UTIs can be caused by poor hygiene, impaired immune function, the overuse of antibiotics, the use of spermicides, and sexual intercourse. The most common cause, accounting for about 90 percent of all cases, is the transfer of Escherichia coli bacteria from the intestinal tract to the urinary tract.
For those of you who have experienced a UTI, there isn’t much you wouldn’t do to avoid another one. While I personally have never had a UTI, my patients have told me how symptoms like pain, burning, nausea, and even bloody urine can be debilitating, and for those who get chronic UTIs, the fear of infection can be enough to prevent engagement in any activities that could trigger one. For people who get them frequently, sometimes a specific cause cannot even be pinpointed. This can be frustrating and scary.
Fortunately, there are a few methods of natural UTI treatment and prevention that have worked extremely well for my patients, to the point where they no longer worry about getting a UTI.
These treatments don’t require a prescription, are inexpensive, and are completely drug-free. While your doctor may not know about them, I hope this article will help you completely avoid UTIs—or at least significantly reduce their frequency and severity. I recommend working with a Functional Medicine practitioner who is focused on treating the root cause of your UTIs.
UTIs can be debilitating, but it is possible to get relief without requiring a prescription. Check out this article for five ways to cure UTIs without antibiotics. #functionalmedicine #wellness #chriskresser
What Is the Standard Treatment for a UTI?
Doctors typically use antibiotics to treat UTIs, and the type and duration depend on your health condition and the type of bacterium found in your urine. (2) Commonly prescribed antibiotics are:
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
These antibiotics are often unnecessary and may cause more problems in the future by destroying the beneficial bacteria that prevent pathogenic bacteria from growing. Long-term use of antibiotics can also lead to antibiotic resistance in strains of bacteria like E. coli in the gut, and a UTI caused by these bacteria will be even more challenging to eliminate and can cause more serious issues like a kidney or bladder infection.
Furthermore, antibiotics do very little to prevent the infection from happening in the first place. So, while drugs may be an easy fix for the short term, in the long run, you will continue to be susceptible to UTIs, and these infections may be worse than if you had never taken a course of antibiotics in the first place!
Curing and Preventing UTIs Naturally: D-Mannose
Treating UTIs with D-Mannose
D-mannose is by far the most effective supplement for both treatment and prevention of UTIs. Similar to glucose in structure, D-mannose is a naturally occurring sugar that is found in a number of fruits, including apples, blueberries, and cranberries. (3) This sugar is the reason that cranberry juice has been commonly recommended as a UTI treatment, though it is far easier to get the recommended dosage from a supplement. D-mannose is effective because it attaches to E. coli bacteria, causing them to stick to each other and preventing them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. (4) The bacteria can then easily be eliminated from the body during urination.
D-mannose, even in large quantities, does not cause any adverse effects, and cannot be metabolized the way other sugars can, meaning this supplement is safe for people with diabetes and others who are avoiding sugar for any reason. This treatment is also safe for children and the elderly.
Symptom relief can be seen as quickly as the following day, and most symptoms of UTI are generally resolved after 48 hours of treatment. Additionally, taking D-mannose during a time where you feel you are most prone to UTIs, such as before intercourse or during prolonged antibiotic treatment, can help prevent a UTI from ever developing in the first place. This is especially helpful for those who are prone to chronic UTIs and want to be able to engage in normal life activities without fear of infection.
The typical dose of D-mannose for UTI treatment is 500 mg, in capsule or powder form, taken with or in a glass of water or juice every two to three hours for five days. It is a good practice to continue taking the supplement even after symptoms have diminished to ensure complete elimination of the bacteria in the urinary tract. This dose can also be taken as a preventive, or prophylactic, method.
While there has not been any peer-reviewed research to support the effectiveness of D-mannose in treating or preventing UTIs, clinical and anecdotal experience suggests it is highly effective for the majority of infections, both acute and chronic. Some of my patients who have used D-mannose as a UTI treatment method have even described its effects as “miraculous”—so it’s definitely worth a shot!
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Four Alternative Treatments for Chronic UTIs
One caveat with D-mannose is that it is only effective with UTIs caused by E. coli infection. While this accounts for about 90 percent of cases, 10 percent will not benefit from this treatment. In this case, supplements that help disrupt biofilms can be useful in treating and preventing UTIs.
Biofilms are an accumulation of microorganisms and their extracellular products forming structured communities attached to a surface such as the lining of the urogenital tract. (5) The development of a biofilm can make infections extremely hard to treat, since they commonly return shortly after treatment is stopped.
The antibacterial resistance of pathogenic biofilms is one of the major reasons why those who get a UTI are highly susceptible to getting more in the future—if the biofilm is not completely eliminated, the infection will eventually return at some point.
1. InterFase Plus and Biofilm Defense
This is why the use of biofilm disruptors can be helpful for preventing the recurrence of chronic UTIs. The biofilm disruptors that I recommend to my patients are InterFase Plus from Klaire Labs or Biofilm Defense from Kirkman. These contain specialized enzymes to disrupt the biofilm matrix embedding potential of pathogens, and dissolve the sugar and fibrin components of most pathogenic biofilms. By destroying the biofilms, the recurrence of UTIs despite proper hygiene can be reduced. (6)
2. Lauricidin
Lauricidin is another supplement that may help in treating UTIs, particularly those that are caused by types of bacteria other than E. coli. Lauricidin (a proprietary form of monolaurin) has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial activity, and is specific against pathogenic bacteria so it won’t disrupt beneficial bacteria in the gut. It is highly effective at combating gram-positive bacteria in the families of: (7)
- Streptococcus
- Staphylococcus
- Corynebacterium
- Listeria
- Bacillus
- Clostridium
It works by disturbing the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane, blocking replication and making it easier for the immune system to destroy the pathogen. Lauricidin is only helpful, however, for UTIs not caused by E. coli, which is gram-negative and has a different kind of outer cell membrane than gram-positive bacteria.
3. Nattokinase
Nattokinase is another enzyme that has been shown to dissolve biofilms. (8) Produced by the bacteria found in the fermented food natto, this enzyme is proteolytic and can help break down the fibrin proteins that maintain the structure of biofilms.
Because of its fibrin-breaking ability, it’s important that nattokinase supplements are not taken by people with bleeding disorders, or by people who are taking Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin, or any other drug that influences blood clotting, unless supervised by a physician.
4. Apolactoferrin
Apolactoferrin (or lactoferrin) is one more supplement that I recommend to my patients with recurrent UTIs. This multifunctional protein lactoferrin is a component of the immune system with antimicrobial activity, and is part of the innate defense, found mainly in secretions and mucosal surfaces. (9)
Lactoferrin has been shown to block pathogenic biofilm development by binding to iron and causing the bacteria to “wander” across surfaces instead of forming cell clusters and biofilms. (10, 11) One study found that the amount of E. coli bacteria in the kidneys and bladder of mice was significantly reduced 24 hours after oral lactoferrin treatment, compared to a control group. (12) More research is necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of lactoferrin in treating UTIs, but I believe it is worth trying, especially if dealing with chronic UTIs.
Better supplementation. Fewer supplements.
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Do you have a book that discusses all of these types of comments listed above for prevention and treatment of UTI? If so what is it?
Hi… I’m from Asia. And like them, I also have frequent utis since menopausal period last year. I had anti-biotics but it would keep coming back. Right now, I have mild uti since I have it only in the morning. Once I drank plenty of water, it would clear until night time. What’s the best remedy for this? thank you very much.
I followed Dr. Chris’s advise and purchased pure D-Manoose tablets. Immediately I felt better and I was so proud of myself in finding a holistic approach to deal with UTI infections..UNFORTUNATELY, the D-Manoose only MASKED the symptom. I ended up with a serious UTI infection that lead into the functioning of my kidneys. I really HATE scams when you put people’s lives at risk. SHAME ON YOU DR. CHRIS!
This is an absurd comment. If you know the science behind how DMannose works it does nothing to ‘mask’ the effects of anything. It’s now recommended by Urologists and clinical trials have seen it effectively treat UTI’s caused by E.Coli. Many people are now effectively treating UTI’s caused by E.Coli with Dmannose. The chances are you had another type of bacteria that caused your infection. Shame on you for directing your frustration at a very informative blog that has helped a lot of people.
I have no affiliation with Dr Kessler nor any company that may produce D-Mannose but can confirm D-Mannose worked without a doubt to rid me of a urinary tract infection. As with other natural type of remedies I wonder if the nutrients in your diet or lack of them can affect the efficiency of D-Mannose to an individual?
I have taken Dmanose twice for a bladder infection along with cranberry pills and sugar free cranberry juice. I was totally healed. The last time my infection was a bit stubborn. When I stopped the Dmannose and cranberry, I could feel discomfort. I just continued with the treatment and extra week and I was fine.
I had recurring UTI’s for years until I turned to holistic medicine. I have not had one UTI in over 20 years. D-Mannose does not mask anything! It has changed the lives of many of my friends who constantly felt the tinge of an infection brewing. Once they starting taking it all symptoms disappeared and urinalysis was negative. You must have had another bacteria along with E-coli. The D-mannose was soothing to the tract and eliminated the one bacteria – the less popular bacteria then emerged.
Bekah, just wanted to thank you for your protocol for curing UTI’s. I have struggled with them for years, and particularly the past year, after I have intercourse, no matter how many precautions I take. Not even D mannose seemed to help (and caused me terrible distress in my stomach/intestines to boot!!). This has been so damaging to my physical and mental health, as well as my intimate relationship with my partner. However, your recommended combination of olive leaf extract, cayenne and garlic (I used capsules as the raw garlic also caused digestive issues) has finally kicked the remainder of my last infection, which just seemed to linger for months. Happily some of my ongoing vaginal yeast issues seem to have cleared, and I feel like I have more vitality and mental clarity…the OLE is amazing!
I’m incredibly grateful to you for sharing this protocol, and continuing to help people in need on this site. I’ve searched for help for so many years that I had all but given up after my D mannose experiments! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!!
I’m so glad!
I have something to clear up the vaginal issue for good, too; I send this to all the ladies who e-mail me…
Coconut oil vaginal suppositories: Take 1 heaping tablespoon of (plain old regular) coconut oil at room temp and drop it into a small Ziploc bag, or a square of plastic wrap. Roll into a cylinder shape inside that plastic, and pop it into the fridge or freezer.
At bedtime, insert your magic bullet well up in there so it doesn’t try to slide right back out, wear a pad and sleep on your side. In the morning, you’ll see a colored discharge if you had anything up there that shouldn’t be. It looks like mucus when you’re sick, varying shades of yellow/green. That’s dead germs.
Do that every night until the morning discharge has been clear for 3 days, then do it once a week for a month, and then twice a month as regular preventive maintenance. No more vaginal infections of any sort, ever.
For anyone with a current yeast infection: Add 1/2 tsp ginger and 1/4 tsp turmeric to the coconut oil in a small bowl, allow to steep in a warm place, like inside the oven with the light on, for 3-4 hours. Then stir and pour into the Ziploc bag so the liquified oil is lying along the bottom seam of the bag in a cylinder, and place on the freezer shelf so it stays in that shape. Be aware that turmeric is a lovely golden dye, so you want to wear old sweats as well as a pad, and sleep on an old towel just to be safe. This will tingle strongly when it begins to melt and work, but that subsides within a few minutes, and so does itching and pain. Do that every night till it doesn’t tingle at all when applied, then go to the 2x a month prevention treatment with plain coconut oil.
Hello again! I just want to Thank You for the advice on my elderly mom it helped so much. Hospice took a urine sample and didn’t see hardly no infection, two I think. But the good news No Antibiotics Needed!!!!! I was very surprised. I never thought garlic, Cayenne pepper, a.c vinger, D-Mannose, and olive leaf extract would help.
Wonderful!
I’m so glad she’s better; keep up the good work!
Hi
A few days ago, I had the typical symptoms of a UTI…burning sensation when urinating, tainted pink pee, and needing the bathroom constantly. I began to drink lots of water and took dr rydlands immune formula. by the next morning, I was 90% better. I started taking 4000mg of D-Mannose daily. After 2 days, I began feeling a bit of the burning sensation again and tested myself with the Azo uti home test strips. First time I tested positive on the Wb and negative on nitrites. next day tested positive on both. Went to the gyno and tested negative on everything on their strip 2x. The dr manually checked my bladder and couldn’t detect anything. Not sure what to do at this point? I have minor irritation at this point and continuing to drink d-mannose.
You have an E. coli infection that’s being kept in check to the point that you will only test positive first thing in the morning.
Nitrites are typically only seen in the first urine of the day, unless the infection is full-blown, and when the infection is being fought hard you’ll only see leukocytes in the first test, too.
That doesn’t mean it’s gone. You need strong OLE like Swanson or Vitacost capsules, raw garlic, and cayenne pepper to kill the bacteria as well as flush it out with the D-Mannose.
hi
i have been getting 6 uti,s in the last 2 months, i used many kinds of antibiotics and they went away, but they kept coming back, it was just recently that i discovered that the spermicide that i have been using as a contraceptive is the cause of it coming back over and over again, but the first time i go it was because i didn,t pee after sex and stuff. i have been drinking cranberry and taking cranberry pills, can you please recommend me something that i can by on top of this to preventing of coming back? The fact that i suspended the use of the spermicide will stop them from coming back? And the fact that i have got so many in a short period of time those it make me someone that will get a UTI very easily?
i just want to take care of my self and prevent this from happening again
Thank you.
Yes, this will keep recurring on you until you destroy the pathogens living in your gut and vagina that are re-infecting you.
You need to take a course of caprylic acid, OLE, and activated charcoal to clear your gut of Candida and other pathogens, and also do some overnight vaginal suppositories with frozen coconut oil to kill any pathogens camping out in your lady parts.
Plain coconut oil is fine, just put a tablespoon of it in a small Ziploc bag, form it into a cylinder and put it in the freezer. Before bed, insert well up in there, wear a pad, and sleep on your side. (Expect colored discharge in the morning if a large amount of germs are killed)
Do that every night for 5 days straight before further activity, then one treatment twice a month as regular maintenance.
Take the caprylic acid and OLE with meals (2 each), and the charcoal (5 capsules) 2 hours afterward to clear your gut. Don’t eat between meals, and keep them two hours before and after taking charcoal. Drink lots of water.
Expect some headaches, nausea, and diarrhea until the Candida is all dead; charcoal will mitigate those.
Start taking probiotics after all of your Candida die-off symptoms stop.
Hi Becka!
You’re so awesomely helpful. Thank you. I’ve ordered the OLE and charcoal to start ASAP. I also ordered d-mannose because I don’t know what kind of infection i have, because when i went to the Dr nothing showed up. It’s been on and off for 4.5 YEARS. It started when we were living in a moldy apartment for 6 months and from using spermicide for several years (once we realized it was moldy we left immediately- that hour! And I now use contragel instead of the horrible spermicides).
Is there anything else I should add in because of the longevity I’ve had it, and/or because of the mold? I
Thanks so much,
Shaina
Nothing shows up in your UTI tests when you have symptoms? Or you feel like it’s always there but it doesn’t show up on a test?
The OLE and charcoal are going to go a LONG way toward cleansing your gut and your blood; just getting rid of Candida is a huge leap forward in your overall health. This issue may clear up just with a complete course of that, alternating them as I described before and gradually building up till you’re taking around 1500 mg of oleuropein (OLE’s active ingredient) per day, and all the Candida die-off symptoms have been gone for about 5 days. This takes a different length of time for everyone, and can take anywhere from a week to a month, or longer, in extreme cases.
Most people begin feeling much, much better in a week.
For maximum pathogen-killing impact, you want to take several different types of antibiotic/fungal/viral agents.
OLE is a phenolic type; cayenne, ginger, and turmeric are terpenes, and raw garlic and horseradish are organosulphurs.
Because of it’s safety and efficacy, you want to use OLE as your backbone, but you want to incorporate some doses of terpene-type and organosulphur-type things every day, as well.
This would look like:
On waking: 12 oz water with 1 tsp lemon juice
Breakfast: (no sweets or fruit juice, eat protein) Take 2 (Vitacost or Swanson) OLE capsules, 2 capsules horseradish, or 1/2 tsp grated horseradish taken however you can, and 8 oz ginger tea.
(1 tsp powdered ginger stirred into steaming hot water, steep 10 minutes. Pour off into mug, stir in a little honey and a squeeze of lemon.)
2 hours later: 4 capsules activated charcoal with 12 oz water
Lunch: (avoid starch) 2 OLE capsules, 2 cayenne pepper capsules (1/2 tsp baking soda in 8 oz water will prevent any stomach upset from cayenne)
2 hours later: 4 capsules activated charcoal with 12 oz water
Dinner: (avoid starch, alcohol, and dessert) 2 OLE capsules, 2 cloves raw garlic, minced and pieces swallowed with water, like pills, do NOT mix into food.
2 hours later: 4 charcoal capsules, with 12 oz water
Bedtime: 2 capsules OLE, 2 capsules cayenne, 12 oz water with 3/4 tsp baking soda in it.
Do not eat between meals. Drink 8 oz of water (with lemon juice in it) every waking hour. If you wake in the middle of the night to pee, take 4 more charcoal capsules and 12 oz water before going back to bed.
Gradually increase the OLE dosage until you’re taking around 300-400 mg of oleuropein per dose.
This regimen will cure what ails you, clearing the gut, blood, and organs of pathogens.
Pay attention to how your body responds; the terpenoids are most effective against gram-negative infections, and the organosulphurs are most effective against gram-positive infections. OLE works against both, but you use the others as adjuncts according to which kind of infection you have. Adjust what you take and how often accordingly.
The citations for biofilm enzymes 7 and 8 are broken. http://www.drnitasbrand.com/articles/biofilms-uti.pdf Can you please re-update this citation?
I am particularly curious if there is any evidence that ingested enzymes actually make it to the urine in any measurable amount. I would think these would get broken down into amino acids in the digestive system since enzymes are just proteins. Thanks.
So glad to have found this webpage. At least I don’t feel I’m the only one suffering now. I’m prone to UTiS that hang around. Current one started about 6 weeks ago. Infection showed up in urine so did a course of keflex then some other antibios. No infection showing up in urine test after antibiotics. But symptoms remain – basically feel like I need to still go to loo as soon as I’ve been to loo. Was sent for a renal ultrasound today but thankfully nothing found. However doesn’t help the fact I have this continuing discomfort. Many years ago I used Chinese herbal tincture which worked. Would love your advice this time.
Hi. Thanks for letting us know the link was broken. We have updated it. Here is the correct link: https://web.archive.org/web/20150405071817/http://www.drnitasbrand.com/articles/biofilms-uti.pdf
I get frequent UTIs and I have finally found a good natural regimen that works for me. Lots and lots of water and non-caffeinated teas. Lemongrass essential oil: add one drop to coconut oil as a carrier and apply over bladder and (yes) over urethra. OTC cranberry pills and plenty of vitamin C. I haven’t had to use antibiotics for UTIs in over a year! 🙂
Hi
My son has special needs and he self catheterises several times a day. He’s had many uti and is already becoming resistant to many antibiotics. I don’t want him to be on antibiotics all the time and I am looking for a natural way of preventing uti. He drinks cranberry juice daily and coconut water. I’m desperately scared for his future and if you can recommend anything I would be very grateful
Bekah,
This article and your responses to the people are so wonderful. This is the only place I’ve found some hope so far. I’m 38 and this is my first UTI. I’ve had it for almost 2 weeks. It started fast and moved into my kidneys within a day or two of the first symptoms. I couldn’t even hold my babies on my hips due to the kidney discomfort. I’ve been able to move it down out of there but it’s hanging on for dear life in my tract. I’ve done everything mentioned here except for the biofilm stuff. I’ve been juicing or vitamixing garlic and ginger for over a week now several times a day. I’m using colloidal silver every few hours
(which really seemed to help lessen the severity). I’m mostly eating alkalizing foods and drinking 5 quarts of lemon water each day. Yesterday I got OLE, but I bought the NOW brand with 18% and am wondering if that one is okay. I started with one pill, then two today, and I feel zero die off symptoms. I’ve been doing herbal teas that are mixed myself as well and nothing seems to be getting rid of it. I’m beginning to feel really defeated and don’t know how long it’s okay to let this fester. Is it normal to go on so long with all these measures in place? Thank you so much for any help you can give! It’s truly appreciated.
I haven’t tried NOW brand, but one or two a day even with the good kind isn’t going to give you noticeable die-off.
You need to take two per meal (they’re 500 mg?), and by the end of the first day you do that, you’ll be feeling something, unless NOW is useless. You want to work your way up to 1200-1600 mg of oleuropein per day, depending on the severity of your infection. That’s mg of *oleuropein*, not total mg of OLE.
There’s 90 mg of oleuropein in a 500 mg capsule of OLE, at 18% oleuropein, for example.
Have you tried cayenne pepper, yet? It helps against gram negative infections like E. coli and Klebsiella, the ones that produce nitrites on a test strip. 1/4 tsp mixed into a spoonful of honey.
Keep taking everything you’re taking that helps, and step up the OLE.
I’m guessing you have a Candida overgrowth that’s running defense for your UTI; it buffers the effect of what you’re taking to kill the UTI. You’ll know once you increase your OLE intake, because you’ll feel like death.
Headache, nausea, diarrhea…that’s why you need activated charcoal.
I have been taking olive leaf extract, cayenne pepper and charcoal for over 6 weeks now, to treat a proteus infection. I was getting significant relief, altho I could never cut back to a maintenance dose, without symptoms returning. Now am having recurring episodes of dizziness/lightheadedness, flank pain and occasional nausea with or without vomiting. Any ideas on what I am doing wrong or need to add?
Everything except the flank pain sounds like a blood pressure issue.
What brand of OLE are you using, and how much are you taking of that and the cayenne? The charcoal is just to get you through the Candida die-off period: do you still have die-off symptoms after all this time? Nausea and vomiting can be die-off, but not dizziness/lightheadedness. Those 4 combined sound like your BP is too low.
Can you test it?
Have you used a UTI test to measure how strong your infection still is?
The best combo for a gram negative infection is OLE, raw garlic, and cayenne, along with keeping your pH up with lemon water and avoiding all forms of sugar/starch and alcohol.
Thanks for your ideas, Bekah. I normally have very high blood pressure, and take 3 medicines for it. I do have a cuff here, and will check out my bp. I will also add raw garlic, and stop the charcoal and grapefruit extract. Test strips are showing low level infection.
BTW, I am 5 days into a round of doxycycline (for sinus infection), and yesterday suddenly had a full throttled return to uti symptoms. Couldn’t believe it! Am wondering if doxycycline is interfering with the supplements.
Ohhh, there’s your problem, most likely.
OLE naturally lowers elevated BP, so combined with prescription medications for it, it sounds like you’re lowering your BP too much.
I would cut back on the BP meds while you’re on OLE. Monitor yourself several times a day and if it drops too low, drink a glass of baking soda water and get moving! OLE restores proper BP, so when you take that and then take meds that lower your BP, you get into dangerous territory.
OLE won’t lower your BP too much by itself; I have naturally low BP (105/68, typically) and I can be on high doses of OLE for a prolonged period and my BP doesn’t drop.
Hi again, Bekah.
I responded to your helpful comments, then realized I didn’t answer half your questions! I am taking Vitacost olive leaf, 3 caps two times a day. Also taking Swanson cayenne, 2 caps 2 or 3 times a day. I have tried slowly tapering off, to a maintenance dose several times, only to have symptoms start up again.
I will work on the sugar/starch connection. Makes sense, but oh so hard!
You need to take about 3x the OLE you’re taking now to get a an infection-killing dose.
The bladder is the last stop in your system and OLE is working the whole way there (it kills pathogens in your intestines and then everywhere in your body as your blood circulates), so what ends up in your bladder are the dregs, as it were. It doesn’t reach full strength in your bladder until all the other infections you’re dealing with are killed off. The OLE will kill your sinus infection all by itself, quickly, if you increase your dosage. You want to take 3 *per meal* today, and build up over the next few days till you’re taking 4 per meal and 4 at bedtime. That will punch through the rest of your Candida, clear up the sinus infection, and land in your bladder like a ton of brick on that UTI.
Take the cayenne with every meal, too, and a clove of garlic helps a lot. Mince it and swallow the pieces with water, mid-meal.
What you’re doing now is taking just enough to keep it sort of in check; you need to take a baseball bat to it and keep going till you’ve been completely symptom-free and testing clear for 3 full days before you begin to taper down, at all.
Thanks, Bekah. This is all very interesting information. I think I once read that urinary and sinus are on the same meridian? Any thoughts on whether or not I should finish the doxycycline?
If you’ve cleared out your Candida, you can take large doses of OLE (4 capsules at a time) 4x a day and punch that sinus infection down in less than 24 hours. Raw garlic with every meal will have a significant impact, too.
Honestly, with those 2, you don’t need any antibiotics. You can feel the infection getting better with every dose of OLE and garlic: it’s amazing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you have some lingering Candida, though, because at 3 capsules twice a day, I doubt the oleuropein got far enough through your intestines to clear it out. There’s probably still some of it in your lower intestines, and the antibiotics gave it a boost. Candida overgrowth exacerbates the symptoms of a UTI, somehow.
I noticed that with my infection; when I killed off Candida, I had almost no UTI symptoms even while tests showed the infection was still very much present.
You’ll know by the end of the day, if you still have Candida. Keep the charcoal handy so you can take some if the die-off gets bad.
Bekah,
I have an almost 6 year old child who has recurrent sinus issues. Is it safe to give OLE to a child this age? What dose would you recommend – for both active infection and maintenance purposes?
Thanks so much for your help. It is truly appreciated.
Yes! OLE is totally safe and non-toxic: I give it to my children all the time, including the 4 yr old. You can kill an active infection in a young child with just two Vitacost capsules a day: that’s 90 mg of oleuropein (the active ingredient in OLE) per capsule.
A few weeks before my youngest turned 4, she had a persistent cold and woke up one morning saying her left ear hurt, and she sat listlessly on the couch. I hid the contents of one capsule some cottage cheese (burying a little of the powder in a bite of it, and working our way through the whole capsule a bit at a time: I think it took 8 spoonfuls) and she took it all and sat back down on the couch. 45 minutes later, she got up and started playing with Legos. 15 minutes after that, she was running around the room with her 5 yr old brother, singing. She was totally normal the rest of the day, and the cold was gone. I gave her another capsule before bed to be sure.
So open a capsule of OLE and hide it in bites of food that isn’t hot, and keep going till you’ve got a whole capsule in him.
For daily maintenance to prevent colds, I’d probably hide 1/4 of a capsule in a spoonful of honey. No more colds, flu, or infections. 🙂
Bekah,
I have an almost 6 year old child who has recurrent problems with sinuses. Is it safe to give OLE to a child this age? What dose would you recommend – for active infection and maintenance?
Thanks so much for your help.
It is truly appreciated.
I get UTI’s occasionally usually with intercourse. I have one right now. I always go to my family doctor for an antibiotic, however, I now have GI issues and avoid antibiotics. I have been diagnosed with Fructose malabsorption so I am on a FODMAP diet. This means I must watch my fructose intake. I’d like to try taking D-Mannose but I’m worried it has fructose. If it has fructose and glucose as long as the glucose levels are higher than the fructose levels I can take it. Can you tell me if it has fructose and glucose and are the glucose levels higher than the fructose? What is the best method of preventing these infections in the future? I have tried cream of tartar and lemon juice in water and that doesn’t work. It only helps relieve symptoms during a UTI.
Bekah, I really really really want to thank you from all my heart! You saved me!!!
I am 24 now and I had recurrent UTIs for the last 3 years, since I began the relationship with my actual husband. It was worse in the beginning, I somehow managed to “cure” the infections and go further after some rounds of Cipro and Levofloxacin. I started to wash myself RIGHT AFTER sex, no tender moments and cuddling, nothing, just in order to prevent another infection to come. However, I still had one UTI in 4-5-6 months, antibiotics, loads of water etc.
I had one UTI in august 2015, I took some Cipro and I was ok until this January. We said it’s ok to start “working” for a baby, so he started finishing inside and I had to stay a little more after sex to improve the chances of getting pregnant. January 28 (a few days after our decision) I had the first UTI. I was at work at the front desk in a hotel and I called my baby to get me some Levofloxacin because I couldn’t stand it and I was waiting lots of clients at the hotel that evening. I couldn’t see me dancind the rain dance in front of them because of my permanent urge to pee :))
I took the anti-b for 5 days, them 2 weeks I was ok. But it came back even worse one morning, at 4:30 a.m. I couldn’t even go to work that day 🙁 But because I didn’t know if I was pregnant or not, I didn’t take another round of Levo or Cipro. I had some sitz bath, drank a whole lake of water, peed all day long and in the evening I was better. I somehow cured it in some days, but when we had sex it started again. And again, and again. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. we had sex, the next day I had a stupid UTI. Washing right after didn’t work anymore.
March was horror for me, I could barely enjoy everything. D-mannose was truly expensive and didn’t help at all. My results from the lab were E-Coli in the urine. But no, D-mannose didn’t do a thing. I tried almost everything, from sodium bicarbonate and sea salt (blah!!), teas and hundreds of plants, ACV and lemon, some garlic (not enough because I had to go to work and not stink) etc. When I was truly desperate because of my UTI driving me crazy, not improving after 1 whole week, I found your website.
The next day I bought Olive Leaf extract capsules (it says it has >20% oleuropein) and took about 2000 mg per day, every day. I still had one mild uti some days later (symptoms and urine cleared up in 5-6 hours), but that was the last one. Today I am 13 days UTI free, and we had sex more 7 times since that last crisis.
I am extremely happy now, but because I feel my pregnancy is realy close to happen, I have to ask you if it is ok to take oleuropein while pregnant. I have to take the maintaining dose in order to stay away of infections. What’s your advice?
THANK YOU A LOT, again! 🙂
Yes, olive leaf extract is completely safe for daily maintenance while pregnant! Unlike antibiotics, which can be dangerous while pregnant.
Just make sure, whenever you buy some, that you look very closely at the label for the total oleuropein content, per capsule. There’s more poor quality olive leaf out there than good stuff, but you can trust Vitacost OLE capsules, and Swanson Extra Strength OLE capsules. Make sure it says olive leaf extract on the bottle, and lists the amount of oleuropein it has, because lots of companies sell plain ‘olive leaf’ with no oleuropein in it, which is useless.
Keep taking it, and test yourself to make sure the infection is completely dead.
Also, you can roll a tablespoon of coconut oil into a bullet shape in a piece of plastic wrap and freeze it to make an overnight vaginal suppository that will keep your lady parts healthy. Insert at bedtime, wear a pad, and sleep on your side.
Doing that twice a month for a healthy vagina helps prevent future UTI’s. Between that and taking 1500 mg of OLE (15-20% oleuropein) with breakfast and dinner, you can be assured that you won’t get so much as a cold during your pregnancy, much less a UTI or any other infection.
Also, if you suffer from morning sickness, drink a glass of baking soda immediately upon waking (1/2 tsp soda in 8 oz water) and exercise briskly for 10 minutes. This stops morning sickness in its tracks, and you’ll be able to function normally through that phase in your pregnancy.
Dear Becka
First of all thanks for putting so much effort in helping people who are affected with UTI.
I was reading an article and got your email address after reading all the comments and advice you had given to other people.
I am 30 year old and since I got married in 2015 I am facing UTI . I got hit by thrush 4 times in 2015 and 6 UTIs . I just resorted on canestin for my thrush and ciproxin for my UTIs.
This year in 2016 I got hit by uti in February I treated it wuth ciproxin 500 mg twice a day for five days symptoms were gone . again in April 2016 I got uti but even after finishing the course it did not go away . I have also been taking D Mannose everyday 2 tablespoons twice a day since Feb 2016 . One in the morning and one in the evening .
I am a mother of three children and youngest one is 5 year old with serious learning difficulties . UTIs have literally paralysed my life and I spend most of my time either sitting in the toilet or resting in bed with a hot water bottle . I have become seriously constipated over the last year . After reading your advices I took 4-5 raw garlic cloves with a glass of water with baking soda in it . It stopped the pain altogether and I feel fine now . I did my test at home too and there is no infection right now. I think the remaining infection is gone due to garlic intake . But the garlic smell is unbearable and makes me feel sick even after hours of consuming it . I have finally been able to pass a stool with a less discomfort after a long time this morning .
Please please help me and suggest how many capsules of leaf extract will be good for me not to have a uti in future as right now I don’t have a uti . Antibiotics and raw garlic helped me this time . I want to get rid of this viscious cycle of getting thrush and UTIs and consuming antibiotics.
Also I got 3000 mg of garlic capsules from health shop and it’s odourless . Will it be as good as having a raw garlic .
Please advice . I need your help
May God protect you and keep you in good health forever .
I am posting it here too just incase you don’t get my email.
Kindest regards
Heena
Dear Becka
since I got married in 2015 I am facing UTI .I got hit by thrush 4 times in 2015 and 6 UTIs . I resorted on canestin for my thrush and ciproxin for my UTIs. in Feb 2016 I got hit by uti I treated it with ciproxin 500 mg twice a day for 5 days symptoms were gone . again in April 2016 I got uti but even after finishing the course it did not go away . I have also been taking D Mannose everyday 2 tablespoons twice a day since Feb 2016 . One in the morning and 1 in evenING. I have a 5 year old with serious learning difficulties . UTIs have literally paralysed my life and I spend most of my time either sitting in the toilet or resting in bed with a hot water bottle . I have become seriously constipated over the last year . After reading your advices I took 4-5 raw garlic cloves with a glass of water with baking soda in it . It stopped the pain altogether and I feel fine now . I did my test at home too and there is no infection right now. I think the remaining infection is gone due to garlic intake . But the garlic smell is unbearable and makes me feel sick even after hours of consuming it Please suggest how many capsules of leaf extract will be good for me not to have a uti in future as right now I don’t have a uti . Antibiotics and raw garlic helped me this time . I want to get rid of this viscious cycle of getting thrush and UTIs and consuming antibiotics.Also I got 3000 mg of garlic capsules from health shop and it’s odourless . Will it be as good as having a raw garlic .
Please advice. I have emailed you a well . Kindest regards
Wow, I got your e-mail yesterday morning, but I only just got the e-mail notification for this comment. I’m glad you e-mailed me!
Ladies, if you want to ask a quick question, e-mail me. The comment system takes a while to go through, sometimes.
Hello, my name is Kris and I take care of my elderly mom with dementia also. She cries out a lot but we don’t know what’s going on because she can’t tell us. I have been reading everyone conversations, and got 2 cloves of garlic, asparagus, Cayenne pepper, and table spoon of A.C vinger. Blended with little water and mix it in her mash potatoes. She is resting more, peace and Thank God! No more crying. I had a feeling she had a uti but hospice wanted me to give more pain meds. I just want to know how long to do this? Or should I add something else? Help me keep her comfortable please.
It’s probably the raw garlic giving her the most relief, that and olive leaf extract are the best broad-spectrum natural antibacterial agents.
Get some Swanson Extra Strength or Vitacost olive leaf extract capsules and open one of them into her food every time she eats. She’ll probably have some yeast die-off (diarrhea) at first, but her overall condition will improve immensely when you kill the Candida, and she’ll stop getting recurring UTI’s. OLE kills the pathogens in the gut that end up causing UTI’s, and also kills current bladder infections.
I had to order that swanson olive leaf extract they do not sell it here. I looked everywhere. Does it have to be those brands? They try to sell me seagate brand.
Hi, I’m sorry I only just saw this!
I don’t know about seagate, but I do know that Swanson Super strength and Vitacost OLE capsules work, because I’ve used the Vitacost and a number of people I’ve helped have used the Swanson. Lots and lots of other kinds are poor quality/low oleuropein, so you have to look carefully at the labels.
What do you recommend for chronic UTIs caused by citrobacter koseri?
You want high-quality olive leaf extract, like Swanson Extra Strength with 20% oleuropein, or Vitacost olive leaf extract capsules with 18% oleuropein. Here’s a study on oleuropein..
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002804/
..it’s a powerful antibacterial/fungal/viral agent. You’ll also need some activated charcoal to alternate with it, because oleuropein kills Candida, and when it does, the die-off toxins released give you headaches, nausea, and diarrhea. Charcoal soaks those toxins up, limiting their deleterious effect on you. Take olive leaf extract with food, and charcoal 2 hours later, with nothing but water. Do not eat between meals, and drink lots of water.
Can this refining be done while taking antibiotics? I have recurring uti that has turned into kidney infection . I will getting the herbs and charcoal tomorro I do need help
Hi!
Apologies if this has already been covered but I’m at my wits end. 26 and recently started with a new partner 10 months ago. Since then I’ve had recurrent cystitis approximately 7 times. Both of us have been tested so it’s nothing like that but always after sex.
My most recent culture had enterococcus bacteria now resistant to trimethoprim. They always get better with nitrofuratonin so they do respond to antibiotics but predictably Dmannose does nothing because it’s not ecoli.
I’m now on nitro prophylaxis but would rather not! Any ideas? Is it worth trying the intraphase or biofilm defence? I’m literally struggling with anything at this point, being intimate, coffee, alcohol. I’m scared to do anything!
I don’t want to make anything worse but not sure what to try? I need something that’s going to prevent it so that I’m not worried constantly! Is it that the first infection never really cleared up and it’s just reinfection?
It’s worth mentioning maybe that occasionally my partner has had the odd experience after sex of needing to urinate but can’t, much like symptoms of a UTI.
This article has really helped me! I wasn’t so keen on taking Antibiotics to treat my symptoms. I used this supplement Zahlers UTI Revolution which contains a great blend of different ingredients to prevent and combat UTI’s. This product has literally saved my life!! Try if for yourself and see. Whoever I recommended this to hasn’t been let down.