Garlic has long been known as one of nature’s true medicines. It is a potent immune booster, helps lower cholesterol, aids in the body’s natural detox process, and has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
New research shows that garlic is more powerful than antibiotics for vaginal infections.
According to Mayo Clinic, “Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation that results from the overgrowth of one of several types of bacteria normally present in the vagina, upsetting the natural balance of vaginal bacteria.” It is most common in women during their reproductive years, but any woman can experience the condition. Bacterial vaginosis was the focus of the garlic study.
An antibiotic called Metronidazole is the traditional treatment for the condition, but it comes with many side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness weight loss, and abdominal pain. Also concerning is that metronidazole has been identified as a possible cancer-causing compound by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Bacterial vaginosis in one of the most common causes of vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it affects about 29 percent of women between the ages of 14-49, and 25 percent of the US.
In the study 120 married women between the ages of 18 to 44 were divided into two groups. One group was given 500 mg garlic tablets, or 250 mg of metronidazole. After the study, the garlic group had 70 percent less signs of infection, compared to the antibiotic group, which was 48.3 percent.
Metronidazole was also associated with more complications and side effects than garlic.
The researchers concluded, “This study reveals that garlic could be a suitable alternative for metronidazole in treatment of BV in those interested in herbal medicines or those affected by side effects of metronidazole.”
The study showing that garlic is more powerful than antibiotics for vaginal infections was published in the journal Plos One.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Presence of a Polymicrobial Endometrial Biofilm in Patients with Bacterial Vaginosis.” PLOS One. PLOS One, 8 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 June 2015.
2. “Garlic Better Than Antibiotic For Vaginal Infections.” GreenMedInfo.com. GreenMedInfo.com, 15 June 2015. Web. 18 June 2015.
3. “13th Report on Carcinogens (RoC).” National Toxicology Program. U.S. Department of Human Health Services, 2 Oct. 2014. Web. 18 June 2015.
4. “Bacterial Vaginosis.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 18 June 2015.
