Urinary tract infection or UTI is a disease that affects a portion of the urinary tract. It could be either the lower tract that leads to conditions like bladder infections, or it can be the upper tract which causes kidney infections. Symptoms due to infection in the lower urinary tract involves—urge to urinate often, pain while urinating, or even urge to urinate even when you are having an empty bladder. On the other hand, signs caused due to an infection in the upper urinary tract involve—fever and pain in the flank area. Blood in the urine is another symptom, however, it is quite rare.

Various treatment options including medications such as antibiotics can help in treating UTI. However, different people react differently to them, i.e., some patients might experience side effects. Therefore these are only to be taken under a doctor’s guidance.

How to cure UTI naturally?

Water
Drinking plenty of water is the remedy for several health conditions and it works well for UTI too. Water helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria from the system that are causing the infection. It also helps in diluting your urine which further helps in reducing pain and burning sensation during urinating. Make sure that you consume enough water throughout the day so that your body can quickly expel the UTI causing bacteria.

Cranberry juice
Cranberry is a popular natural remedy for treating UTI. Certain research regarding the effectiveness of cranberry juice suggests that having it regularly can minimize the count of UTI developments over a period of a year. Cranberry juice is believed to hamper the growth of bacteria such as E. coli that leads to UTI in most people.

Vitamin C
Consuming foods which are rich in Vitamin C helps in treating UTI naturally. Vitamin C is said to make the urine more acidic which in turn hampers the rise of E. coli bacteria in the urinary tract. It also helps in improving the immune system of the body, so that it is stronger to fight off an infection in the future. You could get your dose of Vitamin C either from natural foods or supplements available over the counter. Foods high in Vitamin C include bell peppers, cauliflower, sprouts, guavas, kale, broccoli, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, and papayas. If you are planning to use Vitamin C supplements, then ensure that you seek the counsel of your physician first.

Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural remedy for treating UTI as it helps in acidifying the urine. This vinegar thus helps in restricting the growth of E. coli bacteria, as they get flushed out from the system when you urinate from time to time. However, the use of ACV not recommended for an extended period as it is highly acidic. It may cause other damages and also not recommended for people who have diabetes or heart-related problems.

Apply heat
Heat is known to have a soothing effect on people suffering from UTI. Heat does not help in alleviating the infection but helps in reducing the pain and discomfort that occurs in the lower abdominal area. Apply a heating pad to the lower abdominal area where the pain is intense. You will be able to get rid of the pain temporarily.

Eat garlic
Allicin is a compound that is extracted from raw garlic. It is believed to possess various antimicrobial properties which help in fighting E. coli bacteria and reducing their colonization. Garlic even comprises antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities that assist in fighting off UTI. You can eat a few cloves of raw garlic every day for treating UTI naturally.

D-Mannose
D-Mannose is a type of sugar associated with glucose that helps in improving the condition of UTI by excluding bacteria from the body that usually stick to the walls of the urinary tract. You can find them in fruits like blueberries and cranberries as well. D-Mannose can be availed in the form of supplements too, but ask your physician before consuming them.

Baking soda
Unlike other acidic remedies, baking soda is an alkaline substance that helps in balancing the acidic content in the body. It helps in soothing the irritation or pain that occurs when you suffer from UTIs. This pain is more common when you urinate but with baking soda, you can reduce the discomfort. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in water and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning for better results and benefits.

Following the above natural treatment options can offer you instant relief. But in case your UTI does not show any improvement, consult a doctor immediately.