No one wants to be on the receiving end of a nasty case of itchy lady-bits. Not only is it annoying, unbearably uncomfortable, and irritating, but it is also pretty embarrassing. Trying to suppress the urge to channel your inner grizzly bear and rub your itching bits on a tree trunk takes a lot of self-control. (Oh wait – is that just me?)
The internet run rampant with queries related to how to stop itching down there, home remedies for vaginal itching, and vaginitis. This tells me that you ladies are looking for ways to stop vaginal itching using natural methods if possible. Before we get to that, let’s talk more about those itchy lady bits.
Causes of Vaginal Itching
There are several possible causes of vaginal itching including a bacterial infection, an STD, menopause, pregnancy, and vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection). You might also become irritated from using soaps, personal care products, or laundry detergents that have a lot of chemicals and fragrances. Intimacy (with a partner or yourself) can also cause trouble down under.
So what’s a woman to do? I’ll tell you but please remember that I am NOT a licensed medical professional nor to I play one on this site. Use this information and do your own research please. Then consult with a trusted medical practitioner.
10 Ways To Stop Vaginal Itching
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties and helps alkalize your body’s tissues. This means that the apple cider vinegar makes the vagina acidic where the bacteria cannot thrive for long. To get relief from vaginal itching, submerge your vulva in a shallow bath of water and 2 cups vinegar for at least 1/2 an hour. This should soothe the irritation, as well as support a yeast infection if that is the cause of the itching and burning.
2. Garlic
Both garlic cloves and garlic powder mixed with water into a paste have been helpful herbal remedies for vaginal itching. Among its other benefits, garlic is an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral. You can also insert a garlic glove inside your vagina if you suspect a yeast infection as the cause of your itching. This is a great garlic powder to use.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt can provide you lasting relief from vaginal itching and burning. Applying plain yogurt topically to the vaginal area immediately soothes the burn and stops itching due to its healing enzymes. Since it is full of good bacteria that balances Candida in the vagina, it is one of the most well-known and frequently used natural remedies for vaginal itching.
4. Kefir
This fermented milk drink is a potent probiotic and effective home treatment used as a douche. Like yogurt, it has tons of good probiotics to balance things out and it acts as an anti-inflammatory as well.
5. Honey
Raw (unpasteurized) honey is known to stop the itching. It is an antibacterial and antifungal. Just slather it on like an ointment. This is the brand of raw honey that I recommend.
6. Rosemary
Steep a small handful of rosemary leaves in 2 cups of water for 15 minutes and allow to cool. Wash the vaginal area with this herbal solution and feel the relief quickly! (I like this brand)
7. Basil
Basil leaves have anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. As with rosemary, steep a small handful of basil leaves in 2 cups of water and allow to cool. Wash the vaginal area with this herbal solution and feel the relief quickly. (I like this brand)
8. Chamomile
Make a chamomile infusion from 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 15 minutes, then strain and let it cool to body temperature. Pour the warm tea in a vaginal douche syringe and wash the vagina. Chamomile is very, very soothing and helps to reduce inflammation.
9. Wormwood
Boil 4 tablespoons of wormwood in 4 cups water for 5 minutes. Strain, then let it cool at body temperature. Wash 1-2 times daily for two weeks. Besides relieving the itching and burning, wormwood vaginal washes help restore the flora and reduce abnormal secretions. This is a small bag of wormwood.
10. Real Sea Salt
Sea Salt (Epson salt is ok too) can reduce itching and bacteria due to its antibacterial properties. Wash your vagina with concentrated salt water whenever you feel the itch. This will give you great relief instantly and prevent further multiplication of bacteria. A soak in a salt bath is ok too.
Would you like to keep a soothing rinse on hand to use after using the bathroom?
I happen to love this blend! It works great for any vaginal discomfort so in addition to handling vaginal itching, it is a very soothing peri-rinse post-partum.
Soothing Vaginal Rinse
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoons sea salt
- 5 drop lavender essential oil
- 2 drops thyme essential oil
- 2 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop chamomile essential oil
Directions
- Add the salt and essential oils into a per-rinse type bottle.
- Fill to the top with filtered water.
- Shake well before each use.
What essential oils do I use and love? Several brands actually.
1. My hands down favorite brand is Rocky Mountain Oils (also known as Native American Nutritionals). These are seriously the BEST brand I have ever used. They are strong. And I mean strong. I have seen some amazing things happen when using this brand.
2. I am really enjoying Plant Therapy essential oils as well. They are easy on the budget as well as being a high quality oil.
Sources for this article include:
- Di Vito M, et al. (2015, Oct. 29). In vitro activity of tea tree oil vaginal suppositories against Candida spp. and probiotic vaginal microbiota ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26235937
- Falagas ME, et al. (2006, June 21). Probiotics for prevention of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: A review jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/58/2/266.full
- Manohar V, et al. (2001, December). Antifungal activities of origanum oil against Candida albicans ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11855736mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/yeast-infection/basics/definition/con-20035129
- Ogbolu DO, et al. (2007, June). In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17651080
- Shino B, et al. (2016). Comparison of antimicrobial activity of chlorhexidine, coconut oil, probiotics, and ketoconazole on Candida albicans isolated in children with early childhood caries: an in vitro study hindawi.com/journals/scientifica/2016/7061587/abs/
Kerstin says
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for such a beautiful article! In the last suggestion for the peri-rinse what size bottle of water are you using (i.e. 1oz) in proportion to the essential oils?
Jennifer says
You are most welcome! I am pretty sure most standard peri-rinse bottles hold about 8 ounces of liquid. This is the size I use. I wouldn’t go smaller without reducing the amounts of EOs. You could go larger but then it will probably be too diluted.
Aisha says
For apple cider vinegar remedy you said 2 cups of vinegar in sallow bath water. How much water do I use?
Jennifer says
Personally, I just fill the tub about 1/3 of the way. I have a standard size tub and this is a good ratio.
G Evans says
Hi I have been dignoised with BV and been battling it for a year now unbeknow to me. I went to 5 doctors so far and the fith one finally figured it out through microdermbrasion the problem is that the skin around my vulva is so sensitive and seems irriated. I get some relif some days but other days its not okay. This week I itch lkke crazy. I need help to restore my vagina back to its natural state. I trying probotics daily. I dont know if its a dotox I need and if so which one. Pleae help me. I am from the Bahamas.
Jennifer says
Hi there! Are you inserting the probiotics into your vagina? That is the best method. You can also apply a good quality yogurt externally to help with the itching and irritation. Washing the area with water and a little apple cider vinegar could help as well. You can also try brewing chamomile tea and washing with that!
Katherine says
May I add on that statement with a question of inserting the whole capsule of probiotics and how often? Will it all dissolve completely?
Jennifer says
Personally, I prefer to insert the whole capsule before bed so it stays put. It should dissolve but if it does not, you can open the capsule and mix it into a little water then sort of shoot it up there. Just do that method laying down and then stay put for a while. You can do this nightly until the issue is better.
rk singh says
hi, i found that home remedy are quite effective for vaginal itching and it works very fast mostly as I have seen yogurt works very fast and effective. thanks for your kind advice on vaginal itching.