Most women will suffer from a vaginal infection at some time in life, and some women seem to have a series of infections that never completely clear up. The changing hormones characteristic of the pre-menopausal and menopausal years make the vagina more susceptible to the opportunistic microorganisms that cause vaginal infections. Natural treatments based on herbs and essential oils help to fight off the infectious microorganisms and restore a healthy balance to the internal environment.
Most of the organisms that cause vaginal infections live in the vagina without causing problems. It’s only when the healthy flora that inhabit the vagina are depleted or the normal slightly acidic vaginal pH balance is disrupted that the trouble-making organisms begin to grow out of control. A healthy immune system is also essential for preventing opportunistic infections.
Many essential oils have infection fighting properties and are helpful for treating vaginal infections. They can easily be added to baths, sitz baths, and vaginal rinses to help to ease uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, inflammation, and discharge. In general, use approximately 10 drops of essential oil in a sitz bath, and 5 drops to one quart of warm water for a vaginal rinse or douche.
Lavender has soothing and healing properties and relieves itching and inflammation. Although gentle, it is a potent antimicrobial. It has a sweet, floral, herbaceous fragrance.
Tea tree has powerful antiseptic properties and kills a wide variety of infectious microorganisms. Always dilute tea tree oil before using it on tender mucous membranes such as the vagina. Tea tree oil has a medicinal scent reminiscent of eucalyptus.
How to prevent vaginal infections
Vaginal infections are opportunistic infections, and take hold when your immune system is weak or your internal environment is out of balance. The key to preventing vaginal infections is to strengthen your immune function and to restore a healthy balance to your vaginal environment in the ways outlined above. You can also help to prevent vaginal infections by practicing good hygiene and avoiding harsh chemicals such as those found in deodorant soaps, personal hygiene sprays, scented toilet paper, and deodorant tampons and menstrual pads. These chemicals dry out delicate vaginal tissues and disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and synthetic underwear, which promote the breeding of unhealthy microorganisms, and wash underwear in hot soapy water. If you have had an infection, wash your underwear in chlorine bleach to kill microorganisms and to prevent reinfection.
