Are you suffering from that itchy recurring yeast infection? Is the infection recurring and making you feel uncomfortable? Then your worries might finally end today – because here we talk about coconut oil, which is one of the best remedies for yeast infection.

Would you like to know more? Keep reading!

Coconut – A Brief:

Coconut, in all its forms, including coconut milk, coconut meat, and the oil, is largely used in multiple cuisines, face packs and shampoos (1). Even then, when it comes to using it for treating a fungal or viral infection, we do not look up to this palm fruit as a remedy. That is why only traditional or native people have been using it for treating yeast and other skin infections.

However, the latest studies have revealed the versatile and dynamic benefits of this semisolid, white fat. It not only makes skin and hair healthy but also plays a major role in boosting immunity when taken orally. It is highly acknowledged for anti-fungal qualities and is hence recommended hugely for treating a yeast infection. You can use coconut oil in your diet in multiple ways, such as replacing it with your regular cooking oil or taking a teaspoon of coconut oil just before meals.

That is why, when it comes choosing a guaranteed natural remedy for treating a yeast infection, the first choice is always coconut oil.

What Is Yeast Infection?

In general, everyone is aware of yeast infection. A little more information will help you understand why coconut oil is effective in treating it. Yeast infection, also known as Candida, is caused by a group of microscopic yeast or fungi known as Candida albicans (2). Usually, they prevail in harmony within the immune system of humans. However, when the balance of immunity is disrupted due to certain reasons, the infection spreads and goes beyond control causing irritating symptoms.

Why Is Coconut Oil Effective Against Yeast Infection?

The reason coconut oil is the first choice while picking up a remedy for treating yeast infection is its composition. The oil is rich in three different types of fatty acids – lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid (3), which are effective against all types of fungal infections, and especially against Candida yeast. These acids are the most potent yeast-fighting substances found naturally, and all are present in coconut oil. Naturally, coconut oil is effective against a yeast infection.

How Does It Work?

Coconut oil is a rich source of different types of medium chain fatty acids that are effective against yeast as well as bacteria and viruses. Each fatty acid has varying effectiveness against different infections and organisms. But when all of them are combined, the treatment gets better and eliminates the infection completely. Since coconut is loaded with three different types of infection-killing fatty acids, its combined effect is irreversible and acts as a daunting weapon.

Yeast infection leads to a wide variety of symptoms including joint pain, fatigue, recurrent bladder infections, and irritability. Most people suffering from Candida infection complain about any of these symptoms. But according to a study, when a group of people with yeast infection replaced their cooking oil with coconut oil, they noticed a considerable reduction in the infection as compared to those who were still using their old oil.

How Does It Happen?

• It happens because the medium chain fatty acids in the coconut oil kill the Candida when it is in the intestinal tract (4).
• These acids are absorbed and used as food for producing energy in the beneficial cells.
• But when an organism that is not beneficial to the body absorbs it, the acids penetrate the cell membrane and weaken them.
• Slowly, the organism disintegrates and is gobbled by the white blood cells as a waste material and is thrown out of the body.

Benefits Of Coconut Oil:

Following are the ways coconut oil can benefit you in treating yeast infection:

1. Natural Antifungal:

Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, which kills yeast colonies on contact (5). It effectively stops the growth as well as the replication of the yeast, thereby reducing the chances of developing a yeast colony. The yeast cell membrane that causes vaginal infection symptoms, such as jock itch and thrush, is broken down by the caprylic acid. That is why even the medications prescribed by the doctors for treating yeast infection are based on caprylic acid.

2. Cuts Down Access To Food:

The fungus needs sugar to grow, and if sugar is substituted by coconut oil, it will have nothing to feed on and grow upon, and will die naturally. Coconut oil is used as a sugar substitute in many countries. A natural sweetener, it provides energy and the required amount of carbohydrates. Therefore, cutting down sugar and replacing it with coconut oil prevents the abnormal growth of fungus.

3. Improves Immunity:

The lauric acid and the caprylic acid improve immunity. These acids are also present in the milk of the mother that protect the baby from infection. The acids in the coconut oil help in the better absorption of vitamins and minerals, and thus, contribute in boosting the immunity of the overall body system (6).

4. Protective Barrier:

Coconut oil is known for protecting the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis. It is non-irritating and non-messy like the other greasy creams, forms a protective barrier, and prevents the sensitive and irritated, infected skin from further damage by the fungus. In this way, application of coconut oil ensures that the damaged skin is restored, and further growth of infection is stunted.

Die-Off Of The Fungal Organisms:

The die-off of the fungal organisms starts when they begin to die after the coconut oil treatment has been started. The fungal organisms release toxins in the blood as they die, due to which the symptoms can worsen. However, it is an indication that the treatment of coconut oil is actually working and helping you feel better.

The symptoms can be intense in people who are badly affected by a yeast infection, and they can last for at least a few days. You can support the elimination of fungal organisms in the body by drinking plenty of water and eating light food for the first few days.

Increasing The Impact Of The Coconut Oil Treatment:

1. Use Good Quality Oil:

If you want to get good results with the coconut oil treatment, you must use a good quality coconut oil. A good quality virgin coconut oil contains more amount of lauric acid, which is highly effective in strengthening the body’s immune system. It also equips the body to fight against the yeast infection.

2. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Is Better:

A high quality organic extra virgin coconut oil contains the complete spectrum of antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, and hence is extremely beneficial in eradicating different types of organisms that are affecting you (7). Usually the health experts advise taking 3.5 tablespoons of high quality extra virgin coconut oil every day through diet.

3. Combination Of Drugs And Oil Treatment:

Patients suffering from Candidiasis for long periods, and with a highly severe infection problem, should also take antifungal medications along with the coconut oil regimen.

4. Anti-Candida Diet:

When you are taking the coconut oil treatment, you must also follow the basics of anti-Candida diet. This is because the combination of diet and medication is the only way to stop the yeast infection.

Coconut Oil Detox/Anti-Candida Diet:

The coconut oil treatment complements the anti-Candida diet, which is recommended for curbing the yeast infection through a diet regimen (8). Many health experts nowadays advise coconut oil detox to the patients of extreme Candida overgrowth. It is a type of intense detoxification process, but its results have been equally powerful.

The coconut oil detox includes a seven-day fast in which you are allowed to consume only coconut all through the day. You can try a little amount of unsweetened yogurt or a few drops of stevia. The health expert monitoring the detox may also advise you to drink a small glass of sugarless lemonade as it promotes internal cleaning. Within seven days, almost all the harmful organisms are eliminated and you are free from the yeast infection. Since coconut also aids digestion (9), this detox diet even improves your digestion and cures mild digestive problems including Crohn’s disease.

Different Ways Of Using Coconut Oil To Treat Yeast Infections:

You do not like to add coconut oil in your diet? No problem! You can apply it on the affected areas instead. Use coconut oil capsules or try out a different way of treating your yeast infection with coconut oil. Here are some of the most effective ways of using coconut oil for treating fungal infection.

1. Apply Directly On The Skin:

Clean the area infected by yeast and dry it properly. Now take a few drops of coconut essential oil and apply its thin layer on the infected area. Repeat the application at least thrice a day. When this treatment is followed regularly, it shows miraculous healing results within a week.

2. Adding Coconut Oil To Your Diet:

The best way to enhance the impact of coconut oil is to add it to your diet. Start taking a smaller quantity initially, and then slowly increase it to around 3 to 5 tablespoons according to your daily intake of the oil. Try to use virgin coconut oil for better results. You can also replace the butter that you use on your toast with the coconut oil. Add it to oatmeal or take a teaspoon of the oil just before the meals to improve the immunity of the body against yeast infection.

Continuing with this ritual even after the infection has been cured helps in protecting your body against any further attack from the fungal organisms in the future. You can use it for cooking at high temperature as it does not turn into trans-fat and is absolutely stable. So, it is an ideal option for cooking.

3. Douching Or Washing Using Coconut Oil:

If you want to prevent the onset of yeast infection, wash or douche the area regularly with coconut oil. Mix 2 quarters of warm distilled water with 4 tablespoons of coconut oil to prepare the wash.
To clear vaginal yeast infection, dip the unbleached tampon in the oil and keep it in the vagina for 8 hours or overnight.

4. Coconut Oil Capsules:

Coconut oil capsules are readily available in most drug stores. You can use them in the night for your convenience and better results. When you put them inside the vagina, they melt due to body heat and can leak. So try to use underwear and pads while sleeping. Ideally, 2 to 3 capsules of coconut oil should be used every night to remove the yeast infection completely.

5. Mix With Other Essential Oils:

Essential oils are enriched with powerful antioxidants, and hence eliminate infections and heal the body faster. You can combine coconut oil with other oils such as the garlic oil, vitamin E oil or cinnamon oil to enable faster recovery from the yeast infection.

How To Select The Best Coconut Oil?

If you want to get good results with the coconut oil treatment, it is important that you purchase a good quality virgin coconut oil. But how to recognize which is the best?

• Start by looking at the organic extra virgin varieties of varying levels of food grades. Most of the other varieties are highly processed, and hence you will not be able to derive much benefit.
• Coconut oil has a high melting point and melts at 76 degrees F and above. Below this temperature, it gets solidified and looks like butter, especially when you put it in the refrigerator.
• A high quality extra virgin coconut oil is snow white in color when in the solid state and looks like clear water when in the liquid state. A coconut oil of inferior quality reveals shades of yellow or gray when in the solid state.
• Always make sure that you buy clear coconut oil without any color because pure coconut oil looks colorless when in liquid state. Discoloration indicates the presence of residue or mold particles.
• You must also check the flavor and aroma of the coconut oil as pure oil always retains the smell and taste of coconut. If the oil does not have any aroma, it means it is refined and processed and is of low quality.
• Price can be an important factor. Low-grade oil is inexpensive. So try to check the higher versions for good quality coconut oil, although they might be a bit expensive. After all, you are using it for your wellbeing, which can never be compromised.

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The post Is Coconut Oil An Effective Remedy For Yeast Infection? appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE