About Garlic Remedies Against Vaginal Yeast Infections
Treating vaginal yeast infections is crucial. These can appear, not only as a consequence of issues such as poor intimate hygiene, but also due to pregnancy, the consumption of certain antibiotic medications (which cause an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota), and oral contraceptives (which increase estrogen levels). They can also be due to untreated diabetes.
Additionally, vaginal yeast can affect women who have an impaired immune system, such as HIV patients. Are you ready to find out more about it? Read on, we’re going to tell you much more about it below!
Facts about vaginal yeast
Vaginal yeast mainly causes irritation and intense itching of the vagina and vulva. It also causes alterations in discharge, pain, redness, vaginal rash, burning, which can interfere with routine and even sexual activity.
This condition usually appears when there’s a disturbance in the balance of the vaginal microbiota.
You must consult a doctor as soon as possible and start the treatment they prescribe when experiencing symptoms. It isn’t usually long-term (unless it is a complex case), and consists of taking an antifungal medication for several days.
There’s no scientific proof that natural remedies are either effective or safe for the treatment of vaginal yeast and other infections. For this reason, it’s best to avoid them.
Now, if you want to try any particular one, for any reason, at least make sure you check with your doctor first and then, proceed as cautiously as possible. Otherwise, you may expose yourself to adverse reactions.
Read about Vaginal Infections: The Types and Causes
Vaginal yeast and garlic are a lousy combination
The popular sphere claims there are natural antibiotics that can help treat various infections, including those that affect the health of the vagina. One of those all-purpose antibiotics is garlic.
Garlic is used in a large number of dishes and is a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. It’s definitely great for seasoning dishes and enhances their flavor.
This ingredient has caught the attention of researchers and they’ve conducted several studies on its compounds and properties. Especially allicin, a compound attributed with antibiotic properties.
The evidence found to date indicates that the effects of garlic extracts need to be studied further. This is because there’s some proof that garlic has antibiotic properties. However, we don’t know yet if these effects are the same outside a lab.
As you can see, garlic may have antibiotic potential, but it doesn’t mean you can use it in any way (whole, in a paste, crushed and mixed with oil, in capsules, or in any other form) at home to treat or cure vaginal or other bodily infections.
As explained by Gemma del Caño, pharmacist, science communicator, and expert in food safety, garlic does have certain active ingredients and labs use them in the elaboration of various medications. However, this doesn’t mean that ingesting or applying garlic in any way can have the specific effect desired.
So, a garlic-based remedy by itself can neither take care of vaginal yeast, restore the flora of the vagina nor strengthen the immune system to prevent infection in the future.
So, couldn’t garlic be used in some way? Yes, within a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet for example.
Find out How to Prevent Yeast Infections
Skip the garlic-based home remedies when treating vaginal yeast infections
It’s best to skip the garlic-based home remedies if you have a vaginal infection or any other health problem. Instead, consult a gynecologist for an evaluation and then receive the most appropriate treatment, according to the diagnosis. This way you won’t expose your health to greater risks and complications.
Attend to the cause of the problem and stick to the medications and guidelines given by your doctor. It’s the best way to obtain relief, improve and recover as you should. This is because you could interfere with the recovery process, favor the appearance of interactions and suffer more discomfort (and in greater intensity) if you use home remedies.
In addition to following the doctor’s instructions, you must maintain proper intimate hygiene and try to lead a healthy lifestyle. This is because it can bring you long-term wellness and prevent health problems in the future.
Avoid self-medication when treating vaginal yeast infections
Cristina Galiano, pharmacist, and nutrition specialist says it’s important not to self-medicate. Also, don’t fall for products that promise to “increase defenses,” “cure the immune system” and “protect the organism” from vaginal yeast infections.
She adds that, after a review of the available scientific literature, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) didn’t approve any immunity-related health claims on any food or dietary supplement for treating a vaginal yeast infection.
Thus, the only thing that really works is to maintain healthy lifestyle habits and, of course, personal hygiene.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Ankri, S., & Mirelman, D. (1999). Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes and Infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1286-4579(99)80003-3
