Apple cider vinegar is acclaimed to be used for culinary purpose and to treat various skin conditions like yeast infection and eczema. ACV is made by subjecting apple and cider to fermentation. Its use as medicine dates back from centuries. Even Hippocrates acknowledged the medical benefits of ACV.
Yeast is a fungus that lives in your body, mostly in the vagina in small numbers. Growth of this yeast is the root cause of yeast infection. According to WebMD Candida albicans, a type of yeast is behind this infection. 75 percent of women experience yeast infection at some point of their life. Yeast infection causes itching, soreness, pain and burning sensation. Based on WebMD, some women may have white thick liquid discharge before menstrual period.
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Apart from vagina, this infection may occur in mouth, between skin folds and intestinal tract. It’s common and need no serious medication; anyhow corticosteroid cream application can reduce inflammation and itchiness. According to Medlineplus, apple cider vinegar for yeast infection prevents candidiasis. (Also read: Candida (Yeast) and Body Odor)
How Apple Cider Vinegar Cures Yeast Infection
Properties in ACV kill excess yeast and treat infection. Vitamins like B1, B2, B6 and C are packed into ACV. It also contains minerals and acids, namely, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, potassium, calcium and iron.
- Restorative properties in ACV react on skin to restore pH level of vagina.
- Mayoclinic states that antibiotics kill bacterial infection, and ACV is one of the strongest antibiotics.
- ACV to not just thwart bacteria but it enhances the balanced environment for all necessary healthy bacteria.
- Consuming apple cider vinegar boosts your immune system.
- Acetic acid in ACV lowers pH of vagina skin; this makes it less tolerable for yeast infection.
Must read: ACV to remove mole on skin
Apple Cider Vinegar for Treating Yeast Infection
Consume it or topically apply it over affected part, it restrains bacterial infection and maintains healthy environment. To consume, mix it with water and drink it before meals. For topically application of ACV you’ve different methods you can opt the one that works for you.
Note while consuming ACV, don’t add honey or sugar, as Candida yeast feed on sugar.
1. Apple cider vinegar douche
Reducing the amount of bacteria in vagina will cure yeast infection. Mix raw apple cider vinegar with water and use it as douche on vagina to kill Candida yeast. 3 tbsp of ACV and 2 quarts of warm water can be used to make vagina douche.
Rinse this solution twice, in the morning and in the evening, till you see no itching or pain. Decrease ACV ratio if you experience burning sensation. Optionally add pinch of cayenne pepper to ACV.
2. ACV bath for yeast infection
Yeast infection may cause on various parts of the body, to give your whole body ACV treatment, mix 2 tbsp of ACV in warm bath water. Leave it for about 15 minutes and take bath. Alternatively you can dip your tampon in ACV solution before inserting it into vagina. Regularly use this method for 1-2 weeks for improvement.
You can take ACV bath once a day or twice a week depending on severity of infection.
3. Consume ACV
For mouth yeast infection, mix 2-3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water and drink it before meals. Yes, it tastes bitter. But don’t ever think of adding honey or sugar, this will increase Candida yeast. If you’ve infection in mouth, then swish it before drinking.
Consuming ACV kills infection causing yeast in intestinal tract and enhances balanced environment for healthy bacteria, this controls Candida yeast growth.
4. ACV with other remedies
To fasten the healing process you can mix other innate remedies with ACV. Mix apple cider vinegar with tea tree oil, antimicrobial properties in tea tree oil kills bacteria. Eat raw garlic with vinegar kill Candida yeast. Yogurt and acidophilus consumption can reduce yeast infection.
If you want apple cider vinegar to work for yeast infection, then only opt for raw ACV.
Note: As ACV is acidic in nature never use it directly, dilute it with water. Avoid using baking soda and sugars, this grows Candida yeast.