Many women use garlic for yeast infection, and while this remedy may sound a bit unusual, anecdotal evidence and the active ingredients in garlic argue that this is an unexpectedly effective treatment.
Garlic for Yeast Infection
Yeast infections are quite common and affect roughly 75% of women at some point in their lives, often more than once. Due to the prevalence of this infection, there are many natural and home remedies, including the use of garlic. While the side effects of using a clove of garlic can be uncomfortable, and there is a dearth of scientific studies on the subject of using garlic in this way, it is still a common choice for women looking for an alternative to pharmaceutical anti-fungal creams. Yeast infections aren’t particularly dangerous, but they can be unpleasant in their odor and uncomfortable during urination and intercourse. Garlic has certain anti-fungal properties that make it an excellent home remedy for many infections, and since yeast infections are fungal in nature, this herb is an obvious choice. [1]
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However, since there is a lack of formal studies, the exact length of time and precise efficacy for this remedy to work is unclear, although many women claim that the use of a garlic clove can lessen the symptoms of a yeast infection within a day or two. If you don’t see an improvement in symptoms, or if the symptoms worsen, it is best to seek more formal medical treatment, such as in the form of an anti-fungal cream. There are also some side effects that are commonly reported when women use garlic to treat yeast infections, including burning sensations and inflammation in the delicate tissues of the vagina. [2]
How to Use Garlic for Yeast Infection?
Using garlic for yeast infection treatment is quite simple. Slice a garlic clove in half and insert one of the halves into the vagina. Slicing the clove will allow the active ingredients, namely allicin, to begin working on the pH balance of your vagina, helping to curb the overgrowth of yeast in that sensitive area. You can use a fresh clove once per day, inserting the peeled clove into the vagina at night and then removing it in the morning. The use of this remedy may increase fluid discharge from the vagina. Women should avoid using this remedy for more than 2-3 days in a row, as it can cause inflammation in the tissues of the vagina. [3]
If you are pregnant and experiencing a yeast infection, which is quite common due to the fluctuation of hormones in the body during pregnancy, you should avoid the use of garlic in this way. The intense active ingredients in garlic and the potential for irritation or inflammation make it unsuitable for women who are carrying a child. [4]
