Top Natural Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Stephanie (BALTIMORE, MD) on 05/22/2008
★★★★☆

Bacterial Vaginosis Remedies: I am a faithful reader of the Earth clinic website not only for me but also for my children. Now this is the first time I have tried this Tea Tree Oil remedy, which I poured the oil onto the tampon enough so the entire tampon was wet and I used my finger to push it into my vagina. I did this for the first time last night and when I woke up this morning, it felt like my lady place was on fire however desperate for this remedy to work, Ive now done it again this morning after cleansing the area with HP and for now it's not bad but when I remove it in a few minutes, we'll see. Ive also started taking the Folic Acid pills (400mcg) - 2 in the morning and 1 at night so maybe this stuff will help me. But I got tired of my doctor telling me I was having unprotected sex even after I told her I wasn't sexually active. Though I'm not a virgin I just don't have a partner right now. I'm tired of going to the doctor's office because for some reason I feel like a slut and I feel dirty and confused because I can't understand why this is happening to me. Now I see it isn't just me. I'll take anymore advice if anyone has anything to tell me. Thanks.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Phoenix (California) on 05/07/2016

You should never apply undiluted tea tree oil on any skin, especially sensitive skin. Tea tree oil shouldn't be more than 10%, but when dealing with the sensitive skin in the vagina I wouldn't put more than 1 or 2% in a carrier oil. Olive oil is a great carrier oil for this use because of it's antibacterial properties. I personally would just apply the oil directly. If your using the tampon method for applying Apple Cider Vinegar or oil mixture then only 1-2 hours at a time is necessary.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Kim (Hartford, Ct) on 05/30/2011
★★★★★

hello I've been a sufferer of bv for a long time and tried everything from the conventional way to the wacky ways of finding a cure for this horrible thing. One word for you :kefir. Kefir is a probiotic smoothie and is found in most grocery stores. They are located near the dairy sections. I drink 2 glasses a day and found results in 3 weeks. no more flagyl, no more hydro perox, no more acidoph pills up the vag, no more nonsense. Try it and good luck. its also the cheapest way.

Hydrogen Peroxide Variations

Posted by Destiny (Newark, New Jersey) on 04/29/2008
★★★★★

I came to this site hoping for a cure for my re-current bv/yeast infections. I was tired (and imbarrassed) of calling my Dr. every month for a prescription. And more importantly, with money being tight, I didn't have it to spend. I logged on and found this site and immediately tried the hydrogen peroxide/water (I used a plastic cup and poured equal amounts of each that covered the cotton part of the tampon)on the tampon. It burned for a minute or two then I felt bubbling, but it was tolorable. I drank some Apple Cider Vinegar (2 table spoons and 8 oz of water mix) and mixed a white vinegar and water douch (1/2 and 1/2). I left the tampon in for approx. 30 minutes, then douched an hour later. Again I felt some burning but it was again tolorable. The next morning there were no signs of the "cottage cheese" discharge and I was "so fresh and so clean"! I now have a new remedy that is both affordable and natural. Thanks for the tips.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sherri (Winchester, Virginia) on 04/14/2008
★★★★★

I used to get BV about a week before my menstral cycle. I got tired of going to my OBGYN doctor because I felt dirty because I was going there almost once amonth. Finally I went to another doctor and he said that I needed to ve on a low dose of birth control and it will level out my hormones. Once I started taking the BC, I didn't get another episode of BV, until I received a blot clot in my leg from a foot operation and I could no longer take BC. I now get BV every month again. Believe me the low level of BC worked miracles for me. I hope this helps all of you out.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Karasi (Tallahassee, FL) on 05/25/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

BC can cause bloodclots...you have to be careful. Your BV might have went away, but the BC brought you a bloodclot.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Stephanie (Chicago, Illinois) on 07/23/2008

BV is not an STD.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Soo (New York, New York) on 04/07/2008
★★★★★

I'have had bouts of bv on and off for about 4 years. Like everyone else it kept coming back, and I noticed that it was becoming more frequent and harder to cure with each time. Then for the last 5 months it was absolutely constant! People who sat beside me in the subway would sniff around and turn their heads. It was so embarrassing.

In Jan. 2008, I tried the 1:1 H20/ Hydrogen Peroxide douche + acidophilous (2 after each meal) + folic acid (3 800mcg/day). At first it worked wonders, but because I had done all three at once I didn't know which was working or not. I waited a few days and only took the vitamins. The odor and discharge came back so I knew that the Hydrogen Peroxide had been the quick fix. I douched again and the smell disappeared, but came back by the end of the day. Every other day I tried the douche for about 2 weeks and I found that the cure was losing its potency. I know douching is bad and this shouldn't be done regularly. I stopped and decided to wait if the vitamins alone would work. A week later and nothing. So I took one of the acidophilus pills and put it way in my vagina. This actually worked a lot better than the hydrogen peroxide. However, I noticed after a few times that this had lost its potency too. I was really desperate. The remedies here were my last hope.

Then, I decided to completely analyze my lifestyle. I'm from Korea and I came to NY about 2 yrs ago. I noticed that the bv became serious after I came to the states. 1. Quit using fabric softener in laundry - instead I use vinegar and some drops of essential oils. If you read up on fabric softener you'll find out that it's really bad. I'd hardly used fabric softener in Korea and simply ran the rinse cycle twice. Since fs was something I'd started in the states it had to do with my pH imbalance. Regular soaps/detergents are alkaline, which is what makes washed things rough. In order to get it soft you have to rebalance the pH. Vinegar will do this. I put about 1/4 cup of white vin with some drops of tea tree and lavender essential oils. (The oils are choice. You don't need them if don't have them). Laundry smells Wonderful and not cloying like fs. It's logical to use natural substance for your laundry, especially underwear! And very necessary to keep your clothes pH balanced. Vinegar smell disappears through drying; don't worry.

2. I bought a large batch of KIMCHI and started eating it everyday with my meals. There is a LOT of acidophilus and bifidus in kimchi and I'd had hardly any intake of those good bateria. (I hadn't eaten yogurt because I get skin blemishes with dairy.)

3. Skin trouble or not, I bought a yogurt maker and have been eating homemade yogurt once a day. This is a good way to insure that you have a steady diet of yogurt and after a few tries you'll find that it's cheaper and healthier than storebought.

4. Reduced intake of sugar. This was the Hardest thing to do. I love a good dessert, but I had to stop. I let myself eat a cookie about once a week.

5. I quit smoking. I just had 1 or 2 cigarettes a day, but still it's toxic and I knew I had to STOP.

6. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT in my cure: I did an Eastern medical treatment called moxibustion. I really went back to my roots to cure myself. How moxibustion (or moxa cautery) works is there are these short paper-rolled stubs of wormwood that is stuck to a round clay foundation and their placed usually where the ailment is, and burned. You can picture a 1/4 inch cigarette butt sticking up from a teeny flowerpot; however it might look different because mine was sent to me by my mom and is for home use. Mind you, your skin isn't burned, simply warmed, but the wetness is dried up and toxins seep out through the burning process. If you're not Asian and don't know what I'm talking about go to an Asian medical specialist and tell them to do a moxibustion on your lower abdomen because you have an inflammation in the female area. In Eastern med, smelly discharge and all that women's trouble is said to be caused by a coldness in the lower body, and where there is wet, there is cold. You'll notice that the discharge keeps you cold in that area. You need to make your lower body warmed up again. I did the moxibustion and the discharge and smell was almost gone immediately. I did it a few more days (once a day) and it's COMPLETELY disappeared. Wow, all I had to do was go back to my roots.

Anyway, if you're unable to find an Asian medicine facility where you live... try some things to warm your lower ab. Don't wear jeans, especially tight jeans. Don't just sit down in cold areas - cold plastic subway seats are bad! If you have a hot water bottle, hold it against your lower belly. If you don't have a hot water bottle, use a heating pad or just put warm water into a PET bottle and use it. Drink lukewarm water and not cold refrigerated or ice water. However, I really recommend just a few times of Moxibustion. Everything else is a lifestyle change that should be kept up, but this is something that is direct.

But now I have another problem. I don't smell anymore, but my clothes and sheets still have that odor left in them. No amount of regular laundry will get rid of it. Do I have to get a new wardrobe or can someone help me rid of the stink?

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 04/09/2008 490 posts

Hi Soo,

I've never been diagnosed with BV but I have had the odor. Didn't get rid of it until I quit using soap for bathing (learned this from a lovely lady in her 60's about 30 years ago - she had never used deoderant but you didn't fall backwards when she lifted her arms. She said "My daddy was a chemist and he always told us that if you didn't use soap, you didn't need it because soap is what makes you stink." By Ned, I found that she (or rather her daddy) was right!

For your problem with the odor in your wardrobe and bed linens, I suggest you try adding 1 cup of ACV to your final rinse in laundering them. I think you will like the results.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Soo (New York, NY) on 06/19/2008

I have continued to take the acidophilous (Nature's way primadaphilous bifius- works great) once a day. I also take one folic acid (800mcg) per day. I continued to use a bit of vinegar and essential oils in the rinse cycle of my laundry and within about 4 washes any residual smell has disappeared from my clothes. I've learned that not smoking is vital in this.

I did the moxibustion treatment about 4 more times since I wrote here. Two times in April and two in May right after my period ended because the BV came back after my period.

However, a week has past since my period this month in June and there are absolutely no symptoms of BV. I've hardly given BV a thought for the past month and a half. That's how clean and fresh I feel.

So here are what must be kept up. The acidophilous, folic acid, no smoking, drastically less sugar intake, and eating lots of greens.
I learned that chlorophyll works wonders as an internal deodorant. I also take 2 table spoons of chlorophyll a day since I'm single and it's difficult to eat a ton of greens every day. Don't give up! It's taken me half a year since I started treating myself with these natural remedies. Thank you and good luck to all!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sissy (Fort Worth, US) on 01/04/2008
★☆☆☆☆

Try to get the Veggie capsules for the boric acid suppositories... the gelatin capsules do not melt as well. I have had BV for three years now and I have been on antibiotics about six diffrent times and nothing has worked...I have used garlic, acidophillus, yeast arrest, tea tree oil and nothing has worked. The boric acid helps with the smell but I still have a lot of discharge. I have read a lot about the folic acid so I am going to get some tomorrow and start trying that. I have literally spent over 1000 dollars on different medicines and doctor visits trying to cure this and nothing has worked. I will let you all know if the folic acid works for me. I have faith that one day I will get rid of this. I have also been depressed about it and have cried. Stay strong ladies.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Stephanie (BALTIMORE, MD) on 05/22/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I used this method and right now at 3:26 pm in my office on May 22, 2008, I am sitting in my chair with an irritated "lady area" and I really want to leave work. I was so hopefull this method would help me but I'm thinking of going to the emergency room. I was feeling okay before I tried this method, besides the stinky smell and wet panties, but it was better than what Im going through now.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Sarah (Seattle, Washington) on 06/30/2012

Tea tree oil is strong. I tried a lot of things including garlic cloves (whole peeled), and chlorophyll douches, but ultimately it was vitamin B complex that made the difference. Lots of acidophilus is good.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Koko (Chicago, US) on 07/08/2014
★★★★☆

My bv was the worst during and after my period. Not anymore though, I use a Diva Cup and have found that before reinserting it, coating it inside and out with (diluted) tea tree oil has greatly reduced the symptoms during that time of the month. I cleanse daily in the shower, using cold water instead of warm, which otherwise has been the most effective remedy for me. Paired with tea tree oil during my period, my chronic and sometimes intense symptoms have been mostly under control for several months now. Not cured, but still figuring that out.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Renata (Ct) on 03/31/2018

Do I take the tampon out of the plastic applicator? Also, do I mix the oils together then soak? I'm confused.

General Feedback

Posted by Sandhi (USA) on 09/21/2007
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I want to point something about the Baking Soda remedy for increasing the alkalinity of body. Unfortunately, this remedy worked for me in the beginning, as I noticed improved digestion, but then I noticed I came down with a chronic case of Bacterial Vaginosis. A fishy odor coming from the vagina. I have heard, women who are on Birth Control Pill get BV. But I have never used BCPs. Further reading, I found out that Baking Soda, and for that matter most anta-acids can lead to the depletion of B-vitamins in the body. ( including Folic Acid & B12). And no wonder Folic Acid is recommended as a cure for BV

I am taking Folic Acid ( 1 mg) and B-complex now, but the fishy odor is not gone completely! I am really stuck with this odor which I NEVER had before. So could it be, my folic acid levels are depleted and I am unable to get them to a healthy level. As of now, I am suspecting Baking Soda has done this to me. And I am abstaining from using it anymore. I would be interested to hear what other female users have to say about this.

General Feedback

Posted by Tracy (Frederick, MD) on 01/21/2008

Just wanted to put in my .02cents. I was taking the ACV Baking Soda tonic three times a day. It's ironic now that I think about it, the way our bodies talk to us, the last few times I took the recipe, (and I'm very used to the taste of the ACV/BS tonic) my nose would turn up at the smell, it smelled furmented, almost like old wine. Then I got a yeast/BV infection...and after research and trial and error, I realized that what Sandhi mentioned was true, too much BS can reverse the body's alkaline and actually make it too acidic. So, after curing the Yeast infection with Hydrogen Peroxide, yogurt and water (monostat DID NOT WORK) and quitting the Baking soda, I feel much better. Every once in a while if I feel heartburny I'll add BS to my ACV, but I skip the BS most days and just take ACV and feel much better~!

General Feedback

Posted by Sandhi (USA) on 09/21/2007
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by YoYo (Detroit, MI) on 09/20/2007
★★★★★

I tried Flagyl, and it worked. I take showers instead of baths. I also use unscented dove or ivory soap. I only wear cotton underwear, and lose fitting pants, and at night i sleep with no underwear. Now i have no problem with bv.

Yogurt

Posted by Stacie (MIAMI, FLROIDA) on 09/11/2007
★☆☆☆☆

Okay I had BV like two weeks ago I tried the ACV and Yogurt treatment (I used 2 caps of ACV and 1 Tablespoon of plain yougurt) And it Came back i did it again and now it won't go away. I keep on using the yogurt but nothing happens is there anything else I can use? or am I doing something wrong?

Yogurt

Posted by Samantha (Miami, Fl) on 04/07/2018

I don't know about the ACV, I think it may have thrown off your pH. I used to use ACV on my face for toner and it helps with some of my hyperpigmentation but I only use it at night and in the affected areas. It's too drying otherwise. I used it ONCE on my vagina when I thought I had a pH imbalance. A week after I used it, I had BV and it was bad. I started using the yogurt and tampon method, soaking the tampon in pure yogurt with cultures for 10 min and then inserting it in and leaving it for about three hours. Then I rinse in the shower to make sure it's all clean (just the outside, don't douche! ) and then I do it again for good measure. I don't recommend sleeping with it in because it could make it worse or so I've read in several online articles. Not sure if it's true, but I'm not risking it.

I don't know if this info is important or not - but I'm 20 yrs old and I had my first spell of BV when I was about 16, though I wasn't sexually active so I didn't really notice it. It went away by itself. I never went to the gyn and I never diagnosed it as anything other than 'sweaty vag'. I got another case of it about two weeks ago, I recognized the symptoms but I didn't know what they meant so I googled it and I put the pieces together and diagnosed myself with BV.

I've heard good things about acidophilus probiotics. They're not too expensive either so I'm going to try them as well. I also regularly take Azo pills for urinary tract support, it has probiotics in it. I'm prone to UTIs so this is just preventative. I recommend it if your BV is giving you a burning sensation when you pee. It helps with the pain. I wish you luck with your BV and advise you stay away from ACV, it's not the 'fix all home remedy' that the internet makes it out to be!

Buttermilk

Posted by kisce (Columbus, Georgia) on 08/19/2007

I just wanted to share this one with you. I was talking with an older lady, my neighbor, I asked the question on BV home remedie cures. She told me to douche with buttermilk and a little water. I just wanted to share that with you, I will try this one and get back with you on it.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Toma (Chicago, IL) on 08/17/2007
★★★★★

Here's other remedies that can help cure BV : iodine or H2O2 or ACV tea tree oil douche for 4 weeks, a dose of silver once a week for a month, wash or douche with H202 your private area after sex or period, use Aci-jel, eat garlic, slice garlic cloves and insert them into your vagina for a day - do it for a 2-4 weeks. Also, a partner should be treated, too as BV is an STD. Also, have a bacterial culture. Good luck! And remember you should never give up never give up!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Shannon (Richmond, California) on 08/06/2007
★☆☆☆☆

I am glad to have found this site. I AM NOT ALONE. I have suffered from BV for at least five years and nothing has worked. Flagyl, metrogel, clindamyacin, I've tried it all. I just went to the store when I read about the folic acid and I got some. I don't know if there is any relief as of yet but I'll keep ya posted. God I hope this works!!!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Jay (Jackson, MS) on 07/23/2007
★★★★★

I have very sensitive skin, so condoms, dryer sheets, and of course antibiotics can bring on a yeast infection. Step one is to avoid condoms and spermicide (for me) and using dryer sheets, particularly on underwear or athletic clothing that is close to the skin. To treat, I have had great success with bathing in lemon or lime water. This is probably more gentle than apple cider vinegar. Yeast needs a basic enviroment to live, and a healthy vagina is slightly acidic, so you want to return your environment gradually and gently to normal. Also - sperm is basic, so wash thoroughly after sexual activity to avoid creating a "good home" for excessive bacteria or yeast. There are also antifungal natural ear drops that are a little better than using a strong chemical treatment that you could try. For bacteria, I find that eating yogurt and probiotics during antibiotic courses, garlic, and avoiding triggers like dryer sheets helps as well. Hope this helps someone out there!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by London (Sandusky, Ohio, 44870) on 10/25/2010

Right on!! Condoms, thong underwear, sweat, baths, non cotton underwear, just about anything can give me BV. One thing that helped alot was washing my cotton underwear seperately in a fragrance free, all natural, coconut oil based detergent (kind you get in the health food store, or the natural, "greenie" section of wal mart). I wash my other clothes in Gain. I use seventh generation brand. My infections stopped around the time I started doing this.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Wendy (Barrie, Ontario) on 08/14/2011

hmmmm.... But not using the condoms will pass it back and forth to your partner and the condition will continue ;-( Sex with my husband was sparse when I was nursing the kids and I NEVER had discharge at all or even a yeast infection, now that we are back to as much as I can get (LOL) it seems EVERY time I have sex with him, I end up with an infection!!! Arghhh I've got both of us on GSE, oil of oregano and parasite herbs right now because I'm tired of this shit... I take really good care of myself, eat well, fast, zap, I've done Rife Therapy, ozone therapy, high dose vitamin c, fulvic/humic acid, had my amalgams removed blah blah and he now he is working on the road all the time, he eats like crap, gained weight, is cranky and has athletes foot and is probabably full of candida and who knows what else... I'm thinking condoms are the way to go LOL

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Krysta (Virginia) on 01/18/2017

I think ur exactly right about this. I have sensitive skin thanks for the info because this bv condition is the worse

Yogurt

Posted by Kels (Tacoma, WA) on 10/02/2006
★★★★★

I tried monistat 1 day and it gave me 2nd degree burns and made me swell down there like you would not believe. I had to go to the ER and get it flushed out and be out on medication. After the burns healed, I used yogurt. Just put it in waited 20 min and then took a shower. Sleep with a pad so to catch any remaining yogurt.

General Feedback

Posted by Christine (Georgia) on 09/08/2006

Bacterial Vaginosis vs Yeast Infections. I came across this website while searching for holistic cures for bacterial vaginosis. I think its really important to identify which infection you might have as what works for curing yeast might actually make the bacterial vaginosis worse. A trained physician who is up-to date with the literature should help diagnose you. I have thought that I had yeast recurring for years while the whole time I have had Bacterial Vaginosis, a COMMON condition. Be sure to get diagnosed correctly, ladies! I am going to try taking oral folic acid and the vaginal yogurt insertion to see if either helps BV.