Powerful Herbal Tea to Fight Urinary Tract Infection

Dealing with a urinary tract infection (UTI) can be incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable.

The constant urge to use the washroom and the constant sensory pain can easily ruin your day.

In Ayurveda, this painful problem is usually a sign of excess heat in the body, which needs to be taken care of in order to get relief from it. But the good news is it can be controlled and managed with proper care and attention, and fixing the problem that is causing it.

What is a UTI? 

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. UTIs are mostly seen in women more than men. If it is not treated on time, then serious problems can arise, such as a kidney infection, recurrent infections, or even a life-threatening illness known as sepsis.  

Common Signs of UTI

• You feel burning pain while urinating.
• You develop strong urges to go to pee.
• You pass very frequent and small amounts of urine.
• Your urine looks cloudy, pink, or red.
• You experience pelvic or lower back pain
• You have fever and chills (if the infection reaches the kidneys)

How Is UTI Caused?

It develops when bacteria enter the urinary tract and start to increase, leading to an infection. Below Are The Common Causes of Urinary Tract Infection:

• Urinary Retention: Not completely emptying the bladder allows bacteria to develop there.
• Weak Immunity: If someone has a weak immune system, then it increases the risk of infection.
• Underlying Health Conditions: If someone has diabetes, kidney stones, or anatomical problems, it increases the risk of infection.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause increase the risk of infection.
• Bacterial Infection: Usually, bacteria from the digestive system, named E. coli, enter the urinary system, which causes the infection.
• Poor Hygiene: Not wiping the right way after using the bathroom allows bacteria to enter the urinary tract.
• Sexual Activity: Having sex drives bacteria into the urinary tract, increasing the risk of infection.

How Ayurveda Describes UTI?

In Ayurveda, urinary tract infections happen due to an imbalance in the pitta dosha, which is the controller of heat and energy in the body. When Pitta dosha gets excessive in the body, it leads to inflammation, burning sensations, frequent visits to the toilet, and irritation in the urinary tract. Along with this, if a person has weak digestion, then his food won’t get digested properly and will start rotting in the system and become toxic. This toxic residue is called Ama in Ayurveda, which sticks in the channels of the body and can also result in a urinary tract infection. 

Powerful Herbal Tea to Fight Urinary Tract Infection

To make the herbal tea, we need two herbs, which are:

• Cloves (laung) are essentially effective in reducing the symptoms of a UTI because of their antibacterial properties. It is an excellent painkiller and kick-starts the recovery process.
• Fennel seeds (sauaf) regulate fluid retention in the body and flush out excess water from the body. It also removes toxins from the blood and reduces the risk of catching a urinary tract infection again.

How To Make This Tea?

These herbs can be infused with water to prepare an herbal tea:

Ingredients required to make the tea are:

• ½ tsp. dhaniya (coriander)
• 1 tsp. laung
• ¼ tsp. sauf
• Two glasses of water

Directions to make the herbal tea:

• Boil two glasses of water
• Add saunf, laung, and dhaniya
• Allow the herbs to steep
• Let the water and its contents boil for 7-10 minutes
• Strain the water and pour it into a glass
• Sip it warm throughout the day

Simple Tips To Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

One can follow the following tips to prevent or manage a UTI:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Always wash and wipe after peeing.
• Do not hold urine in the bladder.
• Always pee after sex.
• Wear breathable clothes.
• Don’t use heavy products such as soaps, scented sprays, or powders there.

Conclusion

The urinary tract is the body’s drainage system. It consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. A healthy urinary tract is important as it produces and controls urine. It carries the waste of the body and eliminates it, so it's better to use herbal medicine for a urinary tract infection. If the health of the tract is compromised, an individual might suffer from an infection. If the infection is not treated in time, it affects the kidneys and the entire body. Symptoms can violently elevate within days and severely affect kidney function, so it's better to take ayurvedic medicine for urine infection for long-term relief.

References

Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options - PMC 

Urinary Tract Infections in Infants and Children in Developing Countries in the Context of IMCI 

Urinary Tract Infection Basics | UTI | CDC 

Definitions of Urinary Tract Infection in Current Research: A Systematic Review - PMC