Natural Yeast Infection Remedies: Herbal Solutions & Lifestyle Tips

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.

Borax

Posted by Rita (Romania) on 01/09/2025

What does "an oral dose of borax" mean? A teaspoon?

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!

Betel Leaves

Posted by Naga Jap (Los Angeles, CA) on 04/06/2014

Dear All Women and Men out there who suffer from yeast infection. I can't wait to share my experience using the betel Leaves for my yeast infections. It's been more than six months I have been suffering from yeast infections (nobody trusts me including the doctors), but I know that it's yeast infection.

At first, there was white thing in my genital area (I am a guy). I just washed it, and it kept coming back, then I searched internet, and found it was yeast infection. Then using monistat and few drops of vinegar, it was gone in a week, then came back again, diet, using a lot of remedies were not working like: ginger, garlic, coconut oil, turmeric, lemon water.

I knew for a long time about this betel leaves benefit. My friend and my sister already told me about it, but it didn't cross in my mind of using it. Well, one day I met my friend in the bus, and told her bout the yeast infection. Then she told me how to use it. I bought it following day. Here is what happened:

I went to the asian market (Hawaii supermarket in Alhambra, CA), I couldn't find it in other markets. I took the bus, it was a little bit late and cold, but I gotta do something for myself. I bought it, then used only 5 leaves (tore it in small pieces), put 3 bottles waters each 500ml, then boil it for about 20 mins. I mixed a little bit of the turmeric powder in it. Wait until cold, then drink it. Also important thing is to apply the water to the infected area. You will see the color changes to its normal color without any side effect like burning instantly.

I didn't do it that way. Instead, I used the still wet boiled torn leaves to apply it to the area. instantly the color changed, and I didn't see the peeled off skin anymore. I did it for few times before going to bed. Next morning, it looked great. but I still continue doing it for the next couple weeks until it's really gone. I apply it every 3 hours on day time.

On the 3rd day, I tested my spit into a clear cup of water, a lot white separate thing into the water, but I did't see the 'spider net' going down to the bottom anymore. I think the white spread like wet powder in the water are the dead yeast parasite.

Hopefully this post will help everybody in this world, no matter where you are. God bless, and thank you for reading my experience. Naga

Garlic

Posted by Recurrent Candida Sufferer (Los Angeles, Ca) on 02/03/2014
★★★★★

Things NEEDED:

Qtips
Minced Garlic
Towel

I get yeast infections quite often, I was looking for relief outside of the usual RX that I receive from my gyno.

I placed a towel underneath my body and then put fresh minced garlic on a QTIP and rubbed it around my inner labia and inside of my vagina. (I know... TMI). But I repeated this several times and laid down for about one hour. When I got up, I went about my business aound the house for almost three hours and then took a shower. Eventually most of the garlic came out after a thorough washing.

I still smelled like garlic (I am very sensitive to scents) so I took another shower.

I felt complete relief from the yeast after my second shower and the scent was not as strong.

Oral Yeast Infection Remedies

Posted by Cassy (Maine) on 12/18/2013
0 out of 5 stars

I have been using apple cider vinegar in warm water with garlic as a face wash to clear up an oral yeast infection. Wondering how long I need to do this for until it clears up my lips and face are cracking dry and itchy and I put coconut oil on afterwards but now what? This is day 2 and I'm pretty miserable.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Marilyn (Gladwin, Mi) on 11/30/2013

I have recently (within the last month) started taking anywhere from 1 tsp 1X a day to 1 tsp 3X per day, depending on my level of stuffiness. I have been taking it for my allergies and digestive issues) of Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Both my allergies and digestive issues are GREAT now.

I am having hormone imbalance issues (totally unrelated to the ACV) but because of my age. (entering Peri-menopause)

I have now gotten a yeast infection (I think...still need to get in to the doctor to be sure since we first thought I had a UTI but the test for that was negative) and I haven't had one since I was pregnant with my youngest child (who is now 18 years old)

Has ANYONE had anything like this happen? I am wondering if the ACV, along with the hormone imbalance has caused this issue?

I understand that ACV is supposed to kill candida but could this be a die-off issue? I have not cut sweeteners out of my diet (I don't eat junk or processed food but I do consume raw honey, raw cane sugar (on occasion) and 100% maple syrup.

Any advice????

Yeast Infection Prevention

Posted by Bethany (Phildadelphia, Pa) on 10/12/2013

Yeast Infection Prevention:

I took antibiotics for pneumonia. I always get a yeast infection with antibiotics ever since taking tetracycline as a teenager. Since the antibiotic didn't really seem to work for my lung infection, I continued several home remedies. These didn't seem to help my lung infection, but they prevented a yeast infection -- at least temporarily. About 2 weeks after I stopped all remedies I got the dreaded yeast infection 2 days before my period. Less severe than my usual, but still itchy and uncomfortable. Now I'm trying to figure out exactly what kept the yeast at bay and wonder if readers can help. Here's what I did while on antibiotics:

- Fresh pressed or chopped raw garlic: 1-3 cloves 2x/day

- Olive leaf extract (liquid form in a capsule): 2 caps 3x/day

- Cayenne tea with 1 TB ACV and 1/2 T honey added

- Lomatium extract: 10-15 drops 2x/day

- Astragalus/reishi tincture: 2 droppers 2x/day

- Jatoba tincture: 1 dropper 2x/day

- Vit C: 500 mg 2x/day

- Probiotic: expired and no consistent amount but ~5 tabs a day of 1 billion organism non-refrigerated

I thought it might be the olive leaf that helped but I've been taking it for 2 days now and still have a mild yeast infection. I realize yeast infection prevention is probably more effective than treating an active infection, but I'm starting to wonder if it was one or more of the other remedies that led to my initial escape from yeast.

I could just take everything above to try for a cure but doing all that took a great deal of effort and I smelled like garlic at work (easy to explain during the weeks I had a bad cough, but not so easy to explain now).

Any thoughts?

Yeast Infection Prevention

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 10/13/2013

Hello Bethany,

You ask why the formula worked... Well your combo of 9 items?... are all anti viral/fungal. A great combo.

So you got both infections under control... for a while.

But the infection is apparently systemic. And so comes back after being pushed off the field, but it's still on the sideline and jumps back into play as soom as it can. (Can sure tell I'm writing this during football season. ) So you need something to go with for a longer period of time.

Check out nystatin. I've had experience with it and it is a great anti yeast substance. And my old stand by is colloidal silver. On an empty stomach will over months get rid of virus/fungus and bacteria.

"Nystatin" is not a statin or at least I've never heard that. And use the CS as an irrigation also. Wherever the infection is where it is subject to direct application, it is especially effective. I mean if you can get it "squirted" where ever the infection is... Do it. High PPM from my experience is best. (Controversy on that. Some think a low concentration also works... Like 15 ppm. ) Nystatin comes in a cream form and I used that plus as a powder in water and taken orally.

CS...take one tablespoon on empty stomach twice a day for four to six months. Consistency and taking enough of it are the key.

On the lung infection, you'll need a nebuliser... A steamer... And the CS goes into the pan and you breathe in deeply the CS for five min after the steam is well under way. Twice a day for a month.

Make sure you give yourself a sinus/ear canal irrigation... five or six irrigations a week for a month. Yes, it's there too. You must get the ears so that the eustacian tubes can get the effect also.

I know this is frustrating for you, and it's the long term app that will nail the problem. As long as you leave ANY in your system it will come back. What you've done so far is good and demonstrates you are onto the real problem but persistence over many months is the answer. Using the right stuff is the answer. (Make sure you take some probiotics since you will be on CS for a while. Some say long term CS can hurt "beneficial bacteria" although I've not found that to be true.)

Dave

Yeast Infection Prevention

Posted by Bethany (Pennsylvania, Usa) on 10/13/2013

Hi Dave, thank you for your detailed response. Fortunately my bronchitis/pneumonia (first one ever) finally resolved, but it seems time, sleep, and my own immune system helped more than the prescription and natural remedies. Since lung infections have a way of recurring once bacteria/viruses have made their initial tracks/roads in the pulmonary tree I will keep your lung/sinus advice in mind for the future.

Nystatin is a prescription antifungal medicine (comes in both oral and topical versions). Am hoping to balance my body without antifungal meds just yet, although I do have some fluconazole (Diflucan) as a backup. I will read more about CS as I have some concerns about toxicity (especially the argyrosis) with long-term use.

Colloidal Silver, Boric Acid

Posted by Jenni (Miami, Fl) on 09/25/2013

Hi, this question is for anyone who knows. I was using colloidial silver to treat a yeast infection and uti. I was taking a lot of the silver orally (alternating between a tablespoon over the tongue and a teaspoon held under the tongue for 20 seconds and then swallowed) every hour. Ex: 4pm tbspn over tongue, 5pm tspn under tongue, 6pm tbspn over tongue for as long as I was awake. Internally I was instructed to put 3 oz of the silver solution into my vagina and let it sit there for 20 minutes. Then empty out and wait 30 minutes and then put a probiotic in. After all sorts of ups and downs with the uti and yeast and other symptoms I decided to try the boric acid suppositories. Decided not to douche with the silver tonight and only use the boric acid because I was unsure if these two methods are safe to use around the same time.

Long story short, would it be safe to let's say douche with the silver in the am, follow up with a probiotic after and then use the boric acid in the evening? Would it also be an option to douche with the silver in the evening and then maybe an hour later use boric acid? Any advice/knowledge would be appreciated:) Thank you.

Colloidal Silver, Boric Acid

Posted by Lloyd (Charlotte, Nc) on 09/25/2013

To Jenni re interaction of Colloidal Silver and Boric acid:

Any time there is a question of interaction, you can proceed cautiously by first applying a little CS to wrist and then a small amunt of Boric Acid to the same place and judge the reaction, if any. Your Boric Acid application I presume is diluted in water, correct?

I am only talking about a very small amount to first test. Then if no adverse reaction, try more but at a little higher amount. Again, if no adverse reaction try at higher amounts until you are confident that there is no adverse interaction.

Finally, when actually applying to infected area, only apply a small amount of CS first and then the BA. Next day, if no problem, increase CS a bit.

This idea is the same way you test for allergic reactions... small amounts and raising the level over a number of test applications.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Shulonda (Oklahoma City, US) on 11/15/2014

How long did it take to cure?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Bob (Vancouver Bc) on 02/22/2014

Castor oil?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Bev (Orlando, Fl) on 11/11/2020

Try organic coconut oil. It has numerous benefits.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Polly (Toronto, Canada) on 06/30/2013
★★★★★

I have been getting yeast infections after sex and during my period for the past 6 months. I have found several different cures that work within days:

*Soaking a tampon in Tea tree oil w/ water or ACV and water(leave in overnight)
*Inserting 2 Acidophilus pills inside and taking 2 more orally
*Fill spray bottle with water and lots of tea tree oil, spray your "lady parts" everytime you go to the washroom. It burns like fire but it works.