Health tips from the internet can sometimes take on surprising—and, frankly, somewhat off-putting—forms. For example, when it comes to the medical use of urine, one can find remarkably specific instructions:
- Against toothache and cavities: “Rinse your mouth with fresh morning urine for at least three minutes and keep it in the oral cavity as long as possible.”
- For middle ear infections: “Let urine run into the ear canal and leave it there for 15 minutes.”
- For skin impurities or minor burns: “In the morning, after your normal facial cleansing, wash your face with concentrated morning urine and do not rinse it off for as long as possible.”
Behind such recommendations lies a surprisingly persistent myth: urine is a natural disinfectant. In fact, it was already used for this purpose in ancient and medieval medicine.
Overcoming the disgust — is it worth it?
The idea that urine is sterile is now considered outdated. Modern microbiological studies show that the human urinary tract does indeed have a bacterial colonization. The supposed antiseptic thus turns out to be simply a bodily fluid which—like many others—can contain microorganisms and therefore has little place near wounds.
In addition, urine consists mostly of water, along with a small percentage of electrolytes and metabolic waste products that the body is actively trying to eliminate. There is no convincing mechanism for an antiseptic effect.
If it burns, it must work against bacteria?
The fact that urine can sting on injured skin is sometimes interpreted as evidence of a “disinfecting effect.” In reality, this is more likely due to its salt concentration and slightly acidic pH.
In short: urine can sting—but not for the same reasons as an antiseptic, rather for roughly the same reasons as saltwater on an abrasion.
No — urine is not a disinfectant
Today, we have clean water, simple wound care, and sterile dressings. Urine-based applications therefore seem about as advisable as some other classics of historical medicine: bloodletting for fever, mercury treatments for syphilis, or leeches for nearly everything.
Nevertheless, this old myth has still not been completely eradicated.
Have you ever come across advice like this?