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Kidney Cleanse to Get Rid of Infection

The kidneys are filtering organs that clean the blood. When there is a kidney infection, it can become dangerous and lead to life-threatening diseases if not treated promptly. According to the Mayo Clinic, the infection "generally begins in your urethra or bladder and travels up into your kidneys." If the infection seriously impairs kidney function, the infection could spread to the bloodstream. A kidney cleanse is the first step towards treating or preventing infections caused by a virus or bacterium.

  1. Take Uva Ursi

    • There are many herbs that are thought to cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract. Uva ursi, or bearberry, is probably the best known. Herbalists recommend this herb because of its curative abilities. According to the article "6 Herbs for Kidney Cleanse," uva ursi has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that kill the germs that may lead to infections. The article "Uva Ursi" on the Herbs2000.com website states that the herb is able to "reduce the accumulated levels of uric acid" found in the body. A person can take uva ursi in pill form. Take a low dosage at first to see how your body reacts. Though an herb, it is still a drug with possible side effects. Consult with a professional herbalist for more information.

    Drink Lots of Water

    • The Mayo Clinic writes, "Drinking plenty of fluids will help to flush bacteria from your urinary tract." Water keeps the body hydrated and dilutes any harmful substances in the body. The American Dietetic Association recommends that every person drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. With a kidney infection, this amount of water needs to be increased. The Mayo Clinic also suggests you avoid citric juices, alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee or soda. These beverages can aggravate the symptoms of a kidney infection.

    Drink Cranberry Juice

    • The National Library of Medicine (NLM) suggests drinking cranberry juice. There is evidence that cranberry juice can treat urinary tract infections. Cranberry juice has hippuric acid. This acid treats kidney infections by preventing certain types of bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder. If the infection is treated while still in the bladder, it won't progress to the kidneys. Drink 100 percent cranberry juice, not adulterated juices. This gives you the best concentration of hippuric acid. The pure cranberry juice is usually found in health food stores, not the supermarket.

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