Our urinary tract consists of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. An infection in any part of this urinary tract is called a urinary tract infection or UTI. An infection in the urethra is known as urethritis, an  infection in the urinary bladder is cystitis while infection in the kidney is referred to as pyelonephritis. Homeopathic medicines for UTI hold the promise to completely eradicate the tendency toward recurrent infections.

Homeopathic Medicines for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Homeopathic medicines work wonderfully well on urinary tract infections, whether acute or chronic. Natural and safe, these medicines strengthen the disease-fighting mechanism of the body and make it strong enough to fight disease and infections such as UTI.  Homeopathic medicines considered reliable for treating urinary tract infection are Cantharis Vesicatoria, Apis Mellifica, Sarsaparilla Officinalis, Nitric acid, Petroselinum and Colibacillinum.

1. Cantharis Vesicatoria and Apis Mellifica – For Severe Burning while Passing Urine

Cantharis Vesicatoria and Apis Mellifica are among the top listed medicines for urinary tract infection. The key symptoms to look out for while prescribing Cantharis Vesicatoria are intense burning before, during or after urination. The person prescribed Apis Mellifica will complain of burning or stinging pain while passing urine, especially where the last drops of urine cause intense burning. Both Cantharis Vesicatoria and Apis Mellifica are also considered the most useful in UTI cases where bladder tenesmus is marked and where blood appears in the urine. Scanty urine or urine passed in drops from UTI is also best treated with Cantharis Vesicatoria and Apis Mellifica.

2. Sarsaparilla Officinalis and Natrum Mur – For  Intense Burning at close of Urination

To treat UTI with intense burning at the close of urination, Sarsaparilla Officinalis and Natrum Mur are the most reliable medicines. Other attending features for use of Sarsaparilla are – scanty urine, urine with pus and blood and pain in urethra extending to the abdomen. The key symptoms guiding the use of Natrum Mur are frequent, sudden urge to urinate, dark urine and red sediments in urine.

3. Nitric Acid – For Offensive Urine, Burning during Urination

Nitric Acid is one of the most effective medicines for urinary tract infection where the major symptoms include burning while passing urine that is highly offensive. Urine is scanty. Another attending feature is cloudy urine, dark urine and blood in urine.

4. Petroselinum Sativum – For UTI with Persistent urge to Pass Urine

In the case of urinary tract infection with a persistent urge to urinate, Petroselinum Sativum is the most appropriate prescription. The urge to pass urine is sudden. Burning and tingling pain in urethra is experienced while passing urine. Marked itching in urethra may accompany.

5. Borax and Sarsaparilla Officinalis – For UTI in Children

Borax and Sarsaparilla Officinalis are the most suited medicines for treating urinary tract infection in children. Borax is useful where there is an ineffectual urge to urinate. The child screams while passing urine. The urine may smell pungent. In cases where the child screams out in pain both before and during urination, Sarsaparilla Officinalis will prove more helpful. Blood may also appear in urine in such cases. White sand on the diaper or in urine may be noted in some cases.

6. Colibacillinum – For E.coli Positive UTI

For urinary tract infection that tests positive for Escherichia coli bacteria, Colibacillinum is the best medicine. The symptoms include an urge to pass urine frequently, scanty urination and pain while passing urine. The urine may be offensive smelling. Blood in urine is noted in certain cases.

7. Sepia and Staphysagria – For UTI in Women

Sepia and Staphysagria are rated among the most beneficial medicines for treating urinary tract infection in women. Sepia is prescribed when there is cutting pain in the bladder. The urinary stream is weak. Urine is foul smelling. There is a bearing down sensation in the pubic area. Sepia is also very useful in cases of chronic cystitis. It is also recognized as the best medicine for urinary tract infection in women going through menopause. The key symptoms for prescription of medicine Staphysagria are a frequent desire to pass urine, scanty urine and intense burning while passing urine. Burning in urethra continues after urination. There is constant pressure in the urinary bladder as if voiding was not complete. Staphysagria is also the best choice of medicine for cystitis in young, married women.

8. Sabal Serrulata and Chimaphila Umbellata – For UTI in Men with Prostate Enlargement

Sabal Serrulata and Chimaphila Umbellata are highly effective medicines for urinary tract infection in men with prostate enlargement. The guiding features for use of Sabal Serrulata are – smarting and burning in urethra, pain while initiating urination and a feeling of fullness in the bladder. Sabal Serrulata is also indicated for cystitis from prostate enlargement. Chimaphila Umbellata is the recommended course of treatment for intense burning, scalding on urinating. Urine is scanty. Urine may also be turbid, with an offensive odor.

9. Uva Ursi – For UTI with Pus and Blood in Urine

Uva Ursi is a valuable medicine for urinary tract infection where pus and blood appear in the urine. The other accompanying symptoms are frequent urge to urinate, burning and tearing pain in the bladder. Tenesmus of the urinary bladder is also most marked. Nausea and vomiting may also attend.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does one acquire a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection arises when bacteria gain access to the urinary tract and begin to multiply there. Escherichia coli, commonly known as E.coli, is the most common bacteria infecting the urinary tract. The bacteria mainly enter the urinary tract via the urethra and gut. Other less commonly known bacteria causing UTI are Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella. The risk factors that predispose a person to urinary tract infection are using a catheter, incomplete emptying of the urinary bladder, diabetes mellitus, impaired immune system, holding urine for long, prostatitis and enlarged prostate.

2. Explain E.coli and its role?

Escherichia coli or E.coli is a bacterium that causes a majority of the urinary tract infections, nearly 85%. E.coli sits in the human intestine and is passed out in stool. If for some reason the bacterium manages to reach the urethra, it leads to infection and subsequent symptoms of UTI.

3. How do I know I have UTI, what are its key symptoms?

Burning sensation while urinating for one. If you experience burning while urinating, there is a fair chance you have acquired UTI. In some cases, the burning sensation may be present before and after urination. Other symptoms that may attend are – a persistent urge to urinate, scanty urine and pain in pubic region. The urine may be cloudy/red and offensive. Fever with chills and nausea or vomiting may be present.

4. What tests would a doctor run to confirm UTI?

In suspected cases of acute UTI, a routine urine examination is the first step. Pus cells mean UTI. A urine culture reveals the bacteria involved in causing this urinary tract infection. In case of recurrent urinary tract infections, a CT scan, MRI and cystoscopy may be recommended.

5. Why are women more prone to UTI than men?

The length of urethra is short and its orifice quite close to the anus in women. This leads to higher chances of acquiring a urinary tract infection.

6. Can UTI lead to other complications?

A urinary tract infection, if treated well in time, does not lead to any complications. However, if untreated, there are chances of the infection ascending and travelling up to the kidney leading to kidney damage. In recurrent urethritis, there are high chances to developing urethral stricture.

7. I have recurrent UTI and am prescribed antibiotics each time. Does Homeopathy have a permanent solution?

Yes, recurrent urinary tract infection can be treated with great success under the Homeopathic mode of treatment. Homeopathy is a symptom based science. Therefore, even though there are a wide range of medicines to treat recurrent UTI, the most appropriate among them is selected after a detailed study of the individual symptoms involved.

8. My routine urine test shows pus cells, what does that mean?

Pus cells in the urine mainly arise from two reasons – a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

9. Can lifestyle changes help manage urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Taking the following lifestyle measure can help manage urinary tract infections:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Clean anus from front to back after defecation as the bacteria Escherichia Coli (E.coli) majorly involved in causing UTI is passed in stool.
• Avoid holding urine for long and attend the call of nature without delay.
• Maintain personal hygiene.