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- Herbal Treatments for Yeast Infections
- By: VIVIAN W.
Yeast infections affect many women; in fact most women will have at least one yeast infection in their lives. The symptoms that come with a yeast infection are caused by the overgrowth of fungus. This severity of the infection will depend on each women and each occurrence.Most women who go to their doctor with a yeast infection will be prescribed antibiotics or some kind of cream to cure the infection. However there have been studies that show many natural herbs have been shown to work just as well, in many cases better then manufactured medicines.
For some women yeast infections are a common occurrence. Yeast infections can be brought on by several things. Some medications will trigger an infection. One of the top triggers is antibiotics. These medications can help to eliminate harmful bacteria curing illnesses; unfortunately they also fight the bacteria that balance the fungus that causes yeast infections.
Women on oral birth control pills are at a higher risk of getting a yeast infection. Your risk of infection is also higher if you are pregnant. In these cases it can be more beneficial to use natural herbal treatments rather then pharmaceutical drugs.
There have been studies that link poor diet to yeast infections. Many women in the US have diets high in foods that are acidic and full of refined sugar. This types of diet changes the pH balance of your intestines often causing yeast infections.
There is also a link between stress levels and yeast infections. This of course doesn't mean that if you have a stressful day you will get a yeast infection. It does mean that if you have long-term stress in your life you are more likely to develop one.
It is important to realize that although herbal remedies can be an excellent treatment for a yeast infection the herbs will be more beneficial when used with a proper diet.
There are a few natural herbs that are commonly used to treat yeast infections, these include; oregano, black walnut, and neem leaf. The essential oil that is exacted from the oregano plant can be used both internally and externally. It also has a warming effect.
The reason that oregano works for yeast infections is that the oil has carvacrol and thymol in it. These components have anti-fungal as well as anti-microbial properties. Carvacol has been shown to slow the growth of the bacteria that causes yeast infections.
Black Walnut is considered to be the most effective herb to treat yeast infections. This herb is a great herbal remedy for all forms of yeast infections; vaginal, oral, and jock itch. It has many properties that make it great including being an anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and antiseptic.
Another herb that is used for anti fungal and anti bacterial properties is neem leaf. This is a bitter herb that fights infection with the azadiractine and nimbin alkaloids that it contains. This herb should never be used while you are pregnant or nursing.
If you are interested in learning about this and other natural/herbal remedies please visit http://herbalandnaturalhomeremedies.blogspot.com/ There are many illnesses that can be treated effectively and safely with natural/herbal treatments to learn more Click Here!