Candida - Fungus Infection - Natural Remedies

Candida

NATURAL REMEDIES CANDIDA

The human body is normally host to a great variety of bacteria and fungi that play neutral or even helpful roles in normal bodily functions. A candida occurs when one of the these organisms, the yeast Candida albicans, grows out of control. The resulting overgrowth is known as candidiasis. C. albicans only becomes a problem when the “good” bacteria that normally keep it in check, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, become weakened. Candida infection may take the form of athlete’s foot and jock itch. Use home remedies candida is a great alternative to treat this condition safely and without side effects. While yeast infections can often be treated successfully at home, it’s important to be sure that yeast is really the culprit. Infection with other types of organisms, which may require treatment with prescription medication, can often cause symptoms similar to those of a yeast infection.

Systemic candidiasis is an overgrowth of candida throughout the body. In the most severe cases, candida can travel throughout the body, causing a type of blood poisoning called candida septicemia.

Candidiasis affects both women and men. It is rarely transmitted sexually. It is most common in babies (an infected mother may pass it on to her newborn) and people with compromised immune systems. As it proliferates, the fungus releases toxins that further weaken the immune system. Home remedies candida can also be used with remedies for the immune system.

                         

Because candidiasis can affect many areas of the body at once, it can cause a variety of disorders and symptoms. In the mouth, C. albicans can produce thrush, or white plaques in the mouth and throat. In women, it is one of the sources of vaginitis, which produces itching, burning, and a sticky white or yellow discharge. Overgrowth of yeast may result in weak nails; skin infections, marked by redness, inflammation, and itching; or digestive upsets causing abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, rectal irritation, and colitis. candidas may develop in the urethra or sinuses. Other symptoms can include fatigue, memory loss, mood swings, muscle and joint pain, nagging cough and congestion, and numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes. Home remedies for candida can help with many of these symptoms.

Additional symptoms can include diaper rash, kidney and bladder infections, canker sores, headaches, and depression. candida may also be implicated in some cases of impotence and prostatitis.

The growth of C. albicans is spurred by several factors. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria that keep the yeast under control. Home remedies for candida can be used with regular antibiotics.

                         

Taking corticosteroid drugs has been linked to C. albicans overgrowth. C. albicans is a sugar-loving organism, so candidiasis can be aggravated by eating too much sugar, or by the high blood-sugar levels associated with diabetes. And yeast can overgrow if the immune system does not function as it should, especially in people with HIV infection or AIDS and other diseases that affect the immune system. An imbalance in PH levels in the body is also a likely cause. C. albicans overgrowth is also associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, and with chronic skin or vaginal irritation. Home remedies for candida reduce irritation and discomfort.

Conventional medicine uses various antifungal agents. Except for barberry and related herbs, which should not be used for more than two weeks at a time, it may be necessary to take herbs for as long as six months to control yeast overgrowth.

HOME REMEDIES CANDIDA

Home remedies Candida #1: Take Lactobacillus and bifidus probiotic supplements

daily. These friendly bacteria grow to form a protective lining over the digestive tract that keeps yeast colonies from forming. Be sure to check expiration dates on the package. For vaginal infections, place the probiotic capsules in the vagina before going to bed every other night for two weeks.

Home remedies Candida #2: Take 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of caprylic acid daily

with meals. This naturally occurring fatty acid is an effective antifungal for the treatment of candida. Since caprylic acid is readily absorbed by the intestines, it is necessary to take a timed-release or enteric-coated form so that the supplement is released gradually throughout the entire digestive tract.

Home remedies Candida #3: Avoid refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, and fruit juices. Also avoid chewing gums flavored with xylitol, which may aggravate thrush.

Avoid antibiotics, steroids, and birth control pills unless

medically directed to take them.

Home remedies Candida #4: Several different antifungal agents are used to treat yeast

infections. Topical creams include butoconazole (Femstat 3) and miconazole (Monistat), some of which are now available without prescription. Nystatin (Mycolog, Mycostatin, Nilstat) is relatively safe because it is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Stronger agents include fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral). Use of ketoconazole should be avoided, if possible, since this drug can be toxic to the liver. If ketoconazole is called for, its use should be supervised by an infectious disease specialist.

Home remedies Candida #5: If you take the prescription blood-thinner warfarin

(Coumadin), you should consult your doctor before using over-the-counter vaginal miconazole products. Miconazole is an antifungal drug found in some creams and suppositories used to treat vaginal candida. Bleeding or bruising may occur if warfarin and vaginal miconazole are used together.

Home remedies Candida #6: In otherwise healthy people, high sugar consumption has very little effect on the growth of yeast. Only when the balance of yeast and other naturally occurring bacteria is upset by antibiotic treatment or injury to the immune system does yeast overgrowth become a problem.

Home remedies Candida #7: While yeast overgrowth in the mucous membranes lining the gastrointestinal tract, throat, nose, urethra, and vagina are relatively common, candidas of the blood and inner organs are extremely rare. The effects of candida on the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems are caused by changes in absorption of nutrients rather than by the candida itself.

Home remedies Candida #8: If a breast-fed baby develops oral thrush or a nursing

mother develops a thrush infection of the nipples, both the mother and the baby should be treated to eradicate the infection, even if only one of them seems to be affected.

If you’re looking for other ways to treat your Candida at home, you may want to consider an all-natural colon cleanse. Colon cleansing with fiber and herbs helps sweep the colon clear of toxins and waste while delivering powerful digestive herbs to newly exposed intestinal tissue.

NATURE CURES INTERNAL REMEDIES FOR FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Natural foods rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc are particularly useful to help the body fight off infection. Restoring the body's natural defences by addressing the balance of friendly bacteria in the body is often all it takes to clear yeast and fungal infections in the early stages. This will also prevent and protect against infection in the first place.

Many everyday natural foods have powerful antifungal properties such as: cayenne pepper, garlic cloves (sliced or crushed), tea, chicory, coconut flesh, oil and milk, onions, crushed cloves, potatoes and watercress. They can be used internally and externally to kill off yeast and fungal infections.

Pumpkin, papaya and watermelon seeds contain powerful antifungal properties.

Fruits like apricots, banana, grape, mango, melon, plum, papaya, pears, pineapple, watermelon and all citrus fruits can assist the process of healing.

Probiotics such as unflavoured live yogurt, brine pickles, kefir milk, kimchi, kombucha, miso and brine pickles will also assist the body with fighting fungus and yeast infections.

Also, high fibre foods such as legumes, vegetables and whole grains will bolster the body's defence system.

Drink pure additive free unsweetened cranberry juice without artificial sweeteners.

For lung infections drink plenty of tea (helps to dilate the bronchial airways) especially green tea (contains a multitude of phytonutrients) but avoid coffee. See Dangers of coffee.

Replace sugar with honey, especially in teas, as honey contains enzymes which will also fight off fungal infections whilst sugar will feed the fungi.

To make an infusion, use 1 teaspoon of corn silk, passion flower, common stinging nettle, oregon grape root, oregano, parsley or powdered cloves per cup of boiled water, steep 10-20 minutes and drink up to 3 cups a day. NOTE: Do not drink nettle tea if you have heart or kidney problems.

Place 2 teaspoons of crushed seeds of anise, fennel, coriander, mustard or cumin in a cup of boiled water and steep for 20 minutes then drink this tea three time a day. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Garlic has antifungal properties. Eating at least two fresh garlic cloves a day can prevent and treat yeast infections.

Make a basil tea and use it as a gargle for fungal throat infections. Boil 3 1/2 cups of water, remove from heat, and add 1 1/4 teaspoons ground basil. Cover and steep for 30 minutes. Cool and gargle. Or sweeten to taste with honey and drink 1 cup twice a day.

Make a thyme tea using 1 teaspoon dried thyme per 1 cup boiling water. Steep and drink 1 to 4 cups per day until the infection has gone.

Take seven peppercorns, grind and mix with honey and consume 3 times a day.

Put a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper in water or juice and drink it 3 times a day.

Take 1 teaspoon of black seed powder with honey and drink 3 times a day, 1 hour before meals and 1 before bed. Eat 4 to 5 cloves of garlic each day in conjunction with the black seed and honey.

Consuming comfrey tea and echinacea tea on a regular basis can reduce and avoid infections.

Drink a combination of olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water.

Take 1oz of gentian root powder in a glass of any available liquid.

Water boiled with holy basil leaves can be taken as a drink. This water can also be used as a gargle in the case of yeast infections of the mouth or throat.

Mix 1 teaspoon of Chinese rhubarb root powder to 1 cup of water. Then, bring to boil and simmer at a reduced heat for 10 minutes. Add a little honey to sweeten. NOTE: not suitable for pregnant or breast feeding women, children under twelve years of age, those who suffer from colitis or have intestinal obstruction or have a history of renal stones or urinary problems, or if taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) medicine or  aspirin.

A decoction can be made of grated alum root simmered in a litre of water until the liquid has halved, strain then drink when cooled. NOTE: Alum root may cause gastrointestinal irritation if taken in large amounts.

For lung infection the consumption of swede can help reduce the wheezing.

Goldenseal herb is effective both externally or internally.

Place a tablespoon of chopped burdock root into 1 pint of boiled cold water. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Strain, cool, keep in a cold place and drink 4 times a day. This tea can also be used as a skin and face wash. Apply the cooled tea to the skin with a clean facecloth and rinse in cool water.

For lung infection make a tea with:

2 tsp. powdered Indian root

2 tsp. granulated echinacea root

2 tsp. elecampane root

2 cups of bottled or filtered water

Mix all ingredients and let them steep for 2 hours

To improve breathing make a tea with:

1 tsp. chamomile flowers

1 tsp. echinacea root

1 tsp. mullein leaves

1 tsp. passionflower leaves

1 quart bottled or filtered boiling water

Mix all ingredients and let them steep for 2 hours

WARNING

Avoid cumin, garlic and turmeric if taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medication), or hormone therapies and contraceptive pills or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, have heart problems or during the first three months of pregnancy or are breast feeding

Avoid rosemary tea if suffering from high blood pressure, pregnant or breastfeeding

Check the pH of your saliva with pHydrion paper. If your saliva pH is below 7.2 then you may have an imbalance of the bacteria flora in the intestines. To increase your oral pH to a normal 7.2 or greater, drink 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in 2 ounces of cooled boiled water. It is that simple to neutralize the acids that cause bacteria imbalance, yeast infections, virus infections, tooth cavities and decay, mouth sores, proliferation of worms and parasites, halitosis, acne, MRSA, anaemia and even oral cancer. Cleaning the teeth with bicarbonate of soda after eating can help to correct the PH balance and avoiding commercial powerful toothpastes and mouthwashes can also help readdress the balance. It has been proved that the strong antibacterial mouthwashes encourages the proliferation of worms and parasites by killing the good bacteria in the intestinal tract.

NATURE CURES EXTERNAL REMEDIES FOR FUNGAL INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN AND NAILS

Maintain proper personal hygiene and be particular about drying between folds of skin, the belly button and around the toes as fungus and yeasts thrive in these areas. Take baths adding tea tree oil, sea salt or any of the the herbal teas listed here to help clear up external infections. Keep house dust down and surfaces clean (see the Hygiene, Toxins and Health page for natural cleaners), eliminate damp and mould from the home, change into clean clothes and wash towels and bedding often.

Pour a very hot bath adding a large handful of fresh mint leaves and leave to steep until the water is bearable for soaking the whole body. Remove the leaves and add one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda then soak in the bath for as long as possible. Use a flannel to gently rub the skin whilst soaking. Do not use soap. Dry with a clean towel and then dress in clean clothes and change bedding. Do this everyday for 3 days and skin infections should clear up.

Adding a large handful of basil, borage, bay, fig, marigold, oregano and/or rosemary leaves, cloves (sliced or crushed) and a few drops of lavender oil, coconut oil and/or tea tree oil to the bath with the mint can also provide extra antifungal properties. Leaves can be soaked in cold water and bicarbonate of soda then rinsed first before adding to the bath to eradicate any mites or bugs.

Rub some pure aloe vera gel (by breaking open the aloe vera plant leaves) onto the areas of infection after the bath can also help.

Lavender oil, oregano oil and garlic oil are excellent home remedies for fungal infections in nails. Apply any of these oils on the under side of the nails two times in a day to heal the infection.

A mixture of one teaspoon of olive oil and two drops of oregano oil can also be applied.

Prepare a paste-like mixture by mixing turmeric powder and water. Apply this paste on the affected area for sometime until it dries. Finally, wash it off with water to ease the symptoms and remove infections, especially in nails.

Applying a light coat of pure tea tree oil on the feet is one of the most effective natural home remedies for foot infections. Continue this natural remedy for at least two weeks to see considerable difference.

Soaking the affected area in a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar mixed in equal proportions is one of the most effective natural home remedies.

Mix lemongrass with pure coconut oil to apply as a liniment. Add marigold for a more potent healer of fungal infection.

The juice of the common stinging nettle leaves, a tea or a decoction of the root can be used as a wash for fungal infections.

Make a neem leaf paste by simply pounding fresh neem leaves with water using a mortar and pestle. Apply it onto the affected skin and leave for twenty minutes or until nearly dry. Then rinse it off.

Apply a combination of crushed neem leaves and basil with some rose water.

A paste prepared from neem leaves and turmeric powder can also be applied 2-3 times in a day on a regular basis.

Applied locally, holy basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other fungal skin diseases.

A combination of turmeric and basil can treat the infection.

Application of juice extracted from fig leaves can treat infections of the scalp. Black walnut and bay leaves are also effective.

Apply aloe vera gel to infected area.

Borage oil may be applied to areas of fungal infection daily until it has cleared up.

Lemon (as an essential oil) may be applied to infections.

Taking a mixture prepared from lotus flowers and milk twice a day for at least two weeks for infections of the lips.

Many other herbs have the ability to conquer yeast such as: calendula, cedar, comfrey, goldenseal, myrrh,  pau d'arco, reed mace root, and tamanu oil. Make strong decoctions or infusions of these herbs by steeping in hot water for 20 minutes, To ease itching and burning apply externally with pads that have been soaked in it or bathe in hot water that they have been steeped in for 15 minutes.

Apricots, banana, cayenne pepper, chicory, coconut milk, comfrey, garlic tea, papaya, mango, marigold, myrrh, pau d'arco, potatoes, reed mace root, tamanu oil, tea tree oil, watercress, yoghurt (live probiotic) all have antifungal properties.