Some remedies for vaginal itching, like green tea, garlic and ginger tea and sitz baths with apple cider vinegar, can help to stop vaginal itching naturally. These remedies contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties that can help to strengthen the immune system and combat infections to relieve itching, redness and swelling.
Vaginal itching may occur due to an imbalance of vaginal flora, which can happen with health conditions like yeast infections, vulvovaginitis or bacterial vaginosis.
Home remedies for vaginal itching are a great complement to medically prescribed treatment. However, it is important to see a gynecologist or family doctor for assessment to determine the cause of itching and to initiate treatment as necessary.
How to stop itching
Some home remedies to stop vaginal itching include:
1. Cleansing solution with medicinal herbs
This solution is made with a combination of herbs that contain soothing, antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help to relieve itching and combat discomfort more quickly.
Ingredients
- 375 ml of water
- 2 teaspoons of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon of dried salvia
How to prepare
Boil the water in a pot, add the herbs and cover the pot for about 20 minutes. Then strain this infusion and pat onto the vagina twice per day to relieve itching.
2. Chamomile sitz bath
Chamomile tea contains antifungal action due the substances found in it, such as flavonoids and alpha-bisabolol. These help to eliminate Candida albicans fungus and relieve symptoms like itching, swelling, irritation, pain and discomfort from yeast infections. This is a great home remedy for vaginal itching and speeding up the recovery from yeast infections.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile extract
- 200 ml of boiling water
How to prepare
Place the chamomile in the boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Pour this solution into a sitz basin with warm water and soak the vagina in this water for about 15 minutes. It is not necessary to rinse afterward, as this solution will help to relieve itching.
3. Apple cider vinegar sitz bath
Apple cider vinegar is another great home remedy for vaginal itching as it is an acidic substance. Acid can help to eliminate fungus and bacteria that cause vulvovaginitis and yeast infections. Apple cider vinegar also contains anti-inflammatory action, which can help to relieve symptoms of itching, discharge, redness and swelling.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 liters of water
How to prepare
Boil the water and add the apple cider vinegar. Wait for this mixture to cool, then pour into a sitz basin or bathtub. Soak the vaginal area for 20 minutes and then rinse off.
Be sure to always dilute the apple cider vinegar in water before putting in contact with your skin. This is an acidic substance that can cause irritation.
This sitz bath should not be utilized by pregnant women.
4. Garlic and ginger tea
Garlic and ginger tea contains antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the allicin in garlic and the phenolic compounds (like gingerol, shogaol and zingerone) in the ginger. These act to relieve symptoms of yeast infections and vulvovaginitis, like itching, irritation and redness.
This tea also helps to strengthen the immune to allow the body to recover quickly from infections.
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of peeled garlic, cut in half
- 1 cm of ginger root or half a teaspoon of powdered ginger
- 1 liter of water
How to prepare
Boil the water with the garlic. Remove from heat and add the ginger. Allow to soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and drink 3 to 4 cups throughout the day.
Ginger should not be consumed by those taking anticoagulants, and therefore should not be used in teas.
Another option to use the garlic and to take advantage of its health benefits is to take garlic oil capsules, which can be found in pharmacies or natural health stores.
5. Green tea
Green tea, made with the medicinal plant Camellia sinensis contains polyphenol E (poly-E) and epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These help to improve immune system action, making it a great option to stop vaginal itching.
Green tea also helps to stimulate good bacteria in the gut, like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which help to balance the vaginal microbiota and facilitate treatment of yeast infections or vulvovaginitis.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag
- 1 cup of boiling water.
How to prepare
Add the leaves or tea bag to a cup of boiling water and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain, or remove the tea bag, and drink. This tea can be consumed 3 to 4 times per day, or as directed by your doctor.
Green tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by anyone with insomnia, hyperthyroidism, gastritis or high blood pressure. Because it contains caffeine, you should avoid drinking this tea at the end of the day or in excessive quantities.
Green tea can also be used as a natural extract, with dosing indicated by a doctor to prevent liver injury.
6. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and caprilic, which give it potent antifungal and antimicrobial action that helps to treat yeast infections. It is a great home remedy for relieving vaginal itching.
Ingredients
- Coconut oil
How to prepare
Wash your hands well. Then apply the coconut oil to the external vagina, once per day for five days. Do not apply within the vaginal canal.
7. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is rich in substances with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory action, like terpinene and cinahl. These help to combat symptoms like itching, redness, swelling and discharge that commonly occur with vaginal infections.
Ingredients
- 5 drops of tea tree oil
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, sweet almond oil or olive oil
How to prepare
Mix the ingredients and apply to the external vagina once per day for a maximum of 5 days. Do not apply to the inner vaginal canal.
Before applying the tea tree oil to the vagina, ensure whether you have an allergy to tea tree oil. You can apply one drop of tea tree oil to the back of the hand. If you notice any symptoms of allergies, like redness, itching, swelling or the formation of blisters on the hands, you should wash your hands and avoid using tea tree oil in the future.
Tea tree oil should not be used by pregnant women.
8. Bearberry sitz bath
Another home remedy for vaginal itching is a bearberry solution that can be used in sitz baths. This plant contains antimicrobial properties and reduces the growth of Candida albicans.
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons of dried bearberry leaves
- 1 liter of water
How to prepare
Add the bearberry leaves to the boiling water and steep for 10 minutes, being sure to cover the recipient. Once cool, strain and pour the solution in a sitz basin and soak the vagina for about 20 minutes.
9. Echinacea tea
Echinacea tea made with the medicinal plant Echinacea spp is rich in alkamides, polysaccharides, glycoproteins and caffeic acid derivatives with immunomodulating action. These help to strengthen the immune system, making it a great home remedy for facilitating vaginal infections.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of echinacea roots or leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Place the echinacea roots or leaves in the cup of boiling water. Allow to steep for 15 minutes, then strain and drink twice a day.
This tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by people with tuberculosis, leukemia, collagen diseases, multiple sclerosis or autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or psoriasis.
