Urinary tract infection is the infection of any part of the urinary system.
This includes the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Women are most susceptible to this problem compared to men.
Presently, treatment of UTI involves a barrage of antibiotics but ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Romans and the Greek relied more on herbs and natural remedies. Interestingly, more people are trying out essential oils for UTI when they experience urinary tract infection.
However, seeking medical attention should always be primary, because a urinary tract infection may cause harm if allowed to spread to your kidneys.
There are different kinds of urinary tract infections including:
- Pyelonephritis – kidney infection
- Cystitis – bladder infection
- Vaginitis – vaginal infection
- Urethritis – urethral infection
Common signs and symptoms of UTI includes pain in the kidneys, a strong urge to urinate, very strong smelling urine, passing frequent but small amounts of urine, pelvic pain, urine that appears colored as if bloody, as well as nausea and vomiting.
General causes include poor personal hygiene, diabetes, issues emptying your bladder completely, pregnancy, using tampons, menopause, kidney stones, sexual intercourse, and blocked flow of urine.
STIs also make women more susceptible to acquiring a urinary tract infection.
Urethritis is caused by the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract finding their way from the anus to the urethral tract. The anatomy of women makes this exchange easy resulting in frequent UTI incidences.
Cystisis is caused by among other bacteria, the E. coli (Escherichia Coli) bacteria. This bacteria is usually found in the gastrointestinal tract. When it finds its way from the anus to the bladder, it causes cystitis.
Vaginitis is caused by several things:
- Overgrowth of Candida yeast in the vagina
- An STD, known as trichomoniasis
- Production of too much bad bacteria that overpowers protective bacteria
- Douching
- Breastfeeding and menopause
Pyelonephritis occurs when urethritis or cystitis spreads to the kidneys. Once more the original cause is bacteria that lives in the bowels.
How to use essential oils for UTI?
Do not apply directly to the skin
Essential oils can be hot and may burn your skin when used undiluted. Making a blend with a carrier oil takes the edge off the oils and is the safest way to approach topical application.
In addition, the oil should not be applied directly to your female parts. The application should be on the inner thighs and outer labia or back and buttocks.
Diffuse the oils
You may also use essential oils dropped in a diffuser to inhale. In fact, this is the most recommended method of treating urinary tract infections.
Using aromatherapy allows essential oil properties to reach internal infections like urethritis, cystitis, and pyelonephritis.
Hot compress
Blend some oils and use them in a hot compressor like a towel that you lay on your lower abdomen or the areas nearest to your privates like the inner thighs and buttocks.
10 best essential oils for UTI infection
1. Clove oil
Some studies show that clove oil help to kill E.coli when the bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. This is because clove oil is packed with antibacterial properties that facilitate fighting infections.
With this oil, you also get stronger immune system, preventing UTI in the first place.
Clove oil is very pungent and is also hot. Diluting with a carrier oil and blending with other milder oils will make it more palatable.
Topical application is the best way to use this oil. Targeting the lower abdomen and inner thigh is the best approach.
2. Oregano oil
Apart from oregano oil, which is a topical application option you can ingest, oregano tablets or capsules up to 500 mg per day give you the best of both worlds.
3. Cinnamon oil
The chemical that gives cinnamon flavor has been known to inhibit the growth of E.coli. Drinking cinnamon tea regularly may actually help prevent UTI from reoccurring.
The best part about using cinnamon is that you have options in terms of application.
You can apply cinnamon oil topically or ingest cinnamon in tea or food. It prevents spasms and is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent.
4. Frankincense oil
It boosts your immunity and stimulated urination effectively, keeping the urinary tract clean. Apart from that, frankincense has been proven to speed healing.
While it is an expensive option, a little goes a long way with this essential oil. It can be topically applied or used in a hot compress.
5. Lemongrass oil
It helps to speed up healing all while fighting new infections and supporting your immune system. It reduces the pain and inflammation that accompanies a urinary tract infection.
Lemongrass oil has excellent stress relieving properties. So using it when treating a UTI allows you to relax and relieves the anxiety that you can experience when ill.
This is especially important because a good amount of rest is needed to overcome a urinary tract infection.
Topical application is the best or a few drops on your pillow before you sleep.
6. Juniper berry oil
This oil can prevent UTI infections from getting worse by combating the infection before it completely flares up.
As a powerful antibacterial agent, it helps with gastrointestinal infections and urinary tract infections.
Its ability to have a tremendous impact on fighting infections within the body, despite only being topically applied, is a huge plus.
It is also a relaxant, a quality that comes in handy, because of the strain and stresses the pain of a UTI places on your body.
7. Tea tree oil
It prevents the growth of E.coli because of its antibacterial properties. The vapors from tea tree oil are potent enough to facilitate your body to fight bladder and urethra based urinary tract infections.
Tea tree oil can also be applied topically to the thighs and outer labia.
Make sure to dilute it, because tea tree oil is very hot oil. Alternatively, place a few drops in a diffuser and inhale.
8. Myrrh oil
Myrrh oil is used to fight infections, because of its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. It is also proven to relieve pain and has analgesic properties.
Myrrh contains sesquiterpenes and terpenoids, which give the oil excellent antiseptic properties.
Topical application and hot compress are the best options when using this oil.
9. Sandalwood oil
Used to make perfumes, sandalwood oil has a wonderful natural scent. In addition, it has exceptional anti-inflammatory properties that help with some symptoms caused by urinary tract infections.
It also aids in fast healing once the infection sets in.
This oil blends easily with other oils and is a favorite for aromatherapy. Diffuse a few drops in your diffuser or apply topically after dilution. You can also use it with a hot compress.
10. Rosemary oil
You name it, rosemary does it! It is antibacterial, antifungal, pain and stress reliever, and combats infections and inflammation.
This makes it an exceptional option to deal with urinary tract infections.
You can ingest rosemary in your tea or food or use rosemary oil topically in a blend or a hot compress.
This allows you to take a two-prong approach when treating a UTI using rosemary: ingesting and topical application.
Essential oil recipes for UTI
Recipe 1
Ingredients
- 5 drops of rosemary oil
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 3 drops of lemon oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
Preparation
Mix the rosemary, lavender and lemon oil together until well integrated into each other. Introduced the mixture in small quantities into the coconut oil and fold the mixture gently. Once every drop in mixed continues to fold, mix for two to three more minutes.
Leave it to sit for 15 minutes before applying to your lower abdomen, inner thighs or outer labia.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
- 10 drops of sweet marjoram oil
- 5 drops of lemongrass oil[dt_gap height=”10″ /]
- 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
- Half a bowl of hot water
Preparation
You can mix all the ingredients at the same time in the bowl of hot water. Using a towel, dip into the water squeeze off the excess and lay the towel across your abdomen.
Recipe 3
Ingredients
- Rosemary tea bags
- Chamomile tea bags
- Lemon tea bags
Preparation
Make your tea like normal, with all the above tea bags and drink after every four hours.
Things to consider when using essential oils for UTI
- If your preferred essential oil also comes in an inflatable version, consider using both options concurrently. This way you treat both the outside and within. Ensure what you ingest is a good grade.
- Make sure you keep the option of a doctor on the table. Urinary tract infections can become nefarious very quickly, as is the case of acute Pyelonephritis, which stems from the poorly managed bladder or urethral urinary infections.
- Do not use the oils directly on the mucous membranes of your lady parts. The oils can change the natural balance of the area, resulting in unwanted effects. Undiluted oils will burn you or may irritate you and cause itching.
- If you are breastfeeding, do not use any essential oils without consulting your physician. Traces of the oils may find their way into your breast milk and affect your baby.
Other natural remedies for UTI treatment and prevention
Drink lots of water
Water facilitates the frequent passage of urine clearing bacteria from the urinary tract. It also dilutes urine so that you don’t get the burning feeling that sometimes accompanies concentrated urine.
Eat food rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C has been shown to acidify your urine. Acidic urine, in turn, kills off bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections.
Consider delicious drinks like cranberry juice or lemonade or orange juice (fresh of course) in your daily meal intake for a good dose of vitamin C.
Always wipe from front to back
Wiping from front to back prevents the unwanted bacteria from the anal area from finding their way into your urethra, vagina, and bladder. Remember, urinary infections like Urethritis and Cystitis are caused when bowel based bacteria, like E. coli, find their way into the urethra and bladder.
Maintain good hygiene at all times
Clean private parts, for both men and women, are a crucial key to keeping urinary tract infections at bay. Easy to do basic hygiene, like cleaning yourself before sexual intercourse and urinating after, keeps your private parts clean and healthy.
Bacteria thrive in areas where they can grow unchecked.
Never hold urine in your bladder
Urinate as soon as the need arises. Holding urine means the urinary tract is not cleared naturally by the frequent flow of urine. As a result, bacteria like E. coli stays put in the urinary tract and multiply causing an UTI. This ties into the importance of drinking plenty of water.
The more water you drink the better, and more frequent the flow of urine through your tract and the less likely the chances of bacterial growth and multiplication.
Ingest food or supplements rich in probiotics
Probiotics help to bring back balance to the bacterial ecosystem in your reproductive organs. This is because they are the good bacteria in your body that benefit your organs from the gastrointestinal system to the reproductive system.
They can be most famously found in natural yogurt, but if you are lactose intolerant try some pickles or kimchi, among others.
Also, you can eat bananas, which facilitate the growth of probiotics in your gut.
Conclusion
Urinary tract infection is commonly known to affect more women than men. Always visit a doctor whenever you doubt your experiencing signs or symptoms of UTI.
Before using essential oils, make sure you know what is needed and how to use it. Don’t forget there are also natural remedies for preventing or healing UTI.
Have you had success treating a UTI with any of the above essential oils in our list? Are there more that we have left out?
Feel free to share with us any that you can vouch for.
Also, leave a comment about the article or share your story.
Image credits: Pexels.com, Unsplash.com and Amazon.com
Thank you for sharing this valuable information! I’ve been using essential oils more lately and have been loving it! I used them a lot several years ago and I’m not sure why I stopped! Luckily, I have several of the oils that you have provided here, so I will determine which to use and give it a try! I literally just felt like I might have something going on, so hopefully it’ll nip it quickly before it goes any further! Thanks again! Take care and God Bless!