Natural Remedy for Yeast Infection

Candidal infection is caused by parasitic organism known as Candida albicans which is naturally occurring in various parts of the body. Results of studies estimate that 75% of women will develop yeast infection at least once in their lives.

Contributory factors to the high incidence of yeast infection include diabetes, pregnancy, birth control pills, antibacterial drugs and steroids. There is also increased incidence of infection caused by Candida fungus right after menstruation period primarily because of the declining levels of estrogen.

Natural Remedy for Yeast Infection

One of the options that you have in managing and eradicating this medical problem is the use of natural remedy for yeast infection. Here are the proven and time-tested home and natural remedies that you can consider when deciding on the best treatment options for candidal infection.

Probiotics

The underlying cause of the emergence of yeast infection is the overgrowth and proliferation of candida fungus, among others, which leads to the imbalance in the normal flora and overrunning of the beneficial bacteria. The logical solution to this infective condition is to correct the imbalance in the normal flora.

Probiotics are the friendly or beneficial bacteria that can suppress the growth and proliferation of harmful bacteria in various parts of the body. Thus, probiotics can be used to control the growth and spread of candida fungus which can lead to yeast infection. Probiotics supplements are now one of the leading yeast infection natural remedies.

This type of natural remedy yeast infection supplements includes Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Several scientific studies have shown that the lowered level of Lactobacilli in the vagina is one of the major causes of yeast infection. Probiotics supplements generally come in oral form although there are also some that are presented as suppositories.

Boric Acid Supplements

Another type of natural cure yeast infection option is the boric acid supplement. This chemical substance has antifungal and antiseptic properties. In a recent comparative study that was conducted on the efficacy of boric acid and regular oral medications, results have shown that boric acid performed in the same level of efficacy as that of itraconazole.

In a separate study, the efficacy of boric acid in comparison to fluconazole as the drug of choice for diabetic patients with recurring candidal infection was assessed by considering 112 individuals who are suffering from diabetes and have yeast infection as a concurrent complicating infection. The results of the study have shown that boric acid in suppository form exhibited higher success rate of treatment at 63.6% than that of fluconazole at 28.8%.

However, one of the downsides of this natural remedy yeast infection option concerns safety issues. This chemical substance has high toxicity level and it must never be ingested or placed in skin surfaces with open wounds or cuts.

It is not also advisable to be used on a longer treatment period or in amounts in excess of the recommended dose. It is also not safe as treatment for yeast infection in pregnant women or applied on the skin of the newly born as well as children. The use of boric acid in treating vaginal yeast infection will also have side effects such as vaginal irritation and burning.