Uva ursi and cranberry juice are two home remedies used as alternative medical treatment for urinary tract infections. Standard medical treatment involves antibiotics and pain medication that soothes the urethra. If you believe you may have a urinary tract infection, you should consult your doctor before starting any home remedies.
Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that develops somewhere in the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. The latter two areas are the most commonly infected. Woman suffer from urinary tract infections more often than men, according to information published by the Mayo Clinic. It is usually caused by E. coli, a type of bacteria usually found in the digestive tract that can travel from the anus to the urethra in women because they are in close proximity. Proper hygiene, like wiping from front to back after urinating, is important for preventing infections.
Uva ursi
Uva ursi, or bearberry, is an evergreen plant with red berries that has been used historically to treat urinary tract infections. The leaves contain the active ingredients arbutin and hydroquinone, both of which have antibiotic properties. Uva ursi also contains tannins that work as astringents and anti-inflammatory agents. Hydroquinone can cause liver damage. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, conventional medical treatment is safer than uva ursi.
Cranberry Juice
The cranberry plant, or Vaccinium macrocarpon, produces tart red berries. Drinking cranberry juice may help prevent urinary tract infections by making it difficult for the bacteria to adhere to the walls of the urethra and bladder. The University of Maryland Medical Center says cranberry juice isn't as helpful for infections, which need to be treated with antibiotics. Drinking cranberry juice appears to be safe; however, the University of Maryland says it may interfere with the drug warfarin.
Dosages
The University of Maryland Medical Center says the recommended dosage for uva ursi capsules that are standardized to 400 to 800mg arbutin is 2 to 4g daily. It should not be taken for longer than five days and should not be taken without speaking to your doctor first. The University of Maryland Medical Center says the dosage for cranberry juice is either 3 oz. of pure cranberry juice per day or 10 oz. cranberry juice cocktail. If you're taking warfarin, you should speak with your doctor before drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements.
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