Home remedies for urinary tract infections include options such as herbal teas and cranberry juice that may offer antibacterial, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory effects. These approaches can help support symptom relief and comfort during recovery.
These remedies are commonly used because they may reduce bacterial adherence to the bladder, increase urine output, and help flush bacteria from the urinary tract. They can also help ease inflammation, pain, and burning associated with a UTI.
However, home remedies should only be used as supportive measures and must not replace medical treatment. Medical guidance is important, as some remedies may cause side effects or are not suitable for certain individuals.
Some home remedies that may help support urinary tract health include:
1. Horsetail tea
Horsetail tea has a strong diuretic effect due to flavonoids in its composition, such as quercetin and apigenin.
It also contains phenolic compounds, including caffeic and cinnamic acids, which may increase urine output and help support urinary tract cleansing.
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon of dried horsetail stem
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1 cup of boiling water
Preparation method
Add the dried horsetail stem to the boiling water, cover, and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the tea and drink up to 2 cups per day, preferably after main meals.
Horsetail tea should not be consumed for more than one consecutive week, as its strong diuretic effect may cause dehydration and mineral loss, leading to symptoms such as headache, muscle weakness, or diarrhea.
This tea is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with heart failure, low blood pressure, kidney disease, or children under 12 years of age.
2. Garlic and ginger tea
Garlic and ginger tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects due to allicin found in garlic and phenolic compounds such as gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone present in ginger.
This combination may help relieve urinary tract infection symptoms such as pain or burning during urination and may help shorten symptom duration.
Ingredients
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3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
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1 cm of fresh ginger root or ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
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3 cups of water
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Honey (optional)
Preparation method
Boil the water with the garlic, then remove it from heat. Add the ginger and honey, strain the mixture, and serve immediately.
This tea should not be consumed by people with gallstones, gastritis, stomach ulcers, low blood pressure, bleeding disorders, or circulation problems, or by children.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and people taking medications such as antidiabetic drugs or anticoagulants should only use this tea with medical guidance.
3. Dandelion tea
Dandelion tea contains compounds such as flavonoids, coumarins, and saponins, which are mainly known for their diuretic effect and may help increase urine production and support urinary tract cleansing.
Ingredients
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1 teaspoon of dandelion root
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200 mL of boiling water
Preparation method
Add the dandelion root to the boiling water, cover the cup, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea, allow it to cool slightly, and drink up to 3 times per day.
This tea should not be used by people with hypersensitivity to the plant, bile duct or intestinal blockages, acute gallbladder inflammation, or peptic ulcers.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and people taking diuretics, blood sugar lowering medications, or lithium should also avoid this tea.
4. Parsley infusion
Parsley infusion has a diuretic effect that may increase urine production and help support urinary tract cleansing.
Ingredients
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1 handful of parsley
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1 cup of boiling water
Preparation method
Chop the parsley into small pieces and add it to the boiling water. Cover the cup and let it steep for 5 to 7 minutes, then strain the infusion, allow it to cool slightly, and drink up to 3 times per day.
Parsley infusion should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or by people with kidney or heart failure.
5. Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice contains a high concentration of proanthocyanidins, flavonoids that may interfere with bacterial adhesion to the urinary tract, especially Escherichia coli.
Because of this, cranberry juice may help support prevention of infections in the kidneys, urethra, and bladder and is considered safe during pregnancy.
Ingredients
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3 tablespoons of dried cranberry or 1 cup of fresh cranberry
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600 mL of filtered or boiled water
Preparation method
Blend the cranberry with the water until well combined, then strain the juice and drink it immediately 1 to 3 times per day.
People who take regular medications or who have benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary obstruction, or a higher risk of kidney stones should only consume cranberry with medical guidance.
6. Nettle tea
Nettle tea may support urinary tract infection care due to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, which can increase urine output and help remove waste and microorganisms.
Its leaves and roots contain compounds with analgesic properties that may help relieve pain and burning in cases of urinary tract or prostate inflammation.
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon of dried nettle leaves
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1 cup of boiling water
Preparation method
Add the dried nettle leaves to the boiling water, cover the cup, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and drink it warm, up to 2 cups per day.
Nettle tea should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding or by people with heart problems or kidney failure.
7. Chanca piedra tea
Chanca piedra tea is traditionally used as a supportive option for urinary tract infections due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial properties.
Its flavonoids, lignans, and triterpenes may help relax the urinary tract and support waste elimination.
Ingredients
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20 to 30 g of chanca piedra leaves and stems
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1 liter of water
Preparation method
Add the chanca piedra to boiling water, cover the container, and let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain the tea and drink 1 to 2 cups per day for up to 2 weeks.
This tea is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for children under 6 years of age.
8. Rosemary tea
Rosemary tea is used as a home remedy for urinary tract infection due to its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, which may help limit microorganism growth in the urinary tract.
These effects are linked to compounds such as cineole and pinene, which have antibacterial activity.
Ingredients
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5 g (2 tablespoons) of fresh rosemary leaves
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250 mL of water
Preparation method
Boil the water, turn off the heat, add the rosemary leaves, and cover the container. Let the tea steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain and drink it without sweetening, 2 to 3 times per day between meals.
Rosemary tea should not be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or by children under 12 years of age.
9. Bearberry tea
Bearberry tea is traditionally used for urinary tract infections because it contains arbutin and hydroquinones, compounds excreted in urine that may exert antiseptic effects in the urinary tract.
Its diuretic effect may also increase urine volume, helping flush microorganisms and secretions.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons of dried bearberry leaves
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1 liter of water
Preparation method
Boil the water, turn off the heat, add the uva ursi leaves, and cover the container. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes, then strain and drink 2 to 3 cups per day for a maximum of 5 days and no more than 5 times per year.
This tea should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 12, or people with stomach conditions such as gastritis or ulcers.
10. Goldenrod tea
Goldenrod tea is used as a home remedy for urinary tract infection due to its diuretic action, which may increase urine production.
This increased urine flow can reduce how long urine stays in the bladder and help remove microorganisms.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons of dried goldenrod leaves
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1 cup of boiling water
Preparation method
Add the goldenrod leaves to boiling water, cover the cup, and let the tea rest for 10 minutes. Strain and drink 1 cup several times per day.
11. Matico tea
Matico tea is traditionally used for urinary tract infections because its active compounds, including flavonoids, triterpenes, and sesquiterpenes, have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
These compounds may help inhibit bacterial growth and reduce inflammation, easing pain and discomfort during infection.
Ingredients
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2 to 5 g of fresh matico leaves
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1 cup of boiling water
Preparation method
Add the matico leaves to boiling water, cover the cup, and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the infusion and drink up to 3 times per day.