There are tens of viral social media posts claiming baking soda, lemon water, turmeric and garlic can treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). “Home remedy to treat UTI”, read one post. The person who posted asked those with a recurring condition to dissolve bicarbonate of soda in warm water and drink it to treat the infection. “Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in warm water and drink it morning and evening for three days.”
The post attracted over 12,000 views and over 1,000 comments, some thanking her for the ‘long-awaited insight’, while others asked whether the remedy is safe during pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation and for people with high blood pressure.
Baking soda.
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One commenter questioned the concoctions, saying the substance is “strong enough to unclog drains, and people are drinking it.” Others posted how cranberry juice and garlic inserted in the vagina can also help treat UTIs.
But do these home remedies really work, or do they cause more harm to the vaginal tract?
A 2016 Cochrane review examined urinary alkalisers (substances that reduce urine acidity) as a treatment for uncomplicated UTIs in women. The researchers found insufficient evidence to recommend them, as no trials established their benefits and harms.
Although baking soda can make urine less acidic, gynecologists say it does not kill the bacteria causing an infection. In fact, taking too much sodium bicarbonate can disrupt the body’s electrolyte balance. Its high sodium content can also pose risks for people with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart problems.
Other home remedies promoted online for UTIs include eating raw garlic or boiling it in water, drinking ginger tea, and mixing turmeric with warm water or milk. These remedies are often recommended based on claims that they fight bacteria or help the body combat infections.
Some people also believe that drinking lemon water helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract. Other remedies promoted online include inserting raw garlic or plain yoghurt into the vagina, washing the vaginal area with vinegar, and sitting over steam from water mixed with herbs.
However, clinical evidence is insufficient to show that garlic, ginger, turmeric or lemon water can cure a bacterial UTI. Laboratory findings on the antimicrobial properties of plant compounds do not prove that consuming them eliminates bacteria in the urinary tract of humans.
Garlic.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
Prof Moses Obimbo, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, warns against using unproven remedies to treat a suspected UTI.
“They are not part of mainstream medical practice,” he says. “The danger is that they have not been subjected to rigorous testing processes. It is not advisable to treat the infection at home because it can quickly become complicated.”
Prof Obimbo advises people experiencing symptoms to seek a medical assessment instead of relying on remedies that may ease discomfort without clearing the infection.
“Patients should go to hospital for a urine test to confirm whether they actually have a UTI,” he says.
He says that a urine test can help establish whether an infection is present. A urine culture can identify the responsible bacteria and help guide antibiotic treatment.
Prof Obimbo warns that people should also avoid taking leftover antibiotics or buying them without appropriate medical advice.
According to Prof Omente Orang’o, a gynaecologic oncologist, some women mistake any vaginal discharge for a UTI.
“I see very many women coming when they have a discharge, and they say, ‘I have a UTI.’ It’s not a UTI. People just find it easier to pick UTI,” he said in a past interview.
He notes that UTIs affect the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder and kidneys.
“Symptoms include frequent urination, a burning sensation or pain when passing urine, lower abdominal discomfort, and a persistent urge to urinate.”
Vaginal discharge, itching and irritation may instead indicate an infection or another gynaecological condition.
“The discharge comes from inside. That’s vaginitis, not a urinary tract infection,” says Prof Orang’o.
Some women say they were treated for UTIs only to later discover they had cancer. However, Prof Orang’o clarifies that UTIs do not cause cervical cancer. “UTIs do not cause cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus transmitted mainly through sexual contact,” he explains.
“Some people infected with HPV experience absolutely no symptoms. You could have HPV right now and have absolutely no idea,” says Prof Orang’o.
