Yeast infections, medically known as candidiasis, are typically caused by Candida albicans, a yeast-like fungus that lives in your body, particularly in your intestines and genital area. These infections most commonly affect the genital areas of women -- this is known as a vaginal yeast infection. Candida albicans can also cause infection inside your mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Garlic may help control Candida albicans and speed the healing of yeast infections. Talk to your doctor before treating a yeast infection with garlic.
Allicin and Ajoene
Allicin is the primary chemical in garlic. This chemical compound may offer several medicinal benefits, including immune system enhancement -- it may help your body produce white blood cells to control fungal growth that can contribute to yeast infections. Allicin is also a natural fungicidal chemical, according to medical journalist Michael Castleman, author of "The New Healing Herbs." Garlic also contains ajoene, another chemical that may help destroy Candida albicans.
Using Garlic
Allicin is a product of two inactive chemicals, called allinase and alliin, in fresh garlic cloves. It is produced when garlic cloves are crushed, chopped, bruised or diced, allowing alliin and allinase to react with one another, according to Castleman. Add freshly chopped, diced or crushed garlic cloves to pasta sauces, casseroles, stir-fry dishes, soups, stews, curries and wraps to take advantage of garlic's potential fungicidal benefits.
Supplements
Garlic supplements are attractive alternatives for people who do not like the taste or odor of garlic. However, the allicin content of garlic supplements varies considerably among manufacturers and processing practices, according to National Institutes of Health website Medline Plus. Aging garlic reduces its odor and is a common practice for producing "odorless" garlic supplements. However, the aging process may also reduce the allicin content, reducing the effectiveness of these supplements.
Risks
Avoid rubbing garlic cloves on your skin to treat yeast infections. Garlic can cause cause burn-like damage to your skin. Taken internally, garlic may occasionally cause stomach upset and nausea. It may also interfere with blood platelet production, which may increase your risk of excessive bleeding from wounds and ulcers, according to Castleman.
References
- "The New Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2010
- Medline Plus: Garlic
