Bacterial vaginosis is caused by many species of bacteria, including Gardnerella vaginitis, which was previously thought to be the sole culprit for the infection. Contrary to the notion of the population, these bacteria are natural inhabitants of the vaginal area that, for one reason or another, have overgrown and thus caused the most common vaginal infection.
The symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are very similar to those of a vaginal yeast infection, including inflammation of the vaginal skin, itching and burning, and unusually thick white discharge. The main difference is that the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include an additional complication: vaginal discharge has a foul-smelling fishy odor that may or may not be grayish-white in color. And when left untreated in pregnant women, it can lead to complications such as premature labor and birth, as well as infections of the amniotic fluid and uterus.
Fortunately, you have many totally natural and totally effective treatments available for bacterial vaginosis. The emphasis is on the use of safe natural methods as pharmaceutical drugs will only worsen the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis due to the presence of excess antibiotics in them. Did we mention that antibiotics provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow off limits?
These natural treatments include herbs and liquids found in abundance in your kitchen pantry and in herbal stores. The trick is to combine them for maximum effect, of which the following are just a few:
o You can mix a teaspoon of the juice of fresh garlic cloves with a few tablespoons of low-fat plain yogurt. (Don’t use the sweetened and flavored varieties, as sugar is a big no-no with bacterial vaginosis.) You’ll then soak a clean tampon in the mixture, which you insert into your vagina every night for up to 6 days. You can also use the mixture as a douche at least twice a day.
o You can also use tea tree oil. Simply mix three drops of tea tree essential oil with one teaspoon of plain yogurt. Once again, dip a clean tampon into the mixture, insert it into your vagina for at least 6 days, and wait for the antifungal properties of tea tree oil to work wonders for your bacterial vaginosis symptoms.
o You can also use aromatic chamomile to relieve your bacterial vaginosis. Mix about 2 ounces of chamomile flowers with 1 quart of lukewarm water, which should be left to stand in a covered container overnight. Strain the plant materials and use the resulting water as a vaginal douche at least 2 times a day.
o For more treatment options, you can consume goldenseal capsules or goldenseal teas, which are equally effective due to the presence of berberine and hydrastine. These two chemical compounds have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.
While you are treating your bacterial vaginosis symptoms, you should avoid using scented bath products, eating sugar-laden and stimulant-laden foods and drinks, and wearing comfortable cotton underwear to allow your private parts to “breathe.”
Regardless of the treatment approach taken for bacterial vaginosis symptoms, you should never allow boric acid to touch your private parts unless it worsens your symptoms. Instead, opt for natural treatments that have been shown time and time again to be more effective than any other type of acidic substance with the exception of white vinegar.
