Naturopathic Yeast Infection Home Remedy Explained

When making recommendations for a naturopathic yeast infection home remedy, diet is a central consideration.

Naturopaths give particular importance to the environment the yeast organism can grow in. Eating too much refined sugar will create an environment for candida to flourish. Other important contributing factors include the use of antibiotics and the pill.

Yeast Infection Home Remedy Dietary Recommendations

eliminate refined and overly processed food
eat much more vegetables, salads and whole grain cereals
eliminate honey and dried fruits
eliminate all foods containing yeast (such as beer and yeasted breads)
eliminate sugar - candida flourishes when you eat large amounts of sugar regularly
avoid alcohol
avoid fermented foods (like miso and soy sauce), ham, pickles, and aged cheeses
avoid grains that have gluten in them - wheat, barley, oats, rye

Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections, actually lives on most surfaces of the body. Normally, our skin is able to prevent it from developing into an infection. The skin provides an effective barrier, even internally. It's only when we cut ourselves, or there is some kind of breakdown in our system, that candida multiplies in the warm, moist areas (especially mucous membranes), under our skin.

There are about 20 species of candida altogether, so it is not always candida albicans causing the yeast infection.

Yeast infections seem to affect us more as we age. They also have a tendency to affect people whose immune systems are compromised, either by illness or medication. This can include people on immune suppressant medication, steroids, those with cancer, AIDS, or just generally 'run down'. Hormonal imbalances can also lead to a yeast infection - including pregnancy, the use of the pill, and menstruation.

Yeast infections can affect dentures, the vagina, under breasts, and on the lower abdomen, in the folds of the skin. They can even be systemic, affecting the whole body. Whilst most of these infections are superficial, systemic candida can be serious, even resulting in death.

Whilst you should always see a doctor, especially for systemic candida, there are some home remedies for yeast infection that can help alleviate symptoms.

Yeast Infection Home Remedy Supplements

good quality acidophilus capsules - try getting a formula without dairy. It restores the balance of natural, beneficial organisms.
vitamin A - important for the immune system
vitamin C - strengthens the immune system and is involved in healing
vitamin B - important to maintain a healthy immune system, and is involved in all enzyme (and therefore digestive) systems
lymphatic and liver herbs such as cleavers, dandelion and milk thistle
zinc supplement - important in healing
garlic capsules or fresh garlic - anti-fungal effect
essential fatty acids - body needs it for healing, and it helps protect the cells from the fungus
grape seed extract - helps clear the body of microorganisms that cause harm
aloe vera - can boost the capacity of the white blood cells to kill yeast cells
olive leaf extract - great for microbial infections
pau d'arco - antibacterial and antifungal
clove tea
maitake - good for resistant candida

The prebiotic Lactobacillus is currently being studied for a possible yeast infection home remedy. In some clinical trials low levels of Lactobacilli in the vagina have been linked to a higher incidence of yeast infections.

Preliminary laboratory studies have also discovered that the presence of Lactobacilli can actually block the growth of Candida albicans in the vagina.

Herbal Yeast Infection Home Remedies

Another herbal remedy that has proven extremely beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of yeast infections is Echinacea. Most widely known for its immune-boosting abilities, Echinacea has been found through several German studies to actually help reduce the incidence of yeast infections.

While you're searching for herbs to help your yeast infection, you may want to turn to goldenseal. This legendary herb contains antibiotic properties that are especially effective on Candida.

For a great yeast infection home remedy, click here.

Naturopathic Yeast Infection Home Remedy Explained

Yeast Infection Home Remedy Dietary Recommendations

Yeast Infection Home Remedy Supplements

Herbal Yeast Infection Home Remedies

Other Home Remedy Articles