Staph urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can occur in the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra, and be caused by several strains of Staphylococcus bacteria. Symptoms may include burning, cloudy urine, frequent urination, pelvic pain and blood in the urine. Conventional treatment typically includes antibiotics, but severe infections may require hospitalization. Herbs may be effective home remedies for some forms of UTIs. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis from a health care professional before self-treating with herbal or other home medicines, and to consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
Sage
Sage, or Salvia spp., is an aromatic herb native to southern Europe but used in cooking and herbal medicine throughout the world. Traditional healers use various sage species to treat mouth and throat infections, urinary tract infections, indigestion, diarrhea, excessive sweating and diabetes. Active ingredients include alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, camphor, 1,8-cineole, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids and triterpenes, and the leaves have antibacterial, antiviral, antispasmodic, antisudorific and carminative actions. Herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner states that sage is active against Staphylococcus aureus. In traditional Chinese medicine, a species called li zhi cao, or Salvia plebeia, is part of a formula used to treat UTIs. A study by M. M. Peng and colleagues published in the May 2010 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested the formula against five strains of bacteria that can cause UTIs. The study found that the sage formula was highly effective against S. aureus. This study supports the efficacy of sage for staph-caused UTIs, but further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action. Sage should not be used during pregnancy or while breast feeding.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry, or Vaccinium macrocarpon, is a small bush with bright red fruit. The fruit juice has a long history of use as a home remedy for treating urinary tract infections. Cranberries are rich in polyphenols, especially proanthocyanidin and procyanidin. A study by Rainer Nowack and Wilhelm Schmitt published in the September 2008 issue of "Phytomedicine" found that cranberry juice can prevent E. coli, one bacteria responsible for UTIs, from attaching to the wall of the bladder. Recent research has focused on staph urinary infections. ScienceDaily.com reports on an unpublished study by Terri Camesano, professor of chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that was announced at the August 23, 2010 meeting of the American Chemical Society. The study tested cranberry juice on urine samples infected with S. aureus and found that it can also inhibit staph bacteria in the urine. Further studies are needed to confirm these results, but this study supports the use of cranberry juice for staph urinary tract infections.
Juniper
Juniper, or Juniperus communis, is a small cypress tree with needle-like leaves that produces a berry that is actually the female cone. The berries are used traditionally to treat urinary tract infections like cystitis. Juniper berries are rich in essential oils and have diuretic and antimicrobial actions. Herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner states that the berries are active against S. aureus and other bacteria that cause UTIs. The essential oil's antibacterial constituents work as they pass through the urinary tract and are excreted in the urine. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and Dr. James F. Balch also recommend juniper berries for bladder infections, one of the most common form of UTIs. The berries should be avoided during pregnancy and by people with kidney disease.
References
- "Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria;" Stephen Harrod Buhner; 1999
- PubMed: Journal of Ethnopharmacology: The Pharmacological Activities of Compound Salvia Plebeia Granules on Treating Urinary Tract Infection.
- PubMed: Phytomedicine: Cranberry Juice for Prophylaxis of Urinary Tract Infections--Conclusions From Clinical Experience and Research; Rainer Nowack and Wilhelm Schmitt; September 2008
- Science Daily: Cranberry Juice Shows Promise Blocking Staph Infections
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing;" Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D.; 2000
