by Tyrra Meserve

Created on: March 31, 2009

Growing up in Southern California it was taken for granted in my house that there was always a home remedy that could be used before a trip to the doctor would be made. Though my parents wouldn't necessarily be deemed "Hippies" they were definitely more on the herbalist side of thought. Yeast infections were a fairly common malady among the women in the household, yet not one that caused much panic. A quick trip to the grocery store was in order if no plain yogurt was in the refrigerator. Eaten in mass quantities on a regular basis, plain yogurt has been proven, at least with the women in my family, to knock out a yeast infection in a matter of a couple short days. In severe cases, used as a salve before going to bed, waking up requires a shower but almost magically the itching disappears. An inexpensive, yet highly effective solution to an age old problem, an old wife knew what she was doing when she told a fellow female that plain yogurt would do the trick each and every time.

Taken orally, yogurt can be mixed with any number of things to make it more palatable. A personal favorite is mixed into a bowl of fresh fruit. Blueberries are perfect for the job as they also contain vitamins and antioxidants that do a body good. Raspberries also fit the bill and strawberries have always been a favorite with younger sufferers. If it is more of a crunch that the sufferer is longing for, one can pick up a bag of granola at the local health food store or oatmeal can be mixed in to add texture. Another personal favorite in a pinch is the multi-flavored instant oatmeal in the single serving packets that can be found in the breakfast section of the local grocer's.

In more extreme cases that call for instant relief, try applying yogurt to the infected area and let sit, preferably overnight. Apply liberally and wear a pair of one's least favorite cotton undies. The only drawback is a slightly "squishy" feeling, but it is worth the wait as the itching should dissipate almost on contact.

So before resorting to a hospital visit or a pricey doctor's trip, try something women of old have passed on to the newer generation. Plain yogurt is nature's way of balancing out a problem women have suffered from for years, yet can be remedied almost magically, and almost instantly. Either consumed as a breakfast mix, eaten as a light snack, or applied to the infected area, yogurt is Mother Nature's cure for an itchy problem that affects all women, young, old and in between.

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