Introduction
The cause of cystitis is almost always a bacterial infection and is therefore treated with an antibiotic. However, this is not absolutely necessary for mild infections: Here, a non-drug therapy can be tried first, which often already fights the infection so efficiently that antibiotics become obsolete. If this is not the case, it is still possible to switch to antibiotic therapy.
The most important remedy in every respect is: Drink a lot! This makes it easier to excrete the pathogens in the bladder. About 3 to 4 liters are a good measure to effectively carry out this so-called flushing therapy.
In addition, the regular use of many herbal remedies can also prevent the recurrence of cystitis. With certain symptoms however a physician must be consulted immediately: These include fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. A kidney bed that is painful when pressure or knocking is applied must also be taken urgently seriously (this is located on the flanks, i.e. on the lower back at about belly button height). These signs indicate that the inflammation has already migrated from the bladder up to the kidneys and is causing inflammation of the renal pelvis. An immediate antibiotic therapy is then urgently indicated.
Various possible household remedies
The all-rounder soda can also be used as a household remedy for cystitis. The strength of baking soda lies in the alkaline pH value of this substance: most bacteria that cause cystitis feel particularly comfortable in the acidic pH range. In a more alkaline, i.e. basic environment, they are less able to survive and multiply.
There are two ways to make the close environment of bacteria in the bladder inhospitable with baking soda: By internal use, i.e. taking baking soda with water and external use as a bath additive or sitz bath. To take it, about one level teaspoon of baking soda should be dissolved in a glass of water (0.3 liters) and drunk two or three times a day to move the urine in the bladder to a sufficiently alkaline environment. For use as a bath additive or in sitz baths, see below.
Herbal preparations for the treatment of cystitis can be administered well as tea, as the water supply promotes the flushing of the bladder and thus the flushing out of pathogens. Water-impelling agents (so-called aquaretics or diuretics) are particularly suitable for this purpose. Water-impelling agents include stinging nettle, birch leaves, lovage root, horsetail and goldenrod.
Goldenrod in particular also has an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and pain-relieving effect and is therefore particularly suitable for treating infections of the urinary tract. Antibacterial substances are ideal as a further group of active ingredients: according to current knowledge, bearberry and cranberry leaves prevent the bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall and thus facilitate excretion. In addition, they change the pH value of the urine into an alkaline milieu, which is inhospitable to the excitatory bacteria.
Ready-made tea blends are available as bladder and kidney teas from pharmacies and drugstores. These usually contain birch leaves, horsetail or goldenrod. Cranberry tea is also often found in supermarkets.
