Natural Yeast Infection Remedies: Herbal Solutions & Lifestyle Tips

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have been using organic ACV, diluted with water, soaked on a cloth and just held on the affected areas, to treat a yeast infection. I was completey raw and red and itching from my pelvis bone to my tail bone, the ACV helped with that but now my skin is so dry where I applied it, it is flakng and raw..... Has anyone else experienced this, and what did you do to help with the extra dry skin???

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.

I meant white vinegar for tampon use. I ingest the ACV but have the white vinegar for cleaning purposes. I was just thinking apple juice would make things sticky so I would assume ACV would do the same since it is fermented apple juice.

As to why one vinegar works better than the other, I have no idea. ACV is not sticky, however, and I find I like it better in recipes than the white vinegar. For my needs, it's been a good ingredient to keep on hand.

I have read using ACV on the tampon on more than one post and wondered why you couldn't use white vinegar. Isn't the ACV sticky?

Hi. I'm sorry you're having trouble with a yeast infection. You'll probably hear a lot of good responses to this post, but I wanted to weigh in with an Earth Clinic cure that my daughter and I both swear by: Dip a tampon in Apple Cider Vinegar and squeeze out the excess. Insert it and leave it in for a few hours or over night. The vinegar we used was an inexpensive store brand.

I have a yeast infection and no money or insurance to go to the doctor. So far I have tried hydrogen peroxide douches, eating yogurt, cutting out all sugar and carbs, and a fresh clove of garlic in the vagina every few hours.

When I initially did the garlic over night, the itching got much much worse and I took it out. I'm now doing it during the day, changing them every few hours. When will I see any improvement? Unfortunately I am highly allergic to monistat which ended up with me in the emergency room last time I used it :/

I am having pain in my lower abdomen along with frequent urination. Thank you.

Okkkk... Report time. I took acidophilus 2 times during my "treatment" (and plan to continue once every other day)

First night.. Instead of the douche I used a mini turkey baster (my douche).. Added 1 part water (boiled and cooled) to 3 parts ACV.. It BURRNNNEDD!!! ..... BUT! It was not unbearable and after about 2 mins, it stopped and the itching stopped... And when the ACV ran out, ewwwww, cottage cheese that did not smell like me.. I also soaked a tampon in the ACV mix and left it in for about 3 hours, took a cotton ball and patted some of the ACV outside which, u guessed it, burned! I then took a shower and was able to sleep itch free (oh glory).

In the morning, I itched again (arg! ) so I filled my douche (cleaned with warm water) and squirted it up there with the ACV mixture, added what remained to a clean spray bottle and sprayed the outside.. Burn again but bearable.... During the day I saw clumps of discharge that smelled yeasty (and turned slightly green at one point) but experienced less itching

Second night... Did not experince much itching during the day, so I did the douche but not the tampon insert and sprayed the outside.. Burnnned, but lasted less this time... After about 30 mins I took a shower and went to bed.. Less clumpy stuff

In the morning, my discharge was wayyyy less clumpy and almost looked normal (was a bit thick still), so I did a douche and spray again (this is when I found out that ACV makes u dry, yikes! )

Third night.. Small itch during the day.. Did a douche and spray... I was ok for the most part, no itch at all

In the morning, I did a douche & spray

Fourth night... had guests everywhere so I had to put if off..

in the morning, I was itching, so I soaked a tampon in ACV sprayed the outside and left it in for about 1 hour... I dont want to overdo it so I will stop here

The relief is amazing... no itch and frankly the ACV has worked wayyyy better and faster than most of the inserts out there..

Will let u know if I am cured!

Caprylic acid is your friend. I buy the 500mg stuff, and take 3-5 capsules a day if I have an infection. Usually knocks it out in a few days. Than I take two caps a day for another five days. Also, coconut oil works better than any otc cream for the discomfort.

What helps me is taking a non-dairy probiotic at least two hours after the antibiotic. I was advised by the pharmacist not to take them any closer together because the antibiotic kills the beneficial flora.

I'm so miserable right now. I thought I had a UTI since I get them frequently and took the extra round of dose my doctor gave me just in case I got the UTI back. I did not see a discharge. As soon as I took the first day of antibiotics I saw the discharge and I knew I had made a mistake taking the antibiotic. 3 days of the yeast infection suppository treatment and no relief! It did not work this time. The cream that comes with it is also not helping me. I'm super uncomfy and want to go home. I will definitly go out during lunch to get the pills and yogurt. I pray this helps me.

I have been having recurring yeast infections for about 9 years. I came across your site and after reading the "testimonials" decided it cant hurt to try ACV. I want to add that I had placed about a 2 inch piece of aloe vera (the middle gel-like part) in my "vv" for the last 2 nights. It helped to soothe the itching but the yeast has not gone away. in fact, it started to itch more today. I am broke so I am gonna give ACV a try. I plan to use 3 parts organic ACV to 1 part warm water this evening :

First in a douche while showering
And then I will insert a tampon soaked in the above solution
And wipe front to back
and let it sit for about 3 hours

I will repeat for 3 days and will let u know!

Did it work out?

Shannon, I want to THANK YOU so much for you rremedy for yeast... I took antibotics for 43 days and developed yeast everywhere, especially the vagina, then the mouth... I was desperate tonight and tried your treatment.. I called a friend and got some tampons, I have never used them, I mixed the oregono oil with the coconut oil, soaked the tampon in it.. At first it burned like all heck, but after a few minutes it stopped.. I can't tell you the rellief I feel.. I also took some by mouth... BTW I took the pills from the doc, use the cream with no success. Just thank you so much , again.. I will always use this remedy.. I really think anyone that is having this problem should try this.. I was going to the hospital tomorrow, but now I think I will be able to get this done..

ACV works too but in about 1977 I had reoccuring vaginal yeast infections that kept the obgyn in business. One prescription would cause another type infection and it constantly cycled to the point of practically not being able to sit. One morning, he was at the hospital delivering a baby and his nurse took one look at my chart. She was appalled that he kept re-prescribing the same drugs for nearly a year. She instructed me to purchase empty gelatin capsules and fill with boric acid and insert before bed. Wearing panty liners the next day will help keep things dry. The boric acid can even be used as a douche if preferred. For over 30 years I've used this remedy at the hint of a yeast infection and it disappears overnight. Indulging in too many sweets, wine, wheat, harsh soaps & detergents seem to be many of the culprits. Stay away from sheet softeners and feminine products with fragrances. Natural soaps and gentle detergents are the best.

Hi Ashley, A great way of geting rid of parasites & fungus is drinking copper water & all that you do is pour water into a copper container overnight & drink 4 glasses the next morning when you awake & during the day. I tried a lot of fancy things to get rid of the nasties & am getting good results but here comes the jughie part part because these nasties tend to sink to the bottom of the toilet so you have to use a fork to dig them out to see if you are getting them out of your system. Now copper kills everything, search the net.

After years of dealing with yeast infections, my new midwife said that some women deal with yeast infections consistently, and that some women can have one after every period because of a ph imbalance your period causes. Not all women have the same symptoms and many things may cause a yeast infection for one and not for another.

Here are my personal experiences:

FOOD
I notice a major shift when I start eating more processed foods, and that it lightens or clears when I eat all vegetables and little sugary fruits.

SYMPTOMS
I have never itched or burned, but have always had a discharge and a yeast smell. I have had BV, but I always get YI.

SOLUTION
I keep a spray bottle with diluted tea tree oil and water on the back of the toilet, and when I go to the bathroom, I spritz everything. It feels great and feels clean. Tea tree smells more fresh than spraying Apple Cider Vinegar. I will also insert some of the tea tree/water solution in my vagina and it makes a huge difference.

Supplements
Priobiotics: I started taking a 15 billion non-refrigerated probiotic that I purchased from a large natural and whole foods store. It comes in a pink box. This has been the best probiotic I have ever taken, and I have taken a lot.

Women's Whole Food Multi: I also take a food based whole foods women's multi 2x day (says 3x, I'm doing good just to remember to take 2).

Douche: I am going to try a Tea Tree Oil and/or Apple Cider Vinegar douche to see if I can get more of the root of the problem with the discharge - which is my main problem.

Did you consider that perhaps you had die off? I'm just wondering if you were actually killing the yeast if it was in your system. My understanding is that candida gets worse before it gets better. Good luck.

It's called niacinamide and is sold everywhere.

They make a niacin flush free & it works, I couldn't take the regular b3 withouth itching skin & flushing and burning of the skin, the flush free really works!! No side effects...

My wife had developed a pretty serious yeast problem after a recent hospital stint and, IMHO, an excessive amount of antibiotics. I had previously read about Grapefruit Seed Extract, while researching information on candida infections. If you do a google on GSE you will find that it has many uses, is relatively inexpensive and from our personal experience with it, acts fast to relieve yeast infections. A small bottle, which lasts a very long time, MUST be diluted, as you will find when you do your research. It can be taken orally, sprayed on topically and even added to a douche.

Do a 'google' on 'the benefits of grapefruit seed extract'. You will be amazed. It is available at many health food stores, or online. Good luck.

bv and yeast: I've found that douching distilled water with the hydrogen peroxide works wonders! One can also take acidophilis, folic acid and even multi vitamin in between. It's all about keeping the good bacteria up in our bodies versus the bad. Natural remedies are the best! Glad I found this site. I thought to myself there must be natural remedies to cure many issues faced before many of the now medications existed.

Me too. Worst experience I ever had. Pain was immediate on contact, very terrible burning sensation, redness and itching as tho when I was a kid and got skinned knees. Used mineral oil to soothe and in a day or so, redness and swelling ended. But the smell lingered, tho a brand new box within expy date. For the odor, aloe vera gel cooled, soothed, and best of all ended the odor first application to irritated area.

This is B.S. Women have used ACV as a douche for years to maintain Vaginal health. Douching is not always bad, especiually if something gets up there that needs to be washed out. Lake water, milk (from a milk bath, anything number of situations. Don't use high pressure.

If you douche with ACV, you should also be taking probiotics either orally or vaginally. I have had girl friends cure their infections using ACV and the women in my family all used it.

The don't douch hysteria is going way overboard.

3 days suffering from vaginal yeast infection. First tried Hydrogen peroxide - no relief. Next ACV. Made me raw. Desperate, I bought Monostat. DO NOT USE MONOSTAT. It was inside of me about 3 hrs. I was terribly uncomfortable, burning & itching worse than before inserting the Monostat. I Flushed/wiped it out of my v-jay as best I could. Husband went to grocery store for plain, active yogurt for me (thats luv). Used the syringe method with 10 ml. Instantly soothed the burning. No itching. Thank you all. I will apply again before bed the next 5 days as recommended here.

So, I was on anti biotics cause of strep, and it ended up giving me a yeast infection. I was so not happy. AFter trying everythinggg I could think of. I finally decided to give this ACV thing a shot. I went a local HEB (super market in Texas) and bought raw ACV. In a small spray bottle, I poured about 1oz of hot water, and 3oz of the ACV. While in the shower, I sprayed my vaginal area until I could feel the ACV dripping down my legs. (my shower smells like vinegar :P) It burned for a few moments, but I already started feeling better. When I got out of the shower, I refilled the bottle because I had used most of it, but no water this time; just the ACV. I soaked a tampon in it and inserted it for about 30 min, and sprayed my vaginal area once more until I could feel it burning. While sitting down, I could actually feel the intense burning from the ACV in my vagina.. Let' sjust saying it really did suck. But after I took it out, I felt tons better. This stuff actually worked. So glad I gave in to it. I'm going to do this for another three days and see how everything works out.

Definitely stop taking the birth control if you can. I just went to my gyn 3 days ago for having constant yeast infections. I started birth control well after I was having the yeast infections, but my doctor (a different doctor perscribed me birth control) said being on birth control would make make the issue worse. I just stopped a few days ago, so I don't really have any feedback for you other than that. Good luck to you though!

Try a tampon.

So after extensive research and a come and go yeast infection everytime I have sex, I decided to try te ACV. I had bought Mon 7 but I am going on a trip with my boyfriend in a few days and "ain't nobody got time for dat"! So, I used the Mon 7 for 2 days. But on the third day I wasnt seeing any progresss so I put 2 cups Organic ACV and 1 cup of Iodized Salt in a bathub with just enough water to cover my legs. I soaked in this for about 20 mins, and douched with the water while I sat there. I then applied ACV and Jamaican Castor Oil directly onto my vagina as I still had some itching/irritation. Then I drank a glass of water and 3TBL of ACV. I was still feeling irritation after hours so I decided to soak a tampon in AVC and SALT. I inserted the tampon (which was very hard and painful to do) then left it in for about 10-15 min. I felt instant relief when I removed it. I feel like the infection is gone now, but I'm going to continue drinking lots of water to be sure. It looks very pink and shiny and pretty and it looks like the YEAST BEAST is gone. I know this sounds like alot but I was desperate! Thank u for all of these helpful tips!

Hey, Ive been suffering from yeast infections all my life, and Ive done the tea tree oil thing, and it works great, but your body becomes used to the oil after awhile. What people dont know is that there are many essential oils that will treat a yeast infection and instantly and more efficiently than monistat. Midwives and Herbalists have known this for centuries.

The ones I use are as follows::

Cypress, (diluted with jojoba oil, it will burn) Lavender, Rosemary together (may burn, dilute a bit)

Roman Chamomile in jojoba oil with another oil blend which has cedarwood, sandlewood, and Myrtle oils, and are perfectly safe and all used for yeast infections, and other infections, I googled them all and did extensive research as well as tried these on myself.

Ylang, Ylang, and patchouli oil (hard core hippy chick here, lol! )

Neroli, and Myhrr (spellcheck??) frankenscense (cant spell it, lol)

St Johns oil and east Cape Manuka oil (another relative of the Tea tree) and Bergamont works well too (same oil they out in earl grey tea)

Eucalyptus..(wll burn like heck, DILUTE!! )

I either make them in coconut oil frozen suppositories, or I just put a few drops straight on a clean finger and lay down on my back, and insert and rub around in there as far as it will go (gross I know, but when you have an uncomfortable miserable life ruining yeast infection youll try anything!!!) I also tend to clean the yogurt like material out in the shower, so the oils can really penetrate, but thats not necessary for most people. (really gross, I know, sorry for the TMI, but we need to get well here, lol!!)

You will notice relief within 15 minutes, Im serious. And it will be gone in just a couple days (usually. If you have a more severe infection, you may need to apply the oils up to five times a day. Build yourself up to it, aswell, it may burn a bit, but after a while your body builds up resistance and you can take much more concentrated amounts on the skin without burning. I know with my infections, I usually dont dilute, (except with eucalyptus, and Mrryh, lol!) very strong. Oregano oil can be used aswell, REALLY STRONG, only use a drop in sum carrier oil.

Essential oil are incredibly healing for wounds, and all manner of things. After having success treating my yeast infections, I did ALOT of research into it, and I was amazed. God put these incredibly healing things on the earth and its awesome!

Most of these oils dont cost more than ten dollars, sum are just $4, Mhrry (cant spell sorry) is about $17, so its worth the investement. Like I said, I get these things frequently, so I know very well, how awful they are. The oils work great, try it!!

I was on antibiotics for strep thoat. They of course gave me a killer yeast infection. I tried diflucan, which usually works but it didnt this time. I started having to use anti itch creams and finally bought a monistat 1 day ovule and some external cream. The cream would work randomly and I felt like I was always putting it on. 2 days into that cream I had such a burning itch it was unbearable. I decided to finally put in the ovule and still no relief 2 days later. I came to this site and read about using apple cider vinegar and I figured why not try it. I tried it about 2 hours ago, I drank 2 table spoons in water and sat in a bath for a half an hour with a cup of it mixed in. I got the kind from trader joes since the health food stores that sell the completely organic kind are closed on sundays. All I can say is it is a MIRACLE!!!! For the last week I have had to live with cream on 24/7 and still have no relief. I can happily say that I have not itched at all since I drank it and took the bath. Its saying alot because I literally have not had to put any cream on either for this since I took the bath. I hope this keeps working because that was horrible!!!!! I even dabbed a little diluted ACV on the outside, even though it burned a little it feels sooooo much better. I reccomend this if everything else is not working for you!! Wish I would have known about this a week ago!!!

thank u so much every one. I put boil apple vinger garlic cut up in tiny piece and peroxide all boiled then I let it cool down then I took out a douch dump the contents and poured my mixture. omg it burned I was seeing white stuff eveywere but it worked then rinse again twice so much better thanks eveyone

UPDATE: I am still yeast free. I did have one bout of it a year ago. My standard treatment of Vit e, folic acid, and acidophilus did not work. I suspect that the yeast became resistant to the treatment since I used it so much. For the last infection a year ago, I consumed lots of yogurt/plain kefir and did ACV baths. I would also recommend checking your Vitamin D levels. I was always running low in the vitamin over the last few years. Since all this occurred, I have been diagnosed with gallstones and have been having symptoms of a sluggish gallbladder. Gallbladder disease causes us to run low in fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. I did run low in D during the time I had the chronic yeast infection. So, I suspect my body may have been low in Vitamin E as well. I believe now that this had something to do with why my body could not fight off the yeast. I have read about Vitamin D and E being used to fight yeast infections.

Michelle, My GYN looked under a microscope and said it was yeast. Of course, she could not identify the strain. The reason we knew it was resistant is that none of the conventional yeast medications worked. I tried a Diflucan; once a week for 4 weeks, then one every 2 weeks for a month, and then 1 a month for 3 months. This is a treatment given when women are believed to have a resistant strain. After 2 months, I asked my doctor if I could stop taking it because this too was not working. She agreed. I then tried boric acid as a last resort, which did not work either. Also, the lab tests always came back normal. For some reason, the yeast was never detected in the lab.

Hi I totally feel your pain. I have been going through the same thing. I was tested 3 different and by the grace of God they all came back negative BUT I still cannot figure out what is causing my yeast infections as they are painfully annoying. I wish you luck. Take care.

Tears flowing down my face) I'm sorry but I had a yeast infection from hell tried monistat and it made it worse!! I was desperate so I looked on the web and found this and I am so glad I did it saved me a doctors visit and money went to the store and got some avc and some accidipholis douched first and then soaked in it let me tell u it worked thank u so much it really cleared up the next day feel 100% better :) who knew

Yogurt is also an effective natural fix. Eat yogurt of any flavor, or use plain yogurt on a tampon (even better, make your own suppository with an empty tampon casing! ). Eat and apply it for a double-whammie against candida.

Lord, thank you for healing my yeast infection thru boric acid... Ladies I was going insane and some how confused with the itches I was experiencing. I had tried inserting garlic, ( very painful especially when you crush it), it worked only during the moment and in the morning it starts all over; and since I had to go to work from 8 to 5, I could not be going aroung with garlic in my xxx.. Tried Vinegar, salt and warm water, soothing and calming but started iching after few hours, tried lemon, oh my God did not help as well.

And now Boric Acid did the job, still on my 6 day, plan to take the full dose of 14 days. What a relief, no inches, no discharges and I am on my way to total recovery. Amen. Hopefully this will help someone out there.. Take care Ladies n God bless y'all.

Hello, I am a 19 year old living in Southern California. I have visited the sites on numerous occasions to try natural ways of curing the miscellanous vaginal infections that I have Had(and ongoing). It was alarming that so many women struggle with the symptoms that go with having a vaginal infection, that is not sexually transmited.

But what I wanted to shed light on is the fact that alot of women who were sexually abused as children tend to have gynecological problems as they mature, or even immediately following the abuse.

The reason why I mention it is the fact that one in three women have been sexually assaulted/abused in their lifetime. Most of the time, the victims know their perpetrator. ALOT of women go around not completing healing from this past trauma.

This isn't a cure for having Bacterial Vaginosis, yeast infections, or even trichomiasis. I can attest to the fact that immediately after I was molested at age 8, I started to have yeast infections. When I read this fact/or generality in the Book Secret Survivor by Sue E. Blume, it totally made sense that the source of all these infections was that is was stored trauma, taking the form of stress, and the learned habitat of tightening my (sexual) core alot throughout the day ever since the day the molestation happened. What gives more evidence to this is that my mother, and four of my five sisters are all survivors also. I remember as a child folding laundry, and noticing that all of my sisters' underwear were stained just like mine.

I am not asking for pity. I just wanted to share this bit of information, and story to help other women who have vaginal infections to possibly look back at that as the source of all their struggle. Maybe even begin to actively heal if they havent done so.

Peace and Love, G.G

I've never had a yeast infection before, however this month at the end of my period, I started feeling 'off' down there. First I thought it might be a UTI, because I constantly felt like I had to pee! But after a day or so I realized it just felt irritated/burned. It was slightly itchy, but mostly it was just a constant burn and uncomfortable feeling. I decided to try some natural remedies before making a trip to the drug store for a yeast treatment kit, and low and behold, it worked!

Here is what I did: DAY 1- mixed 1/2 cup boiled water with 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar. Using a cloth or cotton ball soak with solution and apply all over area. I also took a couple q tips and soaked them in and stuck them inside of my for 5 minutes. This burned a bit, but nothing horrible. I did this 3x daily.

DAY 2- Same as day 1, but after each ACV treatment take organic coconut oil and slather all over affected area. Then take a q tip and cover in coconut oil and insert into vagina. Basically you want to actually place a decent amount of coconut oil in there, probably close to 1/2 a tsp. wear a panty liner/pad as some does end up dripping.

DAY 3- By now I was actually feeling about 90% back to normal, but repeated day 2 anyway.

It is now the end of day 3 and I feel about 95% better and am hoping after one more day ill be at 100%! Definitely give these natural remedies a try, very worth saving the $20 for a kit! This whole process probably only cost me a couple dollars! (Had ingredients on hand).