Medical herbalist, Amanda McQuade in her book "Herbal Remedies for Women," describes frequent, painful urination, fever, fatigue and urgency as symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). She continues on to note that pathogenic organisms---such as E-coli, proteus and klebsiella---as well as kidney stones, cause these symptoms. McQuade explains that the urinary tract is not sterile, but on the contrary, it is home to many bacteria that are not usually bothersome. Infections occur when stress, antibiotics, hormone imbalances, excessive douching and nutritional triggers cause the urine to be more concentrated, alkaline and susceptible to bacterial overgrowth.
Nutrition
Water is absolutely necessary in treating and preventing urinary tract infections. Water helps keep the organisms present in the urinary tract diluted, moving them along the tract and out of the body. McQuade states that eating too much red meat and refined sugars can change the pH of the urine from acidic to alkaline and welcome the overgrowth of bacteria. The University of Maryland Medical Center Health Library notes that cranberries and blueberries contain substances that prevent bacteria from binding to the tissue of the urinary tract. Regular consumption of unsweetened cranberry juice is considered preventive. Finally, McQuade suggests making salads of the green leafy vegetable-watercress, as it contains antibacterial properties, is high in potassium and assists in the production of urine.
Supplements
Naturopathic physician Tori Hudson describes the use of probiotics for urinary tract infections, in her book "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," published in 2008. Probiotics are good bacteria that support the immune system by keeping levels of disease-causing bacteria low. A 2006 "Townsend Letters for Doctors & Patients" review article of all lactobacilli strains used in the treatment of UTIs determined that Lactobacillus rhamnosus and reuteri were most effective.
In addition to the benefit vitamin C provides to the immune system and collagen tissue production, it also makes the urinary tract inhospitable to infection by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C binds with nitrate, a metabolite produced by bacteria growing in the urinary tract, to create the bacterial toxin and acidifying agent nitric oxide. A highly concentrated cranberry constituent known as D-mannose is useful in the treatment of UTIs. Hudson comments that D-mannose interferes with the binding of E-coli to the bladder wall. A 2002, "Molecular Microbiology" article by Chia-Suei Hung confirms this finding.
Herbs
Hudson discusses the use of antimicrobial and aquaretic herbs for UTIs. Based on traditional use, herbs such as uva ursi, goldenseal, corn silk, buchu and juniper berry have a particular affinity to the urinary tract. According to the 2002 "World Journal of Urology" article, by herbalist and naturopathic physician Eric Yarnell, uva ursi has both preventive action against urinary tract infections and benefits during an acute infection. During in-vitro studies, Yarnell also notes that uva ursi enhanced the action of antibiotics used for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSA). This herb is not safe during pregnancy or lactation and duration of use should be limited to two weeks or less.
Homeopathy
The University of Maryland Medical Center Health Library notes that the remedy Cantharis is the most commonly used homeopathic remedy for UTIs and is considered to be very effective. This remedy is suggested for a UTI when the urine is scanty, and the person is restless and experiences an increased sexual desire, despite a burning sensation and strong desire to urinate. Other remedies suggested by the site include Apis mellifica, Aconitum, Berberis, Mercurius, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, Sarsaparilla, and Staphysagria.
References
- "Herbal Remedies for Women"; Amanda McQuade-Crawford; 1997
- University of Maryland Medical Center Health Library: "Urinary Tract Infection in Women"
- "Women's Encylcopedia of Natural Medicine"; Tori Hudson, N.D.; 2008
- "Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients": Specific probiotic strains are effective for genitourinary infections.
- "Molecular Microbiology" Structural basis of tropism of Escherichia coli to the bladder during urinary tract infection
