Natural Toenail Fungus Remedies

A thickened or discolored toenail may indicate the presence of a fungal infection in the nail bed. Your risk of contracting a toenail fungus is higher if you go barefoot in public showering areas or if you share shoes with someone who has an active fungus. You may also get a toenail infection if you wear tight shoes that restrict circulation or if your shoes trap moisture in, keeping your feet damp. Some cases of toenail fungus may disappear with natural remedies, but if the condition persists, see your doctor to rule out an underlying disorder.

Soak Your Feet

A warm water and vinegar soak, three times per week, may reduce the bacterial growth that accompanies a toenail fungal infection, advises the Mayo Clinic. Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a large shallow pan or a foot bath and soak your feet for 20 minutes.
Mother Nature.com mentions foot baths made from green husks of walnuts as a possible treatment for toenail fungus. Try steeping the husks in boiling water until the water cools to lukewarm before soaking your feet for 15 minutes or longer.

Topical Treatments

Ointments and solutions that inhibit fungal growth may be beneficial in treating toenail fungus. Apply a drop of tea tree oil, available from health food stores, directly to the affected toenail and massage into the nail and the surrounding skin twice a day.
Essential oil of peppermint or chamomile essential oil may also be effective when rubbed into the nail bed. Be patient; you will not see improvement until the old part of the toenail grows out, which may take several months. Continue the treatment until all signs of the fungus are gone.

Debridement

Use an emery board or a metal fingernail file to sand away the thickened portions of the toenail, allowing the topical solutions to absorb into the nail bed more effectively. In addition to filing the end of the toenail, file down the ridges on the top surface of the nail.

Diet

Including foods with anti-fungal properties may assist in treating toenail fungus. The Gale Encyclopedia suggests adding fresh garlic and yogurt in your diet to fight fungus. Lemons may also inhibit fungal growth. Diet alone is unlikely to cure a toenail fungus, but it may be beneficial when used in conjunction with other treatments.

Herbs

Gale recommends steeping a teabag of pau d'arco or calendula for 10 minutes, then pressing the wet teabag directly onto the affected toenail, leaving it on for 10 minutes or longer. You may sip the tea at the same time.