Natural Cures For Bladder Infection

Statistics show that one in every five women will develop bladder infection during her lifetime. If this isn’t bad enough, this infection also threatens to recur in women prone to it. So, if you’re its victim, you’d better do something about it before it gets out of hand.

Understanding bladder infection

The cause of bladder infection is E. coli bacteria. It causes a number of bladder infection symptoms, like frequent urination, an urgent desire to empty the bladder that may or may not result in urine, burning or pain during urination and bladder spasms. This infection may also produce cloudy, bloody or foul-smelling urine, accompanied by mild fever. The bad news in these symptoms won’t go away on their own, but become worse with time. The quicker you begin the treatment, the less uncomfortable you will be.

Treating bladder infection

Antibiotics are the most preferred bladder infection treatment of most physicians. Although, the bacteria get killed in a jiffy, frequent use of antibiotics for bladder infection affects the immune system and makes it resistant to bladder infection medication. So, the best course is natural cure for bladder infection. There are many natural herbs that can be taken on the first sign of bladder infection, and prove an effective home remedy for bladder infection. Let’s see what they are:

a. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva ursi):

This herb contains a good amount of arbutin, a natural diuretic and antibiotic. Half-an-ounce of it will treat this infection. However, it’ll take three to four hours to become effective.

b. Birch (Betula):

The leaves of this herb contain flavonoids, usually hyperoside and quercetin, which acts as diuretic. Taking a teaspoon of birch leaf tincture several times a day helps in bladder infection cure. This tincture can be made by putting two teaspoons of bark in a cup of vodka and letting it steep for some days.

c. Blueberry (Vaccinium) and cranberry (V. macrocarpon):

Certain compounds in blueberry and cranberry juices prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls, thus preventing the infection. Both these juices also contain arbutin, an antibiotic and diuretic chemical compound that’s an effective bladder infection remedy.

d. Buchu (Agathosma betulina ):

Buchu is has long been a favorite home treatment for bladder infection. It contains diosphenol, a diuretic and antiseptic with antibacterial properties.

e. Couchgrass (Agropyron repensorElymus repens):

Also known as quackgrass, this diuretic has a long history of use for bladder kidney infection.

f. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale):

Dandelion root is a particularly potent diuretic because it contains chemicals, eudesmanolides and germacranolides that help in flushing out the bacteria.

g. Echinacea (Echinacea) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis):

Echinacea or coneflower is an immune system booster and goldenseal is a natural antibiotic. The two can be taken in combination or separately to cure bladder infection.

h. Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea):

It’s one of the safest and most effective diuretic-antiseptic herbs in the treatment of bladder infection.

i. Lovage (Levisticum officinale):

Lovage that looks and smells like celery is also an effective diuretic for treatment of bladder infection.

j. Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis):

A cold-water infusion made from four teaspoons of marsh mallow in a quart of cold water can soothe the burning of the bladder infection.

k. Papaya (Petroselinum crispum):

It’s a diuretic that helps empty the bladder, thereby ridding it of infection-causing bacteria.

l. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica):

Nettle acts as a diuretic and helps cure bladder infection.

m. Yogurt:

Although not an herb, its active bacterial cultures help prevent both bladder and yeast infections.

Dumbfounded by the list of natural remedies for bladder infection? Just goes to prove you’ve a safer and more effective choice than strong over-the-counter prescriptions. However, before you choose these natural remedies, don’t forget to consult your physician first.