Natural Yeast Infection Remedies: Herbal Solutions & Lifestyle Tips

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Wendie (Eastern Carolina) on 09/09/2006
★★★★★

I was up b/c I couldn't sleep w/itching. Already tried monistat 3 for 3 nights. It didn't help. Went to get ACV out of kitchen after reading this. Drank some in water and dabbed some on tissue then on vulva...relief already. I hope this continues to work. Thanks.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tina (Canada) on 08/04/2006
★★★★★

Oh, I can't tell you how many yeast infections I have had, not to mention all the money I've shelled out for monistat, Dr. Appts, etc. Yet again on Monday another nasty infection strolled my way, I wanted to start trying some of these home remedies before I headed to the drug store. Needless to say I tried apple cider vinegar for the external itch and BINGO instant relief and cheap cheap. ($2.00 small bottle) I don't have a douche so I still had to buy Monistat ( monistat is over expensive and I swear they make it so it really doesn't cure the infection just hiding it for another month or so !!!!). So next time I am out at the drug store I will definitely purchase a douche and see if it cures the internal main yeast infection. I will e-mail my results to this web site because I am sure I will be visited by another nasty Y.I..... PS: This Seriously Works....Try It !!

Garlic

Posted by Lizzy (Manchester, UK) on 01/24/2006
★★★★★

Hey everyone! Just thought i'd write to tell you my experiences with yeast infections. I have had recurrent infections for over a year, it would start 4 or days after my period and stay until 3 or 4 days before my period . it was living hell and it was effecting me sexual, financial (over the counter treatment is expensive!!) and my over all mood was low. The worst part was my doc kept sayin "these things happen" she just didn't seem to understand how much yeast infection were effecting me. I honestly didn't know what to do, i had tried yogurt but that only seemed to calm the symptoms temporarily, i washed with a few drops of tea tree oil in a pint of water daily but again it just seemed take the initial itch and soreness away then I read somewhere about garlic and it has changed my life! I started takin 1000 mg a day three months ago and haven't had thrush since (touch wood!) Garlic IS a miracle, i swear by it!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Susan (KY)
★★★★★

I am a little embarrassed to write about this problem but felt I needed too. I have had a yeast infection for months caused initially by taking antibiotics. After being to my doctor twice and her giving me 2 different prescriptions (neither worked) I came across this website. I had heard that vinegar had helped women with this problem before but I was skeptical. Being desperate to try anything I used 2 TBS ACV in a glass of distilled water and drank it 2 times a day. At night I just used 2 TBS in a little water. IT WORKED. Thank you to the people who have had success and were willing to put it on this website!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cheryl (EISTERSTOWN, MD)
★★★★★

I took the apple cider vinegar in water twice and the yeast infection disappeared. I had used Monistat without success and couldn't get an appointment with my gynecologist. I will continue to use the apple cider vinegar in water to prevent another infection. What a miracle!!

Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt

Posted by Jenny (Cochise, AZ)
★★★★★

I had a yeast infection just before my vacation a month ago. I got OTC medicine but it didn't work at all. My symptoms after the 3 day treatment were just the same as before I took the treatment. This had never happened to me so I didn't know what to do. I thought I might have to go to the Dr. but I didn't have time before my vacation and I DIDN'T want to have a yeast infection for the duration of my trip! I read on this site about the hydrogen peroxide cures for yeast infection but I thought I'd try salt first. (I was going to try Peroxide if salt didn't work)

I sat in a bath of 1 cup ACV and 2 cups table salt, running the water up to the top of my legs, and I sat in it for 20 minutes. During that time I used, I'm a little embarrassed to say, a turkey baster (which I bought for this use ONLY!) to douche with warm salt water. I expected it to hurt but it didn't. It did have a slight burning feeling on the outside where I was so raw from the infection. I did the douche 6 times in that 20 minute period. I did this ONE night only. The next day my symptoms were almost gone. By the second day they were gone completely! No more wasting money on OTC treatments for me! I can't believe how easy and CLEAN this treatment was! No more drippy, icky mess for three days! My husband is the one who told me to try salt. He says it will kill just about anything and I believe it!

Garlic

Posted by Cynthia (Miami, FL)
★★★★★

Well, I am a firm believer in garlic, and did some research on Garlic oil Capsules. Little did I know, Garlic was great for just about anything wrong with you. And for some reason I had a bad yeast infection and decided to try garlic as a cure, instead of an OTC. I inserted 1 capsule @ night, until a day after symptoms were gone. And I have been a happy camper since. (Get the softgel capsules because they dissolve).

Garlic

Posted by Soculture (Lansing, Mi, Usa) on 02/06/2010
★★★★★

I made my own garlic oil by filling a coffee cup half way filled with olive oil. Bought fresh garlic and used one clove and cut up into pieces and put into the olive oil in the cup. I let the garlic soak in the olive oil for several hours. I knew that it had steeped enough when I smelled the oil and it had a garlic smell. I then used this to apply to my outer areas and applied to a tampon and inserted vaginally. This is the only thing I have found so far to find any relief. I have been miserable. Once I did this for a day I found that my symptoms went away. I applied the oil any time I found discomfort on the outer area of my skin and used the tampon soaked in oil in the morning and a night. I found that I only needed to insert the tampon and leave it in an hour or two. This method does not cause discomfort or burning from the oil. It actually soothed the symptoms. I would highly recommend this and will use this again if I ever get a yeast infection again.

Lifestyle Changes

Posted by Dena L. (New Orleans, Louisiana ) on 05/21/2024
★★★★★

I suffered with recurrent yeast infections since my early 20s. I didn't want to give up my relationship so I suffered. Once the relationship was over, I used meditation from the doctor and decided to take my health in my own hands. I decided to strengthen my immune system by changing my diet by consuming milk alternatives like almond milk and eating fruits instead of sugary snacks. I got on a women's gummy vitamin. I can't take regular vitamins because they cause me chest pain. I started drinking kombucha drinks from Walmart twice a week, as well as Ollipop drinks in place of soda. I got myself fully tested and completely stopped having intercourse. I realize my partner was the cause of my recurrent yeast infection issues. I even treated my partner and got it again. I been free of these issues since I stopped all sex. I know many of you may not want to hear this but they are the cause of our issues. Your health is more important because most aren't faithful.

Yogurt

Posted by Moxie (Minneapolis, KS) on 02/13/2024
★★★★★

I have a litany of illnesses which leaves me less than healthy. Recently I had a raging vaginal yeast infection. After three rounds of over the counter Miconazole and a prescription for Diflucan, I still had the yeast infection and started have some bleeding tissue inside and out. I had that horrendous itching and now cracking tissue. There was no way I could have tolerated apple cider vinegar. So, I stuffed an empty tube from the Miconazole with Greek yogurt right before bedtime. Wow, it was SO soothing. The next morning, there was NO discharge on my pad, like others mentioned and that area felt a lot better! I continued with yogurt for 4 nights, then foolishly stopped. It's back again, so this time I'll use it longer.

I also had a yeast infection in one armpit and under one breast while I was battling the vaginal yeast. It cracked under my breast and I ended up with a baseball size patch of ruby red skin that never healed using Miconazole. Since I had good luck with the yogurt, I figured I had nothing to lose using it there, too. I washed with a gentle cleanser three times a day and then rubbed in a dab of Greek yogurt. It's getting much better now, too.

I did discover that Wet Ones for sensitive skin was not for me. My armpit stayed ruby red until I started washing with a gentle cleanser. I got a clean cloth each time and used some bleach when I laundered them. I have been dealing with this for almost 2 months (!!! Yes, two), and now I use diluted apple cider vinegar, 50/50, on a cotton round, let my pit dry and then dab on some yogurt. My armpit is now light pink and dry. Finally.

When I had a checkup last week, my doctor seemed really interested in this treatment. She told me to continue it for 4 days after I thought the infection was gone.
I am SO thankful that Earth Clinic is here and so many share their experiences with alternative healing.

Tips to Avoid Reinfection

Posted by Dena (New Orleans, Louisiana ) on 11/17/2022
★★★★★

Tips to avoid reinfection

I suffered from recurring yeast infections since I was a teenager. I would use condoms consistently but I was still getting them. What I did to get rid of yeast infections was I started pre washing all my underwear by washing each one daily in hot water and antibacterial hand soap. Then I wash them a second time in the washing machine in hot water and bleach and unscented washing liquid by All. If you don't have time to prewash your underwear just wash them in the washer machine but set the washer to double rinse. I only add two pours of bleach to color and white underwear and it doesn't fade the color. If you don't like bleach add pinesol and hot water. Hot water kills the yeast in your underwear and prevent reinfection. I believe many women are reinfecting themselves without knowing. Also get your partner treated. If they refuse treatment end the relationship. Your health is more important. I also take a women probiotics. I like the ones with cranberry. There is another one called femdophlis. It has good reviews on Amazon. I also make sure to bath in salt water and oatmeal for bath. Sea salt kills yeast. I stop using soaps with fragrance. I use dove unscented or I use
liquid castle soap with essential oils. My favorite is opengate castle soap with lavender essential oil or peppermint. You can also buy the melt and pour soaps and add lavender and tea tree essential oil with neem powder to the soap and put it in a soap mold. Look into tea tree oil and lavender essential oil because they fight yeast. Neem soap and powder kill yeast but should only be used on skin not internally. Amazon sells different brands of castle soap just make sure to read the labels on your products and make sure it doesn't contain fragrance or purfumes. Essential oils are safe scents and don't affect vaginal ph. I also use tea tree oil bath salts with no fragrance by daily remedy. These changes has saved me. I've been yeast free and I eat a normal diet. I do try not to overdo the sugar and bread.

Saline Douche

Posted by Ellie (Oregon) on 10/25/2019

HI Toni! Did you use this treatment for just one day? THanks for the post!

Saline Douche

Posted by Toni (NW) on 10/25/2019
★★★★★

I had complete relief and symptoms gone in one day. I used it for three days just to make certain there was nothing lingering. Have had no problem since. I'm SO amazed.

Saline Douche

Posted by Lolly (Arkansas ) on 05/21/2020
★★★★★

I never comment on here but just have to add this worked for me too when nothing else would! It took a few days to go away but I did it in the morning and at night and EVERYTIME it gave immediate relief and improvement. Love earth clinic 🙏

Garlic

Posted by Karrie (Wi) on 02/02/2017
★★★★★

Was on a beach trip for several days, noticed a raging itch in my vagina on day 3 of 5. Didn't cause too many problems until the plane ride home 2 days later. Whew, as soon as I got home, started downing the acidophilis. Have garlic, and garlic extract gel caps, but did Not start taking them until 10am the following day. UPon inserting the cloves, I felt near instant relief from the burning which overtook the itching shortly upon landing. I only had thread, using a needle I sent it through 2 cloves of garlic, stuck them up there. When it was time to pull them out approx 10 hours later, thread broke. I was able to get the cloves out myself with little trouble using my finger, although I was scared for a minute there, did not want this to turn into a trip to the doctor.

Upon removal of the 2 cloves, burning started coming back almost immediately, had felt like it was getting better all day with the garlic up there. Decided to put a fresh clove up there, but made sure to secure it better to the thread. I also put a few garlic extract gel caps up there. I have been taking lots of probiotics, even tried to put some up in my vagina with no avail. I definitely feel like the garlic cloves have helped the most. I have also been using coconut oil to sooth the burning area after urination. Doesn't seem like the worst yeast infection I've ever had, worst burn I've felt though, usually its more itching. I'm on day one of actually trying to treat it (besides the night before of downign some acidophilis) and it's much better than the worst of it, which was last night. I'm a believer in the garlic for sure!

Thanks again Earth Clinic friends!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Diana (La Mesa, Nm) on 09/18/2016

Hi I am 40 yrs old and I have been diagnosed with Candida Albicans since Sept. 2003. It has been a hell of a journey going thru this horrible illness. Doctors told me there was no remedy nor cure. It brings relief to know I'm not the only victim suffering from this. I have had 2 pregnancies thru the 11 yrs and the infections vanished through out the pregnancy. After I gave birth they'd come back. I have seen gynecologists, disease and infection specialist. I have changed my diet completly, I have done homeopathic remedies, I had a pic line inserted for strong antibiotics, changed birth control even though I had a tubal. Did borax, acidophilus, honey, garlic, all over the counter meds and never cured them. Symptoms were relived but they always come back right before my period. Once the bleeding began the infections vanished. I'd get them for 2 weeks 1 a month. Finally on 2-14-14 a had a hysterectomy. Removing my cervix and uterus. They vanished completly. Just last week they began again. So for 2 1/2 yrs they went away . I've been treating myself with over there counter and home remedies but I'm afraid it won't go away. This will be 8 th day. By the way if I can avoid doctors I will as I've been told that these infections are not severe enough to consider any medical actions. I feel as if doctors don't care. I was told to take any where from ibuprofen, tylenol, allergy meds. All by these work for pain and for the itching but don't cure. The problem is hormonal. I also get very irritable then very sentimental to the point I feel I'm unless and why should I have to suffer like this. I was once told by a doctor I should be grateful that I can function every day because there are people in worse conditions. I am very grateful to live life. To raise a family, to hold a job. But this is not normal. If left unattended I have had kidney infections, and utis. Can become very painful. If anyone has the experience please reply or suggest. If there is something I have not tried I am willing to do it. Thanks!!

Borax

Posted by Jj (Us) on 03/28/2017

Thank you for your input.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by LN (Suffolk) on 10/22/2024

For under breasts and any folds, esp in hot weather, I have found prevention and cure effected by using Fuller's Earth as a dusting powder. Natural and unfragranced the only downside is that it may mark underwear - but it washes out easily. Finding it can be difficult so I keep a stock pile!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Galgreen (Ca) on 09/04/2015

This sounds great, and I would like to add something that I have found to be helpful. When I use coconut oil externally, I apply it going front to back from the vagina to the area between the vagina and the rectum. I do this because I read somewhere that the yeast can develop in the rectal area and make its way to the vagina. I didn't know that before, but since I began to keep that in mind, it really seems to have helped.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Lonclark1311 (Wellington, New Zealand) on 07/01/2015
★★★★☆

Hello everyone! I'm a 27 yr old woman who has been battling yeast infections for the past 1.5 years. I had my first YI at 20, and then never had one again until I moved to New Zealand in December 2013. Since then, I've tried many different remedies from ACV douching to otc thrush cream. The otc stuff works for about 3 months, and then the yeast monster comes back. I have never taken antibiotics, keep a healthy/balanced diet; and to put it in perspective, yeast has been my ONLY health problem ever in life that started at 26 yrs old.

The yeast monster is back now and I'm getting aggressive in finding a natural solution. I've been doing the following for 6 consecutive days now:

- 4000-5000IUs D3

- rubbing itchy vulva with mixture of 10 drops tea tree and olive oil

- 20ml Acidophilous natural, sugar-free yogurt vaginally inserted AND orally taken (this is my favorite because it's very soothing)

- 2 probiotic vaginal inserts - the refrigerated kind (each pill containing 25 million cultures)

- Cold-pressed, virgin organic coconut oil taken both orally and vaginally

- No alcohol, lowered sugar intake

I've taken a shot of ACV everyday for the past five years as a general health practice. I thought I finally tackled the yeast beast the other day, but decided to try Vitamin C vaginal inserts as an addition to my above regime. As of yesterday, I started inserting 2x 550mg Vit C into vagina, and have had some crazy yellow/orange chunky yeasty discharge. I smell like baking bread right now, and it seems to have made the problem worse. Is this normal? Is the Vit C pushing out all of the remaining yeast or creating more? What is happening to me? LOL!

Does anyone have any other suggestions on what to do?

I'm pretty desperate.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sam (Miami) on 07/02/2015

Google Lauricidin, Interfase Plus, Biofilm Defense, Apolactoferin, Nattokinase. Not even a grain of sugar is allowed.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Probiotics

Posted by Cheryl (San Diego, Ca) on 12/02/2014
★★★★★

I was able to get rid of my yeast infection douching with apple cider vinegar, and taking probiotics and some vitamins. My diet does not include much sugar, only from a small amount of fruit. I douched with apple cider vinegar using the organic, raw, apple cider vinegar with the mother. I douched with 1/2 cup in a quart of filtered water. I started douching twice a day, but mid day I would feel the itching come back. So after 2 days I was douching 3 times a day. I also took two quality probiotic supplements in the AM, and again in the PM. After a week, I added to my diet 75mg of a high quality vitamin A (I normally take 4000-6000mg of vitamin C as well). After 14 days from starting the douching, all itching is gone. It's been a few days and I can feel the difference!

Bentonite Clay

Posted by Maria (Castro Valley, Ca) on 09/08/2014

Where (website or store) do you buy the Bentonite Clay? I am dire need. Thanks.

Bentonite Clay

Posted by Dee (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/29/2014
★★★★★

I am so sorry for the delay, Maria. I have not checked this site in a while (I assumed EC would email me if there were any responses to the thread). I purchase my bentonite clay from a local health food store in Los Angeles, but it can also be purchased on Amazon. As I mentioned, I use the kind that comes in liquid form. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm allowed to give the brand name here.

I would like to add that since posting my review I only take bentonite clay once every couple of weeks and am still doing great!

Bentonite Clay

Posted by Mimi (South Carolina ) on 05/12/2015

I had a yeast infection and I inserted some bentonite clay and left it for a couple of days before douching it out. Now I have a sour odor that will not go away. Did this happen to you? I'm wondering if I should continue to use the treatment

Potassium

Posted by Kelley (Tulsa,ok) on 06/06/2014

Every time I feel a yeast infections coming on I take about 1500 mg of potassium. That seems to stop it in its tracks. Not sure if its because the body ph increases.

Potassium

Posted by Kelley (Tulsa,ok) on 05/04/2014
★★★★★

I always get a yeast infections if I am low in potassium. So, when I feel a yeast infection coming on I take some extra potassium. And within one day I am better!