10 Home Remedies for Bladder Infections (that Really Work)!

A bladder infection can cause great pain and discomfort.

Also called cystitis, it occurs when the bladder becomes infected and inflamed.

Affecting more women than men, this condition is commonly caused by E. coli bacterial infection [1].

It causes a burning or stinging sensation during urination, frequent need to urinate, dark and strong-smelling urine, pain in the lower abdominal area, fever, exhaustion, and feeling of illness [2].

Here we have a list of home remedies for bladder infections that are effective and easy.

Natural Remedies for Bladder Infections

Most cases resolve independently within a few days or weeks, but there are circumstances where the infection is persistent or becomes more severe [2].

It’s also possible for cystitis to lead to serious kidney infections.

Use these proven home remedies for bladder infection below before it worsens and spreads to the kidneys.

1. Cranberry Juice

Do you love the sweet-sour flavor of cranberry juice?

You’ll love this refreshing beverage more when you learn about its fantastic health benefits.

Cranberry juice is rich in vitamin C and other nutrients that help keep the body’s immunity in top condition.

This can make the body less susceptible to infections that affect the bladder.

If you do get a bladder infection, cranberry juice can still help, thanks to its strong antibacterial properties.

It contains two potent compounds that fight bladder infection: fructose and proanthocyanidins [3, 4].

These compounds work by preventing bacteria like E. coli from adhering to the cells in the bladder [5].

The 2008 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews released a review of several clinical trials confirming cranberry juice’s positive effects in preventing bladder and urinary tract infections in more than 1,000 patients [5].

Drinking cranberry juice regularly can help keep the urinary tract, including the bladder, in top health.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of fresh cranberries
• 1 cup of water
• One tablespoon honey

Recommended Directions:

• Squeeze juice from the cranberries or use a juicer.
• Stir in the honey.
• Add water to the sweetened juice.
• Drink once a day for one week for treatment and regularly for prevention.

Related: 12 Cranberry Juice Benefits (Backed by Scientific Evidence)

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has long been used as a natural antibiotic.

Rich in enzymes and minerals can stop bacteria from growing and spreading.

It treats bladder infection by destroying E. coli bacteria [6].

Japanese researchers examined the bactericidal effects of apple cider vinegar and found that a 0.1 percent concentration of acetic acid was enough to inhibit the activities of pathogenic bacterial strains [6].

Combine it with fruit rich in vitamin C like a lemon for a more powerful antibacterial effect [7].

What You’ll Need:

• Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass of water
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Recommended Directions:

• Stir the apple cider vinegar into the water.
• Add lemon juice and honey.
• Mix well.
• Drink the juice two times daily for five to six days.

Related: Apple Cider Vinegar for UTI Treatment: 10 Practical Ways

3. Blueberries

Blueberries won’t be called a superfood without a good reason.

They are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, potassium, and antioxidants.

It’s not hard to imagine how your health can benefit from consuming these berries more often.

When your body gets ample nutrients, it becomes more immune to infections and diseases.

These berries also work the same way as cranberries in treating bladder infections.

These fruits also contain an inhibitor that prevents E. coli bacteria from attaching to the cells in the urinary tract [8].

These inhibitors are fructose, a natural sugar, and a polymeric compound with an unidentified nature [8].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of fresh blueberries
• 1 glass of water
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Recommended Directions:

• Use a juicer to squeeze juice from the blueberries.
• Add juice to a glass of water.
• Sweeten it with honey.
• Drink this once a day at breakfast for seven days.

4. Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties.

For thousands of years, folk healers have relied upon this remedy to treat high cholesterol, pancreatitis, diabetes, joint pains, diarrhea, and osteoarthritis, among others.

Its antibacterial and antioxidant powers make it an effective remedy for bladder infections [9, 10].

With the use of agar dilution and disc diffusion methods, a group of researchers from Thailand established that Indian gooseberry contains phenolic compounds that control the activities of bacteria [10].

This potent herb is also rich in vitamin C, boosting the body’s immune system but can also help maintain bladder health.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon of Indian gooseberry powder
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 glass of water

Recommended Directions:

• Put water in a pot over medium heat.
• Stir in the Indian gooseberry powder and turmeric powder.
• Bring to a boil.
• Simmer until there’s only half of the water remaining.
• Drink the solution three times a day for five days.

5. Water

We’ve always known that drinking water is necessary for good health.

Researchers even say that “water is essential for life” [11].

The body is composed of a large amount of water—75 percent to be exact- and helps keep the organs functioning properly [11].

Dehydration due to insufficient intake of water can cause many serious consequences.

Drinking plenty of water is the easiest way to avoid dehydration and, at the same time, treat and prevent bladder infection.

According to Mayo Clinic, “water helps dilute your urine.”

It also promotes frequent urination, which flushes out bacteria from the urinary tract before it can cause an infection.

Sufficient intake of water is indeed helpful in preventing chronic diseases like bladder problems as well as other urinary infections [11].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 glass of water
• 3 slices of lemon (optional)

Recommended Directions:

• Add a lemon slice to the water if you like to add flavor.
• Drink one glass of water in the morning when you wake up.
• Drink a total of eight glasses of water during the day.

6. Uva Ursi

Here’s an interesting fact about uva ursi:

It’s also called bearberry because bears are fond of eating this fruit [12].

This evergreen shrub that bears bright red berries can mostly be found in Europe, North America, the Himalayas, Siberia, and the Iberian Peninsula [12].

Native Americans were among the first to use uva ursi for treating urinary tract infections [12].

Over the years, researchers have done numerous studies on uva ursi’s health benefits using animal subjects and human trials [12].

WebMD explains that uva ursi decreases bacteria in the urine, tones down inflammation, and dries up the tissues.

Its antibacterial properties come from chemicals called arbutin and hydroquinone.

Uva ursi is considered one of the best natural approaches for bladder infections [13].

It’s very important to note that certain dosages of uva ursi can be toxic.

A component of this plant called hydroquinone can cause damage to the liver, so it’s better to consult a doctor before using this remedy.

What You’ll Need:

• 3 grams of uva ursi dried leaves
• 5 ounces of water

Recommended Directions:

• Put the dried leaves in water.
• Leave it for 24 hours.
• Strain the leaves.
• Boil the tea.
• Drink three times a day for five days.

7. Goldenseal

Goldenseal is a popular medicinal herb used to treat many ailments.

These ailments include the common cold, nasal congestion, hay fever, diarrhea, gastritis, hemorrhoids, intestinal gas, stomach pain, peptic ulcer, colitis, and constipation.

It is also often used as a home remedy for urinary tract infections.

A compound called berberine found in goldenseal is said to kill various bacteria [14].

That’s not all. Berberine is also believed to activate the body’s white blood cells, strengthening the body’s immunity against infections [14].

Goldenseal is a potent herbal antibiotic and has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Some people who have used goldenseal have reported mild side effects such as mouth or skin irritation and sensitivity to light.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon of goldenseal root
• 1 cup of water

Recommended Directions:

• Boil goldenseal in water.
• Let it cool a little before drinking.
• Drink the tea twice a day for one week.

8. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has been used in Australia as folk medicine since a hundred years ago [15].

Over the years, its use has spread to other countries, and right now, it’s being used as a key ingredient in many topical products in Europe and North America [15].

Most of these products are designed for treating cutaneous infections [15].

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, making it an ideal remedy for different infections [15].

Its remarkable pharmacological effects can be attributed to terpene hydrocarbons such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes [15].

One study reports that tea tree oil is as effective as conventional medicine in treating infections caused by bacteria [16].

Tea tree oil is said to inhibit E. coli, which is the most common cause of bladder inflammation.

What You’ll Need:

• 10 drops of tea tree oil
• 2 teaspoons of plain yogurt

Recommended Directions:

• Add tea tree oil and yogurt to your warm bath water.
• Soak in the bath for 10 minutes.
• Repeat every day for 10 days.

Related: 12 Incredible Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil (Backed by Evidence)

9. Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate has many uses in the home.

It can bleach your teeth or hair, disinfect the kitchen counter and other surfaces, and remove foul odors in rooms.

It is also a popular remedy for many health problems, including bladder infection.

It helps resolve the problem by reducing urine acidity and speeding up recovery [17].

In combination with heparin and lidocaine, sodium bicarbonate is said to provide pain relief by repairing the lining of the bladder and reducing sensitivity in the bladder nerves [18].

In a clinical trial involving patients diagnosed with a bladder infection, about 80 percent experienced a significant reduction in pain after four hours of taking sodium bicarbonate [18].

The rest of the patients reported pain relief after several days or weeks following the treatment [18].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 glass of water

Recommended Directions:

• Add baking soda to water.
• Drink twice a day for one week.

Related: Baking Soda for Acne: 12 Easy Ways You Can Use

10. Buchu

Buchu is a medicinal plant from South Africa.

Historical records show that this herbal remedy has been used to relieve inflammation, gout, prostatitis, urethritis, yeast infections, cough, cold, stomach ache, rheumatism, and many other health problems.

Not too many people are aware of this, and it’s no longer often used as natural medicine.

When it comes to a bladder infection, buchu can also help.

It is said to “disinfect the urinary tract” in cases of a bladder infection, reports WebMD.

As a diuretic, buchu increases urine flow and helps flush out infection-causing bacteria [19].

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon of buchu dried leaves
• 1 glass of water

Recommended Directions:

• Boil dried leaves in water.
• Remove from heat.
• Let it sit for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Drink once a day for one week.

Q & A About Urinary Tract Infection

• What is the cause of UTIs in men?

1. Unfortunately, if you have a urinary stone, it can obstruct your urine flow. Also, if your prostate has become enlarged, it can surely cause infection.

• What are the risk factors for a bladder infection in adults?

1. The risk factors are:
2. Men will have an enlarged prostate
3. Chances for the placement of the catheter in the urethra and bladder
4. Diabetes
5. Spinal cord injury or nerve injury around the area of the bladder

• Many women suffer from UTI (urinary tract infection) very often. How can they prevent it?

1. Yes, it may be true that women suffer from urinary tract infections often. However, that does not mean they will be sitting with it. They can easily take measures to prevent it. The following measures can help prevent urinary tract infections in women:
2. I feel bothered when you urinate when you feel like it.
3. This is because accumulating urine in your bladder with the increasing pressure can harm the track. In addition, urine is an excretory product and, thus, should be excreted as soon as possible.
4. After urinating, make a habit of always wiping from the front to back region. It is because by doing this, you can prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra from the anus.
5. Never use any feminine hygiene sprays because those can irritate the urethra.
6. I am always taking a shower rather than sitting in a bath in a bathtub.
7. I am drinking more water.
8. I am wearing loosely fitted garments and cotton underwear.
9. It always emptied and cleaned the bladder and genital region after sexual activity.

• How urgent is it for a pregnant woman who has UTI (urinary tract infection) to seek medical treatment?

1. a pregnant woman suffering from a urinary tract infection must seek medical treatment. No time should be wasted. The infection can spread from the urinary tract to the kidneys. This can create further problems during the complicated time of pregnancy for both the mother and the child.

• I am frequently having UTIs (urinary tract infections). What should I do?

1. If you frequently have urinary tract infections, you should seek medical help immediately. This is because the repeated onset of UTIs for longer periods can damage the kidneys. Thus, leading to kidney failure. Therefore, seek IMMEDIATE medical help to prevent UTIs and not have it frequently.

Bottom Line

A bladder infection can resolve without treatment after a few days or weeks.

However, this does not mean that you should completely ignore this condition.

Plus, it causes many unpleasant symptoms you would want to eliminate.

Don’t let yourself suffer any longer from a bladder infection; use these proven remedies for bladder infections to get pain relief and immediate treatment.

Read Next: 11 Effective Home Remedies for UTI (No. 10 is the best!)