Vaginal yeast infections, which can cause pain, irritation, and itching, are caused by an overgrowth of a naturally occurring fungus (yeast) called Candida albicans.
Although severe yeast infections typically require medical attention, you may be able to manage milder yeast infections with home remedies. However, not all natural remedies are proven or safe—some may cause irritation or harm.
Boric acid is a chemical that can help change the pH (acidity) of your vagina. Some forms of yeast infections, especially chronic ones, respond well to boric acid treatment. Plus, research suggests that fungal resistance against boric acid is low.
Experts don’t fully understand how boric acid works to eliminate fungal growth, but it may change the pH of your vagina enough to limit the fungus that is causing your infection.
To use boric acid, you can purchase capsules with boric acid in them and insert them directly into your vagina.
Coconut oil is famous for its antibacterial properties. Some research from 2023 suggests that it may help against fungal infections, as well. This research also suggests that coconut oil is safe to use in your vagina if you’re not otherwise sensitive or allergic to it.
If you’d like to try using coconut oil for a yeast infection, use clean hands to apply high-quality coconut oil around and into your vagina. You can also freeze mini homemade coconut oil suppositories and then insert them into your vagina for application with less mess.
A 2023 study suggests that tea tree oil may reduce fungal growth, but it’s not as effective as traditional yeast infection treatment methods.
If you do try tea tree oil for your yeast infection, be sure to dilute it in a carrier oil like coconut oil. Tea tree oil is highly acidic and can cause irritation and burning if you apply it directly at full strength.
Apple cider vinegar is known for its antimicrobial use in many different contexts, but evidence that it’s an effective treatment for yeast infections is still very limited.
To use apple cider vinegar, you can try mixing a small amount with coconut oil, or you can try a diluted sitz bath. Like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar is very acidic—make sure not to use it full-strength on your skin. Research suggests it may be effective against yeast if you dilute one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water or oil.
Probiotics are a popular choice to help with microbiome issues like yeast infections. They’re thought to work by adding more “good” bacteria into your vaginal environment. Although probiotics have multiple health benefits, evidence is limited on its use for treating vaginal yeast infections.
If you’d like to try probiotics, you can eat foods with more live and active cultures, like yogurt and kombucha. You can also take probiotics in pill form or as a vaginal suppository.
Like probiotics, yogurt contains live and active cultures. Some people suggest inserting yogurt into your vagina to help with yeast infections. However, this method has very little research to support its use. One study showed that yogurt may slow the growth of the fungus that causes yeast infections, but it was in a lab environment only.
If you’re interested in using yogurt to support your overall health, try eating more of it with meals instead.
Sitting in a sitz bath with baking soda in it is a popular home remedy to reduce the itchiness associated with yeast infections. They may only offer a temporary relief of symptoms and don’t solve the underlying infection. Be careful when using sitz baths or douching, as frequent use can affect your vaginal microbiome and might make you more likely to develop a resistant form of yeast infections.
Garlic has several antimicrobial properties and a reputation as a remedy for yeast infections. Some studies have shown that garlic can inhibit fungal growth in a petri dish. On the whole, evidence is limited. Experts suggest using caution if you try this approach. Garlic can cause a strong burning sensation and may cause pain if you apply it to delicate vaginal skin.
Home remedies and natural remedies are not always safe remedies. Tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, boric acid, and garlic are highly acidic, for example, and they may cause burns when applied directly to your skin. Also, home remedies are typically not studied in pregnancy and may not be safe to use.
If you have any concerns about natural remedies for yeast infections, talk with a doctor.
The fungus that causes yeast infections occurs naturally in most people in small amounts. You can have it in your mouth, on your skin, in your gastrointestinal tract, and in your vagina. A simple overgrowth may be treatable with home remedies, but sometimes medical treatment is necessary.
Severe yeast infections can become chronic, or come back again and again. If you have chronic yeast infections, it’s important to make a treatment plan with a doctor.
The doctor can help address any underlying cause and find the right treatment for you, which can help prevent complications such as sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection that can happen if fungus from a severe yeast infection gets into your bloodstream.
Having a compromised immune system puts you at greater risk for sepsis. If you have a compromised immune system and are experiencing fever and chills with your yeast infection, make sure to contact a doctor right away.
