There are a number of home remedies and natural treatments for a yeast infection. Some, such as Susan Summers natural treatment are well researched and effective. Others are rumor or supposition that is generally recommended second or third hand, and a few are downright dangerous!
By the time you are finished here you will have a much better idea of what to believe, what works and what doesn’t.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live microbial organisms which occur naturally in the digestive tract and vagina. Sometimes referred to as a friendly bacteria, probiotics can suppress the growth of potentially harmful organisms like candida. This has led to probiotics being a common and popular natural remedy for yeast infections. The research to support Probiotics as a viable natural remedy for yeast infections has been a little sparse. Primarily it deals with a specific type of probiotic called Lactobacillus(acidophilus, rhamnosus GR-1 or fermentum RC-14).
The probiotic treatment is based on some preliminary studies showing that low levels of Lactobacillus in the vagina are often linked to yeast infection. Probitotics are most commonly available as an oral supplement.
Boric Acid
Boric acid has also been used as a natural remedy by yeast infection sufferers due to it’s anti-fungal properties. It also has antiseptic properties which are beneficial in dealing with yeast infections. In several studies boric acid use has proven more effective than oral treatments of anti fungal medication such as Sporanox or Diflucan.
Boric acid is available as a suppository and have proved to be amongst the most effective of the anti-fungal medications used to treat yeast infections.
While all of that is very positive, there are some quite serious concerns about the use of boric acid. To begin with – the reason it kills fungal growth is because it is toxic. It should never be allowed to enter the internal system, wither through swallowing or administering to areas with cuts or open wounds. Even where applied correctly it can often have side effects such as vaginal burning or irritation.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of those natural cures which gets talked about second or third hand quite often. When diluted and applied topically it has some potential as a natural home remedy for yeast infections. it is believed that this is due to a naturally occurring compound in the tea tree oil called terpinen-4-ol. Unfortunately there has been nothing clinical to back this evidence up.
For the most complete descriptions of what causes yeast infections, and how to treat and cure them naturally you should definitely check out Susan Summers book.
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