Q: susun,
i am writing because i have gotten bv 5 times in the past 2 years.
the first time i got it i wasn't taking very good care of myself [eating lots of sugar and drinking alcohol]. i tried treating it with a bentonite clay douche- 6 T clay in a pint of luke warm H2O. douche with the H2O after the clay has settled. once daily for 5 days- and echinacea tincture- one dropperful 3 times a day for 3 weeks- followed by goldenseal tincture- one dropperful 3 times a day for one week. take a week break from the tinctures and repeat the cycle 2 more times.
the bv went away, but a month and a half into taking the tinctures it came back [like i said, i ate too much sugar and not enough nourishing foods]. i ended up taking an oral antibiotic to get rid of it.
and up until the past fall i didn't get it again. when i got it in september i didn't know it was bv because i had different symptoms [only a foul odor] and i had it checked out by a homepathic practitioner and she thought the smell was caused by something else. and it wasn't until i'd had it for 3 months did i go to a gynecologist and find out it was bv. because i had it for so long it scared me into taking the antibiotic vaginal gel [metronidazole] the gynecologist gave me.
2 months after that i got it again. and used the rest of the metronidazole.
i hate the capitalist system that has made it so hard for me to treat myself wholistically all the time. and avoid antibiotics as much as possible.
so in saying all of that. this is where i'm at now. i don't use scented laundry detergent and dry my clothes in high heat. i wear only cotton underwear [when i wear it]. i eat almost no sugar. i eat a balanced, vegan diet- whole grains, lots of veggies, fruits and beans. i drink alcohol rarely. i take a probiotic [acidophilus] supplement daily. i eat fermented foods. i wipe from front to back. i use a natural, unscented soap. i boil my keeper before i use it. i haven't even been stressed out lately. i feel like i'm doing everything i possibly can to prevent any diseases.
and just this morning while cleaning my yoni i find that it smells like bv. since i stayed at a friends house and didn't have access to my herds and such, i stuck a clove of garlic covered in olive oil up by my cervix. i've taken one dose of echinacea so far and have the clay and H2O settling in a jar.
i've decided to try the clay douche and echinacea and goldenseal for real this time [no sugar and alcohol and coffee to hinder my healing]. but i wanted to consult you and see what you think could be up. it seems like my yoni hates me.
please let me know if you think i should try something else.
thanx, n.
A: Hello N., thank you for writing. I have heard women struggle with
diagnoses of BV over the years. Not having suffered it that I know of, I do
may not have the personal experience.
Often the women's relationships with
"down there" are one of battle and hate. In your case I hear you feel your
yoni hates you. These are strong emotions to feel with such an intimate
part of our body.
Any suggestions I have may not be from personal
experience, so take them as you will. I say may not since I have never
officially had this diagnosis, and some with bv suggest that if I am all
better I never really had it. I have suffered infections of sorts -
discharge, itchiness and most recently smell. In all cases I found it took
me looking at many angles.
One was my relationship with this part of my
body and how I view its expression. This can not be overlooked. It sounds
you have done this and care deeply for your well being.
Another, you have
also done, was disposing of nylons and even rarely wearing underwear at all.
Cotton clothing and not tight. I like to breathe. Another one that puzzles
me still is that I notice a smell sometimes only when I wash. I have
concluded it is a reaction of the soap with my tissues or fluids. I have
myself chosen to wash less with soap other than around the outside of the
area and have consequently been healthier feeling and smelling. I also
noticed the smell correlating with how diligent I was about washing after
intimate relations.
I think it is a beautiful vibrant ecosystem down there
and many things can effect it. It is highly adaptable for a time, but can
get thrown off. With love and care I believe it has the ability to readjust
itself.
You may also enjoy reading this from Susun Weed on the topic:
The big antibacterial herb is echinacea. I use the tincture of the fresh root of E. purpurea or tincture of the dried or fresh root of E. augustifolia
A dose is one drop for every two pounds you weigh. (150 pounds = 75 drops) A dropperful is about 25 drops.
The dose can be taken 4-6 times a day for 10-14 days. In addition, I would do a sitz bath in water with apple cider vinegar in it once a day during the treatment.
Another useful antibacterial herb is yarrow. The tincture is used and a dose is about 25 drops 3-4 times a day. You could brew a quart of yarrow infusion and do a sitz bath in that, too.
Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com
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