Supporting a UTI Naturally

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can be one of the most uncomfortable and distressing things a person can experience. Some UTIs are mild and not much of an issue, while others can be excruciating. If not addressed, or not addressed quickly enough, it can travel back up into the kidneys and cause a kidney infection, which involves a whole host of other issues and pain.

There is no mistaking a UTI. The feeling usually starts with a burning sensation when urinating, often accompanied by difficulty moving urine, and loss of bladder muscles control. It can include searing pain when urinating or even when lying down. Some describe it as razor blades in the bladder and razor blades passing through the urethra.

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There are natural, effective options that some say work better and are far less expensive than cranberry juice when battling a urinary tract infection. These items can be kept on your cabinet shelf and used immediately when the first sign of UTI tingling starts. Antibiotics can be used as a last resort; however, the natural support for a UTI is so effective most women don’t need further support. For most folks, the cost of having these two items on the shelf is less than a co-pay to the doctor.

Some holistic practitioners say there are two types of urinary infections, an acidic one and a basic one.

A UTI is caused by a buildup of bacteria in the bladder.

D-mannose

D-mannose is a natural, effective way to fight a UTI. It is a natural sweetener, related to glucose, sourced from blueberries and cranberries. It is credited with having the power to stop bacteria from growing in the urinary tract.

WebMD says, “D-mannose might prevent certain kinds of bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and causing infection.”

Dr. Jonathon Wright, a medical doctor of the Tahoma Health Clinic says, “D-mannose treatment of E. coli bladder and urinary tract infections is ecologically sound treatment. The very small amounts of D-mannose metabolized by our bodies and not excreted into the urine are harmless.” He states D-mannose treats over 90% of urinary tract infections.

When the bacteria cannot cling to the bladder wall, there can be no infection.

The NIH studied 308 women who suffered from frequent and recurring UTIs and found D-mannose worked effectively as prophylactic prevention.

BJUI reported a study in 2013 using 308 women who had frequent UTIs. D-mannose worked as well as antibiotics for preventing UTIs over the 6-month period of the test.

Most holistic women only use D-mannose. Click here for D-mannose.

Uva ursi

Uva ursi,  Arcystaphphylos uva-ursi, is also known as Bearberry, as bears eat the berries. It grows as a tree or shrub. As a shrub it creats a dense low-growing carpet in wild areas, often found in the middle region of the United States from Ohio over to, and including, California on North throughout Canada. It contains hydroquinone and arbutin, which are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. The arbutin is known to stun the bacteria so that they can then be flushed out of the body.

WebMD describes uva ursi as a powerful healer for reducing bacteria in urine as well as inflammation. They say, “Uva ursi is used primarily for urinary tract disorders, including infections of the kidney, bladder, and urethra; swelling (inflammation) of the urinary tract; increased urination; painful urination; and urine that contains excess uric acid or other acids.”

The University Of Maryland Medical Center says, “Uva ursi has been used medicinally since the 2nd century. Native Americans used it as a remedy for urinary tract infections.”

They go on to say, “Research in test tubes and animals discovered that uva ursi’s ability to fight infection (is) due to several chemicals, including arbutin and hydroquinone. The herb also contains tannins that have astringent effects, helping to shrink and tighten mucous membranes in the body. That, in turn, helps reduce inflammation and fight infection.”

NYU Langone Medical Center says, “Until the development of sulfa antibiotics, its principal active component, arbutin, was frequently prescribed by physicians as a treatment for bladder and kidney infections.”

Uva ursi seeds can be found on Etsy and E-bay to grow in your own garden. They grow best in rocky soil, have red berries and are classified as an evergreen. The leaves are harvested for tea. To buy uva ursi tea, similar tasting to green tea, click here . The leaves can be ground in a coffee grinder, or smashed in a mortar and pestle, and encapsulated or click here for them already prepared.

Fluids

When resolving a UTI it is important to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the bacteria overgrowth. When bacteria is growing, if it’s not rinsed out, it’ll bloom. If a waterfall is poured over bacteria, it’s washed away.

Rest

Many UTIs have been thwarted by simply staying in bed. The body can combat pathogens if it’s strong enough. This does not work in all cases. Many women report there is no UTI until they get up and do house chores. Then when they lay down, it stops.

Environmental factors

Many doctors say unclean habits cause bacteria from the colon to creep up into the bladder causing a UTI. Others say relations with your partner introduce bacteria causing the UTI. It is this author’s opinion that a UTI comes from an overload of bacteria in the intestinal wall which leaks through the wall, much like Leaky Gut Syndrome, into the bladder causing infection. It is also this author’s opinion, through observations, that when detoxing is taking place and bacteria are being expelled, a build up of pathogens cause a UTI.

Women report higher incidents of UTIs when they are stressed and sitting in a tight space, they bind up their insides, which causes bacteria to grow. The perfect example of this is sitting in an airplane, with tiny seats, smashed between two larger people who overlap their seats. 

Women also report UTIs when swimming in lakes or streams that are contaminated with run-off from farm lands which use pesticides or herbicides.

Enemas

Healthy Way Magazine, a UK publication says, “Bacteria from the colon are common culprits.”

The US Department of Health and Human Services says, “Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that live in the bowel.”

Since UTIs are connected to bacteria in the bowel, flushing the bowel can assist in removing the issue.

Meat stock

Many women report meat stock has taken away their UTI. Meat stock has been tested to show numerous supportive properties for the body. There is a reason chicken soup is used when people are sick. Click here to read more studies and information on supporting the microbiome for full health.

*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor, through The American Naturopathic Medical Association and works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com

“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.