Candida albicans, is a fungus that causes oral and genital infections, also known as yeast infections, candidiasis or moniliasis. It is normal to have candida in the body but when the immune system fails to keep it under control, either because immunity is compromised by infection, or because of long-term antibiotic treatment, the person needs treatment. Conventional treatment involves anti-fungal medication such as butoconazole, clotrimazole, miconazole or fluconazole, but these drugs can have mild to serious side effects. Herbs are a natural way to kill candida albicans. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting any herbal treatment.
Guaco
Guaco, or Mikania glomerata, is a woody tropical vine native to South America. Indigenous people use the leaves to treat snake bite, fever, bronchitis, gastrointestinal disorders and rheumatism. Guaco essential oil contains the terpenoid germacrene d, which has anti-microbial activity. A study published in the February 2005 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” screened essential oils and extracts from 35 Brazilian plants for activity against candida albicans. None of the extracts succeeded in killing candida, but the essential oils of several plants did. The study found that guaco had one of the highest success rates against candida. Further studies are needed to identify all of the active ingredients in the plant and to test its efficacy and safety on humans.
Hop Bush
Hop bush, or Dodonaea viscosa, is a small evergreen tree native to South Africa but cultivated in warm climates throughout the world. Folk healers use the leaves to treat oral thrush, rheumatism, skin infections, diarrhea and pain. The roots are used for toothache and headache, and the flowers as a tonic. The leaves contain flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and tannins, and have analgesic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. A study reported in the June 2008 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” compared a leaf extract of hop bush to two commercial mouthwashes for their activity against 40 strains of candida albicans from HIV-positive and -negative subjects. The study found that the plant extract killed all the candida strains within 30 seconds, while the mouthwashes either took longer or did not succeed in killing all strains. Candida strains from HIV-positive patients are more virulent and may be resistant to anti-fungal treatment, so it is significant that this extract was successful. Further studies are needed to determine the active ingredients and the safety of hop bush in humans.
Cloves
The clove tree, or Syzygium aromaticum, is an evergreen native to the Molucca Islands in southeast Asia. The dried flower buds, known as cloves, are aromatic and used in cooking and folk medicine. The active ingredient in the essential oil is eugenol, a potent anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory analgesic. Clove oil is a traditional remedy for toothache and is often an ingredient in commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes. A study published in the November 2009 issue of the "Journal of Medical Microbiology" tested clove oil against candida and other fungi. The study found that clove oil killed all fungal strains, possibly by destroying the fungal cell membranes and reducing the level of ergosterol, a necessary part of the membrane. Further studies are needed to determine the active anti-candida ingredients in clove oil and whether the oil can be an effective treatment. (reference 3)
References
- “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”; Anti-Candida Activity of Brazilian Medicinal Plants; M.C. Duarte; February 2005
- “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”; Antifungal Activity of the Plant Dodonaea Viscosa var. angustifolia on Candida Albicans from HIV-infected Patients; M. Patel; June 2008
- “Journal of Medical Microbiology”; Antifungal Activity of the Clove Essential Oil From Syzygium Aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species; E. Pinto; November 2009
