Candida is a grouping of over 150 species of yeast, although only 5 or so tend to cause harm in people. The most common species to overgrow in people and cause infections is Candida albicans. Candida infections can be localized to the mouth,...
"Pharmacological Reviews" states that tissues and organisms representing every kingdom of life, from plants to insects to humans, have yielded antimicrobial peptides. According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the properties...
The active ingredient in soap is what distinguishes one type from another. Antimicrobial, also called antibacterial, soaps are no exception, including active ingredients designed to kill germs as well as clean your skin. The U.S. Food and Drug...
The natural antimicrobial effects of different herbs are becoming more commonly investigated. The reasons for the mounting interest include the recent attention being paid to approaching disease from a natural and holistic perspective....
Commonly known as turmeric, Curcuma longa has many uses as foodstuff, a cosmetic and medicine. Throughout Asia, traditional medicine has long used turmeric as an anti-inflammatory to deal with a wide range of conditions, including respiratory...
Oregano, a plant in the mint family, is a perennial herb native to warm regions of Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean. Oregano essential oil has been used for a variety of purported health benefits, including antimicrobial effects. Some of the...
Spices and herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat medical disorders. According to "The Journal of Young Investigators," the phytochemicals found in certain spices and herbs attack microbes that cause illness. When these plants are...
Whether you're sick, worried about getting sick or have another type of infection, you may be able to use essential oils to help. Microbes cause everything from the common cold to skin infections. Aromatherapist Patricia Davis notes in her book,...
Gum disease, including periodontitis and gingivitis, are microbial infections that cause inflammation, bleeding and pain. If you don't treat these diseases, you may lose teeth and surrounding bone, and mouth pathogens can infect other organs,...
The emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance is a great public health concern. The role of inappropriate and excessive antibiotic use has been clearly demonstrated in the development of drug resistant bacteria. In contrast, studies...
Bad breath is fairly common but still causes embarrassment and distress among those who have it. Bad breath is caused by putrefaction, whether it is food between your teeth or proteins in your saliva being attacked by bacteria. It can also be...
The search for ways to preserve foods has taken on a new impetus in light of recent contamination of meat and vegetables with bacteria and fungi. At least five essential oils are of interest to the food industry as antibacterial treatments:...
It's common, it's not life-threatening, but it's still horrible--it's acne. Whether you have one zit or patches of redness and swelling, you want the best treatment for every acne breakout. There are many, many treatments for acne,...
If you suffer from acne and haven't had any success with over-the-counter products, you may be wondering what else can be done to clear up your skin. The next step toward clearing up your acne would be to visit a dermatologist who can work with...
For those who suffer from acne, finding the appropriate treatment can be confusing and expensive. Treatments vary from over-the-counter products to powerful prescription medications. If you suffer from acne, learn a little bit about the available...
Beyond providing essential nutrients such as energy, vitamins and minerals, many foods serve as natural antimicrobials. These foods destroy pathogenic bacteria, molds, fungi and viruses, keeping food safe to eat and safe to store for certain...
For many people, acne can be treated by leaving the area alone or using over-the-counter remedies, such as salicylic acid. When acne grows in severity and becomes inflamed or infected, prescription medications may be required for adequate...
Acne is one of the most common skin problems that people of all ages face. Though acne may be more prevalent during the transitory teen years, it can also strike adults. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the acne, and you should...
Acne is a skin disorder that occurs when a follicle on your skin gets clogged with a plug made up of a mixture of sebum oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. When trying to reduce your acne outbreaks, there are different medications on the market...
Almost everyone experiences acne at some point in their life. Acne is the result of natural sebum oils from the skin and dead skin cells combining to create plugs in the follicles, called comedones. As bacteria and inflammation enter the equation,...
Menthol and methyl salicylic acid are the active ingredients in over-the-counter creams for pain relief. Both are natural compounds from plants and can be synthesized in the laboratory. Though used for similar symptoms of joint and muscle pain,...
Preservatives extend the shelf life of various foods. Bacteria, mold or yeast growth, over-ripening or becoming rancid due to fat oxidation all cause foods to become inedible. Foods can be preserved by adding a preserving substance or by...
Though your skin constantly renews itself by flaking of and growing new skin cells, in cases of severe dandruff, this process is taking place much more quickly, and you will notice dry flakes of skin on your scalp. It can also become itchy and...
Olive leaf extract contains natural antimicrobials and antioxidants. A 1999 study by the University of Rome assessed the antimicrobial activity of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, two of the most viable ingredients in olive leaf extract. Both of...
The severity of acne varies from person to person. Most cases of acne consist of non-inflammatory blackheads and whiteheads as well as smaller inflammatory pimples. But some people suffer from more severe blemishes, called nodules. While these...
Acne is a common skin ailment that affects millions of people throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Although most active through your teens and early 20s, for some, acne can last all the way through adulthood. With acne being...
Acne is a common problem that can appear on many areas of your skin, especially the face, back and scalp. The scalp presents a unique challenge to treating acne, as most people have a thick coating of hair blocking medications from reaching the...
Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism. Parasitic infections, then, are when an unwelcome parasite invades a host organism and damages that host. Antibiotics are medications that kill or retard the growth of parasites,...
There is no one cause of acne--increased hormones during puberty, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or simply genetics all factor in to the eruption of pimples on the face and other body parts. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration, charged...
Facial masks come in a variety of ways and are excellent for removing dead cells from the face and nourishing it. In this video learn how to do this procedure and if it's right for you.
