Natural Yeast Infection Remedies: Herbal Solutions & Lifestyle Tips

Acidophilus, Yogurt, ACV and Peroxide Douche

Posted by Bella (Roselle, Nj) on 08/21/2009
★★★★★

I have had three yeast infection these past two months. The third just started today. I didn't want to take any over the counter meds so instead I took the natural approach. I took 3 acidophilus pills every few hours, ate a greek yogurt, and my cousin gave me a recipe for a great douche. Acv, peroxide and water. I felt instant relief. Its quicker and better than prescription meds. Try it ladies!

Garlic

Posted by Jessica ( Vancouver, Bc) on 04/08/2018
★★★★★

I do this as well. In addition, I place my chopped garlic on a spoon and cover the garlic with honey. It goes down easier ;)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Michelle (Glen St Mary, Florida) on 06/23/2009
★★★★★

Hello, Ladies. All my life I have been cursed with yeast infections. I have literally tried everything from RX to Home remedies. Until today I had never tried the ACV, O My God!!! It really works. I took a cotton ball and soaked it with ACV and then applied it to my lady parts. It burns like hell for a minute, but after that first minute the itching and burning stopped. Later the same day when I had time I made a sitz bath with ACV and water and soaked for 20-30 minutes. Already feeling much better. Thank You Earth Clinic!!! I will never forget this Home remedy (EVER)!!! Your website is the BEST!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Brigitte (Evanston, IL) on 06/16/2009
★★★★★

Hello, ladies! The apple cider vinegar does work better than or at least as well as over the counter remedies. I was taking antibiotics and became itchy and irritated in the vulva area. My external vagina was extremely sensitive and was so raw in between the folds of skin that rubbing it with a cotton swab actually produced a bit of blood! I was mortified at the sight of that and instantly had the creeps. I'd already been reading about acv and it's health benefits so I decided to give it a try. I just dipped the tip of a cotton swab into the vinegar and dabbed it directly on the irritated skin. It burned like crazy for a few moments but then quickly subsided, within a few minutes I felt relief! Less itching and irritation. Later on that evening I did it again after my shower. The next morning when I wiped myself I was 95 percent better! No itching, no discomfort NO drops of blood. I decided to do it one more time just to be certain that it was gone and walla! I only used the Q-tip dipped in apple cider vinegar with no dilution! That may be a bit too harsh for most women so I recommend that they dilute with a bit of water. I'm sure that it will still have the same benefits in a weaker version. Thanks to all the people who took time to post result and testimonies! That is always appreciated by those that are indecisive about trying home remedies. I'm totally satisfied with my results and have now encouraged my daughter to try it. If it works for her then I will post again. Here's to a happy and healthy vagina!

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 Sasha (Baltimore, Md) on 02/19/2010
★★★★★

Ok so I am currently suffering from a YI or BV which I have had in the past so I figured its one of the two because I am familiar with the symptoms...anyway, I have burning, itching, and musty smelly discharge coming from my cooch but no cottage cheese. I have tried VH Essentials only for 3 days but experienced very little relief so that was a waste of $$. So I started doing some home remedy research and came across the "yogurt remedy" and the "ACV remedy" on this site. I filled a needleless syringe with plain greek yogurt (greek because its texture is thicker than most)and inserted about 1 teaspoon into my cooch. I am on dose #2 and I noticed the smelly discharge is not as strong about 85% gone and the itching was not as intense but still lingering. So I decided to be brave and try the ACV (from the supermarket). I poured straight ACV on a cotton ball and squeezed it so the liquid could drip onto my clit and labi...OMG! It burned like hell for about 60 seconds! However, I am 100% not itching or burning at ALL. ACV works for real!!!! I am ready to just pour the whole bottle down there lol...but yes ladies it does work. As for the yogurt...I will repost in about 3 days since I just started it today (02/19/10)...ACV is my hero!!

Garlic

Posted by Keri (Mississauga, Canada) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★

Hi guys, I thought I always had yeast infections and accepted it as a part of life but one day I decided to go to the doctor.I found out I had a combination of excess yeast and bacterial vaginosis. The doctor prescibed me diflucan and flagil, and like a dummy; I took both. For the first few days, sex was fine, but then after my period, it was like all hell broke loose.

I found out that garlic kills yeast, so I inserted garlic vaginally overnight, and the yeast was gone!, it was painful, but well worth it. The only problem was that the fishy smell persisted. I came across this website and started taking 1mg of folic acid daily, 3 acidoliphus (however you spell it) pills, and tons of activia yogurt daily. Now, my vagina is healthy and I am happy!

My message here is...garlic kills yeast and folic acid with probiotics kills bacteria, oh yeah, and easy on the sugar ladies.

Boric Acid

Posted by Allie (New York, New York) on 01/20/2009
★★★★★

I used to take antibiotics orally for 3 years as part of an acne regimen. Now when I need antibiotics, they don't work for me. I came back from a 4 month trip to the carribean with a raging yeast infection that nothing would help. I also had a kidney infection at one point and everyone refused to see a connection. With the help of doctors who actually listen, I found a plan that WORKS.

First, birth control contributes to yeast. If you take it, get off of it, at least for a few months. Antibiotics will not work for yeast! Yeast is fungal, antibiotics kill bacteria, not fungi, and there is a huge difference. Maintaining a diet that is high in vegetables and low in or void of bread and sugar. Yeast survive on what you put into your body. They looove sugar and bread. This includes alcohol, too. Alcohol turns into sugar... Finally, BORIC ACID capsules saved my live! By maintaining a yeast free-sugar free diet and using boric acid vaginal suppositories for 2 months, I am 95% clear. Talk to a doctor about using boric acid. It is safe, natural, and won't affect the balance of your body's natural good bacteria.

Fixing this problem is about restoring a balance of healthy bacteria in your body, not killing all of them with antibiotics. I took 4 rounds of antibiotics for treatment and it only made my symptoms hide for months! If you are headstrong and willing to get rid of this forever, change your diet and use boric acid!

Honey and Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Rebecca (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 12/27/2012

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!!

Garlic

Posted by Prabha (Delhi, India) on 12/15/2008
★★★★★

Garlic

A few days ago I suffered a very bad attack of yeast infection. At first I tried the usual antifungal pessaries from over the counter but of no use. The itching was just intolerable. Then I came upon garlic method while searching on the internet. One of the home remedies sites said garlic cloves if kept in vagina cured yeast infections;dose and duration varied according to the severity of infection. Usually 3-4 cloves strung on a thread kept for 12 hours for 4-5 days was good for a mild infection. However I had a rather full blown infection. I used 5-7 garlic cloves peeled, cut them in half and strung in a thread with a needle. However those who have garlic sensitivity should not cut or nick the clove after peeling it. Also I kept the string inside for 24 hours and put a renewed string immediately after removing the used one. The itching stopped almost immediately and after a period of 9 days of continuous use I was free from it. Hope this helps someone. However I would also like to add that I was sure I had yeast infection. This remedy may not work for other infections of the vagina.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by April (New York , NY) on 11/06/2008
★★★★★

I'm a 33 year old woman and I've had two yeast infections in my entire life. The first was when I was 19 and the second was just recently. I got my period and shortly after it started, I started to get symptoms of a YI - itching, soreness around my vulva, swelling, burning. I figured this infection was triggered by extremem stress and the fact that I just got back on the Pill.

At any rate, this particular YI came back FULL FORCE! It was so bad I could barely concentrate. The itching was massively intense and I was so sore, I felt like I was walking funny. I was desperate and willing to try anything - and I did. First, I stopped using the tampons (since my period was on) and switched to pads. Then I went to the sore and got some Vagisil-1 (which really didn't work) and plain yogurt. I inserted the Vagisil and ate like 2 1/2 cups of the yogurt (which I sweetened with fresh berries). I gave it about 12 hours, and nothing! Finally, I decided to go to the internet and see what Earth Clinic had to offer. I had used the site previously for a case of Bacterial Vaginosis I had and the peroxide douche they recommended cured my BV!

I found lots of info on ACV but I was afraid to do the douche, so I did the bath with 1 1/2 cup of ORGANIC Raw ACV. I sat in the bath for about 20 minutes and it relieved my symptoms for about an hour but of course they returned. I had HAD IT! I was at the end of my rope and the itching was driving me crazy. I called my doctor and got an emergency prescription of Diflucan and took it that night. The Diflucan took forever to work and I really wasn't able to get much sleep that night but I was just relieved to have it in my system.

The next morning, I still had some itching but I could tell that the swelling and burning was subsiding. I was desperate and so I FINALLY decided to try the ACV douche. I got Summer's Eve that I had stashed away and poured it out. I filled the bottle with about 3-4 teaspoons of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (try the organic isle in your grocery store) and the rest with warm water. I douched TWICE! I had to say, as graphic as it is, what came out of my vagina was disgusting. It looked like rotting flesh but I know it was yeast.

From that moment on, my itching was TOTALLY gone!!!! I don't know if it was the ACV coupled with the fact that I had Diflucan in my system, but the ACV douche seemed to be the ONLY thing that got rid of the itch, which I think is the biggest culprit of the YI!

Thanks so much Earth Clinic! I am totally hooked to this site for all my ailments. I can't tell you how much money I've spent on doctor's visits, prescriptions and stuff like Vagisil that don't work. My ACV was $3.29! This site not only recommends great advice but it's good to know that others are going thru similar experiences!

Yogurt

Posted by Tobey (Bellingham, WA) on 11/06/2008
★★★★★

Since I was a young teen, I have had the embarrassing white crud yeast infection over and over, starting before I ever had any sex. Doctors prescribed some of the worst colored creams you could imagine to be put into my vagina at night, and having to wear underwear and they always created a big mess in the underwear the next morning. Originally I had to use this for 7 nights. Luckily this changed to being able to buy my own tube from the store and using over 5 days, then 3. Still the mess.
10 years ago, again I discovered another bout. Someone suggested plain store- bought yogurt and since I despise medicines I tried it.

I placed one large tablespoon of the plain yogurt into my vagina right before bed, then put on my underwear to catch the ugly mess the next morning. Instead there was no mess and the PH had changed the white dicharge and yogurt had changed to clear liquid and no, I mean NO mess. It was as if I was normal and it had never happened. I could not believe it that doctors had made me use disgusting stuff when something so simple and pure as yogurt was available.
Tell everyone, please.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Kristine (Evansville, Ill) on 05/13/2011

I am 41 and I use to have them all the time the doctor gave me antibiotics and I was talkin to a friend and she use to also so she said change ur soap to antibactera dial I did that and had no more yeast infections try that it works also.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sara (Lexington , KY) on 11/02/2008
★★★★★

I've been having a yeast infection for about a month. With all the usual symptoms -itching -dryness -some white discharge -no odor I've had yeast infections before, generally due to antibiotics. So, naturally, I tried to cure it via over-the-counter anti-fungal cream suppositories (I think it was Monostat). From my experience, I should feel relief after a day of using this treatment. I waited about 4 days, but the treatment didn't phase my symptoms. I tried it again, waited about 5 days, still no cure. I went into a walk-in clinic, they assured me I didn't have an STD (which I was afraid of) but a different type of yeast infection that the cream doesn't cure. So, they prescribed me Diflucan (spell check) with a refill just in case. I took the first pill, waited 2 days and took the second. This didn't help me either.

I went to my regular doctor, she took a culture to find out what type of yeast infection it is. The culture took 7-10days. After the 8th day my doctor called to inform me that I didn't have a yeast infection.
Now, it's my belief that doctors are idiots. Both doctors offices took cultures yet only one said I had a yeast infection.

So, I used the old Apple Cider Vinegar method. I ran a bath a little less than ankle deep and poured about 1 1/2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar. This did not present immediate relief, but after soaking for 30mins, my symptoms had subsided. Thank you _____ for organic Apple Cider Vinegar and thank you to my ex boyfriend who left it at my house.

There are some draw backs to this remedy. The smell is not pleasant and it made my vagina very dry. So, I recommend some sort of women's lubrication (I used Vagasil 4day moist treatment). Don't use something that's not made for women because that can cause a ph imbalance (which leads to yeast infections). I had to use the Apple Cider Vinegar method twice, once in a day. And I also drank 2teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with 1 cup hot water and honey to taste. With enough honey, it tastes like Apple cider.

This was the only treatment that worked for me. And after a month of being uncomfortable and itchy down there, I think all the women here knows what kind of relief it brings feel normal again.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cailin (Philadelphia, PA) on 10/31/2008
★★★★★

I love my crazy mother. The random remedies that she recommends always seem to be nonsense at first, but they work EVERY time!!! I have been a huge fan of earth clinic since my mom introduced me years ago when I was a very very poor college student. ACV basically works for everything. Clears up your skin, good for your insides - outsides, and apparently yeast infections. I also have been adding it to my dogs water bowl and it has cleared up her horrible skin (which i have spent HUNDREDS of dollars at the vet's office trying to cure). I have been in AGONY the past 24 hours with this horrible yeast infection. I get one atleast every other month and I always use that stupid, expensive monistat or vagisil. They are messy and unsuccessful in easing the pain. This morning I hopped on earth clinic, and sure enough ACV was the cure. I put some on a wet washcloth and held it on my lady area for about 3 minutes. It burned like hell at first, but it worked!! I'm going to soak in the bath now, as I'm sure that will be much relief as well. I have had problems with 'yeast' since I was a teen. I have been on those "Nature's Cure" yeast pills, but they aren't really helping. I'm going to start taking acidophilus pills cause I heard that they are great. I love you earth clinic!!! i just want to smother you with hugs and kisses!! thank you so much for the relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Amanda (Atlanta, Georgia USA) on 10/04/2008
★★★★★

i suspected i might have a yeast infection or some sort of imbalance in bacteria. it has been burning and itching for days! i just got out of the bath and cant believe how calm it feels 'down there'. i put 1 3/4 cups of apple cider vinegar (the store brand) into a tub of warm water and let my body soak for a good 30 minutes. i also put in 3/4 epsom salt. i feel so much better because i had been in pain for days. i feel like i can walk normally now! i also have severe total body eczema so it helped calm the itching quite a bit. ladies just give it a try!

Boric Acid

Posted by Lorena (Santiago, Chile) on 09/29/2008
★★★★★

I've been suffering with yeast like for 5 months..been going to doctors all this time.. they keep prescribing OTC yeast infection remedies and diflucan even after i told them they wont work.. so finally I decided to try this Boric acid supossitory.. and it's onle been three days and I just cant belive how good I feel..it's truly amazing.. I read about this cure from a Doctor who treats people with chronic or recurrent yeast infections and vulvodynia with this protocol to acidify the vagina.. im doing exactly as he says.. the first week one suppository in the evening and one in the morning, the next week just at bedtime.. and then one every two days...I highly recommend this..!!

Apple Cider Vinegar, H2O2, Castor Oil

Posted by Eleny (Graham, WA) on 09/25/2008
★★★★★

My son recently had a horrible yeast infection on his bottom. I did not notice it right away because it was right on the outside of his anus. The reason I did not notice it right away is because he had not been passing regular bowel movements and I had no need to wipe him there. I was giving him his bath and wiping him when I first noticed it. At first I thought it was feces but it would not come off and when I looked he had what looked like a horrible case of acne that was about to pop. Initially I thought it was a diaper rash but soon realized it was not. I took him to the doctors office the following morning and the doctor said that he had a yeast infection and prescribed some ointment. I was honest and told the doctor that I would not try the ointment until I tried a natural alternative first. I then went home and applied diluted _____'s Organic ACV on a cotton square and wiped him and also put some H202 on another cotton square and applied that to the infected area. I then decided to use Castor oil because of the many health benefits it has when applied to the skin onto the yeast and I kid you not within a 24 hour period the infection was COMPLETELY gone! And believe it or not since I have used the Castor Oil on his bottom he has been passing bowel movements regularly. Check out this great article on the wonderful benefits of Castor Oil when applied to the skin

http://www.electroherbalism.com/Naturopathy/Therapies/Diet/FatsandOils/CastorOil.htm

Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt

Posted by Lisa (Colorado, US) on 01/19/2015

When you can say you've been completely symptom free for at least 2 weeks, after all of your treatments have stopped, then maybe you've cured the yeast problem. Just because you feel better soon after a treatment of any kind, doesn't mean you've cured it! Until then, it just means something is helping temporarily.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt

Posted by Ash (Idaho) on 11/30/2017

This is an important point. A treatment may be successful in killing the majority of yeast, but it may also cause a disruption in pH or an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome (making it possible for any living yeasts to come back with a vengeance).

I have experienced this thanks to a yeast infection during pregnancy. Yeast infections are SO HARD to get rid of because the body is producing excess estrogen and sugars in the vagina. It's been hell.

A treatment might work and give me relief, but within 1-3 days the yeast would be back. Maybe even worse than before.

So far, I've tried garlic cloves as suppositories, coconut oil and oregano essential oil bulses, baking soda, salt, and ACV. It was after the majority of these treatments that work I read that prenatal yeast infections are so tough they are prescribed a full week of the toughest antifungal possible. I was focusing on treating with a remedy for maybe three days like my previous infections when I wasn't pregnant. Perhaps my treatments would have worked if I had stuck with them for a full week. Who knows.

Right now I'm trying whey from plain yogurt. It's easy for me to insert versus yogurt (the downstairs is always compact and engorged at 38 weeks so actual yogurt is almost impossible to stuff in there).

I'll see how it goes.

Garlic

Posted by Rose (Coast, Oregon) on 09/05/2008
★★★★★

Wow, garlic worked WONDERS on completely eradicating my yeast infection within just two days. Well, the first day I swallowed a couple cloves of crushed garlic, but I didn't notice any improvement over the day. So that night, I inserted a small clove of garlic and Thank Mother Earth, the next morning the itching had subsided almost completely. The next night, I did the same, only I crushed the garlic a tiny bit to release the oils more. Today, no more symptoms whatsoever! None at all! Yayy. I may do the same again tonight, just to make sure all the yeast is gone. Haa, we should all chip in and advertise garlic clove yeast infection cure, that'd put the tube-o-chemicals company right OUT!(incidentally, I have never used any of those type of creams and only had a yeast infection once before, but it seemed to go away on it's own after about 5 days...still, garlic is a wonder for this.) :P I love this site so much, thank you! Everyone is so helpful, you are all amazing people. Oh...and also, I started drinking a few cups of Kombucha a few days ago, and then this happened. I'm not sure how exactly they would be connected, if anyone knows or has had the same experience with Kombucha, I'd like to hear about it. Thanks for any info. :) Peace

Apple Cider Vinegar and Salt

Posted by Sarah (Woodstock, Ga) on 05/25/2010

I have not tried the baking soda myself, but I would be cautious about that since it is very alkaline, and thus would create a good environment in the vagina for the yeast to grow. The reason ACV is so effective is because it changes the pH of the vagina back to acid, where the yeast cannot survive.

Avoid Spermicides

Posted by Shelley (Los Angeles, California) on 06/23/2008
★★★★★

After years of crying in the doctor's office trying to figure out why I was getting recurring yeast infections, I read a small study done about the added spermicide in condoms. As soon as my boyfriend and I stopped using the condoms with spermicide I never had another yeast infection. It's been 4 years. When I asked my doctor about this, he made me think it was a crazy idea. I was tired of paying so much money on doctor visits and so much money on otc yeast infection remedies. A simple change solved everything.