Traitement alternatif des infections urinaires.

Abstract

This thesis focuses on urinary tract infections (UTIs), a common condition that primarily affects women, and explores the natural therapeutic alternatives offered by herbal medicine. The first part of the work presents a detailed review of urinary tract infections, including their definition, classification (lower vs. upper, simple vs. complicated), modes of transmission, causative pathogens (primarily Escherichia coli), and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The study also highlights clinical and biological diagnostic methods, antibiotic treatment and its limitations, particularly due to the rise of bacterial resistance, and finally proposed preventive measures, such as phytotherapy or urinary hygiene. The thesis then addresses herbal medicine, defined as the use of medicinal plants for curative purposes. A classification is proposed between traditional and clinical herbal medicine, highlighting the types of preparations (infusion, decoction, extract, essential oil, etc.), as well as the routes of administration .In addition, the biological activities of plants: antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and their relevance in the treatment of UTIs. The section also highlights the advantages (natural, economical, complementary to modern medicine) but also the limitations and risks associated with unregulated use. The last part of the thesis is devoted to the study of medicinal plants with antiseptic and diuretic properties, traditionally used to treat urinary tract infections. Plants such as garlic (Allium sativum), heather, bearberry, or goldenrod are described according to their botanical classification, their chemical composition (flavonoids, tannins, arbutosides, etc.), their pharmacological effects and their empirical use. These species demonstrate notable effects against urinary bacteria, notably by inhibiting the adhesion of germs to the urothelium and by stimulating urinary elimination. Therefore, this study highlights the growing interest in herbal medicine as a therapeutic alternative for urinary tract infections, particularly in a context of increasing resistance to antibiotics .It offers a synergy between traditional knowledge and modern medicine, paving the way for future research to sustainably integrate medicinal plants into public health strategies.