| |  | | Yeast infections
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Naomi
Posted on: October 15, 1998
My girlfriend would like to know what are good herbal remedies for a yeast infection. I seated your sight and found no information. Could you please email me a reply as soon as you can, she is very curious to find something to help her as the prescription medications seem to have little or no effect for her.
Vaginal yeast infections, such as by the yeast-like fungus candida albicans, can be caused or encouraged by a high sugar diet, alcohol, broad spectrum antibiotics (which kill off the normal & necessary intestinal bacteria), contraceptive pills, diabetes, anaemia or steroid therapy.
Anything in the diet which encourages the growth of yeast must be avoided. This includes sugar, alcohol, yeast-containing bread, refined foods, artificial sweeteners, mushrooms and mouldy cheese. Dairy products may contain steroids, so should be avoided. A vegetarian diet is recommended because it encourages a basic intestinal environment which discourages the growth of yeast. A diet containing meat creates an acidic environment, which encourages the growth of yeast. Coffee drinkers are sometimes prone to yeast infections, because the body produces more glucose in response to the stimulation of adrenaline. Vaginal deodorants and scented soaps irritate the condition.
Herbs that help internally are garlic, which acts strongly against fungus and bacteria, Calendula, which stimulates immunity and is anti-bacterial and antifungal, and echinacea, which stimulates the immune system to fight infection. Externally, use a wash of calendula and echinacea, which would be made by mixing a teaspoon of the tinctures with a cup of boiling water, then allowed to cool.
When you are using alcoholic tinctures of herbs, evaporate the alcohol by mixing your dose with boiling water, and allowing to cool before taking.
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