Can coconut oil cure a yeast infection?

Can coconut oil cure a yeast infection?

 

If you’re looking for natural treatments for yeast infections, coconut oil is an excellent natural remedy for a vaginal yeast infection, mouth yeast infection and Candida overgrowth. It’s extracted from mature coconuts and it has got a variety of applications, from cooking to cosmetics.

 

Surprisingly, coconut oil can last as long as six months at 24 °C (75 °F) without going bad, so there’s no need to refrigerate it.

 

Can coconut oil cure a yeast infection?

 

Coconut oil is rich in caprylic acid and lauric acid, fatty acids with antifungal qualities, which makes it one of the best home remedies for yeast infections.

 

Although it’s got a high amount of saturated fat, coconut oil has become increasingly popular in cooking due to its sweet, nutty taste. It’s also more and more common in the cosmetic industry for skincare and hair products because of its fantastic moisturizing qualities.

 

But can coconut oil cure yeast infection? There’s more and more evidence that it can because of its strong antifungal and bacterial qualities. In this article, I’ll tell you how to use coconut oil for yeast infection.

 

How to use coconut oil to cure a yeast infection?

 

 

When you’re suffering from a bout of yeast infection prepare a mixture of five tablespoons of good quality coconut oil and a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil (or both!).

Pour the mixture into a suppository tray, put it in the fridge or freezer until it’s solid.  Insert one coconut oil suppository into your vagina overnight.

 

Can coconut oil cure a yeast infection?

 

Make sure you use a sanitary pad, as it’ll most probably leak. Use it every night until you recover. You can also use it once a week to prevent a Candida infection.

 

  • In order to prevent or supplement treatment against a vaginal yeast infection eat a spoon of virgin coconut oil every day to boost your immunity.

 

  • You can also use coconut oil as a lubricant during sexual intercourse. You could use it as often as you wish to help keep Candida at bay. But remember, coconut oil can break latex, so don’t apply it if you’re using a condom.

 

You can also make a coconut oil tampon by soaking a tampon in the coconut oil and essential oil mixture. However, inserting the tampon may be a bit difficult, so I recommend using homemade suppositories.

 

 

 

Let’s have a look at some recent studies:

 

Take a look at clinical studies which prove that you should use coconut oil for yeast infection:

 

  • A study from 2007 found that coconut oil, more specifically caprylic acid and lauric acid, kills Candida albicans (the most common Candida strain which causes vaginal yeast infections). This fungus is very susceptible to coconut oil, which shows that coconut oil should be used to treat fungal infections.

 

 

  • In a study from 2014, they compared the efficiency of clotrimazole suppositories on their own and clotrimazole suppositories with a coconut oil core. The latter proved a much more effective treatment of vaginal yeast infection caused by Candida albicans and Candida glabrata both susceptible and resistant to fluconazole. Adding coconut oil to clotrimazole suppositories also increases its absorption into the body.

 

can coconut oil cure yeast infection

 

  • Another study from 2008 shows that women who ate daily one spoon of virgin coconut oil enriched with zinc had better immunity against Candida and as a result, suffered less from vaginal yeast infections than women taking a placebo.

 

  • The most recent study from 2015 focused on the effect of enriching mice’s diet with coconut oil. Turns out that eating pure coconut oil cut the amount of C. albicans in the gut by more than 90%! As a result, incorporating coconut oil into your diet can decrease the chances of getting different kinds of Candida infections, vaginal yeast infections included.

 

Coconut oil is not only one of the best natural treatments for yeast infections and Candida overgrowth but also bacterial infections, such as BV thanks to its antimicrobial qualities. What’s more, coconut oil pulling is considered an effective natural way to boost your oral health. All these uses make it a must-have home remedy that you should always keep in your pantry.

 

 

hoe to use coconut oil for yeast infection

Conclusion

 

So, is coconut oil antifungal? There’s no doubt that coconut oil will help you treat yeast infection, Candida overgrowth or other fungal infections. It kills Candida and other fungi and bacteria that can cause vaginal infections and well as other kinds of infections.

 

If you want to use only natural remedies for vaginal yeast infections, then its beautiful smell and texture make it a much better alternative other home remedies for yeast infection, such as garlic or yogurt.

 

If you’re interested in using other antifungal oils check my articles about using essential oils and olive oil for yeast infection.

 

Can coconut oil cure a yeast infection

 

Coupled with some antifungal essential oils, it can be a very potent yeast infection treatment, it can also cure mouth yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis.

 

Have you ever used coconut oil suppositories or coconut oil tampons for yeast infection? Please use the comment section below to ask questions or share your thoughts about natural remedies for yeast infection. What’s your favorite yeast infection treatment?

 

 

27 comments

  • Thanks so much! I’ve been searching for some good, honest info on treating reoccurring yeast infections naturally. This is the most thorough site with an opinion I feel I can trust. I was recommended garlic, which definitely slowed the symptoms from getting any worse, but alone does nothing for the itching and redness on the outside. After reading that you wouldn’t use this method (and why) I’ve switched to tea tree and coconut oil. Within an hour I’m already feeling relief. Thank you!

    • Hi Eema, I’m so glad you found my article helpful! Coconut oil and tea tree mixture is an excellent choice if you want to treat your yeast infection (or BV) naturally. It’s very easy to use it both internally and externally, so the itching stops almost immediately. All the best!

  • Greetings. First of all, I really want to thank you for this article, it’s very clear and informative and truly helped me. I recently had a yeast infection. Despite not being incredibly dangerous, it’s VERY uncomfortable. I wanted to cure it naturally since where I live medicine for treating yeast infection always requires a prescription and I didn’t have the possibility to get an appointment with the doctor, and I also always try to find a natural way to cure my illnesses. Luckily, I had pure organic coconut oil, I usually use it instead of hand cream. I used it in solid form as a suppository before going to sleep. I used menstrual pads to prevent it from leaking on my underwear. I also ate a lot of natural yoghurt as a probiotic. It worked wonderfully well, I got rid of my symptoms in 7 days and really hope they won’t return.

    • Hi Ange, thank you so much for commenting. I´m glad my article helped you get rid of your yeast infection. Coconut oil is an amazing remedy for so many conditions, thankfully yeast infection is one of them. I wish you all the best!

  • Pure cooking coconut oil will it work as well soaked in a tampon till I go to the doctor?

    • Hi Nicole, a tampon soaked in coconut oil should work fine and relieve your symptoms, given it’s a yeast infection. I’m glad you’re going to see your doctor to get proper diagnosis and treatment. All the best!

  • hi Im sooooo suffering right now and im scared because im not sure if im right and to very much embarresed to talk to a doctor.
    So im gonna give this a try and go from there
    What kind of cocnut do u have to use? does it matter if organic or not and does it have to be organic and virgin?
    thanks!!
    Sorry young and inexperienced with body and medical problems :/

    • Hi Marie, I’m really sorry to hear that you’re in so much pain. If I were you I would still go to see your doctor to get properly diagnosed, your doctor has seen thousands of cases of vaginal infections before, so there’s no reason to feel embarrassed Marie, this infection is very common in women of all ages. If you want to try coconut oil I think it’s best to use organic. You’ll insert it into your vagina, so you want it to be the best quality! All the best!

  • If you can grow the aloe in your backyard that is the best thing to do. then all you have to do is trim the aloe leaf to suppository size and it doesn’t leak as much while you sleep. That is the most annoying thing in the world. Make sure you cut off the sharp points! this will cause bad things if you don’t pay attention.

    some people can grow it indoors rather successfully. I have mounds of this stuff all over the backyard. Awesome natural remedy for many many things! I also use it on my face with ginger and coconut oil.

    • Hi Red, thanks you for contribution! I’m wondering how safe it would be to insert a piece of aloe vera leaf in the vagina, it may be difficult to remove it later. I think it’s best to put a peeled leaf in a blender along with some coconut oil, pour it into an ice cube tray and leave it in the fridge/freezer so it can solidify (not freeze). After inserting it before going to bed it will slowly leak out without causing any issues.

      • Hi I have a question on how long should I do the suppository for? And is it a bad thing if I freeze it? Does it take Away the healing properties if it’s frozen?

        • Hi Ann, it’s best to use the suppository for 7 consecutive nights. I don’t recommend freezing it as it could be extremely unppleasant to insert it. Coconut oil will turn solid even in room temperature, so leaving it in the fridge for a while will be more than enough. Good luck!

  • This is true and I’ve also already tried it…

    • Thanks for commenting Liah. In my opinion coconut oil and aloe vera are the best natural remedies for a vaginal yeast infection.

    • Hello, I’m a college student and I’ve always struggled with yeast infections. I’ve tried the diflican, capsules, and changing my diet. But nothing compared to coconut oil! Once a week I use a tampon and dip it in melted coconut oil and once fully obsorbed I insert it over night into my vagina. It’s a great, and simple way to not only to get rid of one but to prevent one. I love it!!

      • Thanks for commenting Selena. I’m glad that coconut oil works for you and that it also helps you prevent yeast infections. Do you use it on its own or do you mix it with tea tree oil?

  • Yes you are right, I agree with this. I had an infection but itching was gone when I applied coconut oil. Thanks for this, very helpful.

  • I knew Coconut Oil was good for a lot of things, but I had no idea it could also treat yeast infections. I think it’s a much better solution than all these medicines because at least it’s natural…
    So basically eating Coconut Oil could also prevent the appearance of these infections, right? That’s what I understood.
    I love your site, by the way 😀

  • Wow I have heard of this thing. I think my sister had this as well. Very very interesting to read about it on the internet now. Heard a lot of stuff on it and it can be a true killer. Really not fun to have. She had been sick for a while with all the side effects you can think off. Crazy thing. Lovely explained by the way very engaging

  • hey
    awesome article, yes i’m also a guy but this had me hooked as i keep straight coconut oil in my bathrrom and i use it everyday as a moisturizer. My girlfirend asks why i use it and i tell her that prefer to use natural products over processed chemicals, plus i believe there is a natural solution to every porblem. But i think she’ll have a little more respect for it once i tell her this. keep doing what you do , nathan

    • Thanks for commenting Nathan. Coconut oil is such a versatile natural remedy, the smell and texture make it a pleasure to use! It works great as a moisturizer and recently I learnt it’s good for mosquito bites. I tried it recently on myself and my kids and it really worked! Its antifungal properties are another bonus for yeast infection sufferers, both men and women.

  • I know that coconut is a godsend fruit, but I am surprised of its effectiveness as coconut oil.
    Does it helps if just by drinking fresh coconut water as I am not sure of the processing procedure to turn it into coconut oil like adding of additives?
    All I know is coconut if eaten straight from the fruit itself like the water, flesh or freshly squeeze milk is supposedly very beneficial to health

    • Thanks for your comment. Coconut has got both antifungal and antibacterial properties, whether it’s in the form of coconut water, flesh or oil.
      I’m recommending oil, because it adheres best to the skin and therefore it’s more effective to treat vaginal yeast infections. Organic coconut oils contain no additives and are obtained by cold pressing. So they are definitely safe to use.

  • Hey Kams,

    Even though I am a guy I found this very informative.

    I think a lot of this type of stuff is kept out of the eyes and ears of men to “protect them” or something, I guess some would find it gross but then that causes a lot of men to know nothing about a womens body.

    I think it is more important than ever for men to know about womens bodies and how they work and also how to prevent diseases and infections in the vagina. It would cause a better understanding and I’m sure a stronger relationship between the man and his partner because he would be able to understand her problems and help find solutions.

    Now this coconut oil to cure yeast infections is an interesting concept, I agree it would smell nice so that’s a bonus, I can’t believe people put garlic in their vagina, I can’t imagine that?

    How exactly does it work after you put the coconut oil in your vagina? Does your vagina absorb the nutrients? Or does it just help fight off the bacteria so they die or leave then melt and get excreted?

    Thanks for a great article!

    Aiden
    Freedom Weight Loss

    • Thank you for commenting, Aiden. Fatty acids found in coconut oil, namely lauric and caprlicil acids, break down the membranes of the yeast cells, causing them to die.
      I agree that both partners should be aware of different female health issues to strenghten their bond and trust and help find the best solutions together. What’s more, genital yeast infections can also happen to men, but they’re much easier to cure and don’t cause as much discomfort as they do to women.

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