18 Home Remedies for Yeast Infection

2. Drinking Fruit Salts

You may see fruit salts sold as a fizzy drink mix for upset stomach or heartburn. They usually contain baking soda and mild acids that create bubbles in water. Some people use them at home to help with yeast infection symptoms.

Fruit salts can make your urine less acidic for a short time. This may reduce burning when you pee, which can happen with a vaginal yeast infection. The relief is usually temporary and does not treat the yeast itself. You can mix the powder in a glass of water and drink it as directed on the package.

Do not take more than the label suggests. Taking too much baking soda can upset your stomach or change your body’s salt balance. If your symptoms include thick white discharge, itching, and swelling, you likely need an antifungal medicine to clear the infection.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is often used in salad dressings and sauces, and some people drink small amounts each week as part of their wellness routine. It contains probiotics that help support your body’s internal pH balance. When you have a yeast infection, keeping your pH balanced can help control yeast growth. You can take a small amount by mixing one to two tablespoons in a large glass of water and drinking it once daily.

Do not drink it straight, since undiluted vinegar can damage your teeth and irritate your throat. You can also add apple cider vinegar to a warm bath by pouring about one to two cups into the bathwater and soaking for 15 to 20 minutes. This can support vaginal health and soothe irritated skin. Keep the water warm, not hot, to avoid making symptoms worse.

4. Real Yoghurt

Real yoghurt with live cultures can help restore balance in your body. It contains helpful bacteria, often called Lactobacillus, that keep yeast growth under control. Yeast infections happen when yeast grows too much, and good bacteria can help limit that growth.

Choose plain, unsweetened yoghurt with live and active cultures. These live bacteria may help support the natural balance of microorganisms in the body, especially after disruptions such as antibiotic use. Avoid flavored types because sugar can feed yeast. Check the label to make sure it lists live cultures.

You can eat a small bowl of yoghurt each day while you have symptoms. If you are taking antibiotics, yoghurt may also help lower your risk of getting a yeast infection because antibiotics can reduce helpful bacteria and make it easier for yeast to grow.

5. Cranberry Juice

You may hear about cranberry juice as a natural way to support vaginal health. While it does not kill yeast directly, it can help your body stay balanced and resist certain infections. Cranberries contain natural compounds that help stop harmful bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract.

This action mainly helps prevent urinary tract infections, not yeast infections. These compounds are known as proanthocyanidins, which are linked to cranberry’s protective effects in urinary health. Still, keeping your urinary system healthy may reduce irritation that can make symptoms feel worse.

Choose unsweetened cranberry juice, since added sugar can feed yeast and may make your symptoms worse. Drink small amounts, such as one glass a day, and watch how your body responds. If you often get yeast infections after taking antibiotics, cranberry juice may support overall urinary health during that time.

6. Natural Yeast

Taking natural yeast can support your digestive health and help restore balance in your gut. Brewer’s yeast is a common supplement form that supports healthy digestive flora, which plays a role in controlling yeast levels throughout your body. Even though it may seem unusual, adding beneficial yeast to your diet can help keep a yeast infection under control.

A balanced digestive system strengthens your body’s natural defenses and helps manage yeast growth more effectively. This can reduce symptoms such as itching, burning, and irritation. You can find brewer’s yeast in powder, flakes, or tablet form at most health stores.

Many people mix the powder or flakes into a glass of water, juice, or a morning smoothie and take it once each day. With regular use, it supports digestive balance and helps your body respond better to yeast overgrowth.

7. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a healthy food that supports your digestive system and helps keep bowel movements regular. Eating oatmeal often adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals to your diet. A strong digestive system helps your body maintain balance, which is important when you are dealing with a yeast infection.

Oatmeal also supports healthy skin by containing nutrients that help protect and refresh the skin’s surface. When you add oatmeal to your bathwater, it can help restore your body’s natural pH and calm irritated skin linked to a yeast infection.

For symptom relief, focus on adding oatmeal to your daily meals or using it in a warm bath. Pour one cup of finely ground oatmeal into lukewarm bathwater and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the water warm, not hot, to avoid making itching or burning worse.

8. Tea

Certain herbal teas may help you manage mild yeast infection symptoms. Some herbs contain natural compounds that slow fungal growth or calm irritated skin. You can drink tea made from pau d’arco, chamomile, or green tea. These herbs have plant chemicals that may limit yeast growth and reduce itching.

Drink one to two cups a day, and avoid adding too much sugar since sugar can feed yeast. Green tea contains antioxidants that support your immune system. A stronger immune system helps your body control yeast levels and recover from infection more effectively.

You can also add brewed herbal tea to a warm bath. Prepare several cups of tea, let it steep, then pour it into lukewarm bathwater. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes to help calm irritated skin and support your body’s natural balance. Keep the water warm, not hot, to prevent more irritation.

9. Garlic

Garlic has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties. It contains a compound called allicin, which may slow the growth of Candida, the yeast that causes most vaginal yeast infections. Add more fresh garlic to your meals, and crush or chop it to release its active compounds. Cook it lightly, since high heat can reduce its strength.

Raw garlic may preserve more allicin, but its strong taste and smell may not be tolerated by everyone. Eating garlic supports your immune system, which helps your body control yeast growth. Some people try garlic supplements. If you choose this option, follow the label directions and avoid taking more than recommended.

Garlic is commonly used as supportive care, but evidence for treating active yeast infections remains limited. Garlic can thin your blood and may not be safe if you take blood-thinning medicine or have a bleeding disorder.

10. Boric Acid

Boric acid is a weak acid with antifungal and antiseptic properties and is available in capsule form made for vaginal use. Some people use it when common antifungal treatments do not fully clear a yeast infection. Insert a boric acid capsule into your vagina, usually once a day for 7 to 14 days. Many people prefer to use it at bedtime to reduce leakage.

Do not swallow boric acid, and keep it away from children and pets because it is toxic if taken by mouth. Boric acid may help restore your vagina’s natural balance. Yeast grows best in certain conditions, and this remedy can make the environment less friendly for it.

Some women with recurring infections report fewer symptoms after a full course. You may notice mild burning, watery discharge, or irritation. If you feel severe pain, rash, or worsening symptoms, stop using it. Do not use boric acid if you are pregnant unless a healthcare professional tells you it is safe.

11. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the Melaleuca tree and has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Since yeast is a type of fungus, this oil may help slow its growth on the skin. Always dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, before applying it to sensitive areas.

Apply diluted tea tree oil only to the outer vulva for a vaginal yeast infection. Do not place undiluted oil inside the vagina, as this can cause burning, redness, and swelling. If irritation starts, wash the area with warm water and stop using it.

Some natural vaginal suppositories contain small amounts of diluted tea tree oil and should be used with care. If you are pregnant, have sensitive skin, or get frequent infections, talk to a health professional before trying them.

12. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a common home remedy for yeast infections because it contains natural fatty acids that can slow the growth of Candida, the fungus behind most vaginal yeast infections. Apply a small amount of plain, organic coconut oil to the outer vaginal area with clean hands, and stop if you notice more irritation.

Coconut oil works best for mild symptoms such as itching or slight redness and may help soothe dry, irritated skin, but it does not treat deeper infections inside the vagina as well as antifungal medicines. Before using coconut oil, confirm that your symptoms match a yeast infection, which usually includes thick white discharge, itching, burning, and redness.

Other infections can look similar but need different treatment. Use only pure coconut oil without added fragrance or chemicals. Do not combine it with essential oils unless a healthcare professional tells you it is safe. Stop using it if your symptoms get worse or do not improve within a few days.

13. Epsom Salts

Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, a mineral athletes often use to ease sore muscles. Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports many body functions, including immune response. Epsom salts also have antibacterial properties and have been used to support overall wellness.

When you dissolve Epsom salts in water, they release magnesium and sulfate. Your skin absorbs these minerals during a soak, which helps raise magnesium levels in your body. Healthy magnesium levels support your immune system as it fights a yeast infection.

To use Epsom salts, fill a bathtub with hot water in the evening and add two cups of the salts. Stir the water until the crystals dissolve fully. Soak for 15 to 30 minutes to allow your skin to absorb the minerals. Repeat this bath up to three times a week while treating the infection.

14. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil can help relieve symptoms of oral candida, also known as oral thrush. This type of yeast infection affects the mouth and throat. It often causes a white coating on the back of the tongue or throat and can spread to the gums and inner cheeks if not treated.

Peppermint oil contains active compounds such as menthol and menthone. These plant chemicals create a cooling effect and help reduce irritation, swelling, and discomfort linked to fungal overgrowth in the mouth. They also support a cleaner oral environment and fresher breath during recovery.

To use it, add three drops of peppermint essential oil to a few ounces of water. Swish the mixture around in your mouth for several seconds, then spit it out. Do not swallow the mixture. Repeat this rinse three to four times a day until symptoms improve.

15. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is a concentrated extract from the oregano plant, the same herb you use in cooking. It belongs to the same plant family as peppermint and contains strong antibacterial and antiviral properties. These properties help your body fight a candida infection more effectively and support a stronger immune response while your body works to clear the yeast.

Manufacturers dry the leaves and shoots of the oregano plant before extracting the oil through a steam distillation process. This method concentrates the plant’s natural compounds into a powerful liquid form. The oil contains active ingredients such as carvacrol, thymol, and rosmarinic acid. These compounds help control fungal overgrowth, reduce inflammation, and support a healthier internal balance in the body.

To use oregano oil for a yeast infection, add three to six drops to a full glass of water and drink it immediately. Take this mixture twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Many people notice improvement in itching, discharge, and irritation within a week of consistent use.

16. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a thick gel from the aloe plant that people often use to soothe burns and rashes. You can apply it to the outer vaginal area to calm itching and irritation from a yeast infection. The gel has natural anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects, which may help reduce redness, swelling, and discomfort. Its cooling texture may also provide temporary relief from burning sensations on irritated skin.

Apply a thin layer of pure aloe vera gel to the vulva, and do not insert it deep into the vagina unless a health professional guides you. Patch testing a small area first may help check for skin sensitivity before wider use. Choose a product with only aloe and no added fragrance, alcohol, or dyes.

Stop using it if your skin becomes more irritated or if you develop a rash. Avoid drinking aloe latex products because oral forms can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea, and long-term use has been linked to liver problems.

17. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in catechins, powerful antioxidants that help your body fight infection. It is widely grown in parts of Asia, including China, Japan, and Taiwan, and has been used for centuries as a daily health drink. These antioxidants support your immune system and help your body control candida overgrowth.

Unlike black or oolong tea, green tea does not go through heavy processing or roasting. Farmers pick the leaves, dry them, and prepare them with minimal treatment. This helps preserve key compounds such as EGCG, which keep their strength and antioxidant activity.

Choose a high-quality, organic green tea when possible. Heat water to a boil, then let it cool for about three minutes before pouring it over the tea leaves. Using slightly cooled water protects the delicate polyphenols from heat damage. Drink three to four cups a day to support your body as it works to clear a yeast infection.

18. Probiotic Supplements

Probiotic supplements add helpful bacteria to your body and support a healthy balance in your vagina and gut. When this balance shifts, yeast can grow too much and cause an infection. Probiotics may help lower the risk of repeat infections, especially after antibiotics.

Many probiotic products contain Lactobacillus strains that keep vaginal pH at a level that slows yeast growth. You can find probiotics in capsules, tablets, or powders. Some are made to swallow, while others are for vaginal use.

Always follow the label directions for the product you choose. If you often get yeast infections after taking antibiotics, probiotics may help restore healthy bacteria. Yogurt with live cultures may also support this balance, but supplements give a more measured dose.