Home Remedies for Yeast Infections

There are few things as annoying as having to deal with a vaginal infection. If you’ve ever had a yeast infection, you’ll know firsthand how uncomfortable and disruptive it is to deal with itching, burning, unusual vaginal discharge, and a bad odor. So it’s only normal to want to get rid of these symptoms, stat. Especially if you deal with chronic yeast infections.

Booking an appointment with your healthcare provider can be time-consuming and costly, so you may be tempted to rummage through your pantry and try one of those at-home solutions you’ve read about online. 

Unfortunately, most home remedies for vaginal yeast infections are largely ineffective and can cause more harm than good (despite what the internet says). But are there any legit home remedies for yeast infections? 

Few studies have looked at the effectiveness of at-home or natural treatments for vaginal infections. The studies that have been done have some limitations, such as the need for a control group, a short follow-up period, or a small sample size. Therefore, some home remedies remain unproven. Below, we unpack the science (or lack thereof) behind the most popular home remedies for yeast infections.

Key takeaways

• Antifungals are the first-line treatment for yeast infections, and many popular home remedies aren't just ineffective; some can actively irritate vaginal tissue or further disrupt your microbiome. For the fastest relief, over-the-counter (OTC) antifungals or prescription fluconazole are your best bet.
• Boric acid has the strongest evidence of any at-home option — particularly for recurrent infections or treatment-resistant strains of Candida — but should only be used after consulting your healthcare provider.
• Coconut oil has some promising lab-bench evidence, but hasn't been tested in human vaginas, so we can't recommend it as a treatment.
• Yogurt, kefir, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and oregano oil all have minimal to no clinical evidence supporting their use for yeast infections. Some (like garlic and ACV applied vaginally) can actively make things worse.
• If infections keep coming back, a home remedy won't get to the root of the problem. The Evvy Vaginal Health Test can tell you what's actually going on in your vaginal microbiome.

Can you get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours?

When you're dealing with the itching, burning, and general misery of a yeast infection, you want it gone yesterday. So is a 24-hour fix actually possible?

Technically, it depends. Oral fluconazole is a single-dose prescription antifungal that can begin relieving yeast infection symptoms within 24 hours, though it typically takes 1 to 3 days to fully clear the infection. Some OTC topical treatments, like a one-day miconazole suppository, also work quickly, though multi-day courses tend to be more effective for stubborn infections.

Home remedies, on the other hand, aren't going to move that fast. There's no solid evidence that garlic, yogurt, coconut oil, or apple cider vinegar can resolve a yeast infection in any timeframe — let alone overnight.

If your symptoms are unbearable while you wait for treatment to kick in, topical relief products (like Evvy's Anti-Itch Vulva Cream) can help take the edge off external irritation. Just know they're treating the symptom, not the infection itself.

Your best shot at fast relief is an antifungal (OTC or prescription), not a trip to your pantry. And if infections keep coming back despite treatment, that's worth paying attention to. Recurrent yeast infections often point to an underlying microbiome imbalance that won't resolve without understanding what's actually driving it.

Do home remedies for yeast infections work?

Many people turn to home remedies when they get a yeast infection, hoping for a quick and natural fix. While some home remedies may offer temporary relief from symptoms such as itching or irritation, their effectiveness can be limited. Yeast infections occur due to an overgrowth of yeast and require more targeted treatments to fully resolve.

While certain natural remedies — like probiotic-rich foods, coconut oil, or garlic — are sometimes suggested, there's little scientific evidence to support their ability to completely eliminate infections without medication. The chances of clearing a yeast infection without medication are lower, especially for recurrent or persistent cases. In fact, relying solely on home remedies might allow the infection to linger or return, since they don’t address the root cause of the imbalance.

Common natural remedies for a yeast infection

There’s no shortage of “natural” home remedies floating on the internet. Below, we look at the science behind some of the most common suggestions. 

Boric acid suppositories

OK, so it's not technically "natural," but if you've been looking for some at-home remedies for a vaginal yeast infection, you may have come across boric acid as a potential solution.

Boric acid works by creating an acidic environment in the vagina that's hostile to Candida. For yeast infections specifically, it's thought to interfere with Candida's ability to form biofilms, the protective layers that make certain strains harder to treat with standard antifungals. 

While some studies have shown that boric acid suppositories can be helpful in certain cases, doctors generally recommend against using them as a first-line treatment. Boric acid suppositories are worth considering when traditional antifungal or antibiotic treatment fails, if you have recurrent yeast infections, or if your infection is caused by a treatment-resistant strain of Candida.

You should consult with your healthcare provider before taking boric acid, even though it's available over the counter. Your provider can help you determine if boric acid is the right choice for you and ensure that you use it safely.

Oregano oil and tea tree oil

Many plants and fungi produce natural antifungal compounds as a defense mechanism to ward off illness. Since a yeast infection is a fungal infection, some people believe that naturally antifungal essential oils (like oregano oil and tea tree oil) can kill the Candida fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections. While the logic makes sense, the science doesn't quite back it up.

The active ingredient in oregano essential oil is carvacrol, which some studies have found to be effective against certain bacteria. In one in vitro study, it was shown to be good at killing Staphylococcus aureus, although not as effective as traditional antibiotics. In 2018, a study tested the topical application of oregano oil to clear biofilms from wound infections that are usually resistant to commonly used antibiotics. 

The problem is that all organisms on which carvacrol has been tested aren't typically found in the vagina, and the tests were all done in labs or on mice. 

One study also found that carvacrol inhibits the growth of multiple Lactobacillus species, which are good bacteria found in the vaginal microbiome. A study on rat vaginas found that carvacrol decreased the amount of yeast (Candida) found. But the study didn't compare carvacrol treatment to the standard antifungal treatment. And while animal studies are helpful, the information they provide is limited because the human vaginal microbiome is unique, making it hard to determine whether the results are relevant to humans. 

Unfortunately, there aren't any human trials yet on the effectiveness of oregano oil against vaginal infections. While its antimicrobial properties are promising, it's unclear whether it works against vaginal yeast infections, and most importantly, whether it's safe to use vaginally.

Similarly, although some studies have suggested that tea tree oil has the potential to fight fungi — including Candida albicans, the strain responsible for most vaginal yeast infections — the effects of tea tree oil on a yeast infection haven't been proven in human studies. Its effectiveness against yeast infections in humans remains unclear, and it can cause stinging, burning, and irritation as a side effect.

Kefir and yogurt 

Kefir and yogurt are probably two of the most commonly recommended “natural” remedies for vaginal health. There’s a lot of research showing that fermented foods (including kefir, sauerkraut, plain yogurt, etc.) are a great way to look after your gut microbiome, but there’s no conclusive evidence to say that eating food with live cultures helps treat or prevent future yeast infections — let alone treat them. 

The theory is that doing so supports a healthy gut microbiome and might indirectly benefit the vaginal microbiome, but the link between the gut and vaginal microbiome is not well understood. The good thing about fermented milk products is that they often contain Lactobacillus bacteria, which is important for vaginal health. That’s why they’re often marketed for women’s health in general. However, there aren’t any studies that specifically looked at kefir and the vaginal microbiome. As for studies about the consumption of probiotics in yogurt, there’s conflicting evidence on whether the probiotics actually get into the vagina. 

Some people also believe that applying kefir or yogurt directly onto the vulva and vagina can treat yeast infections. There’s no evidence that this helps, and it might make things worse! Even if you buy yogurt with live cultures of lactobacilli in it, it’s unlikely that they’ll colonize in your vagina and ward off Candida albicans yeast. Plus, yogurt contains naturally occurring sugar that yeast thrives on, so you really don’t want to risk it. 

Garlic

Garlic has natural antifungal properties, so it’s often touted as a natural treatment for yeast infections, which are caused by an overgrowth of specific fungi in your vaginal microbiome (most commonly, Candida albicans). One small study claimed that oral supplements containing garlic could be as effective as oral antifungal medications used to treat vaginal yeast infections (fluconazole). However, all of these treatments are unproven. No large-scale, well-controlled studies have looked at the effects of garlic on vaginal infections.

Some people even try applying garlic directly into their vagina, but it’s really not a good idea. There aren’t any studies on the use of garlic vaginally, and regardless of its antifungal properties, there’s no evidence that it can kill the fungal strains that cause yeast infections, specifically. Plus, putting anything (even if it’s “natural”) on your vulva or in your vagina can potentially throw off your natural pH, making an infection worse.  

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is generally safe to use on your hair and skin, so surely it’s safe for your vagina too, right? Well, we don’t know that for sure. And we also don’t have any evidence that it can treat a vaginal yeast infection.

Coconut oil contains high amounts of glycerol monolaurate (GML). Just like soap, GML is a surfactant that breaks up oil and grease. It’s this activity of breaking up lipids that gives it antimicrobial effects. 

Some studies have shown that GML is effective against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus), Gram-negative (Gardnerella, Prevotella), and Gram-variable (Mycoplasma) organisms associated with vaginal infections. Other evidence shows that it can inhibit the growth of Candida and Gardnerella (the bacteria most commonly linked to bacterial vaginosis) without affecting the “good” bacteria in your vaginal microbiome, so why isn’t it used to treat vaginal infections? 

Because GML hasn’t been tested in humans, it has been tested on the lab bench and in monkeys, but not in human vaginas. Also, remember that coconut oil is partially made up of GML, but it has other components as well. We also don’t know what an effective dose is for the average woman dealing with a vaginal infection. 

It’s also pretty tricky to keep high levels of GML inside the vagina. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and tends to get rid of goopy things it doesn’t need. But there’s a research group trying to formulate a vaginal cream with varying levels of GML, so we may know more in the future. 

Apple cider vinegar

The wellness world loves apple cider vinegar for a myriad of health benefits, including everything from skin health to (supposedly) weight loss, but it’s not an effective remedy for a vaginal yeast infection.

One study did show that apple cider vinegar’s antifungal properties could help with yeast infections in the mouth, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s effective against the strains present in the vagina. 

Another theory is that, thanks to its high acidity and low pH, apple cider vinegar could balance your vaginal pH. But yeast infections don’t always disrupt your pH, and as we covered above, it’s not something you really want to mess with. Save your apple cider vinegar as a salad dressing. 

Baking soda baths

A baking soda bath (also called a sitz bath) involves soaking the vulva in a shallow, lukewarm bath with a small amount of baking soda dissolved in the water. The idea is that baking soda's alkaline properties can help soothe external irritation, such as itching and burning.

There's limited clinical evidence that baking soda baths can treat a yeast infection outright, but they may offer some temporary relief from uncomfortable external symptoms while you wait for antifungal treatment to work. Think of it as a comfort measure, not a cure.

When home remedies aren't enough

If you've tried every remedy on this list and still can't seem to shake a yeast infection, or it keeps coming back, the problem probably isn't the remedy. It's that you don't yet have the full picture of what's going on in your vaginal microbiome.

Recurrent infections are rarely just bad luck. Usually, it’s a sign of an underlying imbalance. Either specific strains of bacteria or fungi that aren't responding to standard medical treatment, or a microbiome that's missing the protective Lactobacilli needed to keep pathogens in check. No amount of yogurt or boric acid will reliably fix that without first knowing what you're dealing with.

The Evvy Vaginal Health Test uses advanced metagenomic sequencing technology to map the bacteria and fungi in your vaginal microbiome, giving you and your provider a clear, detailed picture of what's actually driving your symptoms.

From there, if you're dealing with a complex or recurrent case, Evvy's Complete Treatment Program offers a fully personalized care plan developed by an Evvy-affiliated provider based on your unique results. That means targeted prescription medication, research-backed supplements, and one-on-one health coaching — all designed not just to treat the infection, but to rebuild the microbiome so infections are less likely to keep coming back.

When to see a healthcare provider

When it comes to vaginal infections, sooner is always better. Ideally, you'd see a healthcare provider as soon as you notice unusual symptoms (discharge, odor, vaginal itching, or burning) to get a proper diagnosis and start proper treatment. We know that's not always easy to arrange, but it's worth prioritizing.

You should seek medical help if:

• OTC treatments haven't improved your symptoms after a few days
• You're experiencing severe pain or unexplained bleeding
• You're pregnant or have a weakened immune system
• You're not sure whether you're dealing with a yeast infection, BV, or something else entirely. 

A diagnosis matters more than most people realize. Yeast infections can look similar to other vaginal conditions (and some sexually transmitted infections) on the surface, but require completely different treatments. Getting it wrong (or leaving it untreated) can make things harder to resolve down the line.

FAQs about home remedies for yeast infections

What can you eat or drink to cure a yeast infection? 

Although some people claim that cutting out sugar or processed food can treat yeast overgrowth, there’s no solid evidence that a specific food or drink can treat a yeast infection. Diet alone is not a cure for yeast infections, but you can treat most yeast infections with over-the-counter or prescription antifungals. 

Can you flush out a yeast infection with water? 

No, water won’t flush out a yeast infection. To treat a yeast infection quickly, you can use over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medications such as fluconazole, terconazole, or miconazole. These treatments come in various forms, such as vaginal suppositories, creams, ointments, or oral tablets. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best treatment option for you based on the severity of your yeast infection and whether you've had frequent yeast infections in the past. 

Can sitting on hot water and salt cure a yeast infection? 

No, there’s no evidence that sitting over hot water (a practice known as “vaginal steaming”) can treat vaginal infections — with or without salt. Yeast especially loves heat and moisture, so if anything, it may make it harder to treat an active infection. 

How do you wash out a yeast infection? 

You can’t “wash out” a yeast infection, unfortunately. While washing your vulva with warm water (and fragrance-free soap, if you want) can keep the area clean, yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida in the vaginal canal. You may think that douching will help wash out the vagina, but it can wash away protective bacteria and alter your vaginal pH, giving yeast and other pathogens a better chance to overgrow. 

How do you clean yourself when you have a yeast infection?

Stick to warm water on the vulva and avoid anything scented. Soaps, washes, wipes, and sprays can all disrupt your vaginal pH and worsen irritation. As tempting as it may be, internal cleaning (like douching) is never necessary and can actively worsen an infection. 

How do you get rid of a yeast infection at home?

The most effective at-home option is an OTC antifungal available as a cream, suppository, or tablet without a prescription. If you've had a yeast infection before and recognize the symptoms, these can be a reasonable first step. If symptoms persist or don't improve within a few days, see a healthcare provider for prescription treatment.

Can you get rid of a yeast infection in 24 hours without meds?

Unlikely. There's no evidence that any home remedy can resolve a yeast infection that quickly — or at all, for that matter. Even with medication, most treatments take one to three days to start working. If you're looking for fast relief from external symptoms like itching or irritation while you treat the infection, a topical vulva cream can help in the meantime.

Is it safe to use coconut oil for a yeast infection?

It’s probably not harmful to the skin, but not proven to help either. There's some lab-based evidence that coconut oil has antifungal properties, but it hasn't been tested in human vaginas, so we can't recommend it as a treatment. It's also worth noting that coconut oil can degrade latex condoms, so factor that in if you're using barrier birth control.