Candidiasis is an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans, also commonly referred to as a yeast infection. Candidiasis can effect the mouth and throat with white patches and painful cracks, usually referred to as 'thrush', and also manifests as rashes and blisters in the creases of skin at differing points of the body. Candidiasis can also affect the reproductive system, appearing as a cottage-cheese like, itchy vaginal secretion. Herbal remedies are one method used to restore the body's healthful candida balance and eliminate yeast infections.
Goldenseal
The root of the perennial herb goldenseal, or Hydrastatis canadensis, is used medicinally for its antibiotic component berberine according to the Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook published by Rodale Press. Goldenseal metabolically inhibits some organisms growth, including fungi like candida, reports the Life Extension Foundation, a nonprofit organization offering independent, authoritative information on nutrition, health, and anti-aging supplements. Life Extension recommends taking 250 to 750 mgs of goldenseal daily to reduce the severity of yeast infections; however, limit goldenseal intake to no more than 3 weeks, leaving 2 weeks between episodes of treatment, to avoid potential cumulative negative side effects.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia, oil has anti-fungal properties, and has been demonstrated to be effective in combating oral thrush when used as a mouthwash, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. The university additionally cautions that tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed, so care should be taken to spit it out when used as a topical wash for yeast infections in the mouth and throat. Tea tree oil works by disrupting the walls of candida cells, according to the Life Extension Foundation. This means that tea tree oil is effective when applied topically for yeast infection sites in the creases of the skin. Undiluted tea tree oil should not be inserted vaginally, but Dr. Marilyn Greenville, England's leading womens health nutritionist, advises that tea tree oil containing pessaries--vaginal suppositories--are available to deliver tea tree oil to the site of vaginal infections. Dr. Greenville also suggests adding a few drops of tea tree oil to bathwater.
Plain yogurt is another yeast infection remedy that can be applied vaginally, according to the Columbia University Health Services. Inserting about 1 tablespoon of unsweetened, live-culture yogurt per day will keep the vaginal pH low, rendering it an inhospitable environment for candida.
Garlic
Garlic, Allium sativum, has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, and has long been a traditional remedy for yeast infections. The Life Extension Foundation reports that the anti-fungal impacts of garlic begin to be seen within an hour after ingesting it; they recommend taking 600 mg per day of kyolic garlic--a concentrated, aged garlic supplement--daily. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating more garlic as well as nuts and whole grains daily to help avoid yeast infections. The Green Pharmacy reports that oral doses of 12 or more chopped raw cloves of garlic taken twice daily is a powerful anti-yeast treatment; they suggest that mixing the chopped garlic with chopped carrots makes it more palatable.
References
- Columbia University Health Services, Go Ask Alice: Yogurt for Yeast Infections
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Candidiasis
- Rodale Press, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Yeast Infections
- Life Extension Foundation: Fungal Infections (Candida)
- Dr. Marilyn Glenville: Vaginal Infections and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
