Can
honey be used as a yeast infection
remedy?
Many yeast infection sufferers ask this question. Prior to discussing using honey for
yeast infection
treatment, let’s briefly go over the root causes of this
medical condition.
Yeast
infection is caused by the abnormal overgrowth of a
species of yeast which is called candida albicans. This
species is a commensal – not parasitic – which means
that it can live in the gastrointestinal tract,
bloodstream, and vagina without causing any harm. What
causes infection is the abnormal proliferation of yeast
that eliminates probiotics or beneficial bacteria that
are needed by the body to perform fundamental metabolic
processes.
Candida
albicans thrives on sugar and simple carbohydrates. High
sugar intake promotes the overgrowth of candida that
will lead to yeast infections or candidiasis. The
perfect analogy on the way this works in the body is how
fast sugar or honey works with yeast to expand the size
of bread when baking.
There are
two types of diet used by people who has yeast
infections. One is a strictly Anti-Candida Diet which
aims to eliminate yeast and yeast-trigger intakes in the
body. This means that all types of sugar, including
honey is forbidden, as yeast feeds on any type of sugar
that would eventually lead to yeast
overgrowth.
Another
school of thought subscribes to the Specific
Carbohydrate Diet which only eliminates refined sugar
from the diet and maintains moderate intakes of raw,
non-pasteurized honey as an alternative. There are
studies proving the antibiotic and probiotic properties
of organic honey that can combat the candida albicans in
the body instead of propagating
them.
Some other
dietician chose to compromise the two. A total
elimination of sugar in the diet is required during the
first phase of the candidiasis treatment to detoxify the
body from candida albicans. After this, raw,
non-pasteurized honey is gradually reintroduced to the
body to recover the lost probiotics caused by the yeast
infection.
The
theories stating that raw honey is a natural treatment
of yeast infection does not stop with the diet. Some
naturopathic doctors think that raw honey as a home
remedy to mild vaginal infection also works wonders.
Again, the probiotic nature of raw honey kills the
candida albicans dwelling in the vaginal tract that
causes the infection.
To do
this, apply a considerable amount of organic,
non-pasteurized honey on the vaginal surface and leave
it for 10-20 minutes. After this, wash it out or take a
bath with cold water to thoroughly remedy the itchiness.
Applying raw honey directly on the infected surface will
also maintain the correct ph balance of the vulva. Raw
honey is also said to reduce the dampness of the vaginal
area making it conducive to yeast
breeding.
Bear in
mind that although raw honey can help you to relive your yeast
infection symptoms, it cannot cure yeast infection. This
is because the external natural remedies can target
candida overgrowth, but not the cause that leads to the
growth of the fungus in the first place.
