Yeast Infection
Yeast Infections
Most people think of yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, as a plague only upon women. But men can also develop candidiasis, especially those who are uncircumcised. A man with yeast typically shows no symptoms, but each time his partner is treated and gets rid of her infection, he reinfects her. So if you're a woman who's been having problems with yeast infections, be sure your partner is checked, too: Both of you might need some of these herbal remedies.
Yeast infection is caused by a group of yeastlike fungi called candida. Candida albicans is the most common culprit, but it's not the only one. Everyone has a certain amount of candida living on them and in them, but not everyone develops candidiasis.
Yeast live on moist areas of the body, such as the lining of the mouth and the vagina. They usually cause no problem, but sometimes they overgrow, causing infection. The vagina is the primary site. (See the chapter on vaginitis on page 441 for details about Green Pharmacy treatments for this problem.) But yeast infections can also develop in the mouth (thrush), in the respiratory tract (bronchocandidiasis) and on the skin (dermatocandidiasis).
Yeast has become more of problem than it was, say, 60 years ago, because several modern drugs spur yeast overgrowth. Among the leading culprits are antibiotics, steroids and birth control pills.
Mainstream medicine treats yeast infections with antifungal medications that used to be available only by prescription. But recently several, such as nystatin (Mycostatin) and miconazole (Mon-istat), have become available over the counter, and they are advertised extensively. It's too bad that herbalists can't afford to make TV commercials. If they could, people would understand that there's more than one way to treat a yeast infection.
Candidicidal Soup If you're dealing with the aggravation of recurring yeast infections, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to develop a taste for garlic and onions. Here's a tasty soup that might help. 4 cups water 2 onions, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced Sage Thyme Ground cloves Salt Ground black pepper Acidophilus yogurt Place the water, garlic and onions in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Season to taste with the sage, thyme, cloves, salt and pepper, but use the spices somewhat sparingly. Top each serving with a dollop of yogurt. Makes 4 servings |
Green Pharmacy
for Yeast Infections
There are a number of herbs that can help fight yeast infections, but you'd better be sure of what you're dealing with before you self-medicate. If you have what you suspect is a yeast infection, please see your doctor for a diagnosis. Then, if you'd like to try an herbal alternative as your treatment of choice, you should discuss it with her. You might consider using these herbs in addition to whatever is prescribed for you.
Echinacea (Echinacea, various species). This herb's immune-stimulating action seems to be particularly helpful for treating yeast infections. In studies using laboratory animals, treatment with the herb protected mice from Candida albicans infections. It works by stimulating the white blood cells to gobble up yeast organisms, a process known as phagocytosis.
In an impressive German study, women with recurrent vaginal yeast infections were given either standard antifungal medication or the antifungal plus an echinacea extract. Among those taking just the antifungal, 60 percent suffered recurrences. But among the women taking the drug plus echinacea, only about 10 percent experienced recurrences. That sounds to me like a good rationale for giving echinacea a try no matter what kind of yeast infection you're dealing with.
Garlic (Allium sativum). Garlic is well-known as an antibacterial antibiotic, but it also inhibits fungi quite well and can be used to treat both vaginal candidiasis and thrush. The typical oral dose may range up to a dozen raw, chopped cloves taken two or three times a day in juice. You have to like the taste of garlic pretty much to live with this particular treatment, but I think it's worth a try, as garlic does pack a powerful anti-yeast wallop. (Try blending it with carrots; it's surprisingly easy to take that way.) Onions have a similar but less potent effect.
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). Arbutin, a compound found in cranberries (and bearberries and blueberries), helps treat candida infections, according to naturopaths Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., president of Bastyr University in Seattle, and Michael Murray, N.D., authors of A Textbook of Natural Medicine. So if you're thinking of taking garlic, why not take it with cranberry juice? Or just eat some cranberry sauce plain. These colorful berries are not just for Thanksgiving.
 Cranberry The tart berry that lends a distinctive taste to cranberry juice and sauce was used by nineteenth-century physicians to relieve inflammation. |
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). This is the best known among the "golden" herbs that contain the antibiotic berberine. Others include goldthread, yellowroot, barberry and Oregon grape. Berberine is effective against many microorganisms, including yeasts. At home, I take a tincture. In the field, I'd make a tea. You can use it either way.
Pau-d'arco (Tabebuia, various species). Pau-d'arco contains the anti-yeast compounds lapachol and beta-lapachone, according to Dr. Murray, Dr. Pizzorno and other researchers. Lapachol is the weaker of the two, but its anti-yeast action is still comparable to that of the prescription anti-yeast medication ketaconazole (Nizoral). I have used a Latin American salve containing lapachol to clear up genital candida, and I would do so again if I had a flare-up. Flare-ups are frequent in the humid tropics. In the tropics, I'd boil up a concentrated decoction. At home, I'd empty a couple of capsules into a medicated salve.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Vitamins A (and beta-carotene), C and E are my personal "ACE in the hole" for supporting the immune system. You definitely want to give the immune system help when it's fighting a yeast infection of any kind. Purslane is the best food source of all of these nutrients. I suggest enjoying young shoots of this tasty vegetable in a salad or steaming the leaves like spinach.
Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea). Commission E, the group of botanical medicine experts that advises the German government about herbs, approves using anti-inflammatory goldenrod for preventing and treating various urogenital disorders, including yeast infections. Compounds in goldenrod (ester saponins) are active against candida organisms. This herb can be used as an astringent beverage tea, and you can also use the tea as a douche.
Ivy (Hedera helix). Ivy leaves are active against candida and quite a few bacteria. Commission E endorses using 0.3 gram (that's just a pinch of dried herb) for various chronic inflammatory conditions, and that seems like a reasonable dose for fighting yeast infections as well. You can steep the herb in hot water for about 10 to 15 minutes and drink the tea.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and stevia (Stevia rebaudiana). Many specialists advise those with recurrent yeast problems against using alcohol, products that contain yeast and simple sugars. If you've had a yeast infection before and want to prevent a fresh outbreak, you should steer clear of honey and sugar. If you'd like to sweeten anti-candida teas, try using herbal sweeteners like licorice root or stevia.
Sage (Salvia officinalis). Sage contains a mixture of anti-candida compounds. You could take sage tea as a beverage or use it as an astringent douche. If you're using it as a douche, you might add a drop or two of teatree oil, a potent anti-yeast herbal product.
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Studying 54 plant species for antimicrobial effects, American scientists found that an extract of spicebush bark strongly inhibited Candida albicans. Throughout Appalachia, spicebush tea has long been a favorite, proving once again the wisdom of much folk medicine.
