Sitz baths for yeast infections, like baking soda baths or chamomile tea baths, should contain antifungal and antimicrobial action. These properties help to slow the excessive growth of fungus that cause yeast infections, also known as Candida albicans.
Sitz baths can help to relieve yeast infection symptoms like irritation, itching, redness, swelling or discharge. Fungal infections can also occur on other parts of the body.
Although sitz bath should not replace medical treatment, they are a great option to manage symptoms and speed-up recovery. They can be used to complement the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
Recipes for sitz baths
Some sitz baths you can prepare to relieve year infection symptoms include:
1. Baking soda
Sitz baths prepared with baking soda help to treat yeast infections as they can decrease acidity levels in the vagina. This stops the growth and spread of fungal cells and relieves related symptoms, like itching and irritation.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of baking soda
- 2 liters (about 0.5 gallons) of boiled or filtered warm water
How to prepare:
Dilute the baking soda in the warm water and place this solution in a sitz basin or bottom of the bath tub. After finishing your usual genital hygiene, sit in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes. You should perform this sitz bath twice per day until symptoms resolve.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another good option for a sitz bath during a yeast infection. It contains lactic and gallic acid, which are compounds with antimicrobial and antifungal action that help to relieve symptoms like itching, discharge, redness and swelling.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 2 liters (about 0.5 gallons) of water
How to prepare:
Boil the water, and once warm, dilute it in apple cider vinegar. Pour the solution in a sitz basin or at the bottom of a bath tub. After completing your normal genital hygiene, sit and perform the sitz bath for 20 minutes once a day.
Considerations for use: This sitz bath should not be done by pregnant women.
3. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil contains antifungal and antiseptic properties, and can therefore be used in sitz baths to treat symptoms in yeast infections, like itching and burning.
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of tea tree oil
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) of warm water
How to prepare:
In a sitz basin or bath rub, dilute the tea tree oil in the warm water. After performing normal genital hygiene, sit in the water for 20 minutes, once per day.
Considerations for use: This sitz bath should not be done by pregnant women.
4. Stryphnodendron tea
Stryphnodendron is a plant that is rich in flavonoids and tannins, which are bioactive compounds with antifungal and astringent properties. Its use in sitz bath is recommended to complement the treatment for yeast infections.
Ingredients:
- 20g of dried Stryphnodendron bark
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water
How to prepare:
Place the bark and water in a pot and boil for 15 minutes. Cover the pot and allow to cool. Strain the tea and mix with additional water to fill a sitz basin or cover the bottom of a bath tub. After performing regular genital hygiene, sit in the water for 20 minutes, once per day.
Considerations for use: This sitz bath should not be performed by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
5. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea contains flavonoids and essential oils with antifungal and antimicrobial action that help to eliminate fungal cells. It can alleviate symptoms like itching, swelling irritation or genital discomfort, making it a great option to use in a sitz bath to complement yeast infection treatment.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of dry chamomile leaves
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water
How to prepare:
Boil the water and remove from heat. Add the chamomile flowers to the water, cover the pot, and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Strain and transfer to a sitz basin or bath tub. Following genital hygiene, perform the sitz bath for 15 to 20 minutes at least once per day.
6. Thyme and rosemary
A thyme and rosemary sitz bath is rich in antifungal substances, like thymol, carvacrol and camphor. These act by blocking the multiplication of fungal cells, especially Candida albicans cells, which help to reduce discomfort and inflammation in the genital region.
Also recommended: Rosemary Tea: Health Benefits & How to Make It tuasaude.com/en/benefits-of-rosemary-teaIngredients:
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water
- 2 teaspoons of dry thyme
- 2 teaspoons of dry rosemary
How to prepare:
Pour the water in a pot and bring to a boil and remove from heat. Add the rosemary and thyme, cover the pot and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Strain the infusion and then perform the sitz bath pouring the solution into a basin or bathtub. You can perform this bath twice per day until symptoms improve.
Considerations for use: This sitz bath should not be done by pregnant women or by people with a history or dermatitis.