Natural Yeast Infection Remedies: Herbal Solutions & Lifestyle Tips

Yogurt

Posted by Danielle (Houston, Tx) on 01/03/2011
★★★★★

WOW! After a very long awful battle with antibiotics my body was all out of whack. I had been on azo for awhile but even that wasn't working for me. I get on earthclinic and tried apple cider vinegar, absolutely did not work. I ate 1.5 cups plain organic yogurt, and my yeast infection was gone later that day. I've kept it up for awhile but I'm feeling MUCH better. This is the only thing that's worked the best for me.

Anti-Fungal Remedies or Medication

Posted by Maggie (Kansas City, Ks) on 12/18/2010

For Thrush, the white coating in your mouth, I have found a good way to stop it for me. First, I brush my teeth as normal in the morning. Important! Upon waking do not swallow any spit (sorry). The spit (IMO) is FULL of candida, the white stuff, especially in the mornings. If I swallow anything, it fuels my gut candida and virginia candida overgrowth, I think. But, anyway, the second crucial part is this: I get some Listerine, or store brand of it, and put in a normal cup-full of it in my mouth. Now, for the fun part! I brush my teeth again gently - the gums, the nooks, the crannys, the toungue, back of the mouth as far as I can get, etc. - to get as much surfaces in my mouth brushed with the mouthwash in there. Yes, I lean over the sink and tend to drool, but I've gotten better at it with practice. My eyes can water from the sting, since it takes me over a minute to get all my surfaces, but I figure the tears go down the back of my throat and help wash things. I end up rinsing and rinsing with water afterwards just to get rid of the stinging, but its all worth it. I have found that the stubborn white coating cant be rinsed with just a half a minute of swishing; it needs to be brushed out!

The benefit of doing this twice a day for a couple days and then daily for a week or so gives me great results all through my body. This means that my digestion returns to normal (no longer constipated) and my vaginal yeasty beasty virgina dies down. In addition, I do take Femdophilus (refrigerated acidophilus from Whole Foods) twice/three times a day when I have a flair. (Once at night normally). I also take Azo Yeast (from any drug store) 4 times a day with a flair (twice a day normally). I have taken Diflucan in the past, once daily for thirty days to get rid of candida. This regimen works just as good for me! The only times I seem to have a flair now-a-days is when I run out of the Azo or the 'dophilus for more than a couple days. You'd think I'd learn...

Yogurt

Posted by Rachel (Palm Bay, Florida) on 12/14/2010

The first time that I'd ever gotten a yeast infection it was a result of antibiotics. Ouch. It seems that I've battled them ever since. My vaginal discharge used to be clear and now even when there is no itching or burning it is whitish. I will try the plain yogurt overnight. I also noticed that I usually use a fake sugar with my coffee in the mornings. The past two weeks we've been out of fake sugar so I used real sugar. BIG mistake, turns out high blood sugar increases the amount of sugar that is in the vaginal fluid... Now the yeast is feeding off of that sugar and the infection is so bad that it's all up around my anus. I've douched with vinegar and it was clear discharge for the first time since the car accident. But the yeast came back with a vengance. So I bought Vagisil which only treats the symptoms and not the cause. I didn't have enough money to get monestat!

Tonight I shall get some plain unsweetened unflavored yogurt and insert it. I've been eating it but cannot consume the plain stuff, Azo Yeast Tablets were working great. But the discharge wasn't clear and sometimes they'd make me throw up! I believe that all of these symptoms are pointing to pre diabetes. (I'm 25 and experiencing numbness and vericose veins in my legs too)Type 2 runs in my family and I'd like to get checked. Type 2 is resolvable through diet and excercise. I've eliminated a lot of my real sugar intake and switched to organic when possible (health food stores don't take food stamps! ) but I may have to cut the sugar out completely if the test comes back positive. No exceptions ever. Please ladies, if you battle with yeast infections make sure to eliminate diabetes as a cause as diabetes does worse things to a body than making your vag an ideal sugary environment for growing candida. I will be sure to read the labels on the foods I buy more carefully now. No Autolyzed Yeast in my diet either!!!

Yogurt

Posted by Deb (Waterloo, Ia) on 12/05/2010

Yogurt works great. I have been doing that since 1982.

Acidophilus, Vitamin E, Folic Acid

Posted by Sharon (San Antonio, Tx) on 12/02/2010
★★★★★

Cure for a Yeast Infection: Acidophilus pills, Vitamin E, and Folic Acid. I struggled for about 2 years with constant burning in the vaginal area. I need to stress here that all I had was burning. Hardly any discharge, not the cottage cheese type, and NO itching!

It started with what I thought was a UTI. My doctor gave me antibiotics. It didn't work. Long story short, I took around 7 different antibiotics in about 3 months. Doctor just kept trying different ones. Please don't ever do this. It messed up my digestive system big time. I went to a naturopath next. Nothing helped. After 2 years passed with constant burning and going to a few different doctors, a new doctor finally diagnosed me with a resistant strain of yeast. I took 6 rounds of Diflucan. Didn't work. The doctor's last resort was boric acid suppositories. Didn't work.

I had pretty much given up until, by the grace of God, I read in a food/nutritin book about how Vitamin E kills yeast. I had also read here on Earthclinic how alot of women with Bacterial Vaginosis get relief by taking Acidophilus and Folic Acid. So, I took them all together. 2 Acidophilus, 1 200IU Vitamin E, and 1 Folic 400mg Folic Acid morning and night. Within a few days I felt a little better. I was hopeful. The burning wasn't as bad, but still there. I imagine 2 years of burning would take awhile to heal. After a month, I knew the combination was definitely working. I took it for 3 months. Then, gradually took it less and less. It has been gone for a long time.

And here is the kicker: At my next GYN appointment, I told the doctor what finally cured me. She then told me how she read about a very small study that tested the SAME EXACT combination I took and yes, it worked. I was FLOORED! She said big pharm doesn't do those kinds of studies (No way for them to make money off of vitamins). So, alot of people won't know about what has been found. So, I am telling you my own experience. I hope this will help someone else. This period in my life was horrific. It affected my family, marriage, and my overall health. I am still dealing with the physical effects of the stress and anxiety. It was so defeating to have this burning, but no one could tell me what it was. I credit the Lord for showing what I needed to take. I did pray for those two years and couldn't understand why God wouldn't heal me. The journey wound bringing me closer to God than I have ever been and I feel this is what He wanted from me all the while. I realize some people may downplay this aspect of my healing, but I am here to say I am living proof. May God Bless You!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Kj (Los Angeles, Ca) on 11/17/2010

1ST.- FOR UTI TAKE A SHOT OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WHEN YOU FIRST START FEELING IT COMING ON. IT'S HARD TO KEEP DOWN BUT IT WORKS. ANYTIME I FEEL A UTI COMING ON A TAKE A SHOT AND IF IT'S REALLY BAD I TAKE TWO IN A ROW. I USE TO HAVE TO TAKE A LOT OF MEDICATIONS FOR UTI AND THEY NEVER KEPT IT AWAY. THIS DOES!

2ND- YEAST INFECTIONS:STOP EATING ALL SUGAR! CARBS ANYTHING WITH YEAST IN IT! AND NOT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BUT LIKE 3 WEEKS OR SO. ALSO DRINKING THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR HELPS WITH YEAST INSIDE YOUR STOMACH. IF YOU KEEP GETTING THEM. I HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR EVERYTHING AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME BUT FOR SOME REASON I STILL GET THEM. IT'S BECAUSE I NEVER REALLY GOT RID OF THEM TO BEGIN WITH. AFTER YOU GET RID OF IT TRY USING SOME OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION LIKE ONCE A WEEK JUST TO KEEP IT AT BAY. AND I AM GOING TO TRY THE GARLIC THING AFTER I GO TO THE STORE. I HERD THE GARLIC GEL TABS ARE GOOD TO USE ALSO. SO I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THAT WORKS.

3RD- BV THIS IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM TO DATE. I CAN'T GET RID OF THIS AND IT'S KILLING ME. IT HURTS I AM BLOATED AND IN PAIN. AND THE SMELL ISN'T BAD RIGHT NOW BUT IT HAS BEEN BEFORE. FORGET ABOUT HAVING SEX.. WHAT IS THAT... I JUST GOT DONE THE GEL STUFF FROM THE DR ONLY HELPED WHILE I TOOK IT TWO DAYS LATER AND I AM BACK IN PAIN AND IT MADE ME HAVE GIANT WHITE SPONGY DISCHARGE TOTALLY FREAKED ME OUT.. I HAD TO GET IT OUT WITH MY FINGER. I THOUGH IT WAS A YEAST INFECTION BUT IT WASN'T DR FORGOT TO TELL ME THIS. THANK GOD ANOTHER GIRL WROTE ABOUT IT AND NOW I AM NOT SO SCARED OR FREAKED OUT. I STARTED TAKING LIVE Acidophilis IT'S LIKE YOGURT BUT NOT.. THIS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO START TAKING EVERYDAY AND I WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW IF THIS WORKS OR NOT. FOLIC ACID AS HIGH OF A DOSE AS I CAN FIND, B12 COMPLEX TABLET WHICH DISSOLVES 5,000MG TAKE TWO PILLS 2 TIMES A DAY AND IT ALSO HAS FOLIC ACID IN IT. VITAMIN C, LIVE ACIDOPHILIS PILLS 3 TIMES A DAY FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES. I AM GOING TO TAKE GARLIC PILLS TO KEEP YEAST OUT OF MY SYSTEM AS WELL.

THIS IS A FIGHT I HAVE BEEN PUTTING OFF FOR YEARS. I LOVE SUGAR AND CARBS AND TO DRINK ONCE IN A WHILE. PLUS I JUST QUIT SMOKING WHICH CAN ALSO CAUSE YEAST PROBLEMS. LADIES IT IS UP TO US TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES THESE STUPID DRS HAVE TO GIVE US THIS BAD MEDICATION BECAUSE ITS THE LAW OR SOMETHING. WE HAVE TO STAY STRONG AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THIS FIGHT. IF MEN ONLY COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH. IT'S HELL... HOPE TO FIND ALL OF YOU IN GOOD HEALTH. KEEP WRITING AND DON'T GIVE UP HOPE ON YOURSELF AN THE FIGHT WE ALL HAVE WITHIN OURSELVES TO EAT RIGHT AND TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

Boric Acid

Posted by Betsy (Deridder, Louisiana) on 11/02/2010

Yes Boric Acid! Just remember your partner can carry the yeast and give it right back to you.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Annie (St Thomas, Vi) on 10/10/2010

I have used hydrogen Peroxide for yeast infections. As soon as I get an itchy feeling, I apply it to my vagina. It works fast. I have not used Monistat for over a year.

Boric Acid

Posted by Analoggal (Rancho Cordova, Ca) on 10/07/2010

Try putting vitamin E oil on your privates before inserting the capsule. I read to do that if your itchy and sore "down there". I just bought some Boric acid myself and will also apply the vitamin E oil. Can't wait to get rid of my yeast infection. Hope this info helps! :)

Boric Acid

Posted by Izzy (St. Louis, Mo, United States) on 10/01/2010

What can I use to alleviate the pain and irritation from my vulva, I am getting rid of a yeast infection, it seems like the soreness and irritations are persisting, I am using boric acid, I read that you have to keep using it which I will but the itching vulva is driving me mad!

Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt

Posted by Cb (Telluride, Co) on 09/30/2010
★★★★★

I am so grateful to all these posts about the organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) remedy for the Yeast infection. First, in the morning, my lover suggested a warm salt water douche, which I did once with a turkey baster. Next he went online and read all these posts and I drank a 1/2 cup of the diluted in water ACV (yuck! ). Almost immediately the itching stopped. That evening, I used a turkey baster as well and did the ACV with water and salt. Except for the leakage (I needed to sit on the toilet for awhile to let it all run out :-)) it worked perfectly. No more itching. I will never buy the yucky over the counter goop again!!! Thank you all.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Supermom (Rathdrum, Idaho) on 09/23/2010
★★★★★

I got my first yeast infection a month ago and went right down to the drugstore for the "one day treatment. " It got rid of my yeast infection all right- but It gave me the worst cramps I've ever had and I sufferred some intense nausea. Was it worth it? Heck yeah! I think we can all relate to wanting to grind up on some sandpaper and not being able to! LOL- anyhow, this dreaded curse has returned so I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar. I took a bath first, then when I got out I locked the bathroom door, laid down on a towel and basically just doused my goods with the vinegar. I did not dilute- I just wanted to get straight to the issue! Boy- it BURNED, but only for about 30 seconds, after that I felt an almost soothing warmth. I will keep it up for a few days to make sure I've killed it and not just angered it. But so far, so good! Keeping my fingers crossed. Feeling human again right now :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Nickie.. (Memphis, Tn) on 09/21/2010

Hello ladies! I have been getting a yeast infection after my cycle for about five months now. Myself and can you believe it, so have my sisters.. Anyway it makes me want to slide down a wooded fence with bricks on the end.. Lol anyway ACV has helped so much.. I was sick of going to the doctor to make there pockets bigger and my pockets smaller prescribed the same medicine and still no relief.. Thanks for your post may god bless us all..

Yogurt

Posted by Kim (New York, Usa) on 09/17/2010
★★★★★

I just wanted to confirm (for any doubters out there) that after two cool, soothing applications of plain yogurt, my burning yeast infection is definitely gone. I applied one more teaspoon for good measure this morning. I used plain, organic Greek yogurt with five live active cultures. And one more observation: only loose clothes for me from now on, mainly skirts instead of trousers! Yeast loves the warm, airless places that tight trousers provide. No more!

Boric Acid

Posted by Elusia (Boston, Ma) on 09/16/2010
★★★★★

I'm in my mid-30's and suddenly got a raging yeast infection about a month ago. Actually, it wasn't really suddenly - I think I'd had a low-lying infection for about 18 months because I was having terrible rectal itching at night (or itchy butt syndrome as folks here like to call it! ). Finally it turned into the real thing, and I was trying everything - oregano oil, coconut oil, the Monistat 7-day treatment. Nothing worked. So, I went off all carbs and have been eating only veggies and chicken/turkey and eggs. I also started taking high potency probiotics (50 billion/capsule, 2 capsules am and pm). And I added in the boric acid - 1 600 mg (00) pill that I fill myself with the powder I got from my compounding pharmacy. I've been doing it every night for 9 nights and plan to keep on doing it for 5 more. I also went out and bought all cotton panties. My goal has been to rid myself of this wretched thing before I get married next weekend and head to Hawaii for 2 weeks. I was determined to kick this thing before then - and so far it's worked. I'm not up all night because of the itching - in fact the itching is gone completely. I'm not ready to claw myself to pieces after intercourse. And no more discharge. I'm a happy gal after finding this site. Thanks to you all for giving me a happy honeymoon!

Yogurt

Posted by Kim (New York, Usa) on 09/16/2010
★★★★★

God bless the Earth Clinic! I was a bit desperate today, leaving for work and realizing I had my yearly yeast infection - burn, burn. As soon as I got to my computer, I researched the remedies here, and once I found the plain yogurt therapy, zoom! I dashed out to buy a small carton of plain yogurt (organic). I applied a teaspoonful up the canal with a finger, and ah! Relief! What a brilliant cure. I will continue this for a few days. Last year, I tried using ACV, and that also worked, but the yogurt is so soothing. I just love this web resource: thank you for being there!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Addie (Queens, Ny) on 09/01/2010

I suffer from recurring yeast infections and would like to know which oil would be best to use.. I've heard that coconut oil is great but not sure. Please help.

Garlic

Posted by Maria (Cape May, Nj, Usa) on 08/25/2010

On Monday night, I tried the garlic remedy, inserting a freshly peeled clove of garlic vaginally. The next morning, the itching had almost completely subsided. I did notice the tiniest light pink trace of blood when I wiped after peeing last night, but there was no pain and I didn't think much of it (I am expecting my period within the week or so). I repeated the process last night. This morning, I noticed that though the itching hasn't returned, the area is a little tender to the touch when I wipe after peeing I am spotting. There is still very little but more blood. I asked my partner to take a look and he says I look red and "raw". I know that some folks are very sensitive to the garlic's juice and that's why it's advised not to nick or slice the clove while peeling. I've been threading the cloves with a needle to make them easier to remove in the mornings. Could this be the reason I am having this effect? Has anyone else had this reaction?

Yogurt

Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio) on 08/08/2010

Actually inserting plain yogurt in your vagina is a disaster, don't do it!! I did it 3 times over the course of years of struggling with this, and it made things WORSE everytime. However consuming yogurt is awesome. Eat lots and lots of yougurt and take a good probiotic. I make my own yougurt, and by eating alot of it, (and its wonderful and tastes better to make your own) I keep things at bay

Garlic

Posted by Galadriel (Manchester, England) on 08/02/2010
★★★★★

A great tip that works straight away for vaginal thrush: Take a garlic clove, thread it with a needle and insert the clove overnight or longer. Pull out as if it were a tampon. This is a bit unusual but works miracles.

Yogurt, Garlic, ACV

Posted by Marica (Clearwater, Florida) on 07/24/2010
★★★★★

I had a YI for several months. I tried most everything here and it helped temporarily. Acidophilus worked well but what really worked was witch hazel used topically and internally as a douche. I did this for a week and have not had a YI for years now. Witch Hazel has been around for a very, very long time and people just don't know about all its uses. Try it you will like it.

Acidophilus

Posted by Sheryn (Milwaukee, Wi) on 07/15/2010

Caralyne from NY, NY who noticed that every time she had sex with her boyfriend she'd get a yeast infection: while it's entirely possible he was passing it back and forth. . . If you were using lubricant for sex, that might also be the culprit. Most drug-store brand lubricants are thickened with glycerin, which is a sugar. And if it's flavored. . . That's usually even MORE glycerin. Yeast loves the stuff, so if you're prone to yeast infections, and notice that you get itchy after sex, you might want to check the label and find yourself a water-based lube that doesn't have glycerin in it.

Ted's Remedies Feedback

Posted by Tiffany (New Orleans, La)
★★★★★

NIACINAMIDE 500 MG PER DAY ..& MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE 200 MG PER DAY..CURED ALL OF MY VAGINAL PROBLEMS..AMEN..THANK YOU TED!!!!! NO BULL CRAP IT WORKS AND IS 1000 TIMES BETTER THAT BORIC ACID..TAKE MY ADVICE A SUFFERER OF OVER 10 YEARS...

Boric Acid

Posted by Pneumatikos (Carmel, Indiana) on 06/27/2010
★★★★★

Boric Acid has been recommended by doctors for years and has worked well for me. I bought the medical grade powder from a seller on Ebay and used a teaspoon in 8 ounces of water for douche. It does have a drying effect so I use virgin coconut oil to keep moist because it is antifungal.

Boric Acid kills roaches because it dehydrates them when they ingest it. Since I'm not eating or drinking it, I don't see a problem.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Katie (Austin, Tx) on 06/19/2010
★★★★★

ACV ROCKS its a YEA for me. Ok ladies, I have had a yeast infection that lasted about 5 weeks, went away, then came back with the same vengeance 2 1/2 weeks later. My yeast infection was spread through my legs, lower back, belly and of course entire vaginal/anal area.It was red, swollen and so itchy i wanted to itch my skin off. It was MISERABLE. Went to the doctor (stupid quack) and she just gave me Nystatin twice. and mine was so bad!!! she just acted like it was not big deal. anyways thank god for this site. Heres what I did:

first of all, an ice pack does help
Acidophilus (3 pills at a time 2-3 times a day with meal).
Swallowed two cloves of garlic a day ( tea or crush it or chop it up like pills and swallow with water).
ACV bath with 1 and 1/2 cups ACV and luke warm water once a day for first 2 days(or to soothe irritation when needed)for about 20-25 min.
Douche with 2 tblspns of ACV and 1-1 1/2 cups water (internally it wasnt that bad for me)-this stung just a tiny bit for a few minutes and it was my first douche. I would do this twice a day for a week to be sure.
2 tbsps of ACV with water once a day.
ACV on cotton balls applied directly to rash whenever irritated(it stings a minute but it is WORTH IT just gradually start with the bikini line and see what you can handle, it helps SOOOO much on legs too)
I also after making sure i was CLEAN AND DRY down there applied desitin to keep it dry while i was at work. (desitin seals out moisture) this helped me get through my the first two days.

I started with all of this 2 1/2 days ago, and it immediately gave me temperary relief right away,70% relief after the first day and 90-95% the second. I will continue all these things for at least a week to be sure my body is back in balance. If yours was as bad as mine it is so important to continue treatment internally (digestive or whatever) for a few weeks to make sure it stays gone. I will continue taking acidopholis regularly from now on.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Zanny (New York, NY) on 06/07/2010
★★★★★

so....I inserted the yogurt for about a week and that didn't cure the extreme itchiness. On day 5 I decide to try the hydrogen peroxide. I did 1 teaspoon of the hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of warm water, stirred it up and filled a baby medicine dropper with the mix. Inserted that. It did sting a little and I was concerned and I also didn't feel well all day. BUT it went away. Results were almost immediate. I don't know if it is safe and I hope I never have to do it again.

Important to note; I did get my period back after trying this. I am not sure if it is because of the hydrogen peroxide or if it is due to my thyroid issues. If you experience spotting as well, this may be a bad idea to do and you should see your doctor instead.