15 Simple Home Remedies for Kidney Infections

Kidneys are a couple of our excretory organs and perform several other regulatory functions like maintaining the acid-base balance, flushing out toxins out of the body, producing urine, filtration of the blood, etc.

But sometimes, because of an infection, the kidneys may stop working effectively and properly. If not treated in a timely manner, a kidney infection may lead to kidney failure and other complications that usually land people in the E.R.

Therefore, immediate medical attention and treatment are imperative.

What Are the Symptoms and Causes of a Kidney Infection?

Kidney infections also are known as Pyelonephritis,  are a category of urinary tract infections (UTI) that usually start in the bladder and then move upwards to  one or both kidneys.

Bacteria infecting the kidney is what causes the kidney infection. The infections caused by harmful bacteria may result in inflammation of the kidney’s inner tissue and may lead to pus production and cause internal wall scarring.

This type of inflammation is the primary cause of the aching pains usually associated with kidney infections like abdominal pain or lower back pain.

Doctors classify UTIs into two categories:  uncomplicated or complicated. The severity and symptoms of a kidney infection are directly influenced by a person’s age and overall health.

A healthy person without any other issues in their urinary tract will usually be diagnosed with uncomplicated UTIs.

Uncomplicated UTI’s symptoms include:

• Chills
• A painful burning sensation when you urinate
• Kidney pain

• Fever

• Increased frequency of urination

• Appetite loss

• Fatigue

• Nausea and vomiting

• Smelly, cloudy and a hint of blood in the urine

Complicated UTI’s symptoms are generally associated with chronic pyelonephritis where urine flows backward, from the bladder up into the kidneys or catheters.

This condition can lead to severe health issues because the urinary tract and the body’s defense system will just go down. Females, the elderly, and people with diabetes are at higher risk of complicated UTIs.

What Are the Common Risk Factors for a Kidney Infection?

Kidney Stones  

Kidney stones and other abnormalities can disrupt kidney function and cause kidney infection because it can block the flow of urine and makes bacteria to linger in the kidney without getting washed away with the urine.

Menopause

During menopause, there will be changes in a woman’s body like vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, or pelvic organ prolapse.

These physical changes can add to the risk of developing kidney infections without any warning and affect kidney health.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women are very prone to kidney infections because the pressure put by the expanded uterus slows the transit of urine during pregnancy.

Urinary Catheters

Urinary catheters can be prevented by staying hydrated. Drinking lots of water is also one of the best natural home remedies for kidney infection and pain.

The use of catheters is required when a person cannot urinate because of a severe illness, bladder dysfunction, neurogenic bladder, urine incontinence, prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.

Sexual intercourse

Having unprotected sex may also increase the risk of urinary tract infections because pathogens can dwell and multiply around the urethra and easily move to the woman’s upper urinary tract system during sex.

This condition is also called the honeymoon cystitis, which is very common in women when they reach their 50s or women who have never had children.

Can Home Remedies Works for a Kidney Infection?

A kidney infection is commonly treated with antibiotics, but you can use home remedies to help alleviate the symptoms or speed up recovery.

1. Parsley Juice

Like the way your skin needs cleansing, your body and its internal organs also need to be cleansed. Parsley juice serves as a cleanser for the kidneys as it flushes out toxins.

It contains an array of nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, B, potassium, sodium, copper, thiamin, and riboflavin.

It is one of the best and the most effective treatments against renal infections.

What to do:

• Take a few parsley leaves and boil them thoroughly in a boiler with water.
• Strain the resulting juice, cool it and drink it.
• Repeat several times a week.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Both honey and apple cider vinegar can work wonders for kidney-related infections.

The two ingredients will benefit you more than when each is used separately. An easy home remedy for a kidney infection is apple cider vinegar.

What to do:

• Mix 2 tbsp of honey with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar.
• Consume on a daily basis.

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3. Fruit Juice

Juices specifically citrus fruit juices like lemon juice, orange juice, lime juice etc. are really important for kidney cleansing to get rid of toxins and other infectious particles and agents.

Besides being a cleanser and a good infection treatment, fresh fruit juice soothes and relaxes kidneys during and post-infection.

You can consume a variety of juices, like lemons, oranges, cranberries, grapes, and apples.

What to do:

• Choose healthy-looking fruits from a natural source.
• Make your own juice with the help of a juicer or by manually squeezing them.
• Combine multiple types of fruit for greater variety.
• Consume daily.

4. Herbal Tea

Anything herbal is good for the health of your body and one of the best natural remedies for kidney infections.

Drinking herbal teas, such as chamomile tea, marshmallow tea, parsley tea or goldenrod tea, is an effective formula to treat many infections, including kidney related problems.

What to do:

• Choose any herbs you can find easily. Make sure they are natural.
• Make your own tea from them.
• Combine them for more flavors.
• Sip any of these teas at least twice a day.

5. Aloe Vera

Many people don’t know about it, but there are lots of health benefits of aloe vera you should use.

It is useful in almost every ailment of the body, and it should be consumed in good quantities when you’re suffering from a kidney infection.

Aloe Vera is effective against removing toxins out of the body through its effective cleansing mechanism.

What to do:

• Get your own supply of aloe vera or start growing your own.
• Consume aloe vera juice twice a day for best results.
• Alternatively, you can add it to other things you eat as well: cakes, sweets, etc.

6. Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is another efficacious treatment for treating kidney related troubles, but it should not be consumed in larger quantities as it could make kidney infection symptoms worse.

Also, cranberry juice should not be consumed for a longer period of time.

What to do:

• Get enough quantities of cranberry.
• Make your own juice each morning.
• Consume in its natural form, i.e., unsweetened.
• Don’t drink it for too long!

7. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is extremely important and beneficial in renal infections as it raises the acidic levels in the kidney, thus, making it impossible for bacteria to grow.

What to do:

• Consume an orange or any other citrus fruit every day for favorable results.
• However, if you don’t like citrus fruits, then take a vitamin C tablet (1,000 mg) once a day and preferably with your breakfast.

8. Water

While talking about the treatment of kidney infections, drinking plenty of water is a no-brainer as there is nothing that can beat water in the world.

Water is the key element that flushes out waste and toxic products from the kidneys, keeping them clean and healthy long time.

Water can be considered one of the best home remedies for kidney infections, other UTIs, and UTI-associated back pain.

What to do:

• Consume at least 10 glasses of water a day whether you are suffering from an infection or not.

9. Baking Soda

Another home remedy for kidney infection is baking soda. Baking soda is very effective in replenishing the bicarbonate levels in the kidney, which makes it one of the good home remedies.

What to do:

• Take 8 ounces of water and dissolve 1 tbsp of baking soda in it.
• Drink it daily

10. Garlic

Just like with aloe vera, there are lots of health benefits of garlic which you should take advantage of.

For example, garlic is known for its diuretic properties. It also alleviates the symptoms of renal infection by forcing the kidneys to pass more salt in the urine.

What to do:

• Add garlic as often as you can in the foods you consume.
• Swallow one clove of garlic in the morning before you eat with a glass of water.

11. Aconitum Napellus

This popular homeopathic medicine is effective against problems like hot urination, burning sensation in the bladder, or if a person becomes anxious before or after passing the urine.

What to do:

• Being a homeopathic remedy, you can buy this medication from the pharmacy on your own.
• Though a general recommendation is to use one drop of tincture a day or a pill a day, it’s better to ask the pharmacist or read the prospect.

12. Apis Mellifica

This medicine is meant for patients, who need to pass urine quite often even without drinking water but they pass only a small quantity of it.

It is also helpful if the patient doesn’t feel thirsty.

What to do:

• Take 1 pill or 5 drops of the remedy every 30 seconds to 4 hours (30 seconds for acute crisis or pain).
• Once the pain/itching/burning sensation softens, you can stop the treatment.
• Repeat only if the symptoms return.
• If after three doses there is no improvement, consult with a healthcare professional.

13. Berberis Vulgaris

Any burning sensation in the urethra calls for this homeopathic remedy. The person may feel the urge to pass more urine even after they have passed all of it.

What to do:

• Mix 10-15 drops in ¼ cup of water.
• Sip it slowly.
• Repeat every 2 hours until symptoms subside.
• Use 3 times daily for 3 days. If you see no change, talk to a specialist.

14. Cantharis

This medication is needed when a person feels burning pain before, after, and during urination.

The patient also feels a strong urge to pass urine even if he has urinated.

What to do:

• Dissolve 5 pellets under the tongue 3 times a day. Stop when the symptoms alleviate.
• If in a couple of days you see no improvement, stop the treatment and visit a doctor.

15. Epsom Salt

This remedy is meant for the people who feel pain in the bladder as if their urine is retained inside.

A warm healing bath can bring relief to anyone who experiences kidney-related pain.

Combine it with other homeopathic solutions, such as Clematis, Nux Vomica, Sepia, and Staphysagria, which are equally good in treating the ailment.

What to do:

• Choose between ACV, Epsom Salt or baking soda plus frankincense.
• Use one cup of the preferred remedy.
• Let it soak in a warm tub for 20 minutes.
• Get into the tub and stay there for a while.

Here is a video of more home remedies for kidney infections that don’t involve antibiotics:

Home Remedies for Kidney Infections – Conclusion

Kidney infections are primarily caused when exterior bacteria enter the urinary tract and reach the tube that carries urine.

Luckily, there are some home remedies for UTI as well even though such bacteria find the kidneys to be a very favorable ground for their multiplication and multiply uncontrollably leading to renal infections.

But fret not. You can always alleviate the pain and improve your state with these easy home remedies for kidney infections.

Recommended Read: Effective Home Remedies for Kidney Pain

Last update on 2022-12-05 at 04:44 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API