5 Steps to stop a UTI naturally; even if you’ve tried everything
Did you know, you can stop a lower UTI without antibiotics?
Using antibiotics for a UTI can lead to
- recurring infections
- secondary symptoms like a yeast infection
- C. diff
- and can even cause tendinopathy in the Achilles or gluteal tendons {source and source}
Of course, if you’re pregnant or are experiencing a fever and flank {low back pain} you’ll want to see your doctor.
Urinary Tract Infections (or UTI’s) are so common it’s estimated that several hundred million women will suffer from it annually.¹
In this post, we’ll discuss what causes a UTI and how you can heal from it with herbal medicine.
Keep in mind, herbal remedies can be an effective treatment for non-pregnant women with conditions like cystitis (bladder), urethritis (urethra), and even pyelonephritis (kidney) and may even help stop recurrent infections.
What is a urinary tract infection?
- UTIs refer to the presence of microbes anywhere in the urinary tract, ranging from the distal urethra to the kidney. The infection is usually caused by bacteria, particularly E. coli, but may be caused by other bacteria as well.
- Botanical medicine can help reduce the duration of your symptoms, prevent progression to upper UTI, and prevent a recurrence.
- Over 56% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetimes, and among those experiencing uncomplicated acute UTI, as many as 20% will have a recurrence within 6 months.
- As the use of antibiotics may become less effective because of antibiotic resistance, herbal remedies can heal our gut and reduce re-infection.²
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
- Use of oral contraceptives (doubles the risk of UTI compared with no birth control)
- History of antibiotic use {disruption of the vaginal flora}
- Pregnancy {the mechanical pressure of the growing uterus}
- Age {declining estrogen levels}
- Constipation
- Incontinence
- Inadequate nutrition
- The occurrence of other diseases and excessive catheter use
What are the symptoms of Urethritis & Cystitis {lower UTI}?
- Sudden onset is typical
- Dysuria or painful urination
- Urge to urinate
- No fever, chills, or nausea
- WBC is normal
- Pregnancy women may present with contractions and pelvic pain
- Achy, crampy, or just not feeling well
- 40% of the woman present with blood in their urine
Strange UTI symptoms include:
- pain in the stomach
- pain at the urethral opening – no pain with urination
What are the symptoms of pyelonephritis {upper UTI}?
**This requires antibiotics, please see your doctor.
- Gradual onset is typical
- Symptoms associated with urination may or may not be present
- Fever, chills, nausea
- Lower to middle back discomfort- Flank pain
- WBC count elevated
- Requires antibiotics; please see your doctor.
—
Ready to reduce your medications? Book a complimentary session to get started:https://taragregorio.com/workwithtara/
What’s the magic formula to stop a UTI?
Consider these lifestyle changes:
- go to the bathroom at the first urge to urinate
- urinate after sex (to reduce the introduction of bacteria)
- drink adequate fluids
- avoid contraceptives associated with high UTIs
- dehydration can increase bacterial growth and lead to a UTI
- use full underwear instead of thongs
- tampons show a decreased risk (compared to menstrual pads)
- wipe back to the front after a bowel movement
- avoid bubble baths {irritating soaps}
- avoid non-absorbent underpants
- consider organic menstrual products, lube, and condoms to keep your vaginal bacteria healthy {I like sustain}
- increase Vitamin C intake
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice
At first signs of any urianry discomfort, you can take a probiotic like Garden of LIfe Urinary Tract+ , drink low sugar cranberry juice and increase your Vitamin C intake. Lower UTI in non-pregnancy women is often easily treated with this simple protocol.
5 Steps to Decrease a Urinary Tract Infection
Step #1
- Take 3 ml of Echinacea tincture every 2-4 hrs for an acute UTI and immune support.
Step #2
- Take a daily probiotic for 4+ days. (look for L. Rhamnous and L. fermentum strains. Garden of Life Urinary Tract works wonders!)
- Take D-mannose daily. I like this blend: https://amzn.to/2Yi3OBA
Step #3
- Reduce sugar intake & increase your greens!
Step #4
- Take 500mg Vitamin C. every four hours.
Step #5
Add a marshmallow root decoction to your drink and sip on it. {see below}
Urinary Tract Relief Recipe:
- Stir 1tbs. of marshmallow root powder into 4-8oz. of water, let it sit for an hour.
- Strain and drink throughout the day.
- An easy way to do this would be to sip on Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea.
- Place the tea bag in a mason jar of cold water and let sit for four hrs. Sip on all day.
If you do not feel better in 1-2 days, Additionally you can follow this protocol from Dr. Aviva Romm:
What is the natural way of healing Cystitis?
Days 1-2
- Drink 6-8 oz. of water or diluted, unsweetened cranberry juice alternating every hour throughout the day.
- Take 3 ml of Echinacea tincture every 2-4 hours.
- Drink 1/4 cup of uva ursi, dandelion leaf, and marshmallow root infusion four times daily.
- Take 500 mg of vitamin C every 4 hours.
- If necessary for a spasmodic bladder, take 3 ml of an antispasmodic tincture including equal parts of wild yam, cramp bark, and yarrow.
- Take a daily probiotic with L. Rhamnous and L. fermentum
- Avoid all sugar, including honey, maple syrup, and other natural sugars.
- Avoid sexual activity during treatment
Days 3-5
- Repeat the above but reduce all doses by 50% if feeling better.
Conclusion
Addressing your gut health is key to healing recurring urinary tract infections.
When your digestion is easy, you’ll have fewer strains of E. coli in the vaginal area. Adding in botanicals, can help soothe the pain of UTIs, and reduce secondary infections like the risk of experiencing a yeast infection.
Always see your doctor if you’re pregnant with urinary discomfort and fever.
Tara
P.S. Ready to get started? Book an exploratory session today: https://taragregorio.com/workwithtara/
Want to know which supplements I love?Log into Fullscript and search the urinary health catalog: https://taragregorio.com/supplements/
References:
¹Romm, A. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. Churchill Livingstone, 2010; 290-298.
² Bone, K. & Mills, S. Principles, and Practice of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone, 2013;264-266.
