Garlic is effective against candida species in a controlled laboratory environment. Garlic is used, along with other alternative therapies, by women with vulvovaginal candidiasis. This study looked at whether oral garlic reduced vaginal candida counts in women with candida species and no symptoms during the second half of their menstrual cycle.
Participants were either given garlic tablets or placebo to take orally twice daily, for 14 days prior to their next menstrual period. They also collected a daily vaginal swab for 14 days. The swab was used for candida species culture testing. The amount of candida species present was determined in all samples provided.
No difference was found between the group taking garlic tablets or placebo. This study provided no evidence to inform clinical practice in the use of garlic in vaginal candidiasis.
Publications
Effects of Oral Garlic on Vaginal Candida Colony Counts: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Double Blind Trial
Watson C, Grando D, Fairley CK, Hondros P, Garland SM, Myers S, Pirotta M
(2014), BJOG,