5 Ways to Get Rid of Vaginal Odor

The vagina has a natural odor. If you notice an unusual smell, you may be able to get rid of it by changing your hygiene practices, personal care products, or diet.

Vaginal odor is any smell that comes from your vagina. It could be the odor produced by healthy vaginal secretion or an unpleasant, abnormal smell caused by an infection.

Your vaginal odor may change throughout your menstrual cycle or other times, like pregnancy or menopause.

The vagina is not supposed to smell like nothing! Just like other body parts — including the scalp, belly button, armpits — the vagina has some scent.

And that scent? Isn’t that of dandelions, daffodils, or daisies?

“A vagina isn’t supposed to smell like flowers, no matter what our culture likes to tell us,” says sex educator Searah Deysach, owner of Early to Bed, a pleasure-product company in Chicago that ships worldwide.

The scent of your vagina will vary based on things like:

• hydration levels
• recent food intake
• medications
• overall health status
• where you are in your menstrual cycle

Common vaginal scents include coppery, musky, meaty, or fleshy, says Felice Gersh, MD, author of “PCOS SOS: A Gynecologist’s Lifeline to Naturally Restore Your Rhythms, Hormones, and Happiness. ” (Though sex may alter the scent for a few hours, especially if there was an exchange of bodily fluids.)

The natural secretions from your vaginal tissue often produce an odor. This is totally normal and to be expected. Still, sometimes that odor can seem stronger than usual.

Here are some potential causes of stronger or abnormal vaginal odor:

• sweating
• poor hygiene habits
• bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• vaginitis
• trichomoniasis
• forgetting to take a tampon out
• douching
• diet
• hormone changes (menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause)

In rare cases, more serious medical concerns can cause vaginal odor, such as:

• rectovaginal fistula
• cervical cancer
• vaginal cancer

If your vagina smells a little off, and that scent is not accompanied by other symptoms, you may be able to relieve the symptoms on your own.

1. Shower or bathe regularly

Get this: The off smell could just be a sign you need a shower or bath.

“The area can accumulate sweat, dead skin, and dirt,” Gersh says. And just as those things can affect the smell of your pits, they can affect the smell of your vagina.

Maintaining a regular hygiene practice can help avoid the accumulation of the scent that you don’t like.

But if the scent has already taken root and you don’t have time to shower, simply take a warm washcloth and wash your pubic mound and outer lips.

“Even just using your finger to swish the warm water around the vulva is adequate,” she says.

For the record

Loofahs are not a good substitute for washcloths. Loofahs can cause small tears to the delicate genital skin and expose the area to possible infection.

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2. Stop washing inside your vagina

To be clear: While you can (and should!) wash the outside of your vagina (aka the vulva), you should not start going in your hole with water, washcloth, or soap.

“It’s true that a vagina is a self-cleaning machine,” Gersh says. “The natural makeup of bacteria inside the vaginal canal is designed to keep the canal healthy and clean — and that bacteria doesn’t need any help from you to operate optimally.”

Washing inside the vaginal canal isn’t just unnecessary, it’s downright dangerous. Washing inside the vaginal canal — especially with fragrant soaps — can upset your vagina’s natural bacterial makeup and pH.

And when your vagina’s natural bacterial makeup gets disrupted? You put yourself at risk of developing infections like BV, which (negatively) affect your vaginal odor.

3. Check for recent product swaps

Did you recently change your detergent? Start using a different body wash? Switch up your toilet paper brand? All of these things can affect your vagina, according to Gersh.

“Take some time to think through what things have changed in your routine,” she says. “What soaps you’ve been using, the type of underwear you’ve been wearing, and how tight your clothes are could all be the culprit. ”

The culprit could also be switching up your:

• sexual lubricants
• sex toy cleaner
• type of condom (or other barrier methods)

4. Stay hydrated

Nope, we’re not talking about booze. We’re talking about water.

Drinking plenty of water is good for more than just your skin. It can help your vagina’s overall health too, by encouraging healthy sweating and fluid release, Deysach says.

5. Eat a balanced diet

As a general rule, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, will elicit a softer scent compared with greasy, fast foods.

As Gersh puts it: “A balanced diet makes for a healthy body, and that includes your vagina.”

Just be warned: “Some very strong-smelling foods like asparagus, garlic, and onions can result in a stronger-smelling cooch,” Deysach says.

So, if you’ve been eating a whole lot of asparagus, garlic, and onions recently, simply cutting out those foods could return your vagina to its natural scent.

“There are no prescription medications to treat just vaginal odor,” Gersh says.

However, an unusual vaginal odor is a byproduct of vaginal bacterial disruption, infection, or hormonal disruption, she says, all of which can be treated with medication.

For example, a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis — all of which can affect vaginal scent — can be cleared up with a prescription antibiotic, she says.

Antibiotics can also be prescribed for other kinds of infections, such as:

• BV
• urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• yeast infections

“And for people with menopause who are experiencing changes and odors and other symptoms associated with hormonal changes, you can prescribe localized or oral hormone replacement medications that help,” she says.

The quotation in the headline above should clue you in.

While there are a number of online articles and forums waxing poetic about at-home and DIY “remedies,” the truth is these should be avoided.

These include (but are not limited to) those listed below:

Douches and scrubs

Remember when we told you not to wash the inside of your vagina? Well, that also means avoiding products like douches and scrubs that are marketed as internal washes.

These might claim to help eliminate odor-causing “bad” bacteria, but they also eliminate the “good” infection-fighting bacteria.

“Doing things like aggressively washing the vagina on the inside can throw your bacteria ratios out of whack,” Gersh says. The result? Odor!

Foods

You should not, under any circumstance, put garlic gloves, cottage cheese, or yogurt inside your vaginal canal.

There have been studies about the use of garlic suppositories for treatment of vaginitis, but raw garlic can cause burning, irritation, and allergic reactions. More studies are needed on this, but for now it’s not recommended.

“We live in a world full of bad advice and putting food inside your vaginal canal falls in that category,” Gersh says. “The food isn’t going to do anything but harm your vaginal microbiome.”

Fragrant ‘feminine hygiene’ products

There are a number of perfumed tampons, pads, and toilet papers on the market. Avoid these.

“The vagina is a very delicate ecosystem that’s going to be negatively impacted by these fragrant products,” Gersh says.

“If you have any concerns, it’s always best to talk with [a] healthcare professional,” Gersh says.

Talking with a healthcare professional, she says, is especially important if:

• You recently started engaging in sexual activity with a new partner(s).
• You’re experiencing any additional symptoms, such as pain, irritation, burning, or funky discharge.
• You’re pregnant or hoping to become pregnant.

Even if there’s no underlying cause like infection, a healthcare professional will be able to help.

Deysach says they can help you understand whether recent medications, your hydration levels, or other lifestyle habits could be causing the smell and advise on any next steps.

Whether you’ve just eliminated the unusual scent, or are simply looking for ways to prevent future funk, these tips can help.

Take inventory of your usual scent

Before you can diagnose yourself with an off scent, you have to know what your usual scent is. So, if you don’t already make a mental note to “observe” the smell of your vagina, start doing so.

Gersh explains: “The most common sign that something is going on with your vagina is a change in smell.” Specifically, a change in scent that can’t be explained by where you are in your cycle.

Becoming intimately familiar with the range of the scents your vagina usually falls within will help you identify when something is off.

Some vaginal odors are healthy

Share on PinterestInfographic by Bailey Mariner

Choose cotton

Sorry babes, but it’s time to sub your silk and satin skivvies for cotton ones.

Cotton is far more breathable than other materials and does an excellent job of wicking away sweat and fluids from your body.

Other materials can trap excess moisture, Gersh explains, which has the ability to upset your natural bacteria levels and lead to infections.

“Excess moisture can promote an overgrowth of yeast, which can change the natural bacterial makeup and ultimately disrupt your natural scent,” she says. Pass.

Cut out tight clothes

Underwear aside, “any tight clothing can trap moisture in the groin area,” Gersh says. And that moisture can have stinky, irritating side effects.

Getting plenty of ventilation between your legs is vital to good vaginal health. Though substantial evidence is lacking, healthcare professionals say daily thong wearing can also cause suspect vaginal odors. There can be accidental transfers of rectal bacteria toward the vagina and urinary tract potentially resulting in foul odors or worse.

So, if you’re noticing a change in odor — or want to reduce your chances of noticing a change in odor — she recommends staying away from skin-tight leggings and jeans.

What causes vaginal odor?

Again, the vagina is going to have some natural odor. And that natural odor can vary slightly based on factors like your diet and menstrual cycle.

As for unusual vaginal odor, there are three main causes, according to Gersh:

• changes in the bacterial makeup of the vaginal canal
• changes in hormones
• untreated underlying infection

What is a ‘bad’ vaginal smell?

“If you start to notice a fishy, rotten, or spoiled smell coming from between your legs, you should get checked out by a doctor,” Deysach says. Those scents are a sign of infection.

What do yeast infections and BV smell like?

Actually, they smell different.

Usually, a yeast infection will make the vagina smell like a loaf of sourdough. BV, on the other hand, usually causes a fishy odor.

Can sex cause vaginal odor?

Semen and ejaculate have a different pH compared with the vaginal canal, so P-in-V intercourse can lead to a disruption in pH, and cause a temporary scent change.

Chemicals found in sex supplies can lead to irritation and produce a scent change. These include:

• most lubricants
• coated condoms
• other barriers

Semen eventually comes out of the vagina either after standing up and walking around or bearing down while on the toilet. But Gersh recommends using warm water and a single clean finger to gently swoosh around inside your vagina to get out any unfamiliar fluids to expedite elimination.

How long does vaginal odor take to go away?

Ultimately, it depends on the cause. But once you find the cause it shouldn’t take more than 2 to 3 days to clear up.

How do I get rid of the odor down there?

You can’t completely get rid of the odor from your vagina. It’s supposed to have a scent!

Still, if your vaginal odor seems unusually strong, you may be able to lessen the odor with:

• following proper hygiene habits
• eating a nutritious diet
• staying well hydrated
• looking for any changes in your routine or products that may be causing the change

Is it normal for the vagina to have a smell?

Yes. The natural secretions your vagina produces are meant to have a slight odor. The vagina can smell:

• coppery
• musky
• meaty
• fleshy

A change in vaginal odor can be a sign of a more serious condition, one that you may be unable to treat on your own. It’s best to see a doctor or other healthcare professional early to help prevent your symptoms from getting worse.

Gabrielle Kassel is a New York-based sex and wellness writer and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. She’s become a morning person, tested over 200 vibrators, and eaten, drunk, and brushed with charcoal — all in the name of journalism. In her free time, she can be found reading self-help books and romance novels, bench-pressing, or pole dancing. Follow her on Instagram.

Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Cranberries 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

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Nutrition

By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD — Updated on February 15, 2019

Cranberries are a member of the heather family and related to blueberries, bilberries, and lingonberries.

The most commonly grown species is the North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), but other types are found in nature.

Due to their very sharp and sour taste, cranberries are rarely eaten raw.

In fact, they’re most often consumed as juice, which is normally sweetened and blended with other fruit juices.

Other cranberry-based products include sauces, dried cranberries, and powders and extracts used in supplements.

Cranberries are rich in various healthy vitamins and plant compounds, some of which have been shown to be effective against urinary tract infections (UTIs).

This article tells you everything you need to know about cranberries, including their nutrition facts and health benefits.

Fresh cranberries are nearly 90% water, but the rest is mostly carbs and fiber.

The main nutrients in 1 cup (100 grams) of raw, unsweetened cranberries are (1):

• Calories: 46
• Water: 87%
• Protein: 0. 4 grams
• Carbs: 12.2 grams
• Sugar: 4 grams
• Fiber: 4.6 grams
• Fat: 0.1 grams

Carbs and Fiber

Cranberries are primarily composed of carbs and fiber (1).

These are mainly simple sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose (2).

The rest is made up of insoluble fiber — such as pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose — which pass through your gut almost intact.

Cranberries also contain soluble fiber. For this reason, excessive consumption of cranberries may cause digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea.

On the other hand, cranberry juice contains virtually no fiber and is usually diluted with other fruit juices — and sweetened with added sugar (3).

Vitamins and Minerals

Cranberries are a rich source of several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C.

• Vitamin C. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is one of the predominant antioxidants in cranberries. It is essential for the maintenance of your skin, muscles, and bone.
• Manganese. Found in most foods, manganese is essential for growth, metabolism, and your body’s antioxidant system.
• Vitamin E. A class of essential fat-soluble antioxidants.
• Vitamin K1. Also known as phylloquinone, vitamin K1 is essential for blood clotting.
• Copper. A trace element, often low in the Western diet. Inadequate copper intake may have adverse effects on heart health (4).

SUMMARY

Cranberries are primarily made up of carbs and fiber. They also boast several vitamins and minerals, including manganese, copper, and vitamins C, E, and K1. Keep in mind that cranberry juice has almost no fiber.

Cranberries are very high in bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants — particularly flavonol polyphenols (2, 5, 7).

Many of these plant compounds are concentrated in the skin — and are greatly reduced in cranberry juice (3).

• Quercetin. The most abundant antioxidant polyphenol in cranberries. In fact, cranberries are among the main fruit sources of quercetin (6, 8, 9).
• Myricetin. A major antioxidant polyphenol in cranberries, myricetin may have a number of beneficial health effects (9, 10).
• Peonidin. Alongside cyanidin, peonidin is responsible for the rich red color of cranberries and some of their health effects. Cranberries are among the richest dietary sources of peonidin (6, 8).
• Ursolic acid. Concentrated in the skin, ursolic acid is a triterpene compound. It’s an ingredient in many traditional herbal medicines and has strong anti-inflammatory effects (11, 12).
• A-type proanthocyanidins. Also called condensed tannins, these polyphenols are believed to be effective against UTIs (8, 13, 14).

SUMMARY

Cranberries are a rich source of various bioactive plant compounds. Some of these, such as A-type proanthocyanidins, may help prevent UTIs.

UTIs are among the most common bacterial infections — especially among women (15).

They’re most often caused by the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which attaches itself to the inner surface of your bladder and urinary tract.

Cranberries contain unique phytonutrients known as A-type proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins.

A-type proanthocyanidins prevent E. coli from attaching to the lining of your bladder and urinary tract, making cranberries a potential preventive measure against UTIs (13, 16, 17, 18, 19).

In fact, cranberries are among the richest fruit sources of proanthocyanidins — especially the A-type (14, 20).

A number of human studies indicate that drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements may reduce the risk of UTIs in both children and adults (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28).

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses support these findings, especially for women with recurrent UTIs (29, 30, 31).

In contrast, a few studies have not found any significant benefits (32, 33, 34).

Not all cranberry products are effective against UTIs. In fact, proanthocyanidins may be lost during processing, making them undetectable in many products (35).

On the other hand, cranberry supplements — which contain sufficient amounts of A-type proanthocyanidins — may be a useful preventive strategy.

If you suspect that you have a UTI, talk to your healthcare professional. The primary course of treatment should be antibiotics.

Keep in mind that cranberries are not effective for treating infections. They only reduce your risk of getting them in the first place.

SUMMARY

Cranberry juice and supplements may reduce your risk of UTIs. However, they do not treat this infection.

Cranberries may have a number of other beneficial health effects.

Prevention of Stomach Cancer and Ulcers

Stomach cancer is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide (36).

Infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered a major cause of stomach cancer, stomach inflammation, and ulcers (37, 38, 39, 40).

Cranberries contain unique plant compounds known as A-type proanthocyanidins, which may cut your risk of stomach cancer by preventing H. pylori from attaching to the lining of your stomach (41, 42, 43, 44).

One study in 189 adults suggested that drinking 2.1 cups (500 ml) of cranberry juice daily may significantly reduce H. pylori infections (45).

Another study in 295 children found that daily consumption of cranberry juice for 3 weeks suppressed the growth of H. pylori in about 17% of those infected (41).

Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

Cranberries contain various antioxidants that may be beneficial for heart health. These include anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and quercetin (46, 47, 48, 49).

In human studies, cranberry juice or extracts have proven beneficial for various heart disease risk factors. Cranberry products may help by (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55):

• increasing your levels of HDL (good) cholesterol
• lowering levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in people with diabetes
• protecting LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidation
• decreasing stiffness in blood vessels among people with heart disease
• lowering blood pressure
• decreasing blood levels of homocysteine, thus cutting your risk of inflammation in blood vessels

That said, not all studies found similar results.

SUMMARY

If consumed regularly, cranberries or cranberry juice may reduce your risk of stomach cancer. The juice and extract also improve several risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Cranberries and cranberry products are usually safe for most people if consumed in moderation.

However, excessive consumption may cause stomach upset and diarrhea — and may also increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones form when certain minerals in your urine reach high concentrations. It is often very painful.

You can minimize your risk through your diet.

Most kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate, so excessive amounts of oxalate in your urine is one of the main risk factors (56).

Cranberries — especially concentrated cranberry extracts — may contain high levels of oxalates. For this reason, they are considered a risk factor for kidney stones when consumed in high amounts (57, 58, 59).

However, human studies have provided conflicting results and the issue requires further research (57, 59).

Susceptibility to developing kidney stones varies between individuals. In most people, cranberries probably do not significantly affect kidney stone formation.

Still, if you are prone to getting kidney stones, it may be sensible to limit your consumption of cranberries and other high-oxalate foods.

SUMMARY

High consumption of cranberries may increase the risk of kidney stones in predisposed individuals.

Cranberries are widely consumed dried, as a juice, or in supplements.

They’re a good source of a few vitamins and minerals — and exceptionally rich in several unique plant compounds.

Some of these compounds may help prevent UTIs, stomach cancer, and heart disease.

Share this article

By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD — Updated on February 15, 2019

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Use of herbal medicines in the treatment of patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) occupies an important place in the structure of urological diseases. The main nosological forms of uncomplicated UTI include acute cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection, and acute non-obstructive pyelonephritis. Antibacterial drugs are traditionally used to treat patients with these diseases, but one of the promising methods for their treatment is the use of herbal medicines. We discussed this important topic with a urologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Specialized Surgical Disciplines of the Voronezh State Medical University Andrey Vladimirovich Kuzmenko.

– Andrei Vladimirovich, how urgent is the problem of UTI at present?
– UTI occupies an important place in the structure of urological diseases. According to some reports, more than 10 million cases of UTIs are registered annually in the world. Currently, it is customary to distinguish between complicated and uncomplicated UTI. A UTI is considered complicated if there is any factor that disrupts urodynamics, as a result of which there is a high risk of generalization of infection and the development of urosepsis. These factors include urinary tract anomalies, urolithiasis, urinary tract strictures of various localization, tumors, urological drainage, etc. At the same time, in outpatient practice, doctors of various specialties have to deal mainly with uncomplicated UTI.

– What forms of UTI are most common and how do they manifest themselves?
– The main nosological forms of uncomplicated UTI include acute cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection and acute non-obstructive pyelonephritis. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is also isolated. Acute cystitis is the most common uncomplicated UTI in outpatient practice. Mostly women are ill. According to the literature, every second woman suffers from acute cystitis at least once in her life. Acute cystitis is caused by ascending infection with opportunistic gram-positive and gram-negative flora of the lumen of the urinary tract, in which the pathogen penetrates into the urothelium and bladder mucosa by adhesion, which leads to the development of inflammation. Clinically, this will be manifested by frequent painful urination in small portions, sometimes with the presence of terminal gross hematuria.

– What is the treatment strategy for such patients?
– For the treatment of this condition, antibacterial drugs are traditionally used, which are relatively effective in stopping the manifestations of acute cystitis. However, the emerging problems of antibiotic therapy (increase in antibiotic resistance of uropathogens, detrimental effect on the microbiome and immune status) lead to the search for alternative methods of therapy. One of the promising methods for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis is the use of herbal medicines.

– What is the role of herbal medicines in this age of modern technology?
– When circulating medicines within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the term herbal medicinal product (PMP) means “a medicinal product containing exclusively medicinal plant raw materials and (or) preparations based on it as active components”. Fees are traditional PRPs. It has been proven that they are more effective than certain types of herbal medicines, which is due to the synergistic effect of biologically active substances: glycosides, tannins, bitterness, mucus, organic acids, essential oils, etc. Among PRPs, the fees are 21%. The attention of scientists and medical workers to medicinal plants as a source of effective and safe medicines does not decrease, despite great success in the creation of synthetic chemical and biotechnological drugs. This is due to the peculiarities of herbal medicines: a relatively wide range of pharmacological activity, high efficiency in the initial stages of the disease and in chronic diseases, a harmonizing effect on all organs and systems of the body, relatively low cost compared to synthetic and biological drugs, the possibility of preparing the final dosage form in the form of water extraction at home and some others.

The effectiveness of the use of herbal preparations for the treatment of patients with acute cystitis is based on their anti-adhesive, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and diuretic effects. Often, polycomposite standardized herbal medicines are used. At the same time, they are increasingly being considered as an alternative to antibiotic therapy with the possibility of monotherapy in such patients.

– How has the economic and political environment affected the availability of these drugs?
– To date, the pharmaceutical market has the widest choice of drugs in this category, the mechanism of action of which is largely similar and is mainly determined by the components that make up their composition.
Despite the difficult economic and political environment, in an environment where certain drugs may disappear from the shelves, the emergence of new drugs with a known, already proven composition is encouraging. One of such drugs, relatively recently registered in our country, is Fitofron® (LLC NPO PharmVILAR, Russia)
Fitofron® is a combined remedy of plant origin, which is based on a collection-powder, or liquid extract, from medicinal plant materials of centaury herb, medicinal lovage roots, medicinal rosemary leaves. These components have long been known, and their effectiveness in urological practice has been proven. Fitofron® has a diuretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial action. The drug can be used as part of complex therapy in the treatment of patients with chronic infections of the bladder (cystitis) and kidneys (pyelonephritis), with non-infectious chronic inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis), as a means of preventing the formation of urinary stones, as well as after their removal. . This remedy is not contraindicated during pregnancy and has a high safety profile. In addition, Fitofron® is available in two forms: in the form of tablets and as a solution for oral administration, which increases the convenience of its use for patients, and, consequently, adherence to treatment.

Thus, herbal medicines are currently successfully used to treat patients with UTI, both as part of complex therapy and as monotherapy in some categories of patients. The appearance in our arsenal of new domestic drugs, such as Fitofron®, with a proven composition and mechanism of action, expands the range of opportunities for a urologist and, in general, contributes to progress in the treatment of UTI patients.

Source: http://rusmh.org/images/content/gmu/mu-2022-3.pdf

Journal

Newspaper “Moscow Urologist” №3-2022

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Treatment of cystitis with folk remedies in women at home

Contents

• Folk remedies for cystitis
• Cranberry
• Millet
• Herbs
• Dill
• Chamomile
• Cowberry
• Are folk methods effective?

Show all

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder that is most often associated with infection. Cystitis is a very well-known and widespread disease. Every fourth woman has had cystitis at least once in her life, and every tenth of the disease becomes chronic. ¹ Along with traditional therapy, there are a large number of folk remedies for cystitis. Let’s consider some of them in more detail.

Folk remedies for cystitis

Acute cystitis or its exacerbation begins suddenly. You can suspect the disease by the following signs: ¹

Traditional medicine knows how to treat cystitis with the help of medicinal plants, cereals, berries.

Cranberries

Cranberries consist of 88% water with a complex mixture of biologically active substances. The main component, which
what is believed to make cranberries effective in preventing recurrences of cystitis are proanthocyanidins. They have been identified
properties to protect the urinary tract from colonization by pathogenic microflora: ²

• direct antimicrobial activity;
• the ability to block the attachment of microbes to the urinary tract epithelium.

Cranberry juice is recommended to take 2-4 glasses a day. You can also make fruit drinks. ²

The peculiarity of cranberries is that they retain their beneficial properties until the next harvest. Therefore, all year round this berry
can help the body. ³ There is a recipe for cooking: pour 30 g of cranberries into a glass
boiling water, boil in a sealed container for 5 minutes, leave for 30 minutes. Take 1/2 cup 3-4 times daily after
food. ⁴

One of the disadvantages of cranberry treatment is the bad taste of natural cranberry juice, even when sweetened.
Also, taken in large amounts, it can increase the risk of urinary tract stones. ⁵

Millet

Millet is produced from millet and is considered one of the most nutritious and least allergenic cereal crops.
Millet contains starch, essential amino acids, fiber, minerals and B vitamins.
millet has a general strengthening effect, helps to eliminate toxins, strengthen bones, heal
wounds. ⁶

Millet is also known as a folk remedy for the treatment of cystitis. Millet drink recipes from
a lot of cystitis. Here is one of them. Pour 3-4 tablespoons of millet into a mug, pour 100-150 ml of warm boiled
water. Then, with a pusher, you need to grind the cereal in water until the water acquires a gray tint. After that
the liquid is filtered and drunk at a time. Each time a fresh drink is made. ⁶

Herbs

In the complex therapy of urinary tract infections, plants are used that have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, hemostatic effects. ⁷

Infusions, decoctions are made from plants or used as part of fees. For the treatment of cystitis in traditional medicine, most often
the following herbs are mentioned: ⁷

• goldenrod (life-giving herb) . Its infusion is used in folk medicine for
  chronic inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, the appearance of salts in the urine and urolithiasis,
  as a diuretic. Goldenrod grass contains a whole range of biologically active substances:
  saponins, organic acids, bioflavonoids and essential oils. They can destroy cell walls
  bacteria;

• bearberry (bear ears) . Contains the substance arbutin, which exhibits the property of an antiseptic in the urinary
  bubble. Used in the form of decoctions. To prepare a decoction, pour 30 g of bearberry into 500 ml of boiling water and
  take 2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day. Bearberry works better in an alkaline environment, therefore, together with
  drinking a decoction should drink alkaline mineral water. You can also eat apples to alkalize urine,
  raspberries, pears;

• horsetail . It has anti-inflammatory, diuretic and hemostatic action.
  Traditionally used for urinary tract infections and urolithiasis. Decoctions, infusions and extracts
  horsetail are rich in silicon compounds, so it is believed that they have a healing and
  vasoconstrictive action, promote the dissolution of salt crystals in the urine, accelerate the excretion of lead from
  organism;

• Knotweed . Contains tannins and avicularin, essential oil, carotene,
  ascorbic acid. In folk medicine, it is used as a diuretic, hemostatic and astringent.
  means. It is believed to be able to relieve spasm of the urinary tract. Highlander bird is a part of various collections;

• parsley . Contains flavonoids and essential oils. It is believed that the grass is able to provide
  direct action on the renal tubules, due to which a diuretic effect is achieved. Also parsley
  valued for its ability to relieve spasm of smooth muscles of the urinary tract and blood vessels;

• medicinal lovage (love potion) . The roots are mainly used for medicinal purposes.
  plants. Contains essential oils, organic acids, coumarin, tannins. It is believed that lovage
  has diuretic and antibacterial action. In folk medicine, it is used for inflammation of the urinary
  pathways, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. As a rule, it is not applied separately, but as part of fees;

• couch grass . Contains essential oils, saponins, inulin, ascorbic acid, carotene.
  It is believed that thanks to inulin, wheatgrass has a diuretic effect, and the essential oil gives antiseptic and
  anti-inflammatory effects;

• forest pine . Essential (turpentine) oil of pine in folk medicine is loved for its pronounced
  bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and diuretic action.

Dill

In folk medicine, dill is considered a strong diuretic and is used in diseases of the kidneys and bladder.
For the preparation of medicinal products, dill grass, its juice, seeds are used. ⁸

The plant contains an essential oil. Most of all it is determined in dill seeds. Dill seeds also contain
vitamins C, B ₁ , B ₂ , nicotinic, folic acid,
flavonoids, salts K, Ca, Mg, Se, Ag. Decoctions and infusions prepared from dill can exhibit antiseptic and
diuretic properties. ⁸

Dill water can be prepared to treat cystitis. To do this, 50 g of fresh dill herb is poured with a liter of water and boiled for 5-6 minutes over low heat. The decoction should be cooled and consumed daily until the symptoms subside. ⁸

Chamomile

Common chamomile flowers are used to prepare folk remedies. Chamomile flowers are used for various diseases, due to the variety of biologically active substances that make up their composition. In the essential oil of chamomile, the most valuable substance is chamazulene, which has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. Also, flower baskets contain flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins and other components that give chamomile the ability to exhibit antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effects. ^9.10

Chamomile infusion is often used to treat cystitis. Two tablespoons of flowers are placed in a glass or
enamelled
dishes, pour a glass of boiling water, cover and infuse for 15 minutes, then filter. Volume received
infusion is brought with boiled water to 200 ml.

Inside, the infusion is taken warm before meals, 2-3 tablespoons 2-3 times a day. ⁹

Cowberry

Both berries and leaves of the plant can be used to treat cystitis. Fruit drinks are prepared from berries, juice is squeezed out. Berries
lingonberries contain vitamin C, benzoic acid, due to which they can exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant
activity. ¹¹ Lingonberry leaves have antimicrobial and diuretic properties. The latter is related to the presence
hydroquinone in lingonberry leaves. The leaves are used as a decoction (2 tablespoons per 1.5 cups of water). With cystitis
take 2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day. Lingonberry decoction works better in an alkaline environment, so during
treatment should drink mineral water. ⁷

Are traditional methods effective?

Two main evaluation criteria apply to any remedy – it must be effective and safe.
The efficacy and safety of drugs is tested in clinical trials. For results to be considered
reliable, they are specially standardized and controlled.

Traditional medicines have been known for many years, but they have never been taken seriously in any clinical trials.
have not been studied. Self-treatment of cystitis can lead to the development of complications, the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Therefore, the doctor selects the treatment, and traditional medicine can be used as an adjunct to therapy if they
are not contraindicated. ¹

One of the drugs used to relieve pain, burning and frequent urination in cystitis is Urinalgin® F . Excreted in the urine, Urinalgin® F acts on the mucous membrane of the lower urinary tract, where it has an analgesic effect. Urinalgin® F is compatible with concomitant use of antibiotics. ¹²

It is necessary to treat cystitis correctly and in a timely manner, therefore, when the first symptoms appear, a woman should consult a specialist as soon as possible.

¹ Cystitis in women. Clinical guidelines. Year of approval: 2021.

² Rozhdestvensky D.A., Bokiy V.A. Clinical pharmacology of cranberry proanthocyanidins: a modern view
for the treatment of urinary tract infections. International Reviews: Clinical Practice and Health. 2014; 4:149-160.
³ Rospotrebnadzor. Useful properties of cranberries.

⁴ Treatment and care of patients at home / ed. V. M. Chernysheva. – Moscow: GEOTAR-Media,
2022. – 368 p., Ch.VI, p.13.

⁵ Kolontarev K.B. The use of cranberry preparations in patients with recurrent urinary infection. Effective
pharmacotherapy. Urology and Nephrology. 2013; No. 3 (26): 42-46.

⁶ Yanova M.A., Kolesnikova N.A. et al. Study of millet and products of its processing. Herald
Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University. 2015; 11:130-135.
⁷ Karomatov I.