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Herbs for Health and Healing: Vaginal Infections

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Vaginal Infections

Most women have had at least one bout with a vaginal yeast infection, and many women experience recurring infections. The incidence of these infections has more than doubled in the last 20 years. One reason that they are becoming more prevalent is the increased use of antibiotics, which kill off beneficial natural flora found in the vagina and allow more harmful bacteria and yeast to multiply.

Antibiotics are especially notorious in promoting vaginal yeast infections, which are caused by candida. A fungus that is a natural resident of the intestines and vagina, Candida creates a problem only when it overpopulates, causing a yeasty, irritating discharge that leads to swelling, itching and general discomfort. Opinion varies among gynecologists on whether yeast infections are transmitted between partners, but just to be safe, why not use herbs to treat both parties?

Trichomoniasis is another common vaginal infection. This infection, which is caused by the microorganism Trichomonas vaginalis, produces a thick, yellowish discharge, often resulting in swollen, inflamed genitals. Tnchomoniasis is rarely serious, but can be harder to get rid of than a yeast infection. It also tends to be much more unpleasant, with more intense burning and itching.

In addition to these common infections, there are several other types of minor vaginal infections. If you are not sure what you have or how serious it is, you can find out by visiting your gynecologist, a health clinic or your local women's health center. If you suspect for any reason that you may have picked up a vaginal infection, even if you have no symptoms, it is a good idea to get checked.

One infection that you can have without experiencing any symptoms is chlamydia (men can get this too, but it is more common among women). If untreated, it can lead to sterility. You may not be familiar with this infection, since it was barely heard of a decade ago, but it now heads the list of sexually transmitted diseases with an estimated four million new infections occurring every year worldwide. Chlamydia can be passed on to a baby during childbirth and is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.

Herbal remedies are effective in combatting trichomoniasis, yeast infections and chlamydia, which together cause about 90 percent of all vaginal infections. If you have any vaginal infection and you experience fever or pain, see a physician or go to a women's health clinic.

An herbal douche is one of the best ways to treat minor vaginal infections. I know that some gynecologists frown on douching because it can upset the vaginal balance or possibly spread infection into the uterus. Nevertheless, I've never heard of this being a problem. If you douche, do it right: Make sure that the spray is not too forceful by suspending the bag no higher than shoulder level. Also, remember to use a douche only to treat an occasional infection, not as a daily freshener.

By now, you must be wondering which herbs are best for douching. Various studies tell us that lavender, tea tree, garlic and berberine (found in goldenseal, barberry and Oregon grape root) kill harmful microorganisms, including yeast and trichomonads. One study showed that tea tree was especially good at ridding women of a variety of different vaginal infections. Slippery elm is soothing, and uva ursi is a disinfectant and astringent that dries the discharge caused by an infection.

Along with the herbs, yogurt is good in a douche because it reduces unwanted bacteria, especially yeast. It is also very soothing to irritated areas. Just be sure to use a live strain of Acidophilus (read the label on your yogurt to find out what kind it contains)—Bulgaris and S. thermophilus are ineffective. Even eating yogurt helps. Studies have shown that eating eight ounces of yogurt a day for six months can significantly reduce vaginal infections.

Be sure you do not ignore even a simple vaginal infection. Untreated, it can spread into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries and eventually work its way into the bloodstream. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can leave scar tissue in its wake. As of 1995, PID was one of the most common causes of infertility and tubal pregnancies in North American women. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development reports that women who smoke, especially those who smoke ten or more cigarettes a day, are twice as likely to develop PID as those who don't.

Most cases of PID are the result of chlamydia, with the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea a close second. Gonorrhea was on the wane in the 1970s, thanks to antibiotics, but has come back during the last decade because it has developed new, drug-resistant strains that the old antibiotics cannot kill. As new, stronger drugs are created, tougher strains of gonorrhea are appearing.

A woman's reproductive organs contain special immune cells designed to fight infection. If your system is rundown, your immunity may need a boost. As you would for any infection, use immune-stimulating, infection-fighting herbs such as echinacea. If you are dealing with recurring vaginal infections, the problem might also be linked to a hormonal imbalance. For example, too little progesterone can cause vaginal irritation and infection and thicken cervical secretions. To adjust your hormones, take vitex in pills or a tincture or as a tea. One teaspoon of vitex can also be added to the formula below. Reproductive toners like wild yam, red raspberry and nettles come in handy if you wish to strengthen the uterus. And, if you have not thought of it already, avoid tight or synthetic clothing that does not allow free circulation of air.

Douche for Vaginal Infections

3 drops each lavender and tea tree essential oils

3 cups warm water

2 heaping tablespoons yogurt

Combine ingredients in a douche bag. Slosh around to mix well. Use treatment once a day. If the problem doesn't clear up within 5 days, consult a professional health practitioner.

Women's Infection Tea

1 teaspoon each cramp bark, burdock root, echinacea root, Oregon grape root and vitex seeds (optional)

1 quart water

Combine herbs and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for a few minutes, then turn down heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain out herbs. Drink 3 to 4 cups a day. This formula can also be made into a tincture; take a dropperful 3 to 4 times a day.

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