Since yeast infections are rarely a serious medical condition, many people try to treat them by themselves. However, some of the home remedies used to treat these infections aren’t only inefficient against Candida, but may also be bad for your health.
Here are some of the worst home remedies for Candida.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known for its antifungal properties, but it has never been proven that it can kill the same strain of fungi found in a vaginal yeast infection. Another reason why apple cider vinegar is often mentioned is high acidity, but it’s not recommended that you tinker with your vagina’s pH levels.
Coconut Oil
Just like apple cider vinegar, coconut oil has yet to be proven effective against vaginal yeast infections. Although it could stop Candida growth, we still don’t know which strains of Candida it’s effective against.
Boric Acid
The reason why boric acid is one of the worst home remedies for Candida is a lack of data – we still don’t know the effects of long-term use of this remedy. Although there are studies that confirm its antifungal properties, you should only use boric acid if you’re resistant to commonly used drugs and ointments.
Yogurt
Probiotics are often mentioned as a good home remedy since the bacteria found in yogurt has been proven to prevent Candida growth. But, that’s exactly the problem with yogurt – prevention is not the same as curing. In the medical community, this approach is still considered unproven.
Garlic
Although a small study confirmed its antifungal properties, garlic can’t help treat a fungal infection. Some women take it orally, others apply it in the form of a paste, but none of these methods has been scientifically confirmed.
Conclusion
So, there you go – the worst home remedies for Candida. If you do have a yeast infection, stick to commonly used OTC drugs or visit your doctor. There is no need to compromise your health with substances whose side effects haven’t been researched.
