Eradicate that breast feeding infection yeast beast with natural remedies
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Your breast feeding infection yeast can be sent packing with remedies that nature provides such as garlic, zinc, and more. I talked earlier about breast feeding infection yeast overgrowths, why nursing mothers get them, conventional treatment methods, and some things you can do in addition to your treatment that can help rid you of this nasty yeast infection in you and your baby.
If you came straight to this page without having read my 2 earlier pages, let me say this -- if you're not sure whether you have a breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth, be sure to see your doctor. You don't want to be treating this thing without medical supervision. And, make sure you're treating both you and your baby for this yeast infection or else you'll end up passing the infection back and forth.
If you are experiencing shooting pain that radiates from your nipples througout your breasts and to your armpits or back, and you've been on Nystatin, you may want to see your doctor as that's a very likely sign that your yeast infection has spread into your milk ducts. Your doctor will have to put you on a more powerful breast feeding infection yeast treatment.
Now ... back to my list of breast feeding infection yeast treatments. Here're some other treatments you can use in addition to your Nystatin regimen or alone, depending on the severity of your breast feeding infection yeast overgrowth. I've broken down the treatment into two categories -- the types you use topically (externally), and the types you ingest to help fight the yeast from the inside out.
Rinses or soaks
Lemon-water rinse
This breast feeding infection yeast remedy works the same way as the vinegar-water rinse -- it lowers the pH on your skin making it inhospitable to the yeast microbes. To make this solution, mix the juice from 1/2 lemon with 1 quart of water. Again, if this formula isn't strong enough, you can increase the lemon-to-water ratio to 1 lemon instead of 1/2. Again, to use this solution, rinse your nipples several times a day (preferably after feedings) and let them air dry. You can also use this solution on your baby's diaper rash if it's due to yeast.
Potassium sorbate
Potassium sorbate is a potassium salt version of sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a polyunsaturated fat used to inhibit mold growth. Sorbic acid and its salts are commonly used to inhibit the growth of microbes -- i.e. help preserve the foods we buy in stores. Potassium sorbate sometimes can be purchased from local microbrew supply stores or some natural foods stores also carry them. Here's a reputable site that for potassium sorbate that has good service and a decent price.
Mix approximately 1 tablespoon (8 gm) of potassium sorbate into 1 cup of warm water. This will make a 3% solution. This sounds funny, but soak your nipples in this solution for 10-15 minutes after each feeding and let nipples air dry. Make sure you use a clean solution for each soak.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is the essential oils derived from the Melaleuca alternifloria tree cultivated in Australia. It is supposed to have antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. As with most essential oils, DO NOT apply undiluted oil directly on skin, especially tea tree oil. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil to a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Adjust the ratio accordingly if you feel the tea tree oil is too strong or too weak for your particular yeast infection. Apply this topically on your nipples several times a day. You can find tea tree oil at your local health food store or here online for the regular version or here's an organic version.
Plantain Leaf
This plant (Plantago major) has antibacterial properties. Mix a tiny bit of warm water to a tablespoon of powder to make a slightly liquidy paste (not runny) and apply to nipples after feeding. Leave on until paste dries then gently wash off with warm water and pat dry. Plantain leaf powder can be found in some health food stores or you can get them from reputable herbal merchants on the web.
Treatments you ingest
Garlic
I've suggested this before ... so why am I pushing this again? Because I've personally experienced awesome results from using this herbal remedy. And there's also a reason why cultures all over the world continue to use garlic in their daily diet. Take 2-4 garlic capsules 3 times a day when you're fighting a yeast infection. Garlic is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral fighter. I've been doing this the past couple of years and I can't praise the power of garlic enough! I've tried a couple of brands (for oral intake) and have seen great results from this one. Naturally, as with anything you ingest, be sure to take note on whether / how it affects your baby as what you ingest will in most cases get passed on, through your breast milk, to your baby. Garlic sometimes can cause gas in your baby, resulting in fussiness.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is another plant that has powerful antibiotic and antifungal properties. This stuff is super effective at cleansing the body of yeast. To ingest this, take 250-500 mg of powdered extract 3 times a day. Beware -- goldenseal is really bitter ... so keep that in mind when you decide whether to purchase it in the form of powder or capsules.
Maitake tea
Maitake mushroom is know to contain properties that help stimulate the immune system as well as containing antifungal properties. To ingest this, drink the tea (4-6 cups a day) everyday for two weeks. Here's a blend that contains several different types of mushrooms that also work together to stimulate the immune system.
Barberry bark
In powdered form you can take 250-500 mg three times a day. You can find barberry bark in some health food stores or here online.
Caprylic acid
Ingest 2-3 capsules 3-4 times a day for 2 weeks. take two to three capsules three to four times per day for two weeks (or 1 gram at meals). Again, you can find caprylic acid supplements in your local health food store or purchase it online from a reputable merchant.
Lecithin
Take 1 gel cap 3 times a day. Find this supplement at your local grocer or buy this breast feeding infection yeast supplement here online.
Click here to continue reading if you think your breast feeding infection yeast is more than just skin (or in this case, nipple) deep.
Here're other topics you may be interested in ...
* Photo courtesy of Vinícius Zimmer/www.obraprima-id.com.br
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