Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat UTIs

Dear Land Loved,

I keep getting UTIs and honestly I’m getting pretty frustrated with it. It feels like I’ll treat one, feel better for a little bit and then a few weeks or months later it’s back again.

I’m wondering if there are any herbs or natural things I can do to help prevent them from happening so often? Maybe teas or herbs I can take regularly to support myself?

I’d also love to know if there’s anything I should stay away from, I’d rather be doing something to support my body in between UTIs instead of just waiting for the next one to happen.

Any herbal advice would be so appreciated!

I really hear you, let’s dive in.

UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections in women. About half of women will have at least one bladder infection in their lifetime, and many experience recurrent infections. UTIs are mostly caused by E. coli, common fecal bacteria which causes about 3/4 of all infections. Trichomonas can cause urinary symptoms that can feel like a UTI, and chlamydia can cause urethritis, burning and bladder-area discomfort.

Bacteria get into the bladder mostly from the anal area (wipe front to back ladies!) but intercourse, catheters, surgery, trauma and sometimes bloody menstrual pads worn for hours can also introduce E. coli bacteria to the urethra. Most bacteria that make it to the bladder are flushed out with urination. Some E. coli, however, have a hairy little tip that helps them cling to the bladder wall, making them much trickier to flush out.

So, what can we do?

Unsweetened Cranberry juice is a great preventative. Constituents in cranberries bind to the bacteria and make it harder for them to attach to the bladder wall and therefore much easier to flush out. An acid found in Cranberry juice is utilized by the body to help prevent infection and protect the kidneys.

I also really love Marshmallow root for the bladder. Marshmallow root is mucilaginous and soothes the bladder, reduces inflammation and helps rebuild the bladder's lining. To make a Marshmallow root infusion, weigh out an ounce of the dried root, put it in a quart size jar and fill to the top with boiling water. Put a tight lid on it and let it steep for 8 hours or overnight. If you're curious about other nourishing herbal infusions, check out my free guide.

Corn silk infusions make the bladder strong and healthy, while Linden infusions reduce inflammation.

Hibiscus tea or infusion can kill the bacteria that cause infection. Consuming hibiscus tea daily can reduce the occurrence of infection. Chamomile tea is soothing to the bladder and also a great preventative.

Another preventative is to eat a quart of unsweetened yoghurt a week.

There are some simple things you can do too. Avoid sugary things (especially when you have an infection!), and avoid spicy foods that inflame the bladder. Drink less coffee.

One of the biggest things I want women to know is that you really don't need to be washing your vulva with soap. Women who wash their vulva with soap, especially scented, are more likely to develop an infection. Your vagina is self-cleaning, ladies! Douches and vaginal sprays aren't doing you any favours either.

And pee right after intercourse. Spermacides and diaphragms can increase the likelihood of contracting a UTI if used regularly.

And if you have bladder pain, try sitting in a hot bath to ease it. A cedar bath is lovely.

I think there is also something really powerful about getting so in tune with your body that you start to recognize the very first signs of an infection, long before it gets to the point where it burns when you pee. For me, if I’m doing a yoga pose or stretch that stretches my abdominal muscles and I feel a little twinge or pull in my bladder, I know it’s time to start taking some yarrow tincture. Learning those little signals your body gives you can help you catch things really early.

If you start to feel that first little twinge of a UTI, start drinking plenty of liquid to flush out that bacteria quickly (ideally the liquids discussed earlier).

And then there is Yarrow, which is AMAZING at killing the bacteria that cause UTIs. A dropperful of the tincture taken hourly will cure infections.

If you have an infection that has been going on for a while, I find that for both chronic and acute, Yarrow tincture in combination with Echinacea tincture can clear infections. I use 1 dropperful of Echinacea for every 50lbs of body weight every hour with a dropperful of Yarrow until all symptoms abate. As symptoms start to mellow, you can widen the time between doses if you wish.

There is so much we can do to support our bodies when it comes to recurrent UTIs, and I always love starting with the simple things first. Nourish the bladder, keep things moving, pay attention to those early little signs and give your body the support it needs.

With love,

Vanessa 🖤

PS: Feel free to write back and keep us posted!