Natural cure for group B Strep!

[Vornsta]

I just wanted to share a recent experience. I tested positive for group B Strep and was advised by a doula who was advised by Michel Odent to try garlic inside the vagina for 3-5 days. You use a peeled cut clove and thread it with cotton so you can get it out again (I was a bit silly on this the first time and didn't bother - cue amusing moments with husband trying to retrieve it - don't recommend this)
I did it for 4 days and a repeat test has just come back negative!
Must be worth a try (assuming your waters haven't gone to be on the safe side) - if you can cope with the aesthetic issues!

[giraffeski]

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[Vornsta]

mmm, definitely!

[mamadadawahwah]

I know this works. Garlic on the bottom of babies feet works too, when they have a chest infection. They ingest it through their skin.

Just make sure when you "stuff up" the garlic that it isnt broken into pieces or it will be mighty sore.

Another natural remedy which nobody seems to know about is hydrogen peroxide in the ears to clear out a chest infection and cold. It finds its way to the respiratory tract. I do this on a regular basis now, because I had five colds since before Christmas. Have to make sure though it is only 3 strength which you then dilute with a bit of water. You can dilute 6 strength to 3 by adding water by half. Just put a cap full in your ears and let it sit there for a bit. It starts to bubble and feels weird but boy does it clean out ear wax.

[milward]

At what stage in preg can you do this - is it better to wait until after 36 weeks to avoid reinfection?. I had group B strep last time but does the infection stay - so once you're got it it's always there?

[pupuce]

mama - in what way is hydrogen peroxide is a natural remedy.... not saying it doesn't work but why do you call it natural. H2O2 is a chemical, what for does it come in whne you do this, where do buy it from? really curious here.

[giraffeski]

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[mamadadawahwah]

Actually (and doctors will never tell you this) we produce h202 naturally in our bodies. The "6" strength bottles can be bought at Boots for about 79pence. I use it in place of cleaning liquids for baby bottles and for cleaning round the house. It has a whole use of uses and it is not harmful. When i told my doctor what i was doing, she actually said she knows of people who gargle with it (but dont swallow it, as its awful).

I know this works cause i do it all the time. I even use it on my 2 year old when he lets me.

[tamum]

Why in heavens name would doctors not tell you something that is just a bit of basic biochemistry? It's only not harmful because we have enzymes that break it down. It's actually a reactive oxygen species, which is what vitamin E is meant to protect against.

[mamadadawahwah]

~why in heaven's name? i dont know. I suppose if they tell you to put hydrogen peroxide in your ears, they wont be able to sell you an NHS brand of ear wax removal formula. Has your doctor ever told you to do things "naturally"? Mine sure dosent, and I doubt many others do either.

[Xzebra]

This site talks about the dangers of H2O2 to one's teeth... I always thought it was basicaly a free radical, contributes to aging, all that. The fact it's such a powerful disinfectant indicates that it kills things (bacteria, cells...). Wouldn't want to overuse it.

[tamum]

You're right zebra. Aging, heart disease, motor neuron damage, cancer.....

[Mud]

midwifery today re garlic insertion

[mamadadawahwah]

xzebra, no it is powerful which is also why it works but i dont think i would gargle with it as some people do. I use the 3 strength slightly watered down, for my ears.

[mamadadawahwah]

When i told my doctor that i used garlic regularly to guard against infection, he said (i paraphrase) All the garlic in the world is only going to kill a couple of cells.

I am allergic to most antibiotics and garlic really helps. Maybe doctors are afraid of being labelled anti-vampire!

[Vornsta]

really interesting to hear other people's thoughts and the link to the midwifery today article was very informative Mud.
I had not checked for comments until today due to needing a caesarian last Friday! all well now though.
I think hydrogen peroxide is fab for cuts and abrasions especially if they are showing any signs of infection.
In response to the question about when to treat, I would have thought leaving it as late as poss would be best, unless you want to keep on retesting. Personally I was overdue when I used the treatment because that was when I heard about it!

[claudi2]

Thanks for the tip, I have had thrush off and on during my pregnancy and have a nice Strep B sticker in my notes, so yesterday, after joining mumsnet, I applied myself that evening to tie that cooking thread around that clove of garlic ...dh said that I only faintly smelled of garlic, so completely bearable ... and oh joy, no itching this morning, might not need to use Canesten cream

[Demented]

I wonder what the Strep B website has to say about this (I don't have time at the moment to check, I should be going out the door just now). The advice I read during my pregnancies was that if Strep B wasn't present in the birth canal, it didn't mean it was 'cured', it would more than likely be present somewhere else in the body. Wonder if using the garlic just reduces the risks, although it would be fantastic if it totally cured it.

[claudi2]

I dont think it actually cures it .... I think we all have strepB to a certain extend, but it becomes critical when there are more than a certain percentage. I know I will have to give birth with antibiotics, but "c'est la vie" and if I can reduce the risk of baby getting it then the garlic is worth it ... am going in for a check up on Thursday, so will check with doctor

[Demented]

If I was ever pg again I would certainly try it.

[happymerryberries]

We natunally make Hydrochoric acid as well and I wouldn't gargle that. Just because something is made in nature it doesn't make it safe. Snake venom, botulinum toxin andhenbane are all 'Natural. Doesn't stop them being lethal as well.

[claudi2]

Here is what the consultant said about Strep B, if I test negative now for stepB, doesnt mean I dont have it for the birth, although statistically I only have a small chance. Furthermore if I do have strep B , there is only a small chance of the baby getting it, but if it gets it it might die, so it is up to me to take that risk .... I think I will continue the garlic right up to birth(off and on anyway ... what a palaver that piece of string) and decide when I go into labour

[21stcenturygirl]

But what test did you have - NHS (50% accurate) or private (100% accurate)? You could have had a false "negative" - check out the gbss website.

[claudi2]

Thans 21st,Got tested NHS, sooo.... I guess I should get that test asap. Was talking to Dh though, and think I will go for antibiotics at birth anyway ... even though there is a very small chance of baby getting Stepb and dying, I could never forgive myself if it did happen .... so I will get the test sent, and if I get the results in time I can always reasses

[alexsmum]

go for the garlic...but remember that strep is a funny old thing and can come and go.i was tested at 25 weeks- negative.37 weeks- positive.
thats why they don't give you anti-biotics prior to labour, because by the time labour came around you could have it again.dyswim?