[toc]Cystitis refers to the inflammation within the wall of the bladder. It is a common urinary tract infection that affects both men and women, but is more common in the latter. It is caused by Escherichia Coli, a bacterium that is a part of the healthy intestinal flora.
When this bacterium enters the urinary tract, it causes inflammation and hence, cystitis. Usually people take antibiotics to treat cystitis, but there are a number of natural ways to not only relieve pain caused by cystitis, but also reduce its recurrence.
Effective Ways To Treat Cystitis
Barley Water
This is a traditional remedy for treating cystitis. Boil a handful of pearl barley with a liter of water. Simmer it until it becomes half a liter. Let it cool and then drink. You can also add lemon juice and Manuka honey to it for flavor.
Cranberry Juice
The bacteria that cause cystitis usually get flushed out during urination. During an infection, these bacteria get stuck to the bladder lining causing inflammation. Cranberries contain pro-anthocyanidins which disable the bacterium’s ability to stick and flushes them out of the system.
Therefore, a daily dose of cranberry juice will make sure that you suffer far fewer bouts of cystitis than usual. Drink only pure and unsweetened cranberry juice.
Continuous Urination And Hydration
To drive out the bacteria stuck in your bladder make sure you keep yourself hydrated and your bladder constantly loaded. The loaded bladder will ensure frequent urination.
Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol. Drinking water and unsweetened juices are the best. Even after the burning subsides, continue with increased liquid intake for another 2 to 3 days. You can decrease the intake of water from every half an hour to every hour.
Consuming Herbs And Garlic
Avoid intake of sugar and eat herbs instead. The herbs such as uva ursi, buchu, and crataera can soothe the bladder. Prepare a tea with these herbs and drink regularly.
These herbs will reduce the recurrence of cystitis and also relieve the patient from pain. Consume garlic and Echinacea too as they are known to cure cystitis.
Solution Of Dandelion, Birch Leaves And Hydrangea
Take 1 tablespoonful of Dandelion, 1 tablespoonful of Birch leaves and 1 tablespoonful of Hydrangea. Dandelion cleanses the liver and flushes out the kidneys relieving pain.
Birch leaves act as a natural diuretic while Hydrangea is good for flushing the urinary tract. Add boiling water to the mixture of all these herbs, let it simmer for a minute and then strain it. Drink at least two cups of this solution every day.
Aromatherapy
This therapy involves gently massaging oils into the shoulders, pelvic region and back to heal cystitis in the bladder. Use light, gliding strokes so that the oils are absorbed by the skin and passed into the blood stream working its way into different organs, including the bladder.
Geranium, Lemon, Cyprus and tree oils are applied to reduce inflammation and get rid of bad bacteria. Citrus oils help relieve the burning sensation as they act as an anti–inflammatory and an antiseptic. Though there is not much evidence for the success of this method, users are believed to have found relief.