Prevent Vaginal Infections
With Natural, Holistic Care

Women's health issues are many but Vaginal Infections are one of the annoying nuisances sent here to plague us women.

Characterized by itching and a change in normal discharge, vaginal infections are caused by an overabundance of bacteria, the single- cell fungi candida albicans.

In a healthy vagina, infection-causing microorganisms are kept in check by an acid/alkaline balance and "friendly" bacteria.

However, many medications (especially antibiotics), an unhealthy diet or a stress-filled life can throw off your internal chemistry, giving the little devils the chance to multiply.

Hopefully, some of the following information will offer you help in the way that it has helped me and the females in my family outsmart the buggers.

Women's Health Care Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the microbe responsible, so it's important to differentiate between a yeast and a bacterial infection. Yeast typically produces mucous that smells like bread or beer, while bacteria produce a discharge with a slightly fishy odor.

Recurrent vaginal infections can be a sign of a more serious overgrowth throughout the body.

Women's Health & Fitness

If you're in doubt about the nature of yours--or if you're pregnant-- talk with your health-care provider before treating yourself.

• Eat right. Diet is the single most important contributing factor in recurring infections. Poor eating habits deliver a double whammy by making you less resistant to infection as well as encouraging the growth of troublesome microorganisms.

  Yeast absolutely thrives on sugar. Eliminate refined sugar, concentrated sweets like dried fruit and fruit juices, as well as bleached wheat flour and baked goods.

  But don't turn to artificial sweeteners. They'll only trigger more cravings and make it that much harder to skip the sweets. Many women also reduce yeast infections by eliminating dairy.

• Go herbal. If you have an active bacterial or yeast infection, use fresh garlic as a vaginal suppository. Peel a whole clove and wrap it in a piece of cheesecloth to resemble a tampon with a cloth "tail". Insert and leave in place for 12 hours. Afterward, douche with a solution of two tablespoons of vinegar in a quart of water. Do this daily for three days.

  You also can buy a commercially prepared vaginal suppository that contains tea tree oil, a potent antimicrobial, and follow package instructions. Or add eight to 10 drops of tea tree oil to warm bath water and soak for 20 minutes. (Never apply undiluted tea tree oil to the vagina.)

  Grapefruit seed extract also is very effective against a variety of microorganisms. Take 20 drops orally three times a day during an acute infection. (Because it's bitter, you may prefer to put the extract into empty veggie caps.)



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• Douche sensibly. Normally, douching is unnecessary and can actually contribute to recurring infections by disturbing the vagina's normal moisture balance. But a gentle douche can help wipe out infection-causing microbes.

  Use either of the douches described above, but never douche more than three times a week.

• Keep things moving. According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian school of natural medicine, vaginal infections are caused by a buildup of impurities called ama.

  Exercising regularly and avoiding cold, heavy foods, especially if you have an infection are best. Eat light, spicy foods (seasoned with warming herbs like cumin and ginger) and cooked dishes like steamed vegetables and legumes.

  Make sure you're getting enough fiber. Good sources include fresh fruit and vegetables. You can take psyllium powder (see label for information on dosing) twice a day, indefinitely, if your digestion is sluggish.

• Cultivate "good" bacteria. Lactobacillus acidophilus, a beneficial bacteria sold in health food stores, maintains the proper acid balance in the vagina to prevent "bad" bacteria and yeast from proliferating. Take one-quarter teaspoon twice a day for prevention;take half a teaspoon when you have an infection. Eating a cup of yogurt that contains active cultures each day also is effective.

  Yogurt also makes a good topical remedy for acute yeast infections.Yogurt can be inserted directly into the vagina (use the applicator)that comes with the over-the-counter yeast-infection products or a bulb baster). Apply one tablespoon once a day, at bedtime, for upto seven days.

• Boost your immunity. Echinacea stimulates your immune system, helping to fight active infections and avoid new ones. (Bonus: Echinacea also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.)

  Take up to 50 drops of a standardized extract orally per day. Use echinacea for at least three months to fight and avoid vaginal infections.

  If you tend to get vaginal infections right before your period (and many women do because hormone fluctuations change the vagina's acid-alkaline balance), take echinacea for a week before menstruation and through your period.

What a relief it will be for you to finally get a harness on this thing called vaginal infections.

For more information, check out these links:

Women's Health

Healthy Diets

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