Home remedies for UTI, like dandelion tea or a parsley infusion, contain antibacterial, diuretic and anti-inflammatory action. These help to eliminate bacteria in the urinary tract to relieve UTI symptoms and speed-up recovery.
A urinary tract infection is usually caused by changes to the naturally-occurring bacteria, or flora, along the urinary tract. This can happen with holding your urine for too long or drinking little water throughout the day, Leading to inflammation in the urethra, bladder or kidneys. UTIs are associated with symptoms like pain, urinary frequency, or pressure in the bladder. Learn more about the mow
These home remedies should not replace medical treatment. They are a good option for relieving pain and discomfort and can be used as a complement to treatment prescribed by your doctor. These remedies are natural, and many ingredients can be found at the pharmacy or a natural health store.
Some natural remedies for a UTI that can be easily prepared at home include:
1. Horsetail tea
Horsetail tea contains strong diuretic properties, as it contains flavonoids (like quercetin and apigenin) and phenolic compounds (like caffeic acid and cinnamic). These substances increase urination, which helps to remove bacteria along the urinary tract.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried horsetail stalk
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Add the horsetail to the boiling water and allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 2 cups per day, ideally after your main meals.
Horsetail tea should not be used for more than 1 week, as prolonged use can lead to dehydration and loss of other essential minerals from the body. Overuse can also cause side effects like diarrhea, intense headaches, weight loss, pancreatitis, arrhythmias and muscular weakness.
This tea is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor for patients with a history of cardiac failure, low blood pressure or kidney disease.
Read more about the health benefits of horsetail tea can offer.
2. Ginger and garlic tea
Ginger and garlic tea contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that come from the allicin in the garlic, and the gingerol, chogaol, and zingerone in the ginger. These help to combat UTI symptoms like pain and burning during urination.
This tea also helps to strengthen the immune system to decrease the duration of a UTI.
Ingredients
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
- 1 cm of gigner root, or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger
- 3 cups of water
- Mel, to sweeten to taste (optional)
How to prepare
Boil the water with the garlic. Then remove from heat and add the ginger and honey. Strain and drink.
Ginger should not be consumed by patients on anticoagulants, and therefore should be left out of the tea in these cases.
Check-out the other health benefits of ginger and how to prepare it for use.
3. Dandelion tea
Dandelion tea is rich in substances like nitriles, phenylacetic acid and vomifoliol, which contain diuretic and antimicrobial action. These help to treat a UTI by increasing urine elimination and decreasing the quantity of bacteria alon the urinary tract.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dandelion roots
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Add the dandelion roots to the cup of boiling water and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool, and drink up to 3 times per day.
This tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
4. Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice is rich in antibacterial substances like triterpenes, steroids, glycosides, tanins and vitamin C. These help to increase urine acidity, which prevents the growth of bacteria that cause UTIs, like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 ripe pomegranates
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Cut the pomegranates in half and remove the fruit seeds. Place the seeds and the water in a blender and mix until well combined. Strain and drink.
5. Parsley infusion
A parsley infusion makes for a great natural diuretic, and also promotes optimal kidney function. It stimulates rapid urine elimination, which helps to cleanse out any harmful bacteria in the urinary tract.
Ingredients
- 1 handful of parsley
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Dice the parsley and add to the cup of water. Allow to soak for 5 to 7 minutes. Strain the infusion and wait for it to cool, then drink up to 3 times per day.
Parsley infusions should not be taken by pregnant women, or by patients with a history of renal or cardiac failure.
Check out how to prepare parsley tea for UTI treatment at home.
6. Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice contains a high concentration of proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, terpenoids, catechins, citric acid and mallic acid. These substances prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract, and are especially effective against Escherichia coli bacteria.
This juice can help to treat and prevent infections in the kidneys, ureters and bladder, making it a great home remedy for a UTI. It also safe for use during pregnancy.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of dehydrated cranberries
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Mix the cranberries and water in a blender until combined. Strain and drink 1 to 3 times per day.
Another option is to take cranberry supplements. You can take one 300 to 400 mg capsule, once or twice per day. These supplements should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women due to components in the supplement formula.
7. Bearberry tea
Bearberry tea contains antiseptic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains substances like albutin, hydroquinone and hydroxyacetophenone, which increase urination, cleanse the urinary tract and decrease swelling.
In addition, some studies show that bearberry has antimicrobial actions that decrease the growth of infectious microorganisms especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, making it a great home remedy for UTIs.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of dried bearberry leaves
- 1 liter of water
How to prepare
Boil the leaves in the water for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink 2 to 3 cups per day, for a maximum of 5 days.
This tea should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 12, and people with stomach issues, like gastritis or ulcers.
Bearberry tea can cause side effects if more than the recommended dose is used. Some side effects of overuse include ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath or seizures.
8. Nasturtium tincture
Nasturtium tinctures contain antibiotic, antiseptic and diuretic properties that decrease bacterial growth in the urinary tract. They also stimulate urine production.
Ingredients
- 20 to 50 drops of nasturtium tincture
- ½ cup of warm water
How to prepare
Mix the ingredients and drink. This remedy should be taken 3 to 5 times per day. You can purchase this tincture at natural health stores or at homeopathic pharmacies.
9. Goldenrod tea
Goldenrod tea is an excellent home remedy for UTIs, as this herb contains diuretic and inflammatory action. It increases urine production, and therefore decreases the time that urine sits in the urine and decreases the chance for bacterial growth.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of dried goldenrod leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Add the leaves to the water and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup several times per day.
10. Wild radish tea
Wild radish tea contains antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to relieve UTI symptoms. It also decreases the amount of bacteria in the urinary tract, which helps to combat infections.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried wild radish leaves
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Boil the water and add the wild radish leaves. Allow to soak for 5 minutes, strain and drink 2 to 3 cups per day.