Candida Yeast: Stop the painful Infections Naturally

By HelloLife

Doctors often prescribe antifungal medication to treat Candida yeast infections. But if you want to avoid medication, you have some other, more natural options open to you. You can stop your painful Candida yeast infections naturally.

Using yogurt to treat yeast infections

Before you head to the doctors office, you might want to take a trip to the dairy isle instead. Yogurt can be used to prevent or treat yeast infections if it contains live cultures. The live cultures in unsweetened yogurt can help restore the balance of good bacteria and yeast in your body. Eating 8 oz of yogurt a day should do the trick. Or you can apply one tablespoon directly to the vagina. It is especially important to use unsweetened yogurt for the topical application, because sugar actually feeds the yeast. Dont forget that eating yogurt can help thrush (oral Candida yeast) as well.

Using L. acidophilus to treat yeast infections

L. acidophilus can be found in yogurt that contains live cultures. But if you dont want to eat yogurt, you can find L. acidophilus capsules at your local health food store or drugstore. L. acidophilus are bacteria that helps your body to control levels of yeast. If you take supplementary capsules, it can bring the yeast down to normal levels. L. acidophilus can help thrush as well.

Garlic as a treatment for yeast infections

Some people use garlic to treat yeast infection. Garlic has antifungal properties. If you dont mind the taste or smell of garlic, you can eat it, or place a clove directly into the vagina for a vaginal yeast infection. Using garlic to combat yeast has been around for a long time as a folk remedy. It may or may not work for you.

Dieting to treat Candida yeast infections

Some people have tried special diets to limit Candida yeast growth. Some of these diets are known as the Candida diet, the Paleolithic diet and the eliminator diet. On one of these diets, you avoid certain foods that encourage Candida populations to grow, such as.

Sugar, particularly refined sugar
Fruit, which contains natural sugars
Gluten, from barley, wheat and rye
Yeast, found in baked goods and beer
Mushrooms
Vinegar, an ingredient in many sauces

Echinacea as a treatment for Candida infections

Echinacea purpurea has been taken orally or injected as a treatment for vaginal yeast infections. Be careful; there have been no conclusive scientific studies on the use of E. purpurea for the treatment of yeast infections.

Tea tree oil as a treatment for Candida infections

Tea tree oil has been used as a treatment for fungal infections, including vaginal infections. Tea tree oil should only be used on your skin because it can be toxic when ingested. Some people are allergic to tea tree oil, so use with caution. Tea tree oil can relieve itching caused by the yeast, but it can also cause itching from allergies and drying the skin. Sources: http://mayoclinic.com/health/oral-thrush/DS00408/DSECTION=8 http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1002.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-teatreeoil.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-echinacea.html