Top 10 Safe Home Remedies for Intestinal and Vaginal Infections (Evidence-Based, 2025)

You want fast relief without making anything worse. Here’s the honest take: a few simple at-home steps can ease symptoms and prevent dehydration, but they don’t replace diagnosis or antibiotics when those are needed. I’ll show you what actually helps, what to skip, and when to call a clinician-so you feel better and stay safe.

Who is this for? People searching for quick, safe ways to calm intestinal (tummy bugs/diarrhoea) and vaginal symptoms (itching, discharge, odour) while they arrange proper care. Expect practical recipes (like oral rehydration), exact doses where evidence exists, and crystal-clear red flags. UK readers: I’ll flag NHS-specific tips.

Jobs you probably want done right now: 1) Stop dehydration and calm gut symptoms; 2) Soothe vaginal irritation without causing harm; 3) Choose evidence-backed options over internet myths; 4) Know doses/recipes; 5) Decide when to self-care vs seek treatment.

TL;DR: What works, what to skip, and your 10 remedies

• Fast relief: Oral rehydration solution (ORS), proven probiotics, gentle foods, and rest help intestinal infections. For vaginal symptoms, avoid irritants, consider specific probiotics, use soothing sitz baths/barriers, and reserve boric acid for confirmed recurrent BV/yeast with professional guidance.
• What to skip: Douching, intravaginal tea tree oil/garlic/yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and random antibiotics. These can worsen infections or delay proper care.
• Red flags: Bloody stool, high fever, severe dehydration, pregnancy, severe pelvic pain, new partner with STI risk, or discharge with strong odour/green colour. In the UK, use NHS 111 for urgent advice.
• Evidence anchors: WHO (ORS, zinc for children), Cochrane (probiotics for acute diarrhoea), NICE/ACOG (vaginal infection diagnosis), CDC (STI guidance). Home measures ease symptoms; they don’t cure bacterial/STI causes.
• Your 10 practical home remedies: (Intestinal) 1) ORS, 2) Evidence-backed probiotics, 3) Zinc (kids), 4) Ginger for nausea, 5) Gentle diet reset. (Vaginal) 6) Irritant-free care & breathable fabrics, 7) Warm sitz bath + barrier for comfort, 8) Specific oral probiotics (GR‑1/RC‑14), 9) Boric acid (carefully, not in pregnancy), 10) Sexual rest/condoms until symptoms settle.

Step-by-step: Safe home care for intestinal infections (nausea, diarrhoea, tummy cramps)

Most acute intestinal infections are viral and last 1-3 days. The main risk is dehydration, not the bug itself. Your goal at home: keep fluids and salts balanced, reduce nausea, and avoid triggers that keep the gut irritated.

1) Mix and sip an oral rehydration solution (ORS)

1. Recipe (WHO standard): 1 litre clean water + 6 level teaspoons sugar + 1/2 level teaspoon salt. Stir until dissolved. Taste should be “not too salty, not too sweet.”
2. Sip small amounts often. Adults: 2-3 litres/day as tolerated. Children: small frequent sips; use a spoon or syringe if needed.
3. Add potassium if available (a banana, or a splash of orange juice) once you can keep food down.

2) Use evidence-backed probiotics

• What helps: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or Saccharomyces boulardii. Meta-analyses show they can shorten acute infectious diarrhoea by about a day.
• Dose guide (adults): Aim for 10^9-10^10 CFU daily for 2-5 days. For S. boulardii, common OTC doses are 250-500 mg twice daily.
• Who should NOT use probiotics: People with severe immunosuppression, central venous lines, or critical illness-speak to a clinician first.

3) Zinc (especially for children)

• WHO recommends zinc for children with diarrhoea: 10 mg/day if under 6 months; 20 mg/day if older, for 10-14 days. It reduces duration and future episodes.
• Adults may consider short-term 10-20 mg/day if diet is poor, but the strongest evidence is in children.

4) Calm nausea with ginger

• Ginger tea: Steep 1-2 g fresh ginger slices in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Sip warm.
• Evidence: Randomised trials support ginger for nausea (pregnancy/post-op/motion). It’s not a cure, but it often takes the edge off.

5) Gentle diet reset (skip fads)

• Small, frequent meals. Start with soups, rice, bananas, toast, plain yoghurt (if you tolerate dairy), boiled potatoes, eggs.
• Temporarily avoid: alcohol, caffeine, very fatty or spicy foods, and high-fibre roughage until stools start to form.
• BRAT-only diets are outdated-too restrictive. Include proteins and some fats as you improve.

6) Hygiene and isolation to prevent spread

• Wash hands with soap and water (20 seconds) after the loo and before food prep. Alcohol gel is okay but soap works better for some stomach bugs (e.g., norovirus).
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces and the loo. Don’t share towels while symptomatic.
• Stay home for 48 hours after last episode of vomiting/diarrhoea (UK public health advice for norovirus-type illness).

7) When to use (and avoid) over-the-counter anti-diarrhoeals

• Loperamide can help adults with non-bloody diarrhoea and no fever, especially to get through travel or sleep. Follow pack dosing.
• Do NOT use if you have bloody stools, high fever, suspected food poisoning with severe cramps, or possible C. difficile. These situations need medical advice.

When to seek help fast

• Signs of dehydration: very dark urine or barely passing urine, dizziness, racing heart, sunken eyes, very dry mouth.
• Blood in stool, severe abdominal pain, high fever, or symptoms >3 days not improving.
• Pregnancy, frail older adults, infants, or chronic conditions (IBD, heart/kidney disease). In the UK, contact your GP or NHS 111.

Step-by-step: Safe home care for vaginal symptoms (itching, discharge, odour)

Many vaginal symptoms need proper diagnosis because yeast (thrush), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and STIs can look similar but need different treatments. Home care can soothe symptoms and reduce triggers, but it won’t cure bacterial or STI causes. Don’t self-treat with random oils or acids-these often make things worse.

1) Go irritant-free and switch fabrics

• Underwear: breathable cotton, not tight synthetics. Change after workouts.
• Avoid: douching, scented soaps/wipes, bubble baths, vaginal deodorants. Clean the vulva with warm water; if you use soap, keep it mild and unscented, and only externally.
• Dry the area well after bathing. Moisture feeds yeast and worsens BV odour.

2) Warm sitz bath for comfort (external only)

• How: Sit in a basin of comfortably warm water for 10-15 minutes, up to twice daily. Plain water is best. If stinging is severe, some find relief with 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda in the water (especially if urine stings); stop if any burning or irritation.
• After, pat dry gently and apply a thin layer of a plain barrier (e.g., petroleum jelly or a zinc-oxide barrier) to the external skin if chafed. Not inside the vagina.

3) Specific oral probiotics may help reduce recurrence

• Look for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR‑1 and L. reuteri RC‑14. Evidence suggests they can help restore lactobacilli and reduce recurrence of BV/yeast when used alongside standard care.
• Typical use: follow product label for daily dosing for 2-4 weeks.
• Note: Probiotics won’t cure an active bacterial/STI infection. Think of them as support, not a stand‑alone fix.

4) Boric acid vaginal suppositories (targeted, careful use)

• Helpful for: recurrent BV or non‑albicans yeast after proper diagnosis. Common regimen: 600 mg intravaginally at night for 2 weeks. Some protocols add a maintenance phase.
• Do NOT use if pregnant. Never take by mouth. Keep away from children and pets. If you feel burning or rash, stop and seek advice.
• Best used after you’ve confirmed the diagnosis with a clinician. It’s a tool, not a DIY cure‑all.

5) Sexual rest or condoms until you’re sorted

• Friction and semen can worsen symptoms in BV. Condoms reduce exposure and lower STI risk while you wait for test results.
• If symptoms follow a new partner or you have pelvic pain, fever, or bleeding between periods, get checked for STIs. The CDC and UK guidelines stress prompt testing and treatment.

What about OTC treatments?

• Thrush (yeast): If you’ve had it before and recognise the same thick, white, cottage‑cheese‑like discharge and itching, UK pharmacies carry clotrimazole pessaries/creams. If you’re unsure, test first.
• BV: Usually needs prescription antibiotics. Home measures won’t cure BV, though they can minimise discomfort while you wait for care.
• Self-tests: UK pharmacies stock vaginal self‑tests that help differentiate thrush vs BV. Useful if you can’t see a clinician today.

Myths to skip (they can burn, disrupt pH, or mask symptoms): intravaginal tea tree oil, garlic, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and any douching “recipes.”

See someone urgently if: you’re pregnant; you have fever, severe pelvic/abdominal pain, foul or green/yellow frothy discharge, sores, or bleeding not related to periods. In the UK, call NHS 111 or contact a sexual health clinic.

Remedy recipes, doses, and the quick evidence snapshot

Here’s the practical stuff you can act on today, with the why behind it. Use this as your go‑to card on the fridge.

• ORS recipe: 1 L water + 6 tsp sugar + 1/2 tsp salt; sip steadily. This prevents and treats dehydration better than plain water because it replaces sodium and glucose, which drive absorption.
• Probiotics for gut: LGG or S. boulardii-start early in diarrhoeal illness. Expect a modest but real reduction in duration.
• Zinc: A must for children with diarrhoea; adult benefit is less clear. Don’t exceed safe upper limits long‑term.
• Ginger: Good for nausea; low risk. Avoid very high doses if you’re on blood thinners.
• Vaginal comfort: Warm sitz bath; barrier on external skin only; ditch irritants and tight synthetics.
• Targeted vaginal support: GR‑1/RC‑14 probiotics to help restore healthy flora; boric acid only for confirmed recurrent cases, never in pregnancy.

What to absolutely avoid

• Douching of any kind (vinegar, peroxide, “herbal” mixes). Increases BV risk and can push infection higher.
• Intravaginal tea tree oil, garlic, yogurt, or apple cider vinegar. High irritation risk; not proven to help.
• Random leftover antibiotics. They mask symptoms, breed resistance, and can worsen outcomes.

Credibility markers you can trust

• WHO: Oral rehydration and zinc guidance (children).
• Cochrane Reviews: Probiotics for acute infectious diarrhoea.
• NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries and ACOG: Assessment and management of vaginal discharge/vaginitis.
• CDC 2024/2025 STI Guidelines: When to test, treat, and notify partners.

Checklists, red flags, and quick answers (plus UK help)

Intestinal infection: 60‑second checklist

• Fluids: ORS on the go; goal is pale yellow urine.
• Food: small, simple meals; avoid alcohol/caffeine/fatty foods.
• Support: ginger for nausea; consider LGG or S. boulardii.
• Hygiene: wash hands; clean loo; no cooking for others while ill.
• Rest: take it easy 24-48 hours after symptoms stop.

Vaginal symptoms: 60‑second checklist

• Stop irritants: no douching, no fragranced products, switch to cotton.
• Comfort: warm sitz bath; thin external barrier for chafing.
• Clues: Cottage‑cheese discharge = likely thrush; fishy odour/grey = likely BV; green/yellow frothy or pelvic pain = consider STI-get tested.
• Support: GR‑1/RC‑14 probiotic orally; boric acid only if recurrent and diagnosed; never in pregnancy.
• Protection: sexual rest or condoms until diagnosed and treated.

Red flags-seek care now

• Intestinal: blood in stool, high fever, severe stomach pain, signs of dehydration, symptoms beyond 72 hours not improving.
• Vaginal: pregnancy with any symptoms, severe pelvic/abdominal pain, fever, sores, green/yellow frothy discharge, strong fishy odour with pelvic pain, bleeding after sex or between periods.

Mini‑FAQ

• Can home remedies cure BV or STIs? No. They can make you more comfortable while you wait for testing and treatment.
• Is yogurt inside the vagina okay? No. It’s not sterile, can irritate, and doesn’t restore the right species in the right place.
• Is apple cider vinegar safe down there? No. It disrupts pH and can burn.
• How long do stomach bugs last? Often 1-3 days. If you’re not improving by day 3 or you’re getting worse, check in with a clinician.
• Pregnant and have thrush‑type symptoms? Don’t self‑treat without advice. Get a diagnosis and use pregnancy‑safe options.

UK‑specific tips

• Call NHS 111 for urgent advice or if you’re unsure about red flags.
• Pharmacies can advise on ORS, probiotics, zinc for children, and safe OTCs. Many offer fast self‑test kits for BV/thrush.
• For sexual health testing, local NHS sexual health clinics offer confidential services, often same‑day.

Practical troubleshooting

• I can’t keep fluids down: Try 1-2 sips of ORS every 5 minutes, or use ice chips. If vomiting lasts more than 6-8 hours or you show dehydration signs, seek help.
• Diarrhoea every hour: Prioritise ORS. Consider S. boulardii. If fever, blood, or severe cramps-don’t use loperamide; call for advice.
• Vaginal itching worse at night: Sitz bath before bed, loose cotton sleepwear, cool the room, avoid pantyliners overnight.
• Odour returns after periods or sex: Book a test. BV often cycles; condoms may help. Probiotics can support prevention but won’t cure active BV.
• Recurrent thrush (≥4/year): Time for a formal plan with your GP or sexual health clinic. Ask about maintenance strategies; consider checking diabetes and medications.

If you’re the cautious type (good instinct), remember: short, sensible steps at home protect you while you get answers. Hydrate, soothe, don’t irritate, and don’t mask serious symptoms. That balance gets you better faster-without nasty surprises.