HEALING WITH NATURE: PLANT - BASED ALTERNATIVES IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION CARE

*S. Venkatesh, J. Dhiviya, G. Dinesh, A. Dinesh, A. Dhanush and H. Dhanush

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common bacterial infections affecting individuals of all ages, with a higher prevalance in females. They occur when bacteria, most commonly Escherichia coli enter the urinary tract, leading to inflammation and discomfort. UTI’s can range from asymptomatic bacteriuria to severe forms like pyelonephritis and urosepsis. Herbal remedies have long been used in traditional medicine for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Plants such as Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpan ,Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Garlic (Allium sativum), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), cornsilk (Zea mays), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) have shown potential in preventing or managing UTI by inhibiting bacterial adhesion, reducing inflammation and enhancing urinary flow . This article reviews the pharmacological actions, clinical relevance and therapeutic potential of selected herbal plants in the prevention and treatment of UTI’s providing a natural alternative in an era of rising antimicrobial resistance.