yeast

[Guest guest]

The belly of the yeast

Cure vaginal infections with bland eats and calendula washes

By ELIZABETH BROMSTEIN

Vaginal yeast infections are torture. The itching and burning can be enough

to drive a woman completely bonkers. It keeps us awake, so we find ourselves

rooting through the fridge in the middle of the night for yogurt. If we we

find some (hopefully plain, not strawberry, but at that point we'll probably

try anything), we won't be able to locate a turkey baster and end up

scooping it in with our fingers and slopping it up there.

But I have to say that the oft recommended yogurt treatment has never ever

cured me or anyone I know. Sure, it can be a bit soothing, but that's it.

Over-the-counter stuff like Monistat is the only things that's done the

trick for me.

It's possible, though, that we may be misdiagnosing ourselves and

self-treating infections not caused by yeast. A study by the American Social

Health Association found that 70 per cent of women self-treated vaginal

infections before calling a health care provider, and most often what they

incorrectly thought was a yeast infection was in fact bacterial vaginosis,

another common infection. One variant, trichomoniasis, is sexually

transmitted.

Seventy per cent? If the failure rate for the over-the-counter yeast

infections remedies were that high, wouldn't we know about it?

Diet and stress can play a role in fighting off yeast infections, and let me

remind you that recurring or chronic infections may be a sign of more

serious problems like diabetes or HIV.

What the experts say

" Know what you're treating. Candida produces a cottage-cheese-like

discharge. Bacterial infection produces a fishy odour. Trichomoniasis is a

parasite that creates a green or yellow discharge with a foul odour. Some of

these symptoms may be absent or misleading. [if it's yeast, use] berberis or

goldenseal . Take orally or in a suppository mixed with calendula .

Repopulate the healthy bacteria with lactobacillus acidophilus [supplements

that have] fructo-oligo-saccharides . Wear loose clothes made of natural

fibres . Restrict refined carbohydrates. Avoid sugar and foods containing

yeast or mould like alcohol, vinegars, beer, aged cheese, dried fruits and

peanuts. Raw garlic is good. "

ZORANA ROSE , naturopath, Toronto

" A simple infusion of herbs that have anti-fungal properties could include

equal parts pot marigold flowers (calendula), pau d'arco , rosehip , thyme

and neem . Steep 2 teaspoons in 1 cup of just-boiled water for 10 minutes

and drink three times a day. An immune-booster tea could contain astragalus

root , licorice root , echinacea leaf and withania root. That could be used

for several weeks. Pessaries (vaginal suppositories) can be made out of

good-quality oils and herbs like goldenseal , calendula and garlic . A very

strong tea of calendula and lavender flowers can be used as a wash once a

day for two or three days. Good-quality yogurt can be soothing. Acidophilus

powder can be inserted [in the vagina]. "

CELINA AINSWORTH , herbalist, Toronto

" Yeast infections can be caused by emotional problems that affect the liver,

causing energy stagnation and heat, which eventually lead to the redness and

itching. Poor diet, excessive intake of greasy or spicy foods or alcohol and

smoking can damage your digestion, leading to dampness in your system.

Clearing damp heat is done through Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Draining

The Liver Decoction). Strengthening the digestion system is done through Bi

Xie Fen Qing Yin (Dioscorea Separating The Clear Decoction) and Liu Jun Zi

Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction). In Chinese medicine, we believe a balanced,

clear, bland diet is the most appropriate: simple grains, a small amount of

protein and easy-to-digest vegetables cooked in steam.''

ROBERT McDONALD , Chinese medicine practitioner, Toronto

" A lot of women think just because they have a secretion they have an

infection. This is not the case. Yeast lives with bacteria, and it's a very

delicate balance. Anything that causes bacteria levels to go down or changes

the acidity will allow yeast to grow. If you're on antibiotics, your

bacterial count goes down. Puberty or pregnancy will cause hormonal changes.

We don't tend to suffer from yeast when on our periods because the blood

cleans it out. There is a prescription drug, Diflucan , for yeast

infections. The over-the-counter medications are not going to clear out

every yeast infection. "

ELAINE HERER , assistant professor, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health

Sciences Centre, Toronto

NOW | JUNE 9 - 15, 2005 | VOL. 24 NO. 41

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-06-09/goods_health.php