A trend in Twitter’s Trending Topics caught the attention of some women a while back because of the hashtag #vaginaisanogarliczone. But wait a minute. Are women really putting garlic in their vagina? The (shocking!) answer is: YES.
A tweet from US gynecologist Jennifer Gunter sparked the debate about this rather strange – and not so safe! – practice on social media. This is because she challenged the idea that garlic is a good home remedy for treating fungal infections, such as candidiasis.
Does garlic in the vagina really help cure these problems?
Despite garlic being highly praised for its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, it doesn’t apply to vaginal health.
Gunter explains that inserting foreign objects into the vaginal canal that were not designed for this purpose can be very harmful – even if it’s something “natural.” Furthermore, the compound diallyl disulfide, which is primarily responsible for garlic’s smell and flavor, can cause chemical burns, blisters, and contact dermatitis (eczema) on the skin. So, why would you put that in your vagina?
“My advice: don’t take any medical advice from anyone who recommends using garlic in the vagina to treat candidiasis,” the professional wrote on Twitter.
In response to people claiming to have used this technique and found it effective, Gunter points to the placebo effect as the reason.
It’s an idea your brain has to convince your body that a fake treatment is real and thereby stimulate healing.
“The placebo effect is strong. If you think putting garlic in your vagina will make you feel better, you may very well feel better temporarily,” she concluded.
