---
title: 8 Natural Antibiotics to Prevent UTIs
description: If you're suffering from chronic bladder infections (ie. UTIs) that continue to return no matter how much water you drink or what kind of antibiotics you
image: https://www.spinalcord.com/hubfs/featured16.jpg
---
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# 8 Natural Antibiotics to Prevent UTIs
Author: [Spinal Cord Team](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors)
Publish Date: September 26, 2022
This article explores **eight natural antibiotics that may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs)**, especially for people living with spinal cord injuries who face a higher risk of bladder complications. You’ll learn what these remedies are, how they work, and practical tips for using them safely alongside medical care.
Chronic bladder infections, also known as urinary tract infections (UTIs), are a common occurrence in individuals with spinal cord injuries. People living with paralysis may face recurring infections due to impaired bladder emptying and the need for catheterization, which increases the likelihood of bacteria entering the urinary tract.
But this doesn't have to be your reality. Doctors unfortunately are not aware of the multitude of natural antibiotics that can prevent bladder infections. There are several that work, and it's up to you to try them to see which one works best. We are not medical experts, but these suggestions come from real people living with paralysis and we hope their suggestions are of help.
## **Cinnamon**
There are several varieties of cinnamon, but Ceylon cinnamon is the type of cinnamon you'll want to purchase as it contains a myriad of health benefits, including bacterial-killing properties. There are a variety of ways you can ingest cinnamon, from putting it in your morning coffee to stirring it into warm water, or in a pill form. And you'll want to take about 1 tablespoon per day. The cinnamon coats your bladder, making it difficult for bacteria to take root.
## **Oil of Oregano**
Oil of oregano is another natural ingredient that can help treat bladder infections, especially if it's an E. Coli-based infection, as it has been proven in studies to be highly effective with this kind of bacteria. Doctors recommend mixing a 500 mg dosage with some water or coconut oil and taking it four times a day. This is not however something you should take long-term. Oil of oregano is best used when a bladder infection is present, and not as a prevention method because it is quite strong. Also, make sure you purchase oil or oregano that has a high “carvacrol” content, as this is where the oregano gets its healthy properties from.
## **D-Mannose**
A highly common natural prevention method for bladder infections that doctors will actually prescribe is D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is similar to glucose, is found in several fruits, and can occur naturally in the body. Some people with spinal cord injuries who have chronic bladder infections have found that taking D-Mannose daily helps prevent bladder infections. It comes in either a capsule or a powder and you will need to take around 2 g daily to use it to prevent bladder infections.
## **Raw Garlic**
People have been using raw garlic for centuries to treat a multitude of infections in the body, so it should come as no surprise that raw garlic can treat and prevent bladder infections. There have been recent studies that have supported the health benefits of raw garlic showing that it truly can kill several kinds of strains of pathogenic bacteria associated with urinary tract infections. Typically, it is recommended to take around one clove of day for UTI prevention. You may get garlic breath, but if it works, it is a great way to keep yourself healthy.
## **Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules**
Another natural antibiotic that humans have been using for centuries is apple cider vinegar, and it can help prevent bladder infections. While apple cider vinegar capsules can’t treat full-blown bladder infections, they can prevent them. The theory is that the acid in the apple cider vinegar helps balance your bladder’s pH levels, as bacteria love non-acidic spaces.
## **No Processed Sugar**
For many, doing something as simple as limiting processed sugar from their diet has been massively effective when it comes to limiting how often they get bladder infections. Many believe that processed sugar causes bladder infections since bacteria thrive when around processed sugar.
## **Cranberries**
Cranberries are a tried and true method for bladder infections in the world of spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, many do not see the health benefits that others experience from ingesting cranberries, but for the right person drinking cranberry juice on a daily basis or taking cranberry capsules can be *highly* effective in preventing bladder infections/UTIs. Make sure that the cranberry juice you drink is low in sugar.
## **Lemon Essential Oil **
A less popular natural antibiotic used to prevent bladder infections is lemon essential oil. There have been studies that have shown that lemongrass oil in particular can fight bacterial infections and kill some harmful pathogens. It’s recommended to take 3 to 5 drops of lemon essential oil under the tongue each day to prevent bladder infections.
## **Vitamin C**
There have been recent studies that have shown that Vitamin C is effective in preventing bladder infections if taken in high doses, typically around 100 mg daily. The large amounts of vitamin C help limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine.
Just like taking mental health medication or a new birth control pill, you will need to try a variety of the aforementioned natural methods to see which one works best or if at all (some may not work and that is ok). We above all hope that this article has opened your mind to the natural world of UTI prevention.
**Topics:** 8 Natural Antibiotics to Prevent UTIs, Raw Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, No Processed Sugar, Cranberries, Lemon Essential Oil, Vitamin C, antibiotics, Ceylon, Ceylon cinnamon, carvacrol, glucose, UTI prevention, acidifying the urine, Cinnamon, Oil of Oregano, D-Mannose, chronic bladder infections, lemongrass oil, urinary tract infections, pathogenic bacteria
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"articleBody" : "The spinal cord is a vital part of the human body. As the vehicle responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back again, even the smallest interference can be detrimental. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury, this bundle of nerves can become bruised, also known as a contusion. Because of the nature of the nervous system, any interference can constitute a serious spinal contusion, but these facts will help you dissect all of the information from the medical professionals.\n\nWhat Is a Spinal Contusion?
\n![\"Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image\"](\"https://www.spinalcord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog-Images/Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg?width=300&name=Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image-min.jpg\")
\nMuch like any other bruise, a contusion can cause bleeding from local blood vessels and inflammation which, rather unlike bruises on other parts of the body, can have serious negative impacts on the spinal cord itself. Because the “blood must clot to stop the bleeding”a bruise results from contusions also increase cardiovascular risks.
\nFor example, the swelling a contusion can cause will often disrupt nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the body through the spinal cord, and the severity of this will depend upon the level of injury. Unlike a concussion, a contusion would not cause unconsciousness or a ‘blackout’, but instead cause the patient to feel a numbness or tingling in the extremities.
\nA contusion can cause spinal compression, which happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This can go on to cause an array of physical symptoms such as loss of sensation in the feet, inability to use the hands and loss of sexual ability. It must be noted that not all contusions cause spinal compression, and not all spinal compression is caused by a contusion, although they do often connect this way.
\nWarning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion to Watch For
\nFirstly, doctors will try and establish what area or limb the injury has affected. Spinal contusions most often “affect the upper extremities bilaterally and also sometimes involve the lower extremities,” according to Dr. Wong, an orthopedic physician.
\nSymptoms include “numbness, tingling, [or] electric shock-like sensations and burning in the extremities,” (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2016). Generally falling into the category of “spinal trauma” there are many symptoms which are similar to other forms of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury. Below are some symptoms of spinal trauma:
\n\n- Spinal shock — or the "loss of feeling or movement below site of injury" (Columbia University Medical Centre, 2016) that can last between hours and weeks
\n- Loss of bladder or bowel function
\n- Difficulty breathing
\n- Muscle spasticity
\n- Difficulty understanding speech
\n- Problems with attention
\n- Memory challenges
\n- Heart rate and blood pressure problems
\n
\nUnfortunately, it is sometimes challenging to identify which symptoms are due to a spinal contusion, and which ones are the result of a spinal cord injury directly. It can sometimes require a few days or weeks for the body to recover from spinal trauma and reveal if any permanent damage is left from the accident that caused the SCI.
\nUnderstanding what a contusion is, and how it can come into play following a spinal cord injury is important in order to clearly appreciate your injury, understand your diagnoses, and work toward treatment and a prognosis. Doctors can sometimes use jargon that’s difficult to understand, so the more you can educate yourself about your condition, the more control you can have in your recovery and treatment.
\nIf you still have questions about the details of the spinal cord and how it may be affected from your injury, please contact us or download our guide to understanding a spinal cord injury.",
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"description":"The spinal cord is a vital part of the human body. As the vehicle responsible for carrying messages from the brain to the rest of the body and back again, even the smallest interference can be detrimental. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury, this bundle of nerves can become bruised, also known as a contusion. Because of the nature of the nervous system, any interference can constitute a serious spinal contusion, but these facts will help you dissect all of the information from the medical professionals.
What Is a Spinal Contusion?
Signs-of-a-spinal-contusion-title-image
Much like any other bruise, a contusion can cause bleeding from local blood vessels and inflammation which, rather unlike bruises on other parts of the body, can have serious negative impacts on the spinal cord itself. Because the “blood must clot to stop the bleeding”a bruise results from contusions also increase cardiovascular risks.
For example, the swelling a contusion can cause will often disrupt nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the body through the spinal cord, and the severity of this will depend upon the level of injury. Unlike a concussion, a contusion would not cause unconsciousness or a ‘blackout’, but instead cause the patient to feel a numbness or tingling in the extremities.
A contusion can cause spinal compression, which happens when there is pressure on the spinal cord. This can go on to cause an array of physical symptoms such as loss of sensation in the feet, inability to use the hands and loss of sexual ability. It must be noted that not all contusions cause spinal compression, and not all spinal compression is caused by a contusion, although they do often connect this way.
Warning Signs of a Serious Spinal Contusion to Watch For
Firstly, doctors will try and establish what area or limb the injury has affected. Spinal contusions most often “affect the upper extremities bilaterally and also sometimes involve the lower extremities,” according to Dr. Wong, an orthopedic physician.
Symptoms include “numbness, tingling, [or] electric shock-like sensations and burning in the extremities,” (American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 2016). Generally falling into the category of “spinal trauma” there are many symptoms which are similar to other forms of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury. Below are some symptoms of spinal trauma:
Spinal shock — or the loss of feeling or movement below site of injury (Columbia University Medical Centre, 2016) that can last between hours and weeks
Loss of bladder or bowel function
Difficulty breathing
Muscle spasticity
Difficulty understanding speech
Problems with attention
Memory challenges
Heart rate and blood pressure problems
Unfortunately, it is sometimes challenging to identify which symptoms are due to a spinal contusion, and which ones are the result of a spinal cord injury directly. It can sometimes require a few days or weeks for the body to recover from spinal trauma and reveal if any permanent damage is left from the accident that caused the SCI.
Understanding what a contusion is, and how it can come into play following a spinal cord injury is important in order to clearly appreciate your injury, understand your diagnoses, and work toward treatment and a prognosis. Doctors can sometimes use jargon that’s difficult to understand, so the more you can educate yourself about your condition, the more control you can have in your recovery and treatment.
If you still have questions about the details of the spinal cord and how it may be affected from your injury, please contact us or download our guide to understanding a spinal cord injury.",
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