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.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Catheryn (Jonesboro, AR) on 04/02/2007
★★★★★
Although I had begun using VCO for other reasons, I realized after only two months that a chronic, "incurable" bladder condition that I had had for twenty-one years was much better. Then it seemed to just disappear. It has been over a year since any symptoms, and I don't expect any. My urologist was astonished.
Asparagus
Posted by Sarah (Watertown, NY) on 05/05/2007
★★★★★
I used to suffer from horrible uti, and at the time my husband and I didn't have health insurance, (newlyweds). I would go out and buy a can of asparagus, and eat/drink everything in the can. By the time my pee started smelling like asparagus the pain was gone! But I don't know if i accually cured it or if the infection was a recuring one, since I never went to the doctors to get tested. But to aliviate the pain (at least) it worked great!
Olive Leaf
Posted by Kirtti (Solana Beach, CA) on 06/09/2007
★★★★★
I have had frequent chronic UTI's all of my life, and have occasionally tried to cure them naturally, without any luck, just ending up sicker and needing antibiotics. Usually, if I didn't get drugs in the first few days, it moved right into the kidneys. I've tried herbs, accupuncture, energy healing, and nutrition. This time, I was determined, and let it go for a week, trying several things. I tried a whole jar of cranberry juice plus pills every day, and that seemed to help (the urine smelled bad for about a day, but then the smell left. However, about that time, the infection moved up to the kidneys, and the condition got worse over a week's time. Finally, by Friday, I was desperate, as I'd have to get through the whole weekend before I could give up and get to a doctor....and I was having trouble even walking, from the pain. Then, I remembered that I had heard Olive Leaf extract could help. I happened to have some on hand for something else, and took a couple. I googled it and found that you can take up to 16 of the 500 mg pills per day, so I took 4, then 4 more a few hours later. When I got up from my nap, I felt a lot better. I was still in a lot of pain, but less, and somehow, my energy felt stronger, like I was heading out of the woods. I continued to take it overnight, and this morning, I woke up about 70% better! Since I was so ill, I'm still in pain, but not enough to need pain killers.
Some people experience die-off symptoms with Olive Leaf, and it can be used as a prophylactic, which would allow for gradual cleansing, in case you needed to use it in high doses for an infection. However, I didn't experience any of that, as I've done a lot of cleansing before. Still, if I were going to, I'd do it anyway, as it really kicked the infection.
I also tried Ted's salt remedy, but it was at about 10 pm, after the Olive Leaf was obviously working, so I can't be sure what its effect was. However, it didn't make me feel ill, as some here have reported.
As an aside, I recently went to see a Korean doctor, who described about three sets of symptoms I've been having as being connected to an original problem of weak chi in the kidneys and spleen. He gave a very reasonable explanation of how the seemingly unconnected symptoms are all part of a developing problem based on the weakness in the two organs. After a month on his custom tincture, I experienced a reversal in the most recent symptom (period coming a week earlier each month for a few months, with a lot of spotting). So, I believe that if I continue with that treatment, eventually, the internal weakness which leads to the chronic symptoms will be eradicated.
One last thing - I've just read that a high percentage of women with chronic UTI's have a lack of immunoglobulins, which you can supplement with collostrum, so I'll try that, too.
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Vanessa (Orange, NJ) on 04/27/2007
★★★★★
I suffered from Urinary Tract Infection because my boyfriend and I kept passing it to each other. I read of Alka Seltzer to do the trick and Thank God ! I recently had an episode where I thought I had to urine and only a few drops of urine would exit and uh-oh! I started to feel the burn again-Alka Seltzer immediatly flushed it out.
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Tina (Oak Park, Michigan) on 06/05/2007
★★★★★
I recently had a uti that went from urgency to pain complete with blood in urine in less then 30 minutes. I immediately left work and went to purchase some alka seltzer. Took two tablets dissolved as instructed and drank it. It almost instantly relieved the pain, burning, and pressure I felt. It works!!!!!
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Mari (Santa Cruz, CA) on 08/12/2007
★★★★★
After drinking a whole bottle of 100% cranberry juice to cure a bladder infection, I tried the Alka-Seltzer cure I read about on this web-site. It worked almost immediately! Thank you for supplying this useful information.
Alka Seltzer
Posted by Dana (Fort Worth, Texas) on 12/16/2007
★★★★★
Hi! I had the definate beginnings of a UTI last night, and it was getting worse. I took magnesium and zinc, tried to drink sea salt in water (didn't make it too far, since burning pee is bad enough w/o drinking an emetic), and then took the alka seltzer. So, it could've been a combination of these remedies, but as soon as I took the alka seltzer it was GONE. Woo-hoo! Just thought it needed more emphasis as a possible remedy, it's something you might have around the house (b/c these things always seem to hit at night! Why is that?!), and it won't hurt anything to give it a try, as compared to trying to drink salt water or ACV, either of which to me are worse than the infection. Oh, and I just remembered I also drank some lemon juice in water last night, so maybe that helped some too. Hope this helps somebody!
Lemon
Posted by Linda (Vancouver, Canada) on 08/14/2007
★★★★★
re: Lemons w/ White Vinegar and Bking Soda -- Right now I actually am starting to get a bladder infection. I'm freaking out because it is SO painful and I dont want to take any antibotics for it. So I came onto this website and tried the lemon wedges. They totally helped me! The pain is going away. I also tried the white vingar and baking soda remedy (boy did that taste aweful!) and it's also working! I am so happy. I'm going to consume both of those remedies at least 2 more times today. Thanks for your help, it's greatly appreciated.
White Vinegar
Posted by Chris (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 08/17/2007
★★★★★
Right Now I'm 18 and For My Bladder infections I've always treated them with Vinegar. What you do is get a tall clear glass and pour some vinegar into the bottom (little) and then fill glass with tap water filtered water. This is what I do so drink it down and drink a few glasses of water, wait till your bladder feels about halfway full before urninating cause the vinegar needs to be given enough time to work. When you go to the bathroom it should not hurt all. That's the cure for preventation.
First: don't take baths the water could be dirty and can somehow end up in your bladder 2nd: Wash good while showering penis needs to be washed good as well when showering.
I have Found out From my Extremely Smart parents that stuff like Soda Pop can cause Bladder infections. The cure, and this is the only cure i did, was using plain White vinegar. Turns out it gets rid of it fast but if you get the Infection in the Afternoon and was very painful I strongly recommend that you drink fresh cold filtered water for the rest of the entire day. It will do you good big time.
Cranberry
Posted by Cheska (Dahab, Egypt) on 08/21/2007
★★★★★
If your cystitis/bladder infections are sex related try drinking a whole big bottle of mineral water after sex, this does mean you will be running to toilet all night but that is better then waking up in morning with that feeling of pissing razzor blades! It really helps me, the bacteria does not get a chance to get going as is being constantly flushed out. Also try to pee before and after sex. I also wash carefuly with a bottle of water with 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract in it to help steralise area. If you do develop an infection the next day take lots of cranberry tablets to try change your Ph levels as the bacteria cannot survive easily, lemon wedges or juice also help, stay well away from alchohol, sugar and anthing other then wearing lose cotton underware. Ensuring you get a good nights sleep aill boost your immune system and help fight any infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
Dear Pat: If I have a bladder infection or even a kidney problems, yes, vitamin C and citric acid is not helpful. But it is NOT the vitamin C or the citric acid being the problem. It is the pH of the things you are consuming. In event of this problem (uti), the pH should be over 8.
Vitamin C are of two types and people tend to lump them all together. One is the ascorbic acid which is acid and tends to promote bacteria growth by acidity. A sodium ascorbate vitamin C has a pH of about 8 and it prevents bacterial growth. A vitamin C can be both a pro-oxidant and an anti-oxidant depending on the pH. Vitamin C is a two edge sword. If the vitamin C is acid, it is a pro-oxidant. If the vitamin C is alkalline it is an anti-oxidant.
Citric acid and sodium citrate are very different, but chemically they are the similar in most ways, but at different pH.
When a baking soda is reacted with citric acid, it becomes sodium citrate and its pH is over 8. So in event of a kidney and bladder infection whatever you eat, its pH should be 8, or at least 7.
How do I know this is the issue. You mentioned you were helped with baking soda and ACV. The pH is about 7, but if reacted long enough it is between 7.5 to 8.0
It is the same with the other ones. It helps therefore to get a good pH paper and measure it and make sure it is alkaline and pH is about 8 in event of an infection.
Sea salt -- 1 teaspoon one dose only in one glass of water usually will kill the bladder infection. But for tough cases take this along with cranberry juice and some baking soda to increase the alkalinity of cranberry juice to about pH of 8. Sea salt pH is quite often pH is between 7.5 to 8.5. A good quality sea salt will have a pH of 8, a very bad one I have seen (overprocessed overpurified) can be as low as 6. A good sea salt is light brown and never bleached white.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Pat (Lamper, MO) on 01/28/2007
★★★★★
Recently had bladder infection, solved with baking soda and ACV. Nobody ever discusses Vit C problem. If I take Vit C or even a health bar with citric acid, I develop kidney or bladder problem. Would love to cleanse with your 1/4 tsp lemon, soda and pinch of Magnesium and potassium.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Sandy (Orlando, FL) on 02/19/2007
★★★★★
Hi, I have had a recurring Urinary Tract infection so far 3 times in the past 6 months, to which my Dr has prescribed antibiotics. I felt it coming on and as my Dr was out of town was unable to get my prescription refilled for antibiotics. As I was in a great deal of pain (for 3 days and popping AZO tabs like mints) I was searching the internet for a natural remedy and came across this website. I did the vinegar and baking soda remedy and within a few hours the pain was completely gone and has not returned. I didn't have ACV on hand so I did it with just plain white vinegar (2T), baking soda (1t) and water and added a few drops of cayenne pepper. I am so happy!!! Yesterday I was coming home from a trip a feeling myself coming down with Flu Sx (achy, sore throat, and weak). I took some Advil to get thru the long car trip home. When I got home I was exhausted and went right to bed. When I woke up I felt horrible as I could barely swallow, my ears, and face (sinuses) hurt, as well as achy joints all over. I was eager to try the ACV and baking soda (added cayenne and echinacea drops too) cure and took the first drink at about 3 am. It is now 2pm the next day I have taken about 5 glassfuls and I feel 100% better. I still have very mild tired feeling but all other sx are completely gone. Its amazing
Urinate After Sex
Posted by LJ (Nevada City, California) on 10/02/2007
★★★★★
First I want to say, I started taking ACV orally and topically after stumbling on this site for my acne, and it really helped!! So thanks. As for Urinary Tract Infections. I find that peeing and cleaning yourself after sex is the BEST CURE. Before I knew this I got UTI's very frequently, and now I practically never do. Last week, unfortunately, I got a UTI and I think it was because I waited too long to pee after intercourse. Do it within 10 minutes!! Don't let the bacteria settle in!! Your urine will kill those pesky bacteria!! I started taking cranberry pills and drinking tons of water as soon as I knew I had an infection, and it helped. I have read to avoid coffee, alcohol, and sex while you have a UTI, and I believe this is true. I had sex again when I thought my UTI was almost gone, and it flared up within a few hours!!! I try to eat lots of asparagus when I have a UTI, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, coffee, sugary drinks, and take ACV in tea twice a day. My UTI went away after a few days, though not as fast as I thought it would. But, I did break a couple of rules a couple times (had drinks with a friend, had sex with my bf, etc.) So take care of yourself, and avoid the temptation!!! Don't let the UTI spread to your kidneys, as that can be very dangerous. If you feel pain in your lower back with a UTI, that could indicate infection in the kidneys, and I would recommend seeing your doctor asap!!
Grape Leaf Pickles
Posted by Mary (Winston-Salem, NC) on 10/19/2007
★★★★★
Forget drinking vinegar, just eat 2 grape leaf pickles for a bladder infection. They are very salty and vinegary. You can also take 1 cranberry pill while eating the pickles. Wait 30 minutes before you start drinking lots of water. Preventive also after intercourse. Dial antibacterial soap -- wash privates within 5 minutes after intercourse too is great.
Sea Salt
Posted by Dave K (Denver, CO) on 10/30/2007
★★★★★
I just wanted to tell your site visitors about how I got rid of my urinary tract infection without taking antibiotics. I am male, 45 yrs old. I took D-mannose pills, 3 pills three times a day for a week and the buning at the tip of the penis persisted, even with drinking a lot of fluids, mostly water and cranberry juice.
I was discouraged because I had only a minor infection in the tip of the eurethra and yet I still couldn't get rid of it. BUT then I tried two teaspoons of 100% natural unbleached sea salt and started getting better immediately.( but it almost made me vomit ...I'm glad I held it down).
I also read at that time that baking soda or alka seltzer could reduce acidity in my system and that seemed to help keep symptoms from creeping back as well. I still think the sea salt which is also alkalizing, unlike regular salt, did the most good.(I also read that it replenishes lost salts and minerals that are unfortunatly washed away becuase of drinking some much fluid.) I kept up the D mannose as well until I felt fine for thee days or so (reducing the # of pills from 3 to 2 to 1 gradually).
