Natural Cures for Yeast Infections

Looking for some natural cures for yeast infections? You are in the right spot. There are several natural remedies, treatments and/or cures for yeast infections you can try - all without resorting to prescription medicine.

We all know how annoying and irritating yeast infections can be. They can affect anybody so no-one, not even babies and children are immune.

There are many over the counter creams, drops, tablets and suppositories on the market. Not to mention stronger prescribed antifungal treatments.

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But before you resort to these, you many want to try and cure that yeast infection naturally first.

There are many natural cures for yeast infections that can help prevent them from recurring; here we look at what are considered the best natural remedies for yeast infections.

To begin with, all yeast infections are caused by the overgrowth of Candida Albicans yeast, a yeast that is present in many parts of the body.

Usually, this yeast causes no problems at all, but it can multiply rapidly and cause a yeast infection if you are run down or you have been on antibiotics, among other reasons (see our page on causes of yeast infections for more details on why you may have a yeast infection to begin with).

Natural Remedies for All Yeast Infections

Yeast infections take hold in or on parts of the body that are warm, dark and moist. They can also be exacerbated by a lack of “friendly” bacteria which keeps the yeast under control.

A natural remedy for yeast infection tends to focus on changing the yeast's environment, killing the yeast off with natural antifungals or by increasing friendly bacteria.

Natural cures for yeast infections include:

• Yogurt – Eating live yogurt on a daily basis can help to prevent yeast infections developing as well as be used to actually treat yeast infections. Live yogurt contains the friendly bacteria, lactobacillus acidophilus, which can kill off excess yeast in the body.

Yogurt can be a messy treatment, particularly in vaginal yeast infection cases or male yeast infections. Some women use plastic syringes (needle-less) to insert the yogurt, others use their fingers, some soak a tampon in yogurt and some even freeze the yogurt in plastic tampon applicator tubes (be careful of “freezer burn”).

Whatever you do, make sure it is sugar-free, live, natural yogurt which contains the friendly bacteria and use some type of protection for your underwear!

• Garlic – Garlic has natural antifungal properties and so can be an effective way of clearing up vaginal yeast infections. Veterinarians have been using garlic for decades on infections in livestock.

Peel a garlic clove (white peel removed), cut it in half, sew thread through it and place half in the vagina overnight. It can then be removed in the morning when you go to the toilet. Continue this treatment every night until the symptoms have disappeared.

Some midwives and professionals advise cutting into the garlic if you have got very severe yeast infection but some people find that this can sting.

One of the more basic natural cures for yeast infections, but many women swear by it.

• Boric Acid – Some studies have found that boric acid pessaries or suppositories are just as effective at treating vaginal yeast infections as the antifungal drugs itraconazole and fluconazole.

You can purchase boric acid suppositories at compounding pharmacies or use “Yeast Arrest”, a boric acid suppository that also contains essential oils and herbs. Use this method with caution.

• Tea tree oil – Tea tree oil is nature's own antifungal and, when diluted, can be applied to the vaginal area. You can smear a tampon with a lubricant (to stop the tea tree oil soaking into the tampon completely), apply a few drops of diluted tea tree oil (make sure you mix it with a carrier oil like olive oil) and insert into the vagina.

For skin yeast infections, apply diluted tea tree oil to the skin.

Be very careful with this treatment. It has been known to cause stinging and irritation so it is one of the more controversial natural cures for yeast infections. Whatever you do, never use it at full strength and do not take it internally!

• Oil of Oregano - This oil has antifungal properties and can be used for many different types of yeast infections when taken as an oral supplement.

• Calendula cream – Calendula also has antifungal properties AND it helps to alleviate itching. Apply to the skin or around the vagina.

• Vinegar – White vinegar or apple cider vinegar is a brilliant antifungal but can burn painfully if it is used undiluted.

Mix 1-2 tablespoons with a pint of water and apply to the vagina or use on a tampon. Bathing in a cup of vinegar mixed with bath water can also be great for skin yeast infections and is one of the more pleasant natural cures for yeast infections. Vinegar solutions can also be applied to male yeast infections.

• Cranberry – Cranberry juice and tablets are great for treating urinary tract infections and can be great to ward off yeast infections.

• Probiotics – Probiotics are defined as "dietary supplements of live bacteria or yeasts thought to be healthy for the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’

Some research has suggested that low levels of friendly bacteria, like lactobacillus acidophilus, are associated with yeast infections. Some clinical trials have suggested that probiotics can be used to treat yeast infections.
 
Probiotics can be taken as oral supplements, yogurts and drinks, or as suppositories.

Treating Other Types of Yeast Infections Naturally

Anal yeast infections can be tricky to treat. If you have never had an anal yeast infection before, you should consult your doctor for recommended treatments rather than trying home remedies.

Oral yeast infections can often be caused by poorly fitting or unhygienic dentures, so make sure they fit properly and are sterilized. People who use steroid inhalers can suffer with a dry mouth, which has been linked to yeast infections, so use a spacer attachment on your inhaler and take frequent sips of water. A tea tree oil antifungal mouthwash can also be very effective.

Baby oral yeast infections should best be treated by a doctor or pediatrician if this is a first occurrence. A diaper yeast infection, however, may be effectively treated by using a tea tree oil diaper cream and any soreness can be overcome by applying aloe vera or damp chamomile tea bags.

Preventing Yeast Infections

Many people say that “prevention is better than cure.” It is far better to take preventative measures to stop the recurrence of yeast infections rather than suffering the distress of chronic yeast infections. That way, you won't need to try any of these natural cures for yeast infections.

Here are some tips to help prevent an infection:

• Keep it dry – Make sure that you dry yourself properly after washing or showering, paying particular attention to skin folds and places like the genitals and armpits.
• Wear breathable underwear – Swap synthetic materials for cool cotton underwear to prevent sweating. Men should choose loose boxer shorts instead of briefs.
• Follow an anti-candida diet – Try to avoid yeast products and reduce your intake of sugars and mold foods.
• Remove swim wear and damp clothes as soon as possible.
• Don't wear underwear to bed – Let air get to your genitals.
• Don't overuse antibiotics – Finish your course of antibiotics but try to avoid using them.
• Eat 8 ounces of live yogurt per day – This will help stock up your body's supply of friendly bacteria. You can also use probiotics.
• Consult a holistic therapist – There are many natural yeast infection remedies which work to build immunity, correct pH balances or act as antifungals. These include wormwood capsules, olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract, Alka-Vita and Colloidal Silver.

Hopefully this article has given you some insight into natural cures for yeast infections and shown you how to cure a yeast infection naturally. We hope you never have to suffer again. 

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