Effective Natural Cures for Vaginal Yeast Infections
There are many natural cures for vaginal yeast infections that women use when they need immediate relief from itching. While they may prove very effective, it’s always best to stay safe and consult your doctor before using any of these.
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Aloe Vera for Vaginal Yeast Infection
It’s my favorite natural remedy for a yeast infection. It brings instant relief, whether used topically or as a vaginal suppository. If you want to use it on your skin, smear an all-natural aloe vera gel on your vulva and it should stop itching immediately (but it won’t cure a yeast infection!).
If you want to prepare aloe vera gel suppositories to get rid of a yeast infection fast, follow these steps:
- Mix 1 ounce of aloe vera gel with 8 ounces of coconut oil
- Pour the mixture into a suppository tray and leave it in the fridge
- Once solid, insert one suppository before going to bed.
- Make sure you use a pad!
Read more about using aloe vera for yeast infection
Boric Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Studies show that boric acid is a safe and economical option for women with recurrent and chronic symptoms of vaginal yeast infection when conventional treatment fails due to the presence of non-albicans Candida species or azole-resistant strains.
- You can make your own boric acid suppositories by filling size 0 gelatin capsules with boric acid (about 600 mg).
- You may also choose to buy ready-made boric acid suppositories.
- The treatment usually consists of one capsule inserted into the vagina overnight for a week. In case of recurring yeast infections, the treatment takes two weeks, and then boric acid suppositories can be used twice a week for a longer period of time (from 6 to 12 months), as prescribed by your doctor.
Read More about using boric acid suppositories for yeast infection
Yogurt for Vaginal Yeast Infection
One of the most common natural remedies for vaginal yeast infection is yogurt. Its effectiveness is due to the presence of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, which impedes the growth of candida in the vagina. Eating yogurt every day helps balance the bacteria in your digestive system as well.
For instant relief, you may simply spread some yogurt around the affected skin and the entrance to the vagina or insert it into your vagina. Make sure that the yogurt you use is sugar-free, as yeasts thrive on sugar and look for those containing live and active cultures.
What is the easiest way to insert it?
- Fill rubber glove fingers with yogurt
- Leave it in the freezer for a few hours
- Insert yogurt tampons into your vagina overnight
- It may get a bit messy in the morning, so don’t forget to use a thin pad!
You may also choose a less messy option and buy probiotic supplements or probiotic suppositories.
Read more about how probiotics can help you get rid of yeast infection
Garlic for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Although garlic is known for its anti-fungal qualities, according to studies, ingesting garlic does not help clear thrush. There is some scientific evidence that garlic extract significantly inhibits the growth of Candida albicans, however, those studies were not focusing specifically on vaginal yeast infections.
Although inserting garlic into the vagina is not scientifically proven to work, many women claim it’s effective.
Some women make garlic tampons in the following way:
- Thread a sterile needle on a sterile thread and tie a knot
- Peel and wash a garlic clove
- Using a sterile needle, tie a thread through the clove. Make sure you leave enough thread to comfortably remove it in the morning (like a tampon)
- Insert a garlic clove into your vagina overnight
I personally wouldn’t use it because the most potent antifungal garlic compound called allicin can cause damage to tissues and has got a very strong odor.
Read More about using garlic for yeast infection
Coconut Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Lavender Oil for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Coconut oil, tea tree oil, and lavender oil are known to have potent anti-fungal properties. They can be used separately, applied to the affected skin. Some women make a concoction mixing all of them together.
- In a bowl mix a tablespoon of coconut oil and a few drops of lavender oil and tea tree oil (make sure you’re not allergic to any of them!)
- Put the bowl in the freezer and stir the mixture from time to time.
- Once it’s solid, form a lump and insert it into your vagina overnight. Remember to use a pad!
You can also buy ready made tea tree oil suppositories (pessaries). They have strong anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, however occasionally tea tree oil may cause an allergic reaction, so it’s best to check before inserting the suppository.
There are many other essential oils that kill Candida, you can find more information about them on my website.
Read More about coconut oil and yeast infections
Potassium Sorbate for Vaginal Yeast Infection
It’s a strong antifungal used to preserve foods, in brewing beer it stops the growth of the yeast at the right time. You can get it at shops that sell home-brewing supplies, and at some natural foods stores. How to use it?
- Add 8 gm (1 tablespoon) potassium sorbate to a cup of water.
- Dip a cotton tampon in the solution, insert it at bedtime, remove it in the morning, continue for a few days, until the vaginal yeast infection symptoms are gone.
- If you’ve got difficulties inserting it, use a tampon with a plastic applicator or insert a dry tampon and then squirt the solution up, so the tampon will absorb it.
Cranberries for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Thanks to a high amount of proanthocyanidins, cranberries have excellent antifungal properties. Research shows that cranberry extract prevents Candida from sticking to human tissue and damages its protective cover called biofilm.
So how can you use it to prevent or treat yeast infections?
- Incorporate cranberries into your daily diet
- Drink cranberry juice every day (make sure it’s pure juice, with no additives)
- Take cranberry supplement with a high concentration of cranberry extract
- Try other foods that contain proanthocyanidins, such as grapes, apples, red wine, blueberries, black currants, hazelnuts, pecan nuts, and pistachios.
Read More about using cranberries for yeast infection
Make sure you talk to your doctor before using any of these natural cures for vaginal yeast infections.
Yes, garlic does work for yeast infections – BUT you need A LOT of it. I use the Lady Soma Candida Cleanse tablets that has garlic and other ingredientes that fight the yeast infection – I actually take them right when I feel a yeast infection coming on, and within one day it’s not there anymore (doesn’t actually happen). No side effects like AZO or bad garlic breath 🙂
Sounds great Joni, I’ll order Lady Soma Candida Cleanse, check if it works for me and review it on my website soon. Thanks for stopping by!
I think that any woman who has suffered Candida would say how distressing and itchy it can feel, and waiting for a doctor’s appointment can be very frustrating. Any home remedy which can work and alleviate the symptoms is welcome, even if some of them sound a bit unorthodox! Thanks for sharing them, I will certainly try them if they are ever needed!
Thanks for commenting Molly, I’m glad you found some useful info on my website. Please keep popping in, I’ll be updating this section regularly.
Hello there
what a pleasant surprise.
You have a wonderful site with tips for home remedies that l never heard of.
sorry to say this but had to laugh at your tip of inserting frozen joghurt tampoon,im sure it must be uncomfortable with frozen joghurt down there.
Although these tips sound easy and very cheap some of them sound funny.l dont like the smell of garlic, l do not eat garlic because of the nasty smell and to think of stuffing it down there……………
Still wonderful tips thanks so much
Haha, I know what you mean! But sometimes these natural remedies are a life-saver, especially when you have to wait for a doctor`s appointment for a few days, or have no access to medication. Inserting garlic may be a bit troublesome, especially the morning after;) But the coconut + essential oils concoction is very potent and trouble free. I`m glad you found the information useful!