if I had any problem, which I didn't, the doctor told me to wash myself with a French soap called Savon de Marseille which I have been doing ever since. No idea what helped exactly, maybe several things? By the way, I eat normally, fish, meat, eggs, everything except milk which I don't like! I hope this advice helps you because bladder infections are awful! And the antibiotics are awful too! By the way, peeing at regular intervals helps too, don't keep the urine inside! The cranberry pills or juice never helped me but I do take quite a bit of Vitamin C.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Ti (Houston, Usa) on 07/08/2011
★★★★★
Some things that helped solve my bladder infection:
- Cranberry capsules
- Garlic (raw or from olive bar) 3-4 times dily 4-5 cloves each time
- 2 Tb ACV in 8 Ounces warm water 3 tie daily (away from meals)
- Good quality probiotics daily
- Yoghurt with active cultures
Changing underwear 3 times daily.
Ted's Remedies
Posted by Bette With A Pebble (Nj, Usa) on 07/07/2011
Uva Ursi worked for me (Thank you Ted). I used up one two-ounce bottle of the liquid over the course of a day and a half by taking two teaspoons approximately every five hours (during normal waking hours) on an empty stomach. It does taste terrible. Also used Alka Seltzer original as needed for the pain; only needed two separate doses. Also used the sea salt as recommended by Ted.
For maintenance I now take a good probiotic, olive leaf, and lots of stuff that Ted recommends. Please, everyone, look back at the older posts, from Ted in particular, they are priceless when you are in pain.
Check out Ted's old post from 2005:
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/bladder_infection.html
TED'S REMEDIES 03/23/2005: Ted from Bangkok, Thailand writes: "There are other herbal preparations that can be helped with UTI and they are taken usually 4 times a day:
1. Uva Ursi. Has antimicrobial and research has support its traditional use, usually 1-2 teaspoon of the herb.
2. Goldenseal Root. Also long known as a strong antibacterial agent to be used as tea or 1 teaspoon of dried herb in a cup of water.
3. Althea officianalis, used as cold infusion soaked in cold water and drink.
4. Galium aparine (cleavers) Has long history of use and taken with tea.
5. Zea Mays (Corn silk). Diuretic.
6. Buchu - Diuretic and antiseptic properties.
7. Equisetum arvense (Horsetail) - Diuretic, astringent and healing properties."
General Feedback
Posted by Ronald (Clearwater, Florida) on 06/11/2011
Drinking a lot of water is good for UTI's. It washes away germs. I wonder if drinking Chlorinated water is the best way to go. Chlorine is a real germ killer. It is so powerful that it can kill fish. So if you drink chlorinated water and it goes out the urinary track, then the germs get it good.
General Feedback
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 06/11/2011
Chlorine is not god to drink. For starters it depletes the body of Vitamin E. If you leave water sit for about 15 minutes the chlorine vanishes from it.
Google the dangers of drinking Chlorine.
General Feedback
Posted by Sheila (San Diego, Ca, Usa) on 06/12/2011
(Drinking
enough water is a good thing. For me, enough water is 1/2 my weight in ounces.)
Responding to Ronald's post:
Or, from what I've learned from a iodine/iodide Yahoo group I'm a member of, the chlorine will displace the bromine, which will then displace iodine in the body, making folks deficient.
The halides -- fluoride->chloride->bromide->iodide -- lightest displacing the heaviest on the empirical table. I'm still trying to figure out though how taking iodine in larger doses (than recommended) would displace fluoride if displacement happens by weight.
So people ought to do more searching for info/facts before drinking chlorinated water. I'm not so sure chlorinated water is a good idea if it's the chlorinated tap water we're talking about.
Cranberry
Posted by Joanna (Ca) on 07/24/2020
Glad it worked, but which remedies are you referring to please? Just cranberry juice or the other remedies mentioned in the top post? Please clarify for us!
Sea Salt
Posted by Wishingyouwell (Gentle Earth, Ks) on 04/06/2011
I believe Adele Davis, in one of her books, recommended magnesium for bladder infections.
Uva Ursi
Posted by Granny Laura (Waco, Tx Usa) on 03/02/2011
I have also used Uva Ursi in the past for Candida. It can affect the liver so be sure to get plenty of Vit C as well. By plenty I mean a lot. I normally take at least 6000 mg of Vit C divided into at least 2 doses. Start little w/the Vit C and work your way up to larger doses. Dr Linus Pauling recommeded 18 to 20 mg a day just for health maintainance. You will definitely get diahrrea if you try to take large amounts of Vit C if you aren't used to that large a dose.
D-Mannose
Posted by Lynn (Raleigh, Nc) on 01/26/2011
★★★★★
I have had 7 UTI's in the 2 years, which I attribute to too much sex with younger boyfriend. I found out about D-Mannose from a friend last last year. I don't take drugs so I was more than happy to give it a try.
The moment I know I have a UTI, I take 1 teaspoon of the powder and drink 4 -25 oz bottles of water for 2-3 hours... I just keep drinking water and urinating it out. I do this from the early morning until 5 pm. Drinking the water each time I take a teaspoon. Lots and lots of water. It is gone by 8 pm. As a maintenance, I take 1 teaspoon once a week followed by 50 oz of water.
D-Mannose
Posted by Lisa (Pleasant Prairie, Wi, Us) on 01/23/2011
Will taking D-mannose when I do NOT have a bladder infection cause symptoms similar to actually having an infection? One month ago, before I had heard of mannose, I had a bladder infection diagnosed via urinalysis/lab results. I tried treating myself with cranberry, vitamin C, etc... But the pain got too intense and I resorted to antibiotics. After I finished the antibiotics (and lots of probiotics) I continued to take cranberry, then discovered mannose which I began to alternate with the cranberry for maintenance. One week later I started having those old feelings again!
I began the mannose as directed, 2-3 pills 3 times a day for about 4 days. In the meantime, I had a urinalysis that revealed no infection. I still had the heavy, full feeling in the bladder area, worsening as the bladder fills. I have stopped the mannose and the symptoms are lessening leading me to wonder if the mannose caused the symptoms (while no e coli present?). Thanks for reading. Go Packers :)
D-Mannose
Posted by Kloon (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 02/03/2012
I have currently beeing going through something similar. Tried to get rid of the UTI on my own, but ended up taking the antibiotics. For a few days after I finished the anti's, I felt fine/normal. Then I kept getting this pressure feeling, which I had for over a week after. However, I had no other symptoms of a UTI. My friends parent is a pharmasist, and he said that that feeling could actually be from the antibiotics and nothing to do with the UTI. I started taking probiotics and after about 5 days on those the pressure feeling has gotten much much better. It could have actually just been an after-effect of the antibiotics. I have heard great things about d-mannose from a doctor I recently saw and I am going to start taking it everyday as per his directions to help prevent UTI's in the future.
Cinnamon
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 09/01/2010
Sounds great but do read about the side effects of cinnamon on this site! I was quite surprised to find out that cinnamon is not completely safe. I do have bladder infections once in a while but I wouldn't take it on a regular basis!
Cinnamon
Posted by Joven (Philippines) on 12/10/2014
Hi I would like to say thank you in advance to Jim of Bellingham, me and my wife were so worried about the bladder infection. We didn't know what to do really until I searched and found out that cinnamon and yogurt will be effective on uti /bladder inpection. Thank you Jim, my wife will try it so we can end the problem, thank you very much and god bless you all.
Grapeseed Extract
Posted by Michelle (San Anselmo, Ca) on 01/18/2012
★★★★★
Yes! Isn't it wonderful, and it's so much cheaper than D-Mannose and Doctors! I just posted about it on my blog. So glad to see others have tried it too.
D-Mannose
Posted by Linda (Los Angeles, California) on 05/01/2012
★☆☆☆☆
Omg, d-mannose does NOTHING for me. I've tried several times over the years, cuz I'm a chronic UTI sufferer.
This last time, I must have drank a TBSP, in a tall glass of water, every few hours for two days, and no difference, I just got the runs!!!
I wasn't really all that surprised, it's like drinkin sugar water. That's what it is. Some kind of natural sugar that is not metabalized in the body but excreted in the urine. I guess its supposed to bind to the bacteria in the process. I really gave this a good shot, and it didnt work for me.
White Vinegar
Posted by Connie (Fayetteville, North Carolina) on 01/15/2010
★★★★☆
Bladder infection
The white vinegar helps,The feeling of having to pee will goo away fast, I went all day long hurting, ended up leaving work early cause of the pain, I went on line and looked up help. As soon as I mixed it up I felt a little better. And a little better is, Alot better when you feel that way....2 tablesoons to 1 and a half cups of water.
Vitamin C
Posted by Tracey (Gainesville, Fl) on 12/09/2009
where did you get this diluted form of vitamin c? how to measure?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Uva Ursi
Posted by Christinesr (Vaughn, Wa) on 10/20/2009
★★★★★
I battled UTI's for years on a monthly basis and had doctors give me 3-5 day doses of antibiotics which only made me resistant. I could not get the doctors to understand what they were doing! So, I searched out natural remedy's that I now swear by. This is my daily routine & when I have an infection (which has been 2x' in the last 3 years!)
Daily:
ACV pill 2x's a day
UVA URSA pills 2x's a day (there are some pills that are for balancing the urinary tract system that have this herb in it)
Vitamin C 1x's a day
Water, water, water
Keep it clean down there, especially after sex
During a UTI:
Double or triple dosage of ACV
Double UVA URSA dosage
Sit in a shallow tub with warm water and 1-2 cups of ACV. Soak for about 5 minutes.
Cut out all sugar
I have shared this with friends who now swear off doctors for UTIs.
Cranberry
Posted by Jan (W. Ma, USA) on 09/27/2009
★★★★★
Cranberry extract (just a drop or two - it's potent stuff!) clears up urinary tract infections in humans and dogs (probably in cats also, but I've never tried).
Humans: dilute two drops in 8 oz. of water and drink. Use twice a day until gone (usually within 36 hours). Or just drink diluted regular cranberry juice, sugar-free.
Dogs: dilute one or two drops (depending on size of dogs) in water and squirt down throat with a medicine syringe. Use twice a day until gone (usually within 36 hours).
Cranberry
Posted by Jamie (Lake Worth, Fl) on 09/28/2009
While I agree with cranberry extract for urinary tract problems. Plain Cranberry juice will not be strong enough to correct a problem. There is no way a person could drink enough of it.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Jenk40 (Seattle, Wa, USA) on 08/29/2009
I have a question for Ted. I took 1 tbsp ACV and 1 tbsp baking soda together for UTI and it has caused watery diarrhea now for over 24 hours. Can you please recommend anything that will help?
Apple Cider Vinegar, D-Mannose
Posted by Stefani (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) on 08/26/2009
★★★★★
I'm new to this site but SO glad I found it! I have been suffering from a recurring UTI for the past 3 months and I was getting fed up with all of the harsh antibiotics I'd been prescribed (Cipro, Bactrim). I am also without health insurance at this time, so I began to search on the internet for effective NATURAL remedies to get rid of this awful infection once and for all and that's when I read about apple cidar vinegar and D-Mannose. I bought a small jar of ____ Apple Cidar Vinegar (with the mother) from my local whole foods and not being totally convinced it would work, sprung for the D-Mannose tablets too. I've found that the apple cidar vinegar was pretty strong, but I still put two tsp in a glass of water (or tea or cranberry juice) three times a day for three days. The frequency of urination was beginning to subside, but because I was taking both ACV and D-Mannose, I couldn't determine which one was working. Since the ACV was giving my stomach a hard time, I decided to stop taking it for a day or two, but kept up the D-Mannose. To my astonishment (and relief), the D-Mannose seems to have done the trick! No more frequent, painful urination! Today is Day 6 of treating my UTI on my own (Day 3 of taking ONLY D-Mannose) and so far, so good! I feel like a normal human being again! I've read that D-Mannose is only effective in powder form, but I have to disagree, at least in my case. I take two capsules first thing in the morning with a full glass of water and one capsule at night before bed and presto! No moe UTI! (Although I do want to point out that since drinking the ACV, my skin has never looked better!) I just wanted to share my experience, as so many of you have shared yours, and hope that sharing my experience might help someone, as I have been helped by this site! Good luck in searching for natural remedies and remember - don't give up! There ARE other ways to treat infection and disease besides what your doctor pushes on you. Find answers and find good health!
Club Soda
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 08/10/2009
I hadn't heard of club soda for uti's but it is an age old remedy here in ireland for heartburn. (Thanks to Ted, now I know why it works) I discovered it when I was pregnant and afraid to try any other medications or remedies in case I hurt my baby. This stuff was a godsend. It is essentially the same as teds recipe with added carbonated water. Teds remedy works out an awful lot cheaper though.
Another one that I used when I was pregnant was club tonic water for leg and foot cramps. It contains quinine and seemimgly this is what a doctor will give you in tablet form for this ailment anyway.
Club Soda
Posted by Carolyn (Sacramento, Ca) on 10/08/2011
I am currently taking D-mannose for a recurrance of a UTI after Cipro (some surprise right! ). Is it ok to take baking soda and water or club soda while still on the D-Mannose? I know that D-Mannose works by making the e-coli stick to the d-mannose molecules and then flush out in urination. I think that baking soda, club soda, and lemon juice all work because they make the urine alkaline. Does that interfere with D-Mannose? Interesting that Uva Ursi only works in alkaline urine. I thought that getting your urine alkaline was what cured the UTI. I'm confused!
Antibiotics, Cranberry Juice
Posted by Sy (Scottsdale, AZ) on 06/28/2009
★☆☆☆☆
Question - 3 different occasions (2 at my Dr. office and once at home)I took a test with test strips to determined a UTI and they all came back positive. My Dr. has recently had my urine cultured but it came back negative.
HISTORY*** May 12,09 I got a UTI, not diagnosed by a Dr. but by knowing what it feels like. So, I started with an over the counter cranberry med. that has worked for me in the past. After a couple of days the UTI felt better but it was obvious I still had it. I then added pure cranberry juice to the remedy but that did not change a thing. I read on this website to try apple cider vinegar, so I started with the pill form ( I can not drink it) again it felt better but still did not cure the UTI. I then went to my Dr. 7 Jun 09. That is when I was tested for the first time at the Dr. office and the test came back positive. The Dr. put me on a 7 day antibiotics at the end of the 7 days I still had the UTI. Thinking it was all in my mind, 2 days later I took an over-the-counter UTI test and it came back positive. I then made an appt with my Dr. once again, the Dr. took another UTI test and it came back positive and started my on a 10 day antibiotic. In the mean time the Dr. had my urine cultured and to our surprise it came back NEGATIVE. I am still having pain and AT A LOSS!! CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
