Using Caprylic Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection

Caprylic acid is a fatty acid found in the milk of various mammals, coconut oil, and palm kernel oil. It’s also a natural antimicrobial pesticide used as a sanitizer in the food industry and as a disinfectant in healthcare facilities and schools.

Studies show that it’s an excellent fungicide, meaning that it can kill yeast cells (Candida) that cause a yeast infection. Let’s look at the most recent studies:

• A 2016 study shows that coconut oil is as effective in killing Candida cells as ketoconazole (a potent antifungal drug)

• A 2012 study found that caprylic acid is among 4 fatty acids that can be successfully used in Candida treatment.

Caprylic acid works by destroying the protective membrane of the Candida cells. As it’s not water soluble it can penetrate the wet mucosal tissues where Candida cells can be found.

As it can get deep within the membranes, it’s more effective than other natural remedies for Candida which are water soluble and will only kill Candida cells that are found on the surface of mucous membranes.

You can easily incorporate caprylic acid into your diet by using caprylic acid supplements and you can make the most of it when suffering from a yeast infection by making your own coconut oil suppositories. Keep reading to find out how to do it!

How to Treat Vaginal Yeast Infection with Caprylic Acid?

As caprylic acid is one of the compounds of coconut oil, you can make the most of its antifungal properties by using homemade coconut oil suppositories.

Coconut oil, apart from caprylic acid, contains lauric acid that’s also been shown to have antifungal properties. In order to make coconut oil suppositories you’ll need:

• High-quality organic coconut oil

• Suppository tray

• Tea tree oil (it’s an excellent antifungal essential oil, you can read more about here)

Instructions:

• Stir 5 tablespoons of coconut oil with 5 drops of tea tree oil (you can use lavender oil instead)

• Pour the mixture into a suppository tray.

• Leave the tray in the fridge until the suppositories become solid.

• Insert one suppository a night before going to bed for 7 consecutive nights and always use a pantyliner as it may leak.

• Keep the suppository tray in the fridge.

If you don’t want to make your suppositories at home, you can buy coconut oil and tea tree oil suppositories online.

Apart from coconut oil and tea tree oil, they contain Illipe Butter and Carnauba Wax so they are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a 100% natural way to treat a yeast infection.

If your symptoms don’t ease within 3 days, contact your doctor. He or she will analyze your symptoms and vaginal discharge to check if you’re suffering from a yeast infection or a different kind of vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis. Your doctor will then prescribe a medication that suits you best.

However, if you’re sure that you’re suffering from a vaginal yeast infection, you may want to try some OTC treatments such as Monistat or boric acid suppositories.

While Monistat is your typical antifungal medication, boric acid is a 100% natural alternative way of treating vaginal yeast infection.

Apart from using coconut oil suppositories, you can supplement your diet with caprylic acid. Now Food Caprylic Acid capsules have got excellent reviews on Amazon and they are the most popular product among caprylic acid supplements.

It’s recommended to take between 1000 and 2000 mg of caprylic acid a day for best results.

What are Other Health Benefits of Caprylic Acid?

Apart from having excellent antifungal properties, caprylic acid can support your health in many other ways:

• It increases antibody production boosting your immune system

• It protects your brain as it’s been shown to have neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effect

• It’s got an antibacterial and antiviral effect

• It alleviates the symptoms of Crohn’s disease

• It can improve your cardiovascular health

• It reduces cholesterol levels in blood and liver

All these benefits make caprylic acid an excellent dietary supplement for daily use.

Does Caprylic Acid Have any Side Effects?

Although caprylic acid is considered a safe diet supplement, it can sometimes produce side effects ranging from mild to serious:

• It can sometimes cause nausea, constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, and indigestion

• Caprylic acid may be unsafe to people suffering from medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency as they may be unable to break down caprylic acid

• People with liver disease should use caprylic acid with caution as they may not be able to break it down properly

• If you suffer from low blood pressure you should use caprylic acid with caution as it may make your blood pressure go too low

Conclusion

Caprylic acid is not only very effective when it comes to fighting Candida infections, it also offers an array of health benefits.

According to reviews, many people find caprylic acid supplements more potent than candida supplements, which provide a blend of different natural antifungal ingredients, so it’s definitely worth trying if you’re suffering from recurring yeast infections.

Apart from caprylic acid, it’s worth to take probiotic supplements on daily basis. Probiotics, friendly bacteria, will colonize your gut and vagina protecting it from infections caused by yeast and harmful bacteria.

Have you ever used caprylic acid for vaginal yeast infection? I’d love to hear from you. Don’t hesitate to leave your comments and questions in the comment section below.