Best Natural Cures For Yeast Infection

Yeast infection (also called candidiasis or moniliasis) is generally caused by overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus of the genus Candida, which is normally present in small amounts in the vagina. Since the estimates are that three out of four women will have a yeast infection during their lifetime, it is wise to think about the best natural cures for yeast infection.

Probiotics are widely considered one of the best natural cures for yeast infection. These live microbial organisms, which are sometimes called friendly bacteria, are also normally present in the digestive tract and vagina. They can suppress a potentially harmful overgrowth of Candida, so probiotic supplements have been explored as natural cures for this type of infection.

Among the species of probiotics studied as best natural cures for yeast infection are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, and Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14. Probiotics are available as dietary supplements. Although probiotic vaginal suppositories are also available, they may be difficult to find.

Boric acid is another one of the best natural cures for yeast infection. In studies on patients with recurring yeast infection, topical treatment with boric acid was found to be as effective as oral treatment with itraconazole, and boric acid vaginal suppositories (600 mg a day for 2 weeks) were more effective than the oral medication fluconazole. For treating yeast infection particularly caused by the species Candida glabrata, boric acid suppositories were found more effective than the topical and oral antifungal medications used.

Some compounding pharmacies sell boric acid suppositories. You can also buy boric acid suppository products, such as Yeast Arrest, from a few companies. However, you should bear in mind the safety concerns about boric acid, which should not be used by pregnant women or applied on infants’ or children’s skin.

Perhaps the most promising of the best natural cures for yeast infection is tea tree oil from Melaleuca alternifolia. It is an essential oil that is diluted and applied topically as a home remedy against yeast infection. A compound known as terpinen-4-ol is apparently the cause of tea tree oil’s effect on yeast infection.

Clinical studies on humans are needed to fully establish the effectiveness of tea tree oil as one of the best natural cures for yeast infection, but it can be safely used if you make sure to dilute a few drops of the essential oil in a little water before applying it to your body with a washcloth, because you should never use full-strength tea tree oil on the vaginal area.