A yeast infection is an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a fungus that's naturally present on the skin of humans. According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women experience a yeast infection at some point. The most common symptoms are vaginal itching and a thick, white vaginal discharge. There are over-the-counter and prescription remedies available to treat a yeast infection, but many women prefer to use home remedies to treat the condition. If a home remedy doesn't treat the infection within a few days, see your health care provider for advice.
Yogurt
The active cultures in yogurt can help to keep fungus cells from proliferating, and can help to fight yeast infections. If you must take an antibiotic, which can allow yeast cells to grow rampant, eat yogurt with active cultures while you're on the medication. If you begin showing symptoms of a yeast infection, insert plain, unsweetened yogurt into the vagina. One easy way to do this is to dip a tampon in yogurt and insert it. Another is to mix water and yogurt and use as a douche. Do this each night for up to seven nights, and wear a pad to bed.
Garlic
Garlic is known to kill yeast cells and can cure a yeast infection--especially if it's caught early. Peel the papery coating off a clove of garlic and insert it into the vagina at bedtime. In the morning, remove the garlic. Repeat the next night if necessary. If your infection has progressed to the point where there's a lot of discharge, you may need to cut the clove of garlic in half before inserting, and you may need to repeat the treatment for several nights. A cut clove of garlic gives a stronger dose of yeast--killing garlic juice--but it also may burn the skin of the vagina. If you have a severe infection, it may be beneficial to let the garlic kill the yeast, then let your body heal.
Gentian Violet
Gentian violet was used before anti-fungal medications became available over the counter. You can find it at a pharmacy. Paint the vulva and inside of the vagina with the liquid, and your infection will likely be cured overnight. It stains everything that it touches a deep purple, so wear a pad and dark-colored underwear and pants.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is another effective home remedy for yeast infections. Never take tea tree oil internally or use it undiluted. Mix several drops into warm water and use it as a sitz bath for itch relief. Or, lubricate a tampon with olive oil or KY jelly, then add a few drops of tea tree oil diluted with more of the lubricant. Insert the tampon at bedtime and remove it in the morning. The lubricant is important so that the tea tree oil doesn't soak into the tampon. This may cause irritation and burning; if it does, remove it and rinse.
