Tea tree oil for yeast infections and thrush

On October 03, 2007 in Yeast Infections

A yeast infection or thrush, bacterial infection and candida yeast as it can sometimes be called is an uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing problem.

Some of the symptoms of thrush or yeast infections can include

* discomfort of the vagina or an itching / burning sensation
* discharge that is thick and white like cottage cheese
* swelling of the vulva or vagina
* burning and stinging sensations when urinating and going to the toilet

Using tea tree oil for yeast infections can be an effective way of curing vaginal thrush. Lets look around the internet and see what other people are saying about tea tree oil curing yeast infections.

How to use tea tree oil to treat thrush and yeast infections

womenshealthlondon has some great instruction information about using tea tree oil for curing yeast infections.

Some women find tea tree oil helpful in stopping thrush. Its effectiveness in fighting candida albicans is also supported by scientific studies. To use tea tree oil for thrush:

* put tea tree oil on the tip of a tampon and insert it into your vagina
* put tea tree on a panty liner or towel
* dampen cotton wool with tea tree (mixed with water) and gently wipe around the vaginal area

Some health food stores carry ready-made tea tree oil pessaries and manuka oil salve (manuka is another type of tea tree). Look in the women’s health section or ask the sales assistant. Be aware that tea tree may sting at first, but it should stop after a short while.

Tea tree oil and vaginal yeast infections

Yahoo health has some information about using a tea tree oil thrush treatment.

Tea Tree Oil is useful in treating thrush (Candida albicans) with an action comparable to anti-fungal medications. A few drops in warm water can be used in a douche. The Lancet has also reported a patient who recovered from severe thrush after treating herself with a douche with diluted Tea Tree Oil . A few drops in a gargle may also be used for oral thrush. A few drops may be added to baby’s normal nappy change lotion for nappy rash.

Vaginal infections - health risks of using tea tree oil

Mayo clinic has some info about if using tea tree oil for vaginal thrush is safe. The information is a little ambiguous but you my find it helpful.

In laboratory studies, tea tree oil can kill yeast and certain bacteria . However, at this time there is not enough information available from studies in humans to make recommendations for or against this use of tea tree oil for vaginal infections. Although tea tree oil may reduce itching caused by yeast or bacteria, it may cause itching from dry skin or allergy.

Here’s a great little website called www.embarrassingproblems.com This site allows you to post your problems with privacy in mind.

Someone posted this question to this website. I keep getting thrush. It goes away with the treatment, but then comes back again. Why? How can I get rid of it for good? Lots of my friends have the same problem. I’m 17. Dr Margaret replies

You have my sympathy - thrush that keeps coming back (‘recurrent thrush’) is frustrating and distressing. You could try some self-help measures or you might want to discuss a more intensive anti-thrush treatment with your doctor.

You might wish to try some natural remedies.

* Bio (‘live’) yoghurt is often recommended. You gently smear a small amount of yoghurt over the vulva, and also put it inside the vagina. The easiest way to do this is to use a tampon with its applicator. Push the tampon back inside the applicator so you have a space for about a teaspoonful of yoghurt. Then insert the tampon in the usual way, which will push the yoghurt into the top of the vagina. Remove the tampon an hour later.
* Another possibility is tea tree oil. Dilute 20 drops of tea tree oil in half a cup of water, soak a tampon in this liquid and then insert it into the vagina. Change it as frequently as you would a normal tampon.
* Buy some 9% acetic acid gel (Aci-Jel) from a pharmacy. It comes with its own applicator.

So as you can see many people around the web have used tea tree oil for yeast infections. It may work for you too.

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