How to Cleanse the Bladder: 6 Natural Tips

The bladder is the organ responsible for the storage and subsequent elimination of urine from the kidneys. It's a hollow, muscle-membranous organ, shaped like a balloon, and is located between the pelvic bones.

Reviewed and approved by the pedagogue in physical education and nutritionist Elisa Morales Lupayante.

Written by Katherine Flórez

Last update: 26 May, 2022

Would you like to know some of the different ways you can cleanse your bladder naturally, and without having to do anything special? In that case, read on!

When we urinate, our bladders expel everything the body doesn’t need, in order to maintain balance (of hormones, electrolyte concentrations etc.). They also eliminate toxins and waste. This prevents pathogens from accumulating in the renal system, which can eventually lead to infections, urinary incontinence, hyperactivity and other health issues.

To avoid infections and problems in the renal system in general, people often take steps to try to improve their lifestyle, especially when it comes to hydration. 

To do this, they often seek out drinks that allow them to maintain a healthy frequency of urination. They believe that these drinks will not only keep them well hydrated, but that they will support renal and bladder function, and help to cleanse the bladder.

The keys to cleansing your bladder

It’s important to bear in mind that good lifestyle habits have a significant impact on your health. It’s not merely a question of drinking a certain type drink, such as a smoothie, juice or tea.

If you want to cleanse the bladder naturally, there are some very simple tricks you can put into practice. We’ll discuss some of these methods in this next section.

1. Drink water

Daily consumption of water is essential for maintaining good health throughout the body, not just the urinary tract. This vital fluid is key for a number of processes, including maintaining adequate urine production, and controlling inflammatory processes to help prevent diseases such as cystitis.

It’s not a question of drinking it in large quantities. Instead, you simply need to drink enough on a day-to-day basis in order to stay healthy. It’s important to remember that it’s not a good idea to consume water in excessive amounts, because it can overload your bladder, and prevent it from functioning at an optimum level.

* If you find it difficult to drink water, you could start by incorporating flavored water and natural fruit drinks into your diet instead.

2. Drink cranberry juice to cleanse your bladder

Cranberry juice is one of the most highly recommended home remedies when it comes to cleansing the bladder and urinary tract in the case of an infection. Made with fruits that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, it’s believed that it can be beneficial. 

Because it acts as a diuretic and cleanser, it’s believed that drinking cranberry juice on an empty stomach could strengthen the walls of the bladder, decrease inflammation, and prevent the accumulation of calcium deposits.

Some studies indicate that (powdered) cranberry may be useful in the prevention of bacterial adhesion in the urinary system. However, there’s not enough evidence to state that the consumption of this fruit can help to treat diseases, such as E. coli, for example.

For now, it’s a home remedy (and a good source of antioxidants) that’s still recommended for maintaining good hydration.

If you want to make cranberry juice at home, you’ll need:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries (60 g)
• The juice of 1/4 a lemon
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

Directions

• Place the washed cranberries in the blender.
• Add the lemon juice and a cup of water.
• Blend on a high speed until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
• Pass through a fine sieve.
• Drink up to two times a day.

3. Drink dandelion tea

Thanks to its diuretic properties, dandelion tea is another useful home remedy for maintaining renal health. 

To make it, you’ll need:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of dandelion (20 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)
• Honey (optional).

Directions

• Add the dandelion to a cup of boiling water.
• Cover and leave to steep for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, add honey if you like, and drink in moderation.

4. Eating watermelon

Because of its high water content, watermelon (and similar fruits such as cantaloupe, pineapple, and grapefruit) are said to help keep the urinary system clean and free of pathogens. 

According to popular belief, regular consumption of watermelon can help to eliminate toxins through the urine.

5. Smoothies to cleanse your bladder

It’s said that smoothies that contain ingredients that are rich in potassium and other nutrients can help to maintain bladder and kidney health. 

These could be consumed as part of your breakfast, or as a snack to help improve digestive processes, stimulate the elimination of toxins, and cleanse the bladder.

Ingredients

• 1 green apple
• Celery (1 or 2 stalks)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)
• 2 tablespoons of parsley (20 g)

Directions

• Wash all the ingredients.
• Core the apple. There’s no need to peel it.
• Chop the rest of the ingredients into slices to make them easier to blend.
• Put everything in the blender, and process on a high speed for several minutes, until you have a smooth liquid with no lumps.
• Serve and enjoy.

Things that WON’T help to maintain bladder health

If you want to keep your bladder healthy, it’s essential that you maintain good lifestyle habits at all times. You should also try to avoid the excessive consumption of substances such as: salt, sugar, caffeine, red meat, and carbonated drinks, as they tend to promote fluid retention and inflammation.