5 Herbal Treatments to Calm Cystitis

Some herbal remedies can help calm cystitis. However, it's important to go to a doctor, especially if the infection persists.

There are some herbal treatments that can help to calm the symptoms of cystitis. Although these aren’t a first-line treatment against the infection, we can consider them as a helping hand to provide the sensation of relief, if a doctor authorizes it.

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is where the urinary tract becomes inflamed. It’s a condition that usually develops because of a bacterial infection, but it can also originate as a reaction to certain irritants.

Cystitis affects women more often because they have a shorter urethra, which facilitates the introduction of microorganisms. To a lesser extent, however, it can affect men.

The symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the case. In general, cystitis is accompanied by a burning sensation while urinating and pain in the lower abdomen.

According to the information published in American Family Physician, the majority of cases are mild and typically heal in a short time, even without medication. In spite of this, it’s important to pay attention to it because it can become a very serious problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys.

So, when facing these symptoms, it’s important to visit a doctor and follow any advice they give you. Typically, the doctor will suggest you take medication like fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Additionally. there are natural treatments that, it seems, can contribute to alleviating the pain. However, these aren’t a substitute for medical treatment and you should use them with caution. Below, we detail 5 herbal solutions for cystitis.

Herbal treatments to calm cystitis

A publication from Alternative and Complementary Therapies notes that people have been using herbal medicine for hundreds of years to prevent and treat cystitis. Although it’s something that requires more research, there are treatments that can help against this problem.

Generally speaking, what we propose below are natural drinks that can support your daily hydration and promote diuresis.

1. Echinacea to calm cystitis

According to a publication in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Echinacea is a plant that has antibiotic and analgesic properties, both of which can help treat urinary tract infections.

In fact, its compounds help to increase your body’s defenses against bacteria and as a result, speed up your recovery process.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of echinacea
• A cup of water (1/2 pint)

Preparation

• First, add one teaspoon of echinacea to a cup of water and bring to a boil.
• After it boils, remove it from the heat and let it steep for 10 minutes before straining.

How to consume it

• Drink two to three cups of echinacea tea per day.
• Repeat until your cystitis is cured.

Note: don’t mix this beverage with caffeine. Avoid drinking too much, as it can trigger an allergic reaction.

2. Dandelion tea to calm cystitis

Dandelion tea is a natural remedy for cystitis and will alleviate the painful or reduced urination that accompanies it. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine concludes that it acts as a diuretic.

For this reason, it’s a great complementary treatment to increase your production of urine and also help eliminate bacteria from the urinary tract.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of dandelion
• A cup of water (1/2 pint)

Preparation

• Add a teaspoon of dandelion flowers to a cup of boiling water.
• Then, cover the drink and allow it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain the liquid.

How to consume it

• Drink 2 cups of this tea a day until your symptoms are relieved.

3. Marjoram to calm cystitis

There’s not much evidence that shows that this plant helps when it comes to treating cystitis. However, in popular culture, many people use it for just that. It seems that marjoram stimulates the production of urine and helps to fight inflammation.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of marjoram
• A cup of water (1/2 pint)

Preparation

• Add the marjoram to a cup of boiling water and cover.
• Allow it to steep for 10 minutes and strain the liquid.

How to consume it

• Drink this tea at the first signs of cystitis.
• Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.

4. Thyme to calm cystitis

Thyme is a therapeutic herb with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve the bladder when you have cystitis.

A study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology determined that its compounds like timol, help to reduce the growth of bacteria.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of thyme
• A cup of water (1/2 pint)

Preparation

• Add a teaspoon of thyme to a cup of water and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let it steep for 10 minutes.
• After this, strain and serve the tea.

How to consume it

• Drink a cup of this tea at the first sign of infection.
• Repeat twice a day.

Note: Avoid this remedy if you have irritable bowel syndrome or if you are pregnant.

5. Mallow to calm cystitis

According to an investigation published in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, these substances and their mucilages, help to calm the pain that cystitis produces when you urinate and provide general relief.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of dried mallow flowers
• A cup of water (1/2 pint)

Preparation

• First, add the dried flowers to a cup of water and bring it to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Finally, remove from heat, cover, and let it steep for 10 minutes more.

How to consume it

• Strain the liquid and drink this tea twice a day.

Conclusion

Do you feel the constant need to go to the bathroom? Do you urinate in small amounts and experience a burning sensation? These are common symptoms of cystitis. If you’re struggling with this, give some of these remedies a try to calm it, and follow the advice your doctor suggests!