Herbal Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis
Are there any herbs that can help me with BV?
Herbs had been mankind’s life savers from times immemorial. In fact, they were the primary method of treatment of various ailments, till allopathic drugs made their appearance. However, despite the quick and effective over the counter drugs, there are herbal remedies for almost all the common ailments, including bacterial vaginosis. These remedies are certainly a godsend for those who dread the side effects of allopathic drugs.
Understanding herbal remedies for bacterial vaginosis
The use of herbs had been discovered centuries ago and has continued till date. The good news is it forms an important part of bacterial vaginosis natural remedies and includes a variety of antifungal, antiseptic and immune-strengthening agents. These herbs not only help strengthen the immune system, but are also extremely effective in preventing a recurrence. They work both directly and indirectly on the body. The ingredients of herbs are generally found in their roots, stems, leaves or fruits. In fact, certain allopathic drugs also make them a part of their composition.
Bacterial vaginosis herbal treatment
There are certain common and not so common herbs that have proven effective in bacterial vaginosis treatment. Let’s see what they area:
a. Tea tree oil:
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that are especially effective in the home treatment of bacterial vaginosis. It can be used vaginally through tea tree oil soaked tampons, douches and suppositories. It can also be added to the essential oil bath or a warm sitz bath, along with pure apple cider vinegar to get rid of bacterial vaginosis.
b. Aromatic essential oils:
Aromatic essential oils, like lavender oil mixed with myrrh, with apricot kernel oil as a carrier, is an excellent bacterial vaginosis home remedy. This oil is used on the outer lips of the vagina, but may burn a little, if the vagina is very irritated.
c. Black walnut
(Juglans nigra): Juglone, a compound isolated from black walnut, fights bacteria and has proven an effective bacterial vaginosis herb. If you’re using black walnut at customary dosage levels, it poses no problems. However, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should first consult your physician.
d. Pau d’arco
(Tabebuia impestiginosa): This natural herb is derived from the inner bark of the Taheebo tree of South America. Its healing powers are legendary. Pau d’arco tea is recommended for the treatment of many diseases, including bacterial vaginosis.
e. Coneflower
(Echinacea angustifolio): The root of this herb is considered one of the best blood purifiers and an effective antibiotic. It activates the body’s immune system increasing the chances of fighting off any disease. This popular herb has been used to help cure bacterial vaginosis. However, it shouldn’t be used by anyone allergic to the sunflower family.
f. Garlic
(Allium sativum): Often called ‘nature’s antibiotic’, this sure cure for a number of ailments, is effective against bacterial vaginosis too, because of its strong antibacterial properties. It can be taken both orally or vaginally. A peeled whole garlic clove, wrapped in gauze, can be inserted into the vagina. It can also be used as douches or in suppository form. This herb also prevents bacterial vaginosis recurrence.
g. Witch hazel:
This shrub or small tree derives its name from the shape of its leaves that resemble those of the hazel. Its leaves and bark show astringent qualities that are effective against bacterial vaginosis.
h. Herbal douche:
A douche made from sage, raspberry leaf, mullein, goldenseal root and apple cider vinegar with a tiny drop of tea tree oil added is a good bacterial vaginosis cure.
As with many herbs, medical supervision is always advised. So, if you’re going in for natural cure for bacterial vaginosis using herbs, don’t forget to consult your physician.
Hydrogen Peroxide, folic acid and acidophilus works wonders. Treat as follows:
Douche with:
1/2 Peroxide- 1/2 distilled or spring water
Take:
1-2 tablets folic acid daily (800 mcgs or higher)
2-3 capsules of acidophilus
Treatment time: 3- 5 days
I USED TO ALWAYS HAVE B.V. WHEN I HAVE SEX WITH MY BOYFRIEND MY DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME MANY TIMES THAT i AM CLEAN AND THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT , HE WOULD THEN GIVE ME A CREAM AND SEND ME OFF ON MY WAY, WELL I STARTED TAKING GARLIC CAPSULES 2X A DAY AND ALSO ACIDOPLILUS 3X A DAY AND I THINK I AM CURED IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH
Whoever put the tip for douching with peroxide is CRAZY!
please DO NOT try that remedy. I do not care how diluted it is or whatever else you combine with it it is not a good idea.
douching in any way for that matter will only irritate the vagina.
sophie, the vagina naturally produces hydrogen peroxide to control bacteria. adding a very diluted wash of peroxide is definitely not going to hurt the vagina, as long as you dont do it too often.
This is a week long treatment and not long-term, so it’s not going to hurt you. Peroxide douche is very effective in controlling growth of “bad” anaerobic bacteria.
Using hydrogen peroxide is not crazy, hydrogen peroxide is in medicated douches you buy at the store. When doctors tell you not to douche, they are probably only thinking about traditional douches. A douching solution that is meant to make your vaginal ph more acidic or to introduce good bacteria into the vagina can be helpful. Traditional douches just wash out all of the bacteria which can make you more vulnerable to growing more bad bacteria than good. Douching with hydrogen peroxide (only short-term to get rid of the infection), lactobacillus yogurt, or an acidophilus solution should be fine.
http://www.vaginosis.com/#5
Everyone should read that article; especially the parts about douching, yogurt, and alternative treatments. This article will tell you to be careful about which lactobacillus yogurts and supplements you buy because certain companies could be lying, it gives you recommended doses for alternative treatments, and it tells you that there is a misconception about douching and that not all douches are bad.
None of this has worked for me
I had heard about this long ago. Peroxide worked like magic, clearing me up of any symptoms (discharge, odor, feeling off,etc) almost immediately. BUT it only lasted for about a month or two. Changing my lifestyle/diet created the long term change I wanted: such as more live foods, less processed foods, more garlic that i love, and ofcourse yougart. Peroxide + your own preventative measures is an absolute God-send!
Sophie, I’ve successfully used the peroxide solution (after researching it of course). It works faster than what my doctor has prescribed in the past, is all natural and definitely cheaper. Just because something doesn’t SOUND like the right thing to do doesn’t mean it isn’t. For anyone reading these posts, do some research. Don’t be so quick to write things off. Your doctor will not recommend an easier solution because your visits are their business. I’m not saying they don’t have their uses, but at the end of the day, a doctor makes his/her living by your visits. Don’t be afraid to think for yourself sometimes. If I relied on people’s opinion, I would not have found great resources, recipes and remedies like the ones on this website. Wake up!
I am in need of something soon. My doctor prescribed me flagyl in 2006,went away for awhile, but i am still struggling with it. i am too afraid to do any douches, suppositories, or anything like this. i now have no health insurance, and i want a real fix for this problem. its embarassing, and i feel like everyone can tell!
i have done some research and am taking acidophilus 1 120mg daily, with 2 odorless garlic pills daily (says equivalent of 1,000mg each pill, but to take 4 daily?) been doing this and im not sure i see any effects yet!
i need some help! please anyone who knows what will help me for a fact, get back with me on here, i will be checking here every few days, any help is appreciated.
Peroxide is great! Soak a tampon in it and insert over nite. All my symptoms completely went away the very next day. Thank god! Now I am taking acidophilus, folic acid(800 milligrams) and garlic capsules to prevent it from coming back. I am also eating plain yogurt, cranberry juice, flax seed, brown rice and lots of greens. These are foods that help prevent vaginosis. Tea tree oil supositories are supposed to work great too.
Mild Vinegar & water douche. The one month recently, I decided to skip the mild vinegar douce after my period left–is the time I end up with excessive smelly discharge. As long as I took my once a month mild vinegar douche after my period left there was no problems as far as “smell” or abnormal discharges. I dont know exactly what VINEGAR does inside the vagina. But I am sure it has something to do with restoring PH levels & killing a certain amount of bacteria. A womans normal secretions contain certain levels of “acidic” matter (Vinigar is an ACID). So I am sure the douche I normally take, plays apart in maintaining the PH levels to some degree. I know for a fact Vinegar is good for killing “odor causing” bacteria.
PEROXIDE I have to try. I know that soulution is good for “infection” & bacteria. If a person can use PEROXIDE as a mouth rinse, & if companies can add it as a whitening agent in their toothpastes, it would not be impossible for me to believe it can be used vaginally, just like VINEGAR. As long as the measurements are appropriate. DOCTORS can only prescribe medication. they will never suggest NATURAL or “wallet friendly” cures to a bacterial problem. Alot of tie antibiotics will kill “good & bad” bacteria leaving you to deal with yet another infection to deal with. Dont be so quick to REJECT the cures mentioned here. I am taking ACIDOPHILLUS capsules daily to restore some good bacteria back into my system. I take BC pills so Acidophillus supplement is almost a “need to do”.
If none of these things work for you, the only sensible thing left for you to do is to make an appointment to see a GYN Doctor as soon as possible.
My Dr. actually instructed me to use the peroxide solution diluted with water.
please some one tell me where i can buy the peroxide. its not the peroxide u put on your hair is it. ive used balance active in the past it DOES work but its expensive as you still have to keep using it after the one week clearing up process as provention.
AT Walgreens it’s usually in a brown plastic bottle next to the alcohol. They use peroxide for minor cuts. Any store carries it.
Echinacea and Oil of Oregano (liquid form) taken orally for a few days did the trick easily for me. They both taste awful, so mix with juice or chase with food or juice. I did two droppers full of each twice a day. Immediate noticeable results. These are natural antibiotics.
Sara, absolutely not. You need pharmaceutical peroxide. Get it at the local pharmacy. It’s not at all costly.
Hi, I was wondering 1/2 peroxide and 1/2 of water is how much to do the douche? Is it done once a day for how many days or 2ce a day etc… Anyone used peroxide already can give me an advice , please? I don’t want any reoccuring of BV. thanks
i hate bv i feel dead stupid with my partner after sex, it smells really bad, he finks its just the smell ov sex. i feel like he finks i could be unclean and don’t wash its highly embrassing for me.
I would also like to know how long you’re supposed to do for. Once a day? For 2hrs? Please help.
I currently use a product called Femdophilus, which is suppose to have good bacteria meant specifically for the vagina. While it works ok, it has not completely gotten rid of the BV. I still get it every month (It comes on with my PMS), though this does help to calm to problems associated with it. It is however really pricey, unless you get it online, but it needs to stay refrigerated, and they don’t ship it with anything that keeps it cold, but it might help someone else, so I just wanted to throw that out there. I will be trying the Hydrogen Peroxide, and garlic clove today in hopes that that will give me better relief. So thank you all for that!
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