Bladder Infections and Cystitis

Choose a remedy: No one has all the bladder and urinary pain symptoms so choose based on the most prominent ones. If symptoms change, take a remedy that matches your new symptoms.

Dosage: At onset of bladder infection or urinary symptoms, take 30C every 30 minutes* or 30C, 12X, or 6C every two to four hours** depending on severity of symptoms. Or, see the Dosage Chart.

Do not take more than 3 doses of the same remedy if there is no improvement.
When symptoms improve, extend the time between doses until no longer needed.
If symptoms change or improvement stalls, try a different remedy, or see a professional homeopath or health care provider.

Notes:

If a self-selected remedy – however well indicated – doesn’t help, you need to seek medical expertise. A doctor will provide a diagnosis and/or a professional homeopath can evaluate your symptoms in the context of your whole person.
If you have recurrent bladder infections/cystitis, consult a professional homeopath to help get to the root of the problem.
Bladder symptoms accompanied by fever, chills, back pain, decrease in the amount of urine, swelling in any body part, blood in urine, and in children require help from a medical professional.

Symptoms	Remedy
Intense, constant urge to urinate Severe burning with every drop each drop feels like acid shrieks with pain during urination Pain before, during and after urination Feels would be better if bladder empty Spasm at end of urination May have tingling sensation in genitals Scanty amount when urinating May be blood tinged Lower abdomen may be uncomfortable Better: cold applications View Remedy	Cantharis
Painful urination after intercourse, rape or catheterization Burning pain after urination Constant desire May feel like a drop of urine is constantly in urethra Constant burning with feeling of pressure May occur after abuse or embarrasment Worse: after intercourse View Remedy	Staphysagria
Full feeling with constant/frequent urge Only produces small amount unsatisfying result Temporary relief when urinating small amounts Itching/needle-like feeling in urethra when urinating Better: warm applications evening Worse: anger when chilled coffee, alcohol View Remedy	Nux vomica
Constant urging feels like will never get done Urine passes in small amounts (drop by drop) Straining but incomplete emptying Urine hot, scalding Burning or stabbing pain in urethra to bladder May be bloody Increased perspiration Worse at night View Remedy	Mercurius corrosivus
Severe pain at end of urination pain with last few drops Much urine produced Burning with constant urging Must stand to urinate. Urine dribbles when sitting. View Remedy	Sarsaparilla
Cutting/radiating/burning pain from kidney Into pelvis/thighs/bladder Incomplete feeling Cloudy, mucusy or bloody urine Dull ache in kidney area Worse with pressure, motion, jarring Worse: standing slight motion Better: splinting the affected side View Remedy	Berberis vulgaris
Burning/stinging/sharp pain Frequent urging especially before menses Increased urge to urinate but has to strain Urine may be scanty, hot, may be bloody Urinary retention especially newborns Worse: heat Better cold View Remedy	Apis mellifica
Pain rises every moment urge is postponed Pain irregular, spasmodic Pain during/after urinating and when lying down Strong urging, difficulty holding urine in Thirstless Bedwetting at night Better in open air View Remedy	Pulsatilla
Sharp, burning pain at end or after urination Pressure and full sensation even when empty Urging and fullness not better after urinating Urging increases as volume decreases Burning pain Urine retention after childbirth Nighttime bedwetting View Remedy	Equisetum
Children often affected Itching/crawling feeling deep in urethra or neck of bladder Sudden urges -jumps with pain Must go immediately or very painful View Remedy	Petroselinum
Urine retention especially after labor or in newborns May come on suddenly after exposure to cold Holds genitals View Remedy	Aconitum napellus
Urine retention Sudden urges Urging remains after urinating Sensation of something moving in bladder Sudden onset with high fever Worse: coughing moving jarring View Remedy	Belladonna
Red sand in urine Frequent painful urging, but takes long to pass urine Bearing down sensation in bladder Worse 4-8pm View Remedy	Lycopodium
Chronic burning in bladder Tend to be anxious, restless Tend to be chilly Worse: when chilled night View Remedy	Arsenicum
Unable to urinate if urine stays too long in bladder Difficult urinating after catheterization, childbirth Worse: when chilled after childbirth View Remedy	Causticum
Pain and urging worse when chilled Painful retention Worse: cold weather Autumn View Remedy	Dulcamara
Pressure in bladder Stitching pain Urine offensive smelling smells like horse urine View Remedy	Nitric Acid
Burning extending to kidneys Urine smokey colored Urine smells like violets Better: walking in open air View Remedy	Terebinthina
Sudden, painful urging Urine comes in a forked stream View Remedy	Thuja

References:

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dePaula Coelho C, Motta PD, Petrillo M., et al. Homeopathic medicine Cantharis modulates uropathogenic E. Coli (UPEC)-induced cystitis in susceptible mice. Cytokine. 2017 Apr; 92: 103-109. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28142108

De Schepper, Luc. The People’s Repertory. Full of Life Publishing, Sante Fe. 1998: p. 51.

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Kaiser Permanente. Urinary Tract Infection (Homeopathy). Remedy Options. Retrieved on Aug 6, 2019 from https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2262002

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Pannek J, Kurmann C, Imbach E, et al. In Vitro Effects of Homeopathic Drugs on Cultured Escherichia coli. Homeopathy. 2018 May; 107(2): 15-54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29566404

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Riyas, Preema. Efficacy of Homeopathy in the Management of Cystitis. Retrieved on Sept 17, 2021.

*Schalts E. Easy Homeopathy. McGraw Hill, NY. 2005: p. 220-21.

Ullman, Dana. The Consumers Guide to Homeopathy. GP Putnam Sons, NY. 1995: pp. 191-92.