Home Remedies For Yeast Infection
Tea Tree Oil, Myrrh, And Garlic Are Natural Anti-fungals
Sep 19, 2008
Getting rid of a persistent yeast infection can be quite challenging. If you've been fighting a losing battle with Candida albicans, you might want to consider trying one or more of these home remedies for yeast infection.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has many uses for healing, so it's not surprising to find that it has anti-fungal properties as well. Candida albicans is really a fungus, although most people refer to it as a yeast.
Research shows that tea tree oil is quite effective on fungal infections. It works by attacking the cell membrane, which makes it easier for anti-fungal agents to get through the cell membrane and kill the fungus.
It's best not to use tea tree oil full-strength, as it can irritate the skin. Always dilute it with olive oil, or another carrier oil. Use one part tea tree oil to three parts carrier oil. Like most essential oils, tea tree oil seems to work better when it's used in lower concentrations. And of course, tea tree oil is for external use only. Don't take it internally.
Myrrh
Myrrh has been used for centuries by cultures across the world to treat thrush, candida, and other yeast infections. Now research is backing up myrrh's reputation as an anti-fungal. It seems to work by stimulating the immune system to fight off candida overgrowth, along with other disease-causing organisms, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
A persistent diaper rash is often caused by a yeast infection. Myrrh can be quite effective against this type of infection. Use a calendula ointment along with myrrh to sooth the irritation and inflammation.
Other Helpful Herbs
Garlic not only stimulates the immune system, but it's a well-known anti-fungal as well. You can eat it raw, but it can upset the stomach, so many people prefer to take it as a tablet. Look for coated tablets. By the time the coating dissolves, the garlic tablet is deep inside your intestine, which is where candida grows best.
Berberine also stimulates the immune system. It's found in goldenseal, barberry, and oregon grape root. Goldenseal has been overharvested and is becoming endangered, so barberry and oregon grape root are good substitutes. Avoid using these herbs if you are pregnant.
Astragalus and pau d'arco also stimulate the immune system. You can take astragalus as capsules, and use pau d'arco in a tea.
Should You Be On A Candida Diet?
Some people with serious health problems from candida need to go on a candida diet. This involves removing all sugar, fruits, cheeses, breads, alcoholic beverages, mushrooms, and even vinegar, from the diet. Living on such a strict diet can be very difficult.
Most of us can find relief by cutting out as much sugar as possible, since yeast grows on sugar. Eat lots of fresh veggies, along with small amounts of low-sugar fruits like strawberries, cherries, and papayas. Fish, chicken, and beef are good sources of protein, along with beans,lentils, and nuts. Corn, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, oats, and spelt are excellent choices for grains. Avoid wheat and rye. Try adding more cinnamon to your diet, as it's a natural blood sugar regulator.
A yeast infection can be difficult to get rid of. The key to success with any treatment is to be persistent with it. Be patient and don't give up too soon, and you can control your candida infection.
References:
Anti-fungal Herbs And Essential Oils
Conquering Candidiasis Naturally
