-IBIS-1.7.6-
tx
reproductive system
vaginitis/leukorrhea
Botanicals

primary herbs

Achillea millefolium: antiseptic, internally and douche
Allium sativum: may insert entire clove into vagina and retrieve several hours later. Be careful not to nick the clove while peeling, as it could sting the vaginal tissue; twice daily for several days (Anderson Geller; Hughes BG, Lawson LD. Phytother Res 1991;5:154-158.)
Calendula officinalis: soothing antiseptic and vulnerary, promotes healing of inflamed vaginal mucosa. Specifically indicated for scanty flow and painful periods. Use a diluted tincture or hot flower infusions for douching, or Calendula salve to soothe external irritation (Nissim, p. 77)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum: antifungal action, especially bark (Quale JM, et al. Am J Chin Med 1996;24:103-109; Singh HB, et al. Allergy 1995;50:995-999.)
Echinacea spp.: especially with recurrent infections (Coeugniet E, Kuhnast R. Therapiewoche 1986;36:3352-3358.)
Hamamelis virginiana: bacteriostatic, soothes and tightens swollen tissues
(Mowrey, p. 271-272)
Hydrastis canadensis: anti-microbial, congested uterine tissues and lowered resistance to infection. Use orally or vaginally (Felter, p. 417; Mowrey, p. 272)
Melaleuca alternifolia oil (Tea Tree). especially for trichomonal vaginitis (Pena EO. Obstet Gynecol 1962;19:793-795.)
Myrica cerifera: astringent, alterative; indicated for yeast vaginitis (Sherman)
Symphytum officinale (toxic): astringent, demulcent indicated for white vaginal discharge and genital infections. Soothes inflamed tissues (Nissim, p. 77)
• Acidic herbs and preparations: cider vinegar, citrus limon, boric acid, diluted with hot water and used as a douche (Stansbury; Jovanovic R, et al. J Reprod Med 1977;36:593-597.)


complementary herbs

• suppositories: 1 g. each of powdered herbs: Calendula officinalis + Hydrastis canadensis + Echinacea spp. + Achillea millefolium + Symphytum officinale (toxic). Melt 10 g. cocoa butter in a double boiler and stir in powders. Add 2 drops each of essential oils of: Thymus vulgaris + Thuja occidentalis + Melaleuca cajuputi. Pour into suppository molds. Insert vaginally every night before bed. (Stansbury)

formula: vaginal douche powder: powdered herb:
Calendula officinalis (or ground flowers), quarter oz.
Hydrastis canadensis, quarter oz.
Echinacea spp., quarter oz.
Achillea millefolium, quarter oz.
Hamamelis virginiana, quarter oz.
Symphytum officinale (toxic), quarter oz.
Althea officinalis, quarter oz.
May add: 10 crushed Kollesol tablets and an eighth oz. boric acid powder U.S.P. Mix powders, boric acid and Kollesol thoroughly and prepare an infusion using 1 tbsp. of mixture per quart of water. Strain and douche twice daily. as hot as tolerable. Treat for 3-5 days depending on results, then follow with a soothing treatment such as a plain Althea or yogurt douche for 2 days; repeat as necessary (Stansbury)


footnotes

Coeugniet E, Kuhnast R. Recurrent candidiasis: Adjuvant immunotherapy with different formulations of Echinacin®. Therapiewoche 1986;36:3352-3358.

Guiraud P, Steiman R, Campos-Takaki GM, et al. Comparison of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of lapachol and beta-lapachone. Planta Med 1994;60:373-374.

Hughes BG, Lawson LD. Antimicrobial effects of Allium sativum L. (garlic), Allium ampeloprasum L. (elephant garlic) and Allium cepa L. (onion), garlic compounds and commercial garlic supplement products. Phytother Res 1991;5:154-158.

Jovanovic R, Congema E, Nguyen HT. Antifungal agents vs. boric acid for treating chronic mycotic vulvovaginitis. J Reprod Med 1977;36:593-597.

Pena EO. Melaleuca alternifolia oil. Uses for trichomonal vaginitis and other vaginal infections. Obstet Gynecol 1962;19:793-795.

Quale JM, Landman D, Zaman MM, et al. In vitro activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum against azole resistant and sensitive candida species and a pilot study of cinnamon for oral candidiasis. Am J Chin Med 1996;24:103-109.

Singh HB, Srivastava M, Singh AB, Srivastava AK. Cinnamon bark oil, a potent fungitoxicant against fungi causing respiratory tract mycoses. Allergy 1995;50:995-999.