What herbal tea is good for bladder infection?

By | February 26, 2020
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The following herbs may be useful for short term treatment of a urinary tract infection.

  • Green tea (Camellia sinensis).
  • Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa).
  • Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum).
  • Milk thistle (Silybum marianum).
  • Uva-ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) standardized extract.
  • Buchu (Barosma betulina).

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria and are 10 times more common among women than men. More than 50% of women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime. Most of these infections require treatment with antibiotics. About 30% to 40% of UTIs recur within 6 months after the initial episode. When UTIs do recur, it is often because the treatments used to suppress bacteria seem to work at first, but they do not produce a lasting cure. UTIs can also recur if a woman is infected by different bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of UTIs include:

  • Pain or burning during urination
  • The need to urinate more often than usual
  • A feeling of urgency during urination
  • Blood or pus in the urine
  • Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen
  • Chills or fever (fever may be the only symptom in infants and children)
  • Strong smelling urine
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Nausea, vomiting, and malaise

What Causes It?

Risk factors include:

  • A new sex partner or multiple partners
  • More frequent or intense intercourse
  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy
  • Escherichia coli (E coli)
  • Staphylococcus saprophyticus
  • Use of irritating products, such as harsh skin cleansers
  • Use of irritating contraceptives, such as diaphragms and spermicides
  • Use of birth control pills
  • Heavy use of antibiotics
  • A blockage in the urinary tract (benign masses or tumors)
  • A history of UTIs, especially if infections are less than 6 months apart
  • Incontinence

What to Expect at Your Provider’s Office

Your health care provider will feel your abdomen and kidneys for changes and use laboratory tests, such as a urine culture, to find out if you have a UTI. If the usual treatments do not work, your provider will explore the possibility that you have some other condition. Other illnesses, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), can cause symptoms that mimic a UTI.

Treatment Options

Drug Thera pies

Doctors may presecribe antibiotics or other drugs to treat UTIs. The course for most antibiotics is 7 to 10 days, though shorter courses of treatment are also available.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Some complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies may be helpful for UTIs, but they may not be right for every person. Natural medicines and supplements may interact with prescription medications. Work with a knowledgeable health care provider, and always tell all of your providers about the herbs and supplements you are taking.

Nutrition and Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

  • Drink a lot of fluids, such as herbal teas and water. Avoid sweetened fruit juices and other sweetened drinks.
  • Cranberries and blueberries contain substances that inhibit the binding of bacteria to bladder tissue. Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice regularly helps lower the risk of UTIs. People who are allergic to aspirin should not consume large quantities of cranberry juice. Cranberry juice may interact with certain medications.
  • Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your provider may want to test for food sensitivities. If you are susceptible to UTIs, drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills may help prevent recurrence.
  • Eat antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
  • Eat more high-fiber foods, including beans, oats, root vegetables (such as potatoes and yams), and psyllium seed.
  • Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
  • Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (if no allergy to soy is present), or beans for protein.
  • Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
  • Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in commercially-baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
  • Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

  • A multivitamin daily. Containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
  • Vitamin C. As an antioxidant and for immune support.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil. To help reduce inflammation and promote general health. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources. Fish oil supplements can increase the effects of certain blood-thinning medications.
  • Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus). For maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. There is strong scientific evidence to support the use of probiotics for urological conditions. Refrigerate probiotic supplements for best results. People with severely weakened immune systems should speak wiht their doctors before taking probiotics.
  • Grapefruit seed extract (Citrus paradisi). For antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. Grapefruit may interact with a wide variety of medications. Speak with your doctor.

Natural hormone replacement therapy may help prevent UTIs. Ask your provider about this treatment.

Herbs

Herbs may help strengthen and tone the body’s systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your provider before starting treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, or teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp. (5 grams) herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted. Many herbs interact with medications, and may make certain conditions worse, so tell your doctor about any herbal therapies you are using or considering using. The following herbs may be useful for short term treatment of a urinary tract infection.

  • Green tea (Camellia sinensis). For antioxidant, anticancer and immune effects. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
  • Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa). For anticancer, immune and antibacterial or antifungal activity. Cat’s claw can interact with many different medications. Speak to your provider. DO NOT take cat’s claw if you have leukemia or autoimmune disease.
  • Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). For anticancer and immune effects. High doses of reishi may have a blood-thinning effect. Speak to your doctor if you are on blood-thinning medications or medications for high blood pressure.
  • Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). For detoxification support. People who have a history of hormone-related cancer should use caution before taking milk thistle as it may have estrogen-like properties. Milk thistle may interact with a wide variety of medications. Speak with your doctor.
  • Uva-ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) standardized extract. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb. Uva-ursi may interact with lithium. There is a possibility that a compound in uva-ursi can have a thinning effect on the retina. DO NOT use daily as long-term therapy.
  • Buchu (Barosma betulina). For antibacterial effects. Buchu can interact with lithium and with blood thinning medications. Some health experts advise against using buchu when there is inflammation of the urinary tract or kidney infection. Others disagree. Speak with your doctor.

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic remedies. Professional homeopaths, however, may recommend one or more of the following treatments for UTI based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person’s constitutional type, includes your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate remedy for a particular individual.