Treat your urinary tract infection naturally

Did you know that we are one of the only nations who "wipe" but don't "wash" after going to the bathroom? And did you know that a urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most commonly occurring infection among women accounting for more than 11 million physician visits each year - the highest of any other country?

There are two types of urinary tract infections that can occur in both males and females: an upper infection affects the kidney and ureter, and a lower infection affects the urethra and bladder. A UTI is most often caused by the E. coli bacteria (and sometimes other types of bacteria, herpes, or parasites) that develops inside the digestive tract and contaminates the vagina or urethra. Many women experience UTIs shortly after giving birth vaginally, this is due to the weakened muscles of the pelvic floor that interfere with the draining of urine from the bladder. Menopausal women and birth control users often experience an increase in UTIs because of hormonal changes that change the pH of the vagina.

In the alternative medicine community, we believe that urinary tract infections occur most often in people who have made poor nutritional choices or have a compromised immune system. Usually the good bacteria in the gut and the body's immune system keep disease-causing micro-organisms in check, but when lacking proper nutrients or beneficial bacteria, these bad micro-organisms grow, contaminate the vaginal area, and because of a pH imbalance, are able to survive and cause an infection.

In Asian medicine, they believe that eating to much, drinking during meals, greasy foods, dairy, and stress create vaginal conditions that encourage bacterial growth.

Treating your urinary tract infection naturally:

The most common medical treatment for a urinary tract infection is antibiotics. These antibiotics reak havoc on the body, kill good bacteria (that keep bad bacteria in check), allow yeast to grow, and can even cause a UTI (and are the #1 cause of recurrent UTIs). Instead of adding to the environment that caused your UTI in the first place, why not treat it naturally and help resolve the root cause of the infection.

The following are simple remedies that have been proven effective at preventing, treating, and curing UTIs:

1. Drink one 8 oz. glass of water each hour to flush out the bad bacteria and decrease pain.
2. Unsweetened cranberry juice (or capsules) have antibacterial agents that create an unfriendly environment for bacteria to grow. Studies show that 15 ounces of cranberry juice can kill up to 80% of the bad bacteria, and these bacteria fighting properties are present in the urine for up to 10 hours. 
3. Vitamin C and zinc with cranberry juice have been shown to be even more effective. 
4. Lemon juice mixed with water consumed several times a day is a simple home remedy that's effective for many people.
5. Buttermilk mixed with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and water consumed several times a day create an unfriendly environment for the infection-causing bacteria.
6. Consume more acidic foods during an acute infection like grains, seeds, nuts, and fish and to prevent the infection in the first place, consume more fruits and vegetables. 
7. Beneficial herbs for urinary tract infections include: uva ursi, juniper and garlic, buchu, golden seal, parsley, corn silk, marshmallow root, and juniper berry.
8. Equal parts of burdock, fennel, and slippery elm (a teaspoon total) added to boiling water and allowed to sit for 20 minutes and consumed after each meal and before bed is very effective.
9. Acupuncture has been shown to be clinically effective for treating re-current UTIs.
10. Sitz baths and hot compresses are wonderfully effective for post-partum women who experience UTIs.
11. Flaxseed tea and uva ursi / buchu tea are two teas that can be consumed several times a day to prevent and treat a UTI.
12. If you do take antibiotics, a good probiotic or cultured food is recommended to restore healthy bacteria and prevent yeast infections (caused by antibiotic use).
13. Maintain proper hygiene to help prevent urinary tract infections.

These remedies can be used to prevent and naturally treat a urinary tract infection; however, if you are victim of a UTI that just won't go away or keeps returning, ask yourself the following: "Why are you "pissed" off or who are you "pissed" at? (Hint...usually the opposite sex). This is the emotional root (cause) of a urinary tract infection and often must be resolved for those re-current infections to stop returning. Sometimes just answering those questions will resolve a UTI :)

Sometimes a simple natural remedy is all you need to prevent that trip to the doctor's office!