Preventing and Healing Urinary Tract Infections Naturally

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My honeymoon in Maui was absolutely amazing!  We swam, snorkeled, saw the sights, and I often wondered aloud why I had to keep going to the bathroom.  Turns out I had my first UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).  What I will share with you today I have learned by trial and error over the course of the past 10 years.  I hope it helps someone avoid the pain and discomfort of chronic UTIs!  They are a huge waste of time, money, and energy.
My first stop for treatment was the traditional doctor I was seeing at the time.  She gave me an antibiotic and sent me on my way.  I was back two weeks later as I never really felt relief from my symptoms.  Long story short, she prescribed a low dose of antibiotics to be taken each time I had intercourse.  I didn't want to be on antibiotics all the time but I didn't know there were any alternatives--except drinking cranberry juice.  In time it was obvious the cranberry juice was not working either.  I have now since learned that drinking cranberry juice is a waste of time and money.  There is too much sugar and not enough cranberry to make any difference--and the sugar can make the problem worse!  Taking a cranberry supplement is much more effective.

Here is the protocol I have developed to keep myself free from UTIs:

Take one or two Cranactin tablets at bedtime each night.  This is to promote health in the urinary tract.

Dissolve a teaspoon or two of D-Mannose in water and drink right after intercourse.  D-Mannose is a completely safe glyconutrient, a healthy natural sugar, and is without side effects.  It attaches to e. coli, which is responsible for up to 90% of UTIs, and prevents it from attaching to the bladder wall.  Instead, the e. coli and D-Mannose leave the body together in the urine.  Read the reviews about D-Mannose from the link above and you will be blown away by how effective it is and how much it helps so many!

Repeat the D-Mannose and Cranactin amounts above every 12 hours for the next 24 hours.

Some people who suffer from chronic UTIs because of MS, chronic constipation, or spinal injures may need to take D-Mannose daily to stay UTI free.


That is it!  The above works as long as my body is not completely exhausted.  If that is the case, however, I can still treat the developing UTI without antibiotics.  It will take about 24 hours of rest and the following the protocol below.  Unfortunately, I had the opportunity to try this out again very recently and I was symptom free within 24 hours!  Here is the UTI protocol:

Take two Cranactin capsules followed by one teaspoon of D-Mannose powder in a glass of water.  Do not eat or drink anything for one hour and do not go to the bathroom.  This will allow the D-Mannose to have time to attach to all the problematic e. coli in the body.

Repeat the D-Mannose powder in water as described above (not eating, drinking, or urinating for an hour after taking) three more times spaced throughout the day.  Rest and drink lots of water.  If I have Pyridium in the house I will also take that for pain. 

I repeat the 4 doses of D-Mannose, along with two Cranactin pills, the next day also.  If the UTI symptoms do not subside within 48 hours, I would go to the doctor. The UTI you have may not be from e. coli which would make it unresponsive to D-Mannose.

If the UTI symptoms do go away within 48 hours, I would take one teaspoon of D-Mannose powder per day, for a few days, to keep the body healthy.


The last time I had a UTI was a time I was so busy I was unable to take the time to rest and fight the infection at home with supplements.  I had too many responsibilities I could not get out of so I reluctantly went to the doctor.  This urgent care doctor, not my regular wellness doctor, embraces alternative methods in his practice.  He listened to me as I described the protocol I had developed to stay UTI free and he got really excited.  He went to the computer to see what he had prescribed to treat my last UTI and he couldn't find a record in the computer.  I had been able to use the above protocol successfully for so long that my last UTI related visit was not in their records!  I was excited too...as excited as a person can get who is in a whole lotta pain.

This protocol is the most important thing I do for my body to promote health and wellness.  If I was following a traditional medicine protocol for UTIs, I would be on antibiotics constantly.  I want to be able to use an antibiotic only when I really have to have it so my body will be responsive to the necessary antibiotic and my gut will stay full of healthy, beneficial bacteria.  There is so much research out there to show the importance of a health gut.  Did you know that about 70% of the body's immune system is found in the gut?  In addition, the health of the gut is expressed in our skin (eczema) and our mood (depression, anxiety)?  Avoiding antibiotic use, unless unavoidably necessary, is an important part in keeping our guts, and ultimately our bodies, healthy and happy.
Moneysaver:  I purchase D-Mannose from iherb and I purchase Cranactin from Amazon.  These places have the best prices I've found.

I am not a doctor.  I am only sharing my personal experience and what has worked for me.  Please discuss health care decisions with your doctor before trying a new regimen.