Cystitis is an infection in the bladder accompanied by swelling and inflammation. If you have cystitis, you may feel the need to urinate very often, experience lower back pain and have blood in your urine. In addition to the discomfort it causes, cystitis can cause kidney infection and, if left untreated, life-threatening blood infection. If your condition persists for more than 24 hours, consult a physician.
Essential Oils
For comfort and relief, take a warm bath. Add a few drops of essential oil to the water; oil of pine helps provide relief. After your bath mix a few drops each of oil of juniper, pine, parsley and sandalwood in a cup of a carrier oil, such as sunflower. Rub the mixture on the lower abdomen and on the backs of the knees. Lie down, keep warm and keep a hot water bottle on the backs of your knees.
Liquids
Drink lots of water to keep flushing bacteria out of the system. Other liquids that work as preventives when consumed regularly are watermelon juice, fresh onion juice, pomegranate juice and a tea made with chervil, horsetail, shepherd's purse or birch leaf. Or try cherry syrup, which Herbal-Supplements-for-You.com cites as a remedy. Cook 1 pound of cherries in water until the fruit is very soft, mash the fruit and strain out the juice with a strainer or cheesecloth. For every pint of cherry juice, add 8 ounces of sugar. Heat the liquid over a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is a thick syrup. Drink several times per day by the tablespoon.
Yogurt
Eat yogurt several times a day for its live cultures and preventive effect. Yogurt also can help to make the urine less acidic and helps to prevent the reproduction of the bacteria in the infection.
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