Due to the high number of infected individuals, home remedies for chlamydia are becoming more popular with each passing year. Almost every year in the United States alone, there are 3 million reported cases of chlamydia. In addition to the reported cases in the United States, statistics show as high as 1 in 6 people worldwide contract sexually transmitted diseases. These high numbers lead to more and more herbal remedies used as a healthy alternative to ease symptoms and even cure the disease. Not only are natural treatments highly effective, but they are also gentle on the body and usually do not come with side effects like an antibiotic does. If you have found that you have tested positive for chlamydia, these remedies will enable you to have an effective treatment and quick recovery.
Causes of Chlamydia
It is important to understand how chlamydia is caused, not only to get proper treatment but to prevent the disease from spreading. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria ‘chlamydia trachomatis’. Since it is not a virus, chlamydia can only be spread through direct contact with an infected individual, regardless if they are male or female. Chlamydia infects the reproductive tract and is most common seen in amongst teens and young adults, although anyone who is sexually active can become infected. Chlamydia infects the mucus membranes of the body and can be contracted through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to the newborn during childbirth, which will lead to eye infection or pneumonia in the infant.
Although members of both sexes can contract chlamydia, teenage girls and young women are particularly susceptible to becoming infected. This is because the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus, has not fully matured and it is less resistant to bacterial transmission. Women who have become infected with chlamydia are up to five time mores likely to become infected with another sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea and syphilis. If you have contracted one sexually transmitted disease, you must be tested for others as well.
Signs and Symptoms
More often than not, chlamydia lives up to its nickname, ‘the silent infection’ as up to 75% of women and 50% of men will not show any signs or symptoms at all. However in mild to severe cases, individuals can show signs or symptoms anywhere from one to three weeks after contracting the infection. Men and women will exhibit similar symptoms, as well as gender-specific symptoms. In both sexes, the genitals and rectum can become infected. For those who have engaged in unprotected oral sex, the throat can be affected as well.
Signs and Symptoms for women include:
- Excessive vaginal discharge
- Vaginal discharge that has a strong odor
- Nausea
- Fever
- Lower abdominal pain
- Experiencing pain during intercourse
- Lower back pain
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Mild to heavy vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles
- Eye infections or irritations (if the disease made contact with the eyes)
- Periods that are more painful than normal
- Itching and/or burning in or around the vagina
- Bleeding after sexual intercourse
Signs and Symptoms for men include:
- Painful urination
- Penile discharge that is clear or cloudy
- Swelling and tenderness in the testicles
- Eye infections or irritations (if the disease made contact with the eyes)
- Itching or burning around the tip of the penis
Signs and Symptoms for rectal infections in either gender include:
- Rectal pain
- Discharge
- Bleeding
Treatments
Before you begin any form of treatment for chlamydia, you need to be tested for the disease. It is ideal to be tested if you have engaged in unprotected sex with any partner that you are not in a monogamous relationship with or if you have had unprotected intercourse with a new partner. You can visit your local health clinic or family doctor for a simple test. Testing for chlamydia occurs either by swabbing the urethra for males or swabbing the cervix in females. A urine sample can also be taken to screen for chlamydia, although the swabbing methods are more effective. Doctors will culture the sample from the swab or urine test and within 24 hours they will be able to give the results of the test. If you find that you have indeed tested positive, it is of upmost importance to abstain from intercourse throughout the infection so you do not spread it to others or make it worse for yourself. You should also take into consideration of informing all recent sexual partners that you have contracted chlamydia and they should also seek to be tested.
Even though chlamydia is often times symptomless, it is vital to seek treatment right away or it will become chronic. Inflammation and genital tract scarring can occur in both men and women, however women who suffer from untreated chlamydia for long periods of time can develop serious and permanent health issues. It is especially important for women to treat chlamydia as it can scar the fallopian tubes and cause infertility. In addition, women can also develop Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to ectopic pregnancy and once again, infertility.
Although antibiotics can be prescribed, they often have unwanted side effects. Alternatively, there are several natural remedies that you can use to ease your symptoms and stop the growth of bacteria naturally, safely, and at a low cost. Many of the following remedies are items you would already have in your home. If you do not have them in your pantry or garden, you can easily find the following herbs in health food stores or pharmacies. Natural remedies for chlamydia include:
Garlic
Garlic is a natural spice that contains some of nature’s best antibiotic and anti-viral properties. You can use garlic to alleviate chlamydia by eating three to four raw cloves of garlic per day before or during a meal. The natural chemicals found in raw garlic will kill the bacteria present and clear the infection. If you do not wish to eat raw garlic, you can add the three to four cloves to your food. There are also garlic capsules available at health food stores that you can take orally, just make sure to take the equivalent of three to four raw garlic cloves. One downside to eating raw garlic is that consuming garlic can cause bad breath or body odor in some individuals. Choosing garlic as a treatment method is not recommended for those who suffer from diabetes as it can cause problems with blood clotting. You should also take care to take no more than four cloves or its equivalent per day as consuming too much garlic can lead to nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. Despite not being for everyone, garlic is a very powerful, natural antibiotic and is widely used to fight infections. Chlamydia can be resolved quite quickly by the consumption of garlic, just make sure you are aware of possible negative side effects before using.
Sage
Sage is a perennial herbal plant and one of the best remedies to ward off Chlamydia as it helps to clean the immune system instantly. Drinking sage tea works like a charm and is very easy to prepare. To prepare the tea, take 50mg of sage leaves, crush them and drop them in 250mls of boiling water. Allow the sage leaves to steep for three to four minutes. Strain the water through a strainer and drink this tea until chlamydia has ceased. If you wish to make more than one dosage at a time, this mixture can be stored in the fridge for a few weeks. You will need to drink two to three doses of this tea per day in order to cure chlamydia. Make sure to drink this tea without adding sugar or milk. After about one week, you will begin to notice your symptoms disappearing. Sage leaves are very powerful medicinally and a long trusted remedy for curing chlamydia. Consuming sage leaves is extremely safe and there are no noticeable side effects.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a powerful herb containing antimicrobial properties and will strengthen your immune system. Whether you take Echinacea in the form of a capsule or a tincture, this herb is a wonderful natural alternative to treat and cure chlamydia. Echinacea will act as an immune system tonic and a lymph cleanser all the while killing off a broad range of pathogens, including the bacteria chlamydia. It is recommended to take up to 30 drops in form of tinctures or 200-500 milligrams in form of capsules three to four times per day. Echinacea is best consumed in the form of a tea, without adding milk or sugar. Whether you choose to use tinctures, capsules, or drink the tea, Echinacea should be taken three to four times per day for at least ten days to rid the body of the infection completely. During the course of taking Echinacea, the body will produce more white blood cells as well as strengthen your immune system against chlamydia in the future. Due to its benefits and popularity of use, you can find Echinacea in powdered form as well as tinctures and capsules at any health food store. Echinacea is one of the best ways to cure chlamydia naturally and quickly.
Can Goldenseal Cure Chlamydia
Goldenseal is a powerful herb that contains the bacteria fighting agent, berberine. Berberine is an enzyme that kills infectious bacteria in the body as well as increasing your white blood cell count. Goldenseal will boost your immune system and since it helps increase your white blood cell count, the body will be able to defend and fight against the chlamydia infection. Goldenseal has anti-microbial and anti-intermittently properties both of which assist in eradicating chlamydia. It is recommended to consume up to 1000 milligrams of goldenseal herb three times a day for effective results.
For vaginal or rectal infections, you can also create a douche with this herb. Douches prepared from goldenseal will remove the bacteria from the genitals and also reduce the discomfort and itching that are the symptoms associated with chlamydia. To prepare the herbal douche, mix powder from one goldenseal capsule with ¼ teaspoon salt and one cup warm water. Mix the ingredients well so that they are completely dissolved in water. Wait for at least 5 minutes before using the douche. Clean yourself with the douche twice a day for 10 days to eliminate the bacteria completely.
In combination with consumption and douching, goldenseal is a highly effective way to rid the body of chlamydia.
Adjusting Diet
An important, yet often overlooked, assisting agent to curing chlamydia is changing your diet. Although your diet does not have a direct connection with contracting chlamydia, watching what you eat or drink can help prevent the bacteria from growing worse and a healthier diet will help boost your immune system and production of white blood cells. Improving the quality of your diet will allow for a faster recovery time and aid in the treatment of chlamydia. Food items you should look to include in your diet during a chlamydia infection are:
- Leafy greens such as kale, alfalfa, chlorella, wheat grass, or barley grass
- Probiotics such as yogurt (adding a cup of yogurt to your daily diet will reduce the risk of inhibiting bacteria)
- Alkaline forming and fiber rich foods such as beans, whole grains, seeds, or nuts. (Although it is not completely understood, the naturally beneficial effects of fiber in the body will hasten the recovery and treatment of chlamydia.)
- Certain varieties of fresh fish
- Fresh fruits and vegetables that are full of vitamins and minerals
- Sugar free juices
In contrast, food or drink items you should avoid during a chlamydia infection include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Red Meats
- Butter
- Processed, canned, or refined foods
- Whole fat dairy products
- Junk foods
- Fast Food
Throughout the duration of a chlamydia infection, it is also important to keep yourself hydrated. Drinking plenty of water with fresh lemon juice added will help boost your immune system with plenty of vitamin C, which will assist your body in fighting the infection. Keeping yourself well hydrated will allow your body to flush out toxins associated with the infection and allow your body to function at its best.
Neem
Neem oil or crushed neem seeds both contain high amounts of antibacterial properties. Neem based creams are a very popular choice to alleviate symptoms and cure chlamydia. According to a study done on vaginally infected patients in Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, a naturally based cream was given to patients to apply to infected areas. This formulation contained three active natural materials: purified extract from seeds of Azadirachta indica (neem), quinine hydrochloride, and saponins extracted from the pericarp of Sapindus mukorossi. The infected subjects were asked to topically apply 5 mL of the cream every night for 14 days. By the 8th day, swabs taken from the subjects indicated that C. trachomatis had been cleared from the cervicovaginal region of every subject studied. This indicates the effective antichlamydial properties of this formulation and supports the premise that similar results.
May be achieved across a range of chlamydial serovars.
In addition to using the highly effective neem based creams, you can also consume neem tea or create a mixture used for douching. If you choose to take the tea, which is better for more severe cases of chlamydia, you will need to drink two cups of neem tea per day over the course of a week. The neem tea will help fight the bacteria from the inside. If you want to fight the bacteria in the form of a douche, you can combine boiled water with 50 neem leaves. This will act as a powerful bactericide and should be used daily for a course of ten days.
Whichever way you choose to use this powerful antibacterial agent, neem will relieve you of your symptoms and help your body to cure the infection.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is another popular herb helpful for treating chlamydia. Saw Palmetto contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties and therefore helps to cure urinary tract infections associated with chlamydia as well as the chlamydia infection itself. Saw palmetto is rich in fatty acids and phytosterols and its anti-bacterial properties that not only eliminate the bacteria but also help heal the infected tissues faster. The combination of the fatty acids, phytosterols, and antibacterial properties helps to cure chlamydia. Saw Palmetto can be used to cure mild as well as severe form of chlamydia infections. The natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties of the herb make it highly effective in treating many infectious diseases of the sexual organs, but is most especially effective in fighting and treating chlamydia.
Cat’s Claw
Cat’s Claw is an ancient Chinese medicinal herb that has been used to treat bacterial infections for centuries. It is known for its ability to eliminate chlamydia quickly and effectively. Cat’s Claw is one of the best remedies for curing chlamydia as it contains antimicrobial and antibacterial agents. Cat’s Claw helps to increase the immune systems response as well as completely eliminate the bacterial infection caused by chlamydia. A standard dosage of this herb is 500 milligrams taken three to four times per day for at least ten days. Since Cat’s Claw is highly potent against bacteria, it is widely used. You will be able to find it at many health food shops as well as traditional Chinese medicine shops.
Olive Tree Extract
Olive Tree Extract contains oleuropein, which is a powerful agent in fighting inflammation and killing bacteria. Similarly, olive tree extract will also give your immune system a boost. Olive tree extract can be found in several forms such as a liquid concentrate, a powder, a salve, capsules, or dried tea leaf. This gives you many options in regards to using olive tree extract as a treatment for chlamydia. No matter which route you choose to take, olive tree extract will give you the same results as it provides you with antibacterial protections that will hasten the healing process and kill off the bacteria. Taking olive tree extract orally or rubbing directly on the infected areas will need to be done anywhere from two to four times per day over the course of one week.
Practicing Safe Sex Methods
It is extremely important to practice safe sex methods in order for you to stop the spread or possible contraction of chlamydia. Abstaining from sex is the only 100% sure way to prevent spreading or contracting any sexually transmitted diseases, but there are other methods you can use to keep your chances of contracting or spreading chlamydia quite low. Safe sex methods you should seek to practice are:
- Using condoms with all partners, every time you have intercourse or oral sex
- Remain monogamous, with a healthy monogamous partner
- Test yourself regularly, especially after intercourse with a new partner or anytime you have had unprotected sex
- Abstain from any sex acts, including oral and anal, during treatment as this will prevent spreading the infection or re-infecting yourself
- Limit the number of sexual partners you have as the higher the number grows, so does your risk of becoming infected.
- Avoid douching with over the counter or prescribed vaginal products as this can kill good bacteria and prolong the infection
- Maintain an honest relationship with all partners, and ask them to do the same with you, so you can both be aware of the number of partners you are both having intercourse with
- If you are having intercourse with someone of the same sex, take proper measures to ensure oral, vaginal, or anal sex is done in a safe and protected way. Using dental dams and condoms will help to prevent infection
Combined with practicing safe sex methods, you should also make yourself aware of the risk factors associated with chlamydia. Risk factors for chlamydia include:
- Inconsistent use of condoms or dental dams
- Having a history of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, you will be at an increased risk of contracting the disease
- Being under 24 years of age puts you at a higher risk for the disease
- If you have has multiple sex partners within the past year you are more likely to get chlamydia
- Being new to sex can lead to infections like chlamydia due to not understanding or knowing that sexually transmitted diseases are easily spread and sexual partners might not have symptoms
Turmeric
Turmeric is commonly used in foods and even health drinks and is known for the anti-oxidant properties. Although many people confuse turmeric for a spice, since it is commonly used in foods such as Indian curries, it is actually an herb. This herb is used in the treatment of many infections because of its anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric is also a natural antiseptic that helps fasten the healing process of affected tissues. Using this herb will help the body to get rid of the free radicals that induce infection and decrease the body’s natural immunity. Turmeric is ideal for threating chlamydia and the signs and symptoms associated with it. Adding plenty of turmeric to your diet through foods or smoothies, as well as drinking turmeric milk twice per day will effectively get rid of the infection. Turmeric will also boost the immune system which will allow your body to fight infections better. If you are infected with chlamydia, you should consume turmeric two to four times per day for anywhere from seven to ten days.
Usnea
This herb, commonly known as ‘Old Man’s Beard’, is a powerful anti-viral and is used to treat a variety of infections. Usnea is an herb that is a combination of algae and moss that have high antiseptic agents, which is used for the successful treatment of Chlamydia. Usnea not only fights against the bacteria responsible for the infection, it will also eliminate the threat of viral and fungal infections. Usnea will boost your immune system and fight the infection, allowing for a quick recovery. Usnea can be taken as a tea or orally through capsules. If you want to drink the tea, take about 500 milligrams of Usnea and grind the leaves. Once you grind the leaves you can add to boiling water and steep for no more than four minutes. Drink this tea without sugar or milk three times each day for a period of one week. The anti-viral and antiseptic properties will work quickly to relieve you of the signs and symptoms of chlamydia.
Curd
Curd has good bacteria that will assist your body in fighting off infectious microbes and boost your immune system. If you eat homemade, unsweetened curds, you will be able to treat chlamydia naturally and effectively. Similarly, you can eat unsweetened, natural yogurt as it contains a lot of the same properties of curd. You will be able to find curd at health food stores or organic food stores. Natural yogurt can be found at just about any grocery store, just be sure that the yogurt is sugar free. Either way, consuming both of these probiotic foods will quickly boost your immune system against the bacterial infection. It is recommended to eat one cup of curd or yogurt twice per day throughout the duration of the infection. If you continue to consume probiotic foods even after your infection has cleared, you will not only produce good bacteria allowing for a healthier body, you will also be able to resist the bacteria which causes chlamydia in the future.
These remedies can offer infected individuals a wide range of safe, natural, and highly effective treatment options. For those infected, yet not showing any symptoms drinking sage or neem teas, adjusting your diet, consuming curd or yogurt and turmeric will be great options to heal your body of the infection. Consuming these herbs and foods is easy, cost effective, and ideal for those who are not showing symptoms. If you follow the course of the treatment, you should get yourself retested to ensure that the chlamydia infection has indeed been cured.
If you find that your infection is anywhere from mild to severe, any of the natural remedies listed above are ideal for treatment. No matter is you have a symptomless or severe chlamydia infection, you can use any of the treatments in combination with the other. That is one of the great things about choosing to use natural remedies as they often do not contrast with each other.
It is important to remember that if you suspect you have chlamydia, due to practicing unsafe sex or if you are showing signs or symptoms, you will need to get tested to be absolutely sure. Having a positive diagnosis will allow you to take the proper steps towards recovery. Another vital part to a positive diagnosis of chlamydia is contacting any sexual partners to inform them of the possibility that they may have the disease. Since chlamydia is often times symptomless, people unknowingly spread the disease or leave it untreated for long periods of time. Understanding the signs and symptoms, as well as the risk factors associated with chlamydia will allow you to make better decisions and choose the treatment that is best for you. Although they are highly effective and can alleviate symptoms and even cure the infection, if you are still experiencing problems or the condition worsens, it is best to consult your general practitioner. They can offer you guidance for the right natural remedy and perform another swab or urine test to make sure there are no other diseases present.
All in all, choosing to treat chlamydia naturally is a healthier choice than using antibiotics. Even though antibiotics are often prescribed, herbal remedies are still potent and allow for a speedy and effective recovery. Keep in mind the risk factors, adjust your lifestyle as needed so you are protected from contracting the disease in the future, and make sure to follow the treatment instructions carefully.
Lacy Ryan
A Doctor of Public Health, Lacy Ryan has accrued more than ten years of experience, making a name for herself as a researcher, writer, policy analyst, and project manager specializing in public health and international development.She earned her PhD in Community and Behavioural Health at the Colorado School of Public Health, her Master’s Degree in Global Health and Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, and her Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Biomedical Sciences (with minours in Biology and Psychology) at the University of Waterloo.
