If you belong to the numerous individuals worldwide who face recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), you might be looking for natural and alternative methods to reduce the need for antibiotic treatments.
7 Herbs for UTI
Below are 7 herbs and natural supplements that may aid in the prevention and treatment of mild UTIs.
1. Garlic
People widely recognize garlic as an herb, using it extensively in culinary practices and traditional medicine throughout history. They frequently employ garlic to address various health issues, including infections caused by fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Researchers attribute garlic’s therapeutic properties mainly to allicin, a sulfur-containing compound.
Laboratory research has shown that allicin possesses significant antibacterial properties against numerous pathogens, including bacteria like E. coli, which cause urinary tract infections.
While anecdotal evidence from individual cases indicates that garlic may serve as an alternative treatment for urinary tract infections in humans, robust scientific research to substantiate these claims is currently insufficient.
In conclusion, researchers must conduct further well-structured studies to elucidate garlic’s potential role in treating and preventing recurrent urinary tract infections before making any definitive statements about its efficacy or optimal dosage.
People can ingest garlic in its natural, raw state, but it is also commonly available as supplements, typically in capsule form containing extracts.”
Garlic supplements are generally considered safe for the majority of individuals, although they may cause side effects such as heartburn and body odor.
Some individuals might experience allergic reactions to garlic supplements. It is advisable to avoid garlic if there is a known allergy to garlic or related plants, such as onions or leeks.
These supplements may heighten the risk of bleeding and could interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants and specific HIV treatments.
2. Cranberry
Many people widely regard cranberry products, including juices and extracts, as popular options for natural and alternative remedies for urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Various chemical compounds in cranberries, such as D-mannose, hippuric acid, and anthocyanins, may help prevent infectious bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thereby inhibiting their proliferation and potential to cause infection.
While laboratory and animal studies have indicated that cranberries can prevent UTIs, research involving humans has yielded significantly less persuasive outcomes.
In 2012, researchers conducted a review of human studies assessing the efficacy of cranberry products in treating and preventing UTIs and concluded that there is inadequate evidence to confirm that cranberries provide these benefits.
However, the review’s authors acknowledged challenges in reaching definitive conclusions due to many studies’ poor design, the lack of standardized dosages, and the use of various cranberry formulations.
A subsequent review in 2019 suggested that while cranberry treatment may reduce the incidence and symptoms of UTIs in certain instances, it is not as effective as alternative treatments, such as D-mannose and the antibiotic fosfomycin.
Cranberry juices and supplements are generally safe for most individuals; however, they may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Additionally, prolonged use could elevate the risk of developing kidney stones.
High doses of cranberry supplements may also interact with specific blood-thinning medications.
3. Green tea
People obtain green tea from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. They have utilized it for centuries because of its extensive pharmacological properties in various traditional medicinal practices.
Green tea, rich in polyphenols, provides significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
One notable compound, epigallocatechin (EGC), has shown strong antibacterial activity against E. coli strains responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in laboratory studies.
Additionally, research involving animals suggests that green tea extracts containing EGC may enhance the efficacy of certain antibiotics commonly prescribed for UTIs.
However, there is a lack of human studies that specifically assess the effectiveness of green tea in treating and preventing UTIs.
A standard serving of brewed green tea (240 mL) provides approximately 150 mg of EGC. Researchers suggest that consuming a minimal amount of 3–5 mg of EGC could potentially inhibit bacterial growth in the urinary tract, although they have not yet validated this hypothesis in human subjects.
For most individuals, moderate consumption of green tea is considered safe. Nevertheless, it naturally contains caffeine, which may lead to sleep disturbances and restlessness.
Furthermore, consuming caffeine during an active UTI may exacerbate physical symptoms. Therefore, it may be advisable to choose decaffeinated green tea options.
High doses of green tea extract supplements have been associated with liver damage, although it remains uncertain whether these supplements were the direct cause.
4. Mint tea
People occasionally utilize teas derived from peppermint and various species of wild mint as a natural treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs).
In vitro studies have indicated that mint leaves possess antibacterial properties against several bacteria responsible for UTIs, including E. coli. Additionally, specific compounds in mint leaves may help diminish bacterial resistance to antibiotic treatments.
Nevertheless, there is currently a lack of research supporting the efficacy of mint tea in combating UTIs in human subjects.
5. Chamomile tea
Herbal medicine commonly utilizes chamomile tea to address various physical health issues, including urinary tract infections (UTIs). Similar to parsley, chamomile exhibits a mild diuretic effect and is rich in plant compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial characteristics.
These properties are believed to aid in diminishing inflammation, preventing bacterial proliferation, and cleansing the urinary tract of infectious agents; however, further research is required to substantiate these claims.
6. Parsley tea
Parsley exhibits a gentle diuretic effect, which is believed to assist in eliminating bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) from the urinary system.
Two case studies indicated that a mixture of parsley tea, garlic, and cranberry extract may help prevent the recurrence of UTIs in women suffering from chronic infections.
Still, it is essential to conduct more investigations to confirm whether these results hold true in broader populations.
7. Bearberry leaf
Uva ursi, scientifically known as Arctostaphylos uva ursi and commonly referred to as bearberry leaf, has served as an herbal remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in traditional and folk medicine for centuries.
Herbalists source this remedy from a wild flowering shrub that thrives in various regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.
Bears prefer the berries of this plant, which is the origin of its nickname, while herbalists use the leaves in the preparation of herbal medicine.
Once people harvest the leaves, they can dry and infuse them to create tea, or they can process them into capsules or tablets for consumption.
Current research supports the effectiveness of uva ursi in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), but it is somewhat limited. However, various compounds present in the plant show considerable antimicrobial activity in laboratory settings.
Researchers link the key compound arbutin to the potential of uva ursi in combating UTIs, demonstrating its antibacterial properties against E. coli, a common pathogen responsible for UTIs. This positions arbutin as a viable treatment option.
A previous study involving 57 women revealed that adding uva ursi alongside dandelion root significantly decreased the recurrence of UTIs compared to a placebo.
Conversely, a 2019 study involving over 300 women found no significant difference in outcomes between uva ursi and placebo when used for the treatment of active UTIs.
Current research indicates that taking Uva Ursi in daily doses ranging from 200 to 840 mg of hydroquinone derivatives, calculated as anhydrous arbutin, is generally safe.
However, researchers have not verified its long-term safety, and they advise against using it for periods exceeding 1 to 2 weeks due to potential risks of liver and kidney damage.
The bottom line
Self-diagnosing and treating a urinary tract infection (UTI) without the assistance of a healthcare professional is ill advised.
It is advisable to engage in an open dialogue with your healthcare provider if you are considering herbal alternatives to antibiotics.
They can assist you in formulating a treatment plan that prioritizes safety and efficacy.
While research on the effectiveness of these alternatives is limited, many people commonly regard options such as D-mannose, uva ursi, cranberry, garlic, and green tea for natural UTI treatment and prevention.
Additionally, certain herbal teas may offer benefits.
Since herbal and nutritional supplements often lack regulation in many regions, it is essential to select brands that have undergone independent testing by a reputable third party, such as NSF International.
