Well, I guess most people reading this will either have a problem with a yeast infection, or maybe know someone who does. Maybe if you are one of the lucky ones and this is your first yeast infection. I say lucky because that actually puts you in a good position to effectively cure your problem for good the first time, without making the common mistakes.
Those of you that have had recurring and chronic yeast infections for some time know how difficult they can be to treat once they become established.
I'm sure you all know that there are many natural treatments for this condition, but it's still the case that yoghurt remains one of the best natural cures. However, to be effective you have to use the correct type of yoghurt. This is important, so here's some stuff that you need to know.
For a start you don't want to be going into a store and buying any old yoghurt that's on the shelves. Most of these yoghurts, although they are promoted as a healthy option and do contain some yoghurt cultures, are absolutely crammed with the last thing you need when you have a yeast infection.
Sugar, yes that's it. Many of the store so called "fruit" yoghurts are actually made with jam (jelly for those of you in the states) and jam is by volume half refined sugar. When you realise that the "fruit" yoghurt is half jam, that gives us a percentage of sugar in the yoghurt of 25%. That's a quarter by volume of sugar.
Now what do yeast infections love and thrive on? Yes, sugar, they feed on it and get stronger and more invasive. So whilst there may well be some good bacterial culture in it, this is far outweighed by the concentration of sugar. Avoid these types of yoghurt totally.
Instead, try going to the health food stores. These stores will stock the natural types of yoghurt that will actually do you some good. They have no added sugar and contain loads of the good bacteria that will fight your yeast infection.
If you have an allergy to cows milk, natural yoghurt can be cultured using skimmed or low fat milk. Goats milk and sheeps milk are equally effective, and if you don't want to use animal products you can use soy milk.
It is also very easy to make your own yoghurt at home. You probably have most of the items you will need in your kitchen already. You will only need to buy one portion of natural yoghurt culture to start you off, then you just use your own as you go. Just key in "making your own yoghurt" into a search engine and you'll find plenty of sites to tell you how. It's really easy. Also much more economical.
The whole point is to get you body back in balance by bringing up the level of "good bacteria" in you that is obviously lacking. This will discourage your yeast infection from spreading and eventually contain and reduce it to the point where it is no longer a problem.
You can use the yoghurt by eating it every day, a small glassful morning and evening is a good plan. Apart from anything else it will improve your overall health and you will feel better.
You can also use it directly, spreading it on the area that is sore and itchy, the soothing effect is almost immediate, or you can dip a tampon into the yoghurt and then insert that. Just a small word of warning here. Don't leave it applied directly for too long, fifteen or twenty minutes is enough or it can become an irritant in it's own right.
Natural yoghurt is an extremely effective weapon against yeast infections, and if you use it in time you may never need anything else.
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If you want to know more about yeast infections, and how to treat them naturally, just go to
http://www.zap-yeast-infections.com
