There are some home remedies, such as cranberry juice and horsetail tea, that can be used to alleviate the symptoms of cystitis, which is an inflammation that occurs in the bladder and is usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Home remedies help to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery and, therefore, should be used as a way to complement the treatment recommended by the doctor and not replace it. Treatment for cystitis consists of the use of antibiotics, antispasmodics, analgesics and antiseptics, which must be prescribed by a urologist.
Furthermore, it is also important to drink at least 2.5 liters of water per day to promote diuresis and thus reduce the amount of bacteria present in the urinary tract.
Home remedies for cystitis
Some home remedies that can be used to treat cystitis are:
1. Sodium bicarbonate solution
Sodium bicarbonate is an excellent option for treating cystitis, as it changes the pH of the urine, making it less acidic, so that bacteria do not multiply easily, relieving the sensation of pain when urinating.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda;
- 240 mL of water.
Preparation mode:
Dissolve the sodium bicarbonate in water and drink it at once. The same process must be repeated 6 times a day. It is important not to ingest more than the recommended amount of sodium bicarbonate, as it may cause unwanted side effects.
2. Hibiscus tea
Consuming hibiscus tea can increase the amount of urine produced, as it is rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids and chlorogenic acid, which apparently help regulate the activity of aldosterone, a hormone that controls urine production.
Furthermore, other scientific studies also report that the hibiscus flower has antimicrobial properties, especially against Escherichia coli e Klebsiella pneumoniaewhich could help prevent the emergence of recurrent urinary infections.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of dried hibiscus flower;
- 1 liter of hot water.
Preparation mode:
Add the hibiscus flower to the hot water and let it rest covered for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink throughout the day.
Hibiscus should not be consumed together with the medication hydrochlorothiazide, as it may interfere with the action of the medication and cause unwanted effects. Furthermore, despite being considered safe, hibiscus should not be consumed during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and by children under 12 years of age.
3. Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice, also known as cranberryhelps prevent and treat bladder infections as it lubricates the walls of the bladder and prevents the development of bacteria, in addition to reducing inflammation and the amount of bacteria present in the bladder.
Ingredients:
- 8 cups of cranberries;
- 2 cups of water;
- 2 cups of orange or lemon juice.
Preparation mode:
To prepare the juice, you must leave the cranberries in water to make them softer. Then, mix it with water and lemon or orange juice, and drink about 240 mL 3 times a day, without adding sugar.
People more susceptible to bladder infections should drink 1 glass of 240 to 300 mL of this juice per day.
4. Sauce cha
Parsley is a plant that contains apigenin, a compound with diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to eliminate bacteria found in the bladder through urine, relieving symptoms.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch or 15 grams of fresh parsley with stems;
- 1 slice of lemon;
- 250 mL of boiling water.
Preparation mode:
Wash and chop the parsley, then add water and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink several times a day.
Ideally, parsley tea should not be used by pregnant women or people who are taking anticoagulant or diuretic medications.
5. Horsetail infusion
Horsetail infusion is a good natural option because it has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties that help relieve symptoms caused by cystitis.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of horsetail leaves;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode:
Place the horsetail leaves in a cup and cover with boiling water, letting it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 2 cups a day without sugar, preferably after the main meals of the day.
This tea should not be used for more than 1 week in a row to avoid dehydration and the elimination of essential minerals from the body.
6. Herbal tea
Licorice, bearberry and birch herbal tea has antimicrobial, diuretic and immune system strengthening properties and can complement the treatment of cystitis.
Licorice has substances that help fight microorganisms that cause cystitis, in addition to improving immunity due to the stimulation of lymphocytes and macrophages. Bearberry contains arbutin, a substance with antimicrobial effect and diuretic action, helping to eliminate more urine during the day. Birch has properties that help eliminate microorganisms from the urinary tract and have a diuretic effect.
Ingredients:
- 25 g of birch leaves;
- 30 g of licorice root;
- 45 g of bearberries.
Preparation mode:
Place the herbs in a container and mix well. Then, add 1 tablespoon of the mixture to a cup of boiled water, cover and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then strain and drink.
7. Garlic and ginger tea
Garlic and ginger tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of allicin in garlic and phenolic compounds, such as gingerol, shogaol and zingerone, present in ginger, which help combat the symptoms of cystitis, such as pain and burning when urinating. .
Furthermore, this tea helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the duration of cystitis.
Ingredients:
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut in half;
- 1 cm of ginger root or 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger;
- 3 cups of water.
Preparation mode:
Boil the water with the garlic, remove from the heat and add the ginger. Strain and drink then.
8. Dandelion tea
Dandelion is a plant with excellent diuretic action that helps to increase the amount of urine, allowing the bacteria that cause cystitis to be eliminated more quickly.
Ingredients:
- 15 grams of dandelion leaves and roots;
- 250 mL of boiled water.
Preparation mode:
Place the dandelion in the boiled water and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink 2 to 3 times a day.
9. Horseradish tea
Horseradish tea (Rustic armor) has antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve symptoms of pain and burning and reduce the amount of bacteria in the urinary tract, helping to fight infection.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried horseradish leaves;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode:
Boil water and then add the dried horseradish leaves. Let it rest for 5 minutes, strain and drink 2 to 3 cups a day.
10. Vinegar sitz bath
An excellent home remedy for cystitis is a sitz bath with vinegar, as this ingredient is capable of altering the pH of the intimate region and reducing the ability of bacteria to adhere to the urethra and bladder, helping to eliminate them more quickly.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of vinegar;
- 2 liters of warm water.
Preparation mode:
Fill a basin with warm water and add the vinegar. Sit in the basin with water and vinegar and leave the intimate area in contact with this solution for around 20 minutes. Perform this sitz bath daily until the infection has improved.
