Candida overgrowth, also known as candidiasis, occurs when a yeast-like fungus known as Candida albicans grows uncontrollably in certain parts of your body, including your vagina. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that most women will develop vaginal candidiasis at some point in their life and that over 90 percent of people with HIV/AIDS will develop this infection. Before using supplements to help treat your candidiasis, review procedures and alternatives with your family physician.
About Vaginal Candidiasis
Vaginal candidiasis causes several characteristic symptoms, notes MedlinePlus, including unusual vaginal discharge that may be thick, watery or chunky, dyspareunia, which is pain during sex, pain when voiding your bladder, vulvar redness, and swelling and vaginal or labial itching. Vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese in appearance is one of the most common signs and symptoms associated with this condition. Candidiasis is a condition that may respond to natural therapies, including dietary supplementation.
Common Candida Supplements
Several supplements have long been used for treating vaginal infections, including Candida infections, although the use of these supplements may not be backed by scientific research evidence. In her book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," naturopathic physician and herbal medicine expert Sharol Tilgner states that yarrow, oregano, comfrey, Oregon grape root, calendula and usnea are among the most effective dietary supplements for treating vaginal infections. Several of these herbs possess anti-fungal action.
A Powerful Supplement
Usnea may be one of the most powerful dietary supplements for treating your candidiasis. Usnea, notes expert herbalist Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," has historically been used for treating fungal infections such as candidiasis as well as pneumonia, bronchial infections, mastitis, tuberculosis and trichomoniasis. This dietary supplement has been used for treating fungal infections as well as infections of your urinary and respiratory tracts. Usnea also possesses pain-relieving properties.
Warning
In most cases, candidiasis can successfully be treated using a combination of complementary alternative and conventional allopathic treatment methods. Dietary supplements are intended to be a helpful adjunct therapy for treating this condition and not necessarily a stand-alone treatment method. If you are considering using dietary supplements to help treat candidiasis, it is important for you to understand appropriate dosage, possible side effects and drug interactions, and the short- and long-term health ramifications of using these natural healing substances.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Candidiasis
- MedlinePlus: Vaginal Yeast Infection
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
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