Years ago (eleven of them, to be precise), I wrote a newsletter on homeopathy for UTIs entitled When It’s Hard to Go. Readers who’ve found it through web searches have contacted my team because there were no potencies included in the article.
Well, I have an easy explanation for why I was seemingly vague in that post: Classical homeopathy is vague!
You see, back in 2013, when I wrote that newsletter, I still practiced classical homeopathy. But over the years, after developing my own extensive clinical practice as well as my fellowship with the Drs. Banerji in India, I veered away from the esoteric and embraced the practical by utilizing proven, condition-specific protocols for common conditions. Because of this change in my philosophy, the success rate in my practice soared, and my teachings became more digestable.
Why? Because the brand of homeopathy I developed over time — my Practical Homeopathy® — is not vague. It contains precise, reproducible protocols gathered from top-notch homeopaths all over the world as well as from my decades of case-taking and teaching. I’m no longer handcuffed to the esoteric, enigmatic and dogmatic ideology of classical thinking.
So, it’s time to update that old newsletter by putting my Practical Homeopathy® spin on it.
The very first change I want to make is that outside of the Banerji Protocol® for UTIs (which I discussed in my 2017 blog post, Recurring UTIs and Antibiotics: Stop the Cycle, where you can download the Remedy Card), my current go-to medicine for general UTIs is Cantharis 30, twice daily (or every few hours, depending on severity), until very much better.
As I mentioned in 2013, Cantharis is for those who experience a strong sense of urgency, yet very little is voided upon reaching the bathroom. The sufferer may be compelled to rush to the toilet and may even lose urine on the way. Sometimes, a sense of frenzied desperation accompanies an infection, and accompanying pain may make this symptom worse. Burning pain is also a strong indication for Cantharis. But it's not necessary — nor is an infection — in order to employ Cantharis.
Here's an example of what I hear regularly: One of my team members who was afflicted with at least one or two UTIs a year — not unlike what my hundreds of clients and students report — told me that she hasn’t had one in ages thanks to Cantharis 30. A few little pillules employed years ago have given her lasting freedom, peace of mind and empowerment.
But despite that success story, there is often more than one way to bake a cake in homeopathy — even in Practical Homeopathy®. So, let’s look at the first few medicines in my 2013 newsletter that may be considered for UTIs.
As you read, remember that all of these medicines — as with every homeopathic medicine — should only be employed until the condition is very much better. Then, halt. Observe. If symptoms recommence, the medicine may be started again as before.
These are listed in what I consider to be the order of importance as of this writing. If a chosen medicine provides absolutely no improvement in due time, then one might consider another medicine:
Staphysagria 30, every 3-12 hours, depending on severity, until very much better — This remedy was initially further down the list, but it has proved so efficacious that I’m moving it up! Staphysagria has a reputation for aiding girls who suffer UTIs after being abused, either physically or emotionally, or after a recent embarrassment. So common is Staphysagria in this malady that it should be considered if no other remedy seems to fit the “picture” of the symptoms. It's also a capital choice for honeymoon cystitis.
Natrum phosphoricum 6X (Nat phos), twice daily, until very much better — This little gem of a remedy was my previous go-to medicine (before I recognized even more effective protocols). However, Nat phos can be used in conjunction with any of the other listed remedies for urinary problems. Nat phos 6X is indicated whenever there is an acidic and alkaline imbalance. There is a strong urge to urinate, yet the person must wait for the urine to flow. Watch for symptoms such as nervous weakness, burning pain and albuminous urine. These signs are made worse after relations and in the evening.
Ferrum phosphoricum 6X (Ferr phos), twice daily, until very much better — This little cell salt is excellent for any inflammatory state, especially when the inflammation is accompanied by throbbing. Consider this when a fever accompanies the UTI. The sufferer may be nervous, anemic and sensitive. Along with Nat phos 6X, it may be alternated with any of the other listed remedies.
Aconitum napellus 200 (Aconite), twice daily, at the immediate onset of the condition — When I teach students about this remedy, I call it “quick shock” because Aconitum is a useful medicine when the body experiences a shock of any sort and has a quick reaction to it. Think of a hot day swimming in warm water and then hopping into a cold, air-conditioned car while still wet. If a urinary tract infection ensues, one might immediately consider this remedy. A fright, such as after an accident, can also be a call for Aconitum. Burning before urination and a sense of pressure in the bladder could also point to this choice. As I mentioned, this medicine is generally utilized only at the beginning of the condition — the sudden onset. Another of these potential medicines may be chosen to alternate with Aconite during those first few days after onset. After halting the Aconite, the other medicine may also be continued, until very much better.
While my original list contained six additional candidates for consideration, there are actually many medicines to choose from for a urinary tract infection. But remember, we only move to the others if the top considerations (the Banerji Protocol® or Cantharis) don’t act. We certainly would not throw all of these at one condition. Instead, we prudently choose the top match or matches.
Whew! That’s a lot of information for one post. So, I’ll follow up with the remaining six medicines in my next Memo to Mighty Members later in the week. (If you’re not a Mighty Member yet, what are you waiting for?)
For now, readers, I want you to take note: By looking through my older blog posts, you can see the progression of my thinking from 2013 to 2024. Sure, I started out as a classical homeopath because that’s all that was available then. It’s different now. I'm no longer over-egging the pudding. Instead, I teach what I have gleaned over my almost 40 years of study and practice. However, judging from the responses from my current readers, students and clients, I’m convinced that Practical Homeopathy® has made the homeopathic medical paradigm more accessible to everyone — mothers, grandmothers, dads, nurses, pharmacists and M.D.s.
More and more individuals have garnered the competence and confidence to treat themselves, their families, loved ones and even clients or patients because of the straightforward clarity of my Practical Homeopathy®.
So, when I say, “Pass on the good news of homeopathy,” I more specifically mean my Practical Homeopathy®!
Warmly,
P.S. If you want to take a deep dive into this subject and learn how to avoid the use of antibiotics for UTIs and other similar common infections, I urge you to consider my course, The Antibiotic Alternative: Balance your Bugs Without the Drugs: How Homeopathy Can Help You Avoid Antibiotic Fallout and Strengthen Immunity in Everyday Family Life. Learn many more practical, proven homeopathic protocols as alternatives to side-effect-ridden antibiotics.
And don’t forget, my Mighties (Joette’s Mighty Members) qualify for a 10% discount on course purchases.
Great summary blog post, Joette. Super helpful! You might want to check the remedy card link that gets sent…I received a remedy card for Merc sol for sore throat. Looking forward to more of these summary posts with your updated thinking.
Thank you so much!
This has been corrected, and new emails have been re-sent 🙂
Joette, I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ve taught me and I’ve only been learning from you for 2 years! I’ll be adding this new information to my arsenal.
One more thing for anyone suffering to consider is
D-Mannose. It may not uproot the condition but it sure has gotten rid of UTI’s quickly. I always have a bottle in my medicine cabinet.
Joette, many years ago I started looking at your site because of recurring UTIs. I found a document that listed several remedies along with the symptoms for each one. From that list I chose Sarsaparilla 30c. When it arrived, the first dose was like a miracle – my symptoms released almost immediately. It was then I was convinced of the value of homeopathic medicine. I keep this with me all the time but have not had to use it now for several years. It did what homeopathic does: every time I needed it the symptoms were less and the intervals between bouts was a lot longer. I have searched for that article many times on your site and cannot find it. I do notice that this remedy is no longer listed in your newer posts, including this one. But since I had so much success with it, I am sticking to Sarsaparilla. I have had no reason to try anything else. Is there a reason why it is no longer a suggested remedy?
It’s included in the elongated list that’s continued in my Joette’s Mighty Members’ post coming up this week.
Talk about a coincidence, I have been dealing with a bladder issue. In this instance, my question is about diet. When we are having trouble matching the symptoms to a remedy, will looking at diet help? You have mentioned reducing chocolate. Our foods are laced with so many chemicals, and one chemical in specific that seems to affect the bladder is citric acid. I didn’t realize I was sensitive to citric acid until I talked with other female friends. We all had the same reaction to citric acid. We have to pee every hour or so at night when we go to bed. I used the nighttime urges as a symptom for a possible UTI. When I realized that the constant urge to pee at night was caused by citric acid, I eliminated it from my diet, the hourly nighttime urges stopped, and I got a clearer picture of symptoms. From what you have said this may not be as important in an acute case as it is in a chronic case. I followed your previous advice and chose Medorrhinum 200C, and my bladder problem is clearing. I should mention one other thing, since I have been following your advice and protocols, I am not as sensitive to citric acid. I don’t know which remedy helped, but the important thing is that Practical homeopathy made the difference.
Often, once the correct homeopathic is chosen based on symptoms, not etiology, it clears up the sensitivities that were the original cause…all in once sweep.
‘Happy to hear.
Great blog on UTIs. I also received a remedy card for sore throats instead of the UTIs.
Hi Joette, Thank you for the information. When I received the post I was filled with hope. Mum gets frequent UTI’s and has one now but since she cannot talk anymore I still don’t know what to do.
Also, I noticed a comment above on D-Mannose – it just does not clear my mum’s UTI’s.
We try herb teas and vitamins and eventually find we have to resort to anti-biotics. It is a horrible experience as the anti-biotics have side effects. For example Alprim causes a wound on or below her bottom lip.
If one uses the top, go-to medicine, it often acts fully. I was my mom’s caretaker at the end of her life when she was no longer speaking and was able to determine that the most common homeopathic medicine was called for by starting with that and watching for the changes. Its not that complex.
And you’re correct. Vitamins don’t fully address this condition. Herbs are another story. But nothing, and I mean NOTHING acts like homeopathy when the directions are followed. By the way, D-mannose may help some people here and there but our goal is not to temporarily soften the infection.
Ours is to uproot the condition altogether.
Do the UTI medicines work for incontinence?
Incontinence is enough different that the medicines and their frequencies set it apart.
With that one word, frequencies, you have brought homeopathy to a whole new and higher level for me. It will be a wonderful lifetime study, especially when I join the community. Thank you.
That’s my aim. Indeed that’s how I teach homeopathy. For most situations, unlike the outdated method of classical homeopathy I offer the potency and frequency. It’s practical.
And I’m delighted it has touched you in this way.
That same light bulb that went over your head went over mine years ago and I now teach it from that vantage point.
That is, with the frequency and potency specific to the condition.
And moments late, I have found the latest email Memo to Mighty Members # 204 about the history of homeopathy with a link to many sources!!
How long would one wait to see improvement and move on to the next medicine? I tried staphysagria a few times the first day with no improvement and then moved to cantharis for a day and a half with no improvement and then back to Staphysagria for a day and a half and today I’m a lot worse. I’m thinking I’m probably moving through them too quickly. Is one of the remedies more indicated for a bad smell to the urine and blood?