Candida albicans is one of the normal flora found in the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach, small intestine and colon. It is kept under control by a healthy immune system, but it can multiply and cause infections if immunity is compromised due to illness or antibiotics. Conventional drugs, such as amphotericin B, fluconazole and clotrimazole, attempt to eliminate candida, but it is becoming resistant to these drugs because of overuse.
Herbs active against C. albicans can help re-establish a healthy balance of flora in the colon. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Rosemary
Rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis, is an aromatic cooking herb that also has a long history in the Mediterranean as a medicinal herb. The needle-like leaves yield a volatile oil containing 1,8cineole, alpha-pinene and camphor, and phenols such as rosmarinic acid.
The plant has antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory actions, and it is used traditionally to treat digestive problems, nervous disorders, fungal infections and poor blood circulation.
A study by Suaib Luqman and colleagues published in the September-October 2007 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" tested the essential oil against various strains of bacteria and fungi.
The study found the oil had greater activity against the fungi than the bacteria, and was more effective against strains of Candida albicans that were resistant to the antifungal drugs amphotericin B and clotrimazole.
This in vitro study is preliminary but supports the use of rosemary for treating yeast infections. Further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanism of action and correct dosage levels.
Thyme
Thyme, or Thymus spp., is an aromatic herb used in cooking and herbal medicine. As with other members of the mint family, thyme is rich in volatile oil. Thyme oil from the leaves and flowers contains thymol, carvacrol, linalool, alpha-pinene, p-cymene and γ-terpinene.
Traditionally, the herb is considered a carminative---an herb that promotes digestion, relaxes the stomach and relieves flatulence---and is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
The oil also has expectorant properties and relieves coughs, colds and other upper respiratory infections. Essential oils often have potent antimicrobial properties, and a study by Lu�s Andr� Vale-Silva and colleagues published in the June 2010 issue of "Planta Medica" found that thyme oil was highly active against fungal pathogens.
The study found that thymol and p-cymene were especially active against Candida albicans, and that the oil works by directly damaging fungal cell membranes and causing death. This study supports thyme as a home remedy against yeast infections, but further studies are needed to confirm these results. Thyme oil should not be taken internally during pregnancy.
Clove
Clove, or Syzygium aromaticum, is the flower bud from an evergreen tree, and a cooking spice long used in traditional herbal medicines. Cloves produce an essential oil that is used traditionally to treat toothaches, mouth and throat infections, digestive disorders, and muscle and joint pain.
The active ingredients in the oil are eugenol, eugenyl acetate and beta-caryophyllene, and the whole clove is also rich in flavonoids, tannins and triterpenes. A study by Eugenia Pinto and colleagues published in the November 2009 issue of the "Journal of Medical Microbiology" tested clove oil against 17 strains of fungi, including five strains of Candida albicans from patients with recurring cases of yeast infection.
The study found that clove oil was active against all fungal strains, even those resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole. The researchers attribute the effect to the oil's eugenol content, which was about 85.3 percent.
The oil directly attacks the fungal cell membrane, causing death. This study holds promise for using clove oil to treat yeast infections, but further studies are needed to support these findings. Undiluted clove oil should not be ingested or applied to the skin, and clove oil should not be used by people taking anticoagulants.
References
"Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; Potential of rosemary oil to be used in drug-resistant infections; Luqman S, Dwivedi GR, Darokar MP, Kalra A, Khanuja SP; September-October 2007
"Planta Medica"; Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Thymus X Viciosoi Against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species; Vale-Silva LA, Gon�alves MJ, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L, Pinto E; June 2010
"Journal of Medical Microbiology"; Antifungal Activity of the Clove Essential Oil from Syzygium Aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species; Pinto E, Vale-Silva L, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L; November 2009
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sparkle7
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Antimicrobial Activities of Clove and Thyme Extracts
Fungal infections come in many forms and can affect your mouth, lungs, skin, sinuses, nails and other areas of your body. Plants contain hundreds of chemicals that are natural fungicides.
Many antifungal plant constituents are essential oils and should not be taken internally, but teas and tinctures of medicinal herbs can successfully treat fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candida and tinea versicolor.
Narrow-leaved Tea Tree
The narrow-leaved tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is native to Australia. The Australian Aborigines have used the plant for generations to treat upper respiratory infections.
The leaves of the narrow-leaved tea tree contain an essential oil, known as tea tree oil. The active ingredients in tea tree oil include 1,8-cineole, camphor, caryophyllene, myrcene and terpinolene--all of which are fungicides. Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink, in their 2004 book "Medicinal Plants of the World," said tea tree oil is widely used for fungal infections, including athlete's foot and thrush.
Use this oil externally; it may be toxic if taken internally.
Cinnamon
The cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum cassia, C. verum) is an evergreen whose bark produces the aromatic spice used in cooking and herbal medicine. The bark contains an essential oil that's rich in antifungal constituents, including cinnamaldehyde.
A study published in the 2006 issue of the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that cinnamaldehyde is the major chemical in cinnamon essential oil. Researchers also found that the oil and the single chemical were effective against Candida albicans--which causes vaginal yeast infections--and certain molds and fungi that cause nasal, lung and skin infections.
Clove
The clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) is a tropical evergreen that produces the popular spice used in cooking and herbal medicine. Traditionally, cloves relieved the pain of toothache and soothed indigestion. The essential oil contains eugenol and caryophyllene, both potent fungicides.
A study published in the 2009 issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology found that clove oil was effective against candida, Aspergillus mold and dermatophyte--fungi that cause skin diseases. Clove essential oil works by causing lesions in the fungal cell membrane and reducing the amount of a necessary sterol in the cell membrane.
Eucalyptus
Several eucalyptus species are useful in treating fungal infections. Eucalyptus leaves contain potent essential oils with antifungal ingredients such as 1,8-cineole, p-cymene and carvone. A study in the 2004 issue of Letters in Applied Microbiology found that leaf extracts of spotted gum (Eucalyptus maculata), blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) effectively inhibited the growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, a fungus that causes hair, skin, and nail infections.
References
"The American Journal of Chinese Medicine"; Antimicrobial activities of cinnamon oil and cinnamaldehyde from the Chinese medicinal herb Cinnamomumcassia Blume. Ooi LS, Li Y, Kam SL, Wang H, Wong EY, Ooi VE; 2006
"Journal of Medical Microbiology"; Antifungal activity of the clove essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species. Pinto E, Vale-Silva L, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L; November 2009
"Letters in Applied Microbiology"; Antimicrobial activities of eucalyptus leaf extracts and flavonoids from Eucalyptus maculata; Takahashi T, Kokubo R, Sakaino M; May 2004
It has to to (dot) htm - that's the standard code for a webpage.
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How do you take Cloves? Clove extract is most effective in the form of an oil. Add 15 to 30 drops in warm water and take this tea 1-3 times daily. Be sure to dilute it - clove extract is actually quite a powerful substance.
Clove oil also blends quite well with other essential oils, e.g. basil essential oil, rosemary essential oil, rose oil, cinnamon essential oil and grapefruit essential oil. Feel free to mix it up a bit to make your tea more palatable!
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A long time ago, I worked in a store that just sold medicinal & culinary herbs. The lady there said a gallon of water, 2-3 drops of thyme oil, oil of eucalyptus oil, wintergreen oil & chlorophyll will cure a yeast infection (as a douche). This was back in the 1980s... I guess she knew her stuff.
You have to be careful with oil of herbs. They are very strong. You could put them in a capsule with some coconut oil.
I used the Yest Cleanse by Solaray for a long time & it was good but recently - it hasn't worked. The yeast may have built up a resistance to it. Sometimes you have to try something new.
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Keebler
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- None of those essential oils work for me as they just burn so much, even when in a gelcap, they often burn my stomach.
But, I'm the type who can never tolerate any spicy foods due to the burn.
I was delighted with the effectiveness of OLE (Olive Leaf Extract), capsules - and they can be opened up and swished with water in the mouth (or an alcohol tincture of OLE can be diluted with water).
OLE is a "cool" herb, as opposed to GARLIC, which is "hot" - Garlic is also excellent and, in enteric coated capsules to protect the upper GI tract, they work well for me, too.
PROBIOTICS are still necessary with any antifungal treatment, but timed apart from both herb and from ABX. Best to keep all three timed apart from each other.
Olive+Leaf+Extract - 50 abstracts -
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Keebler
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- For help with the mouth tissue, I have found Auromere Ayurvedic Herbal Mouthwash to be excellent. Even with many essential oil, the blend is just right even for my tender mouth. I can use it straight for a good swish.
To stretch it, I pour it into a smaller bottle with a dropper and use just 2 droppers per swish. That's plenty.
I also sometimes just put a few drops into my mouth after a glass of water to help mouth combat bacteria or viruses that may be causing mouth ulcers I've been battling for a long time.
This seems to help, in addition to Sea Buckthorn Oil (from Rose Mountain Herbs).
Ingredient / property list -
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GiGi
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Ozonated Rizole Oil/Gamma works very well, for fungi and parasites.
Ozonated Rizole Oil/Alpha is the gentlest for fungi.
If yeast is systemic, one may need antifungal pharmaceutcal also.
The Gamma also works for mold treatment -
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sparkle7
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I never tried the rizoles - sounds interesting.
Yes, sometimes we need the pharmaceuticals... I was looking on-line & they have them for dogs & cats for quite a low price. You need a veterinarian prescription, though. I just don't understand why people don't rebel or do something about this corrupt system.
100mg of fluconazole is about 59 cents a pill for dogs. I was trying to compare prices on-line & most places in the US don't post the prices. One pharmacy might charge $200 for 30 days worth and another is $50... It's really "anything goes" & most people don't have time to study all of this - especially if you aren't feeling well.
For some reason that link for cloves doesn't work - you have to just manually copy it into the address bar.
Keebler - have you tried Periobrite? They make a mouthwash, too.
After I did all the anti-parasite stuff - I don't seem to be getting the mouth ulcers as much. It might be some kind of parasite?
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sparkle7
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I was also reading that capsules of baking soda may help for yeast. I just got a capsule maker! It works great... (the capsule maker - that is - I haven't tried baking soda in caps)
Also - olive leaf is interesting stuff. I mostly know it as an anti-viral.
As a traditional medicine or dietary supplement, berberine has shown some activity against fungal infections, Candida albicans, yeast, parasites, and bacterial/viral infections.[4][5] Berberine seems to exert synergistic effects with fluconazole even in drug-resistant Candida albicans infections
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
CandiBactin BR from Metagenics, and OLE from whatever place Keebler recommended, were very helpful for me. I know brand matters with the OLE as I had a cheaper brand that energy tested bad while this one tested good.
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sparkle7
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I printed out the "Foods to Eat" list from the Candida Diet list... I just bought some pistashioes (spelling) & that says they are a NO on the "Foods to Avoid" list.
It's a pretty minimal diet. I have all this food around the house that I can't eat.
Interesting about the OLE... You really don't know what is in the caps.
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