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Claim: A Facebook page, Ogo Talk Show, archived link here, claims the combination of coconut shells and cinnamon sticks cures yeast infection.
Verdict: False. There is no scientific or medical evidence that either of the two can cure a yeast infection. Health professionals stress that yeast infections should be properly diagnosed and treated with approved anti-fungal medications by trained medical practitioners.
Full Text
A Facebook page, Ogo Talk Show, posted a video stating that coconut shells cure stubborn yeast infections. The caption on the post reads, “If you’re having stubborn yeast infections, USE coconut shells this way and thank me later.”
According to the voiceover in the video, users are instructed to rinse the coconut shells, add three or four cinnamon sticks, pour in one litre of water or about five sachets of water, and cook the mixture for two minutes. The user noted that this mixture should be consumed for 14 days to treat a yeast infection.
“Get coconut shell, rinse it, and add three or four sticks of cinnamon stick, add one litre of water or five sachets of water. Cook for two minutes, sieve out the water and preserve in the fridge and drink for 14 days for a yeast infection. My cousin sisters were always scratching, not until they started using this.”
The post, as of Feb. 20, 2026, has generated engagement, with 34 comments, over 264 shares, and more than 1,100 likes.
Some users questioned how to use the mixture while others warned against it. Pst Chibueze Anyanwu wrote, “One day social media will tell you to boil a bottle for infection, so native doctors una well done.”
Queen Joy asked, “Are we going to boil it and drink it?” while Praise John Atumah queried, “Can a child of six years old take this?”
Edjokpa Edith advised against relying on such remedies, writing,
“How about you go to a hospital and see a gynaecologist, because there is nothing like a stubborn yeast infection that an over-the-counter drug can’t fix. Go get treated, ladies. It’s not even that expensive, and going to the hospital allows you to ask questions, like how to stop it from recurring or if there is an underlying health problem that makes it keep coming back.”
Another user, Deborah Temitope, also asked, “If we leave it inside the pot, should we be warming it in the morning before drinking it?”
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim because yeast infections affect many women, and vulnerable individuals may resort to unsafe treatments.
What is a yeast infection?
A yeast infection is caused by a type of fungus, a single-celled organism found throughout the environment.
Vaginal yeast infections, caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus, are commonly treated with antifungal medications that are effective in most cases.
How do you get rid of a yeast infection?
According to WebMD, the most effective treatment is doctor-prescribed antifungal medication. Probiotics may help reduce the likelihood of infection, especially when infections occur after antibiotic use. By taking probiotic supplements made of live bacteria, the body’s natural bacterial balance can be restored, helping prevent yeast overgrowth.
Yoghurt is another source of probiotics, but it must be eaten rather than applied to the skin. Applying yoghurt externally offers no benefit, and the sugar content may worsen infection.
Saltwater rinses may also help soothe mild yeast infections. While Healthline listed coconut oil among other home remedies such as Greek yoghurt, boric acid, oregano oil, probiotic supplements or suppositories, tea tree oil, vitamins E and C, hydrogen peroxide, garlic, and apple cider vinegar, there was no mention of coconut shafts and cinnamon as part of home remedies for yeast infection. However, the effectiveness of many of these remedies varies and is often supported by limited clinical evidence.
What experts say
A gynaecologist, Lawal Qudus, explained that yeast infection is a fungal condition that requires proper antifungal medication prescribed by trained medical practitioners.
He said, “Okay, so a yeast infection is a fungal infection. There are appropriate fungal medications that help treat yeast infections, which are prescribed by physicians or other medical practitioners. Some natural products have been shown to reduce the burden of yeast infection, such as yoghurt and all of that.”
He noted that coconuts and cinnamon are not among those listed, at least based on currently available scientific evidence. So those are not things to be used for yeast infection.”
Similarly, General Practitioner Owoeye Ajibola described the claim as false. He explained that yeast infections commonly affect the mouth, genitals, and skin and often occur when the immune system is weakened.
“When someone claims that a combination of coconut shell and cinnamon cures yeast infection… this is a big no. Let’s be factual about it.”
He explained further, “Yeast infection is an infection that is peculiar to certain areas of the body and in certain states. Most of the time, it affects the mouth, the genital area, and the skin. And in people who are immunocompromised, meaning their immune system is challenged, they can come down with a yeast infection.”
He advised seeking medical care, stating, “If someone is having a yeast infection, it’s best for you to go to the hospital and have antifungal medication given, which is precisely for taking care of yeast infections. Go to the hospital and be properly prescribed. Don’t self-diagnose yourself and don’t self-medicate.”
Conclusion
The claim that a mixture of coconut shells and cinnamon sticks can cure yeast infection is false. There is no scientific or medical evidence supporting the use of coconut shells and cinnamon as a treatment for fungal infections. Medical experts emphasise that yeast infections require proper diagnosis and antifungal medication prescribed by qualified health professionals.
