Yeast is a fungus that can live almost anywhere in the body. The body's immune system and bacteria keep yeast at a safe level, but if illness or medications disturb the balance, yeast can grow and cause infection. Candida species are most commonly involved in infections, and several have become resistant to conventional anti-fungal drugs like fluconazole, ketoconazole and miconazole. This is a serious problem for people with diabetes or HIV, who risk developing chronic or frequently recurring yeast infections. Herbs that can kill resistant strains of Candida may be a useful home remedy for chronic infection. It is important to consult a doctor or herbalist before starting herbal treatment.
Hopwood
Hopwood, or Dodonaea viscosa, is a flowering shrub that grows in warm regions throughout the world. Traditional healers use the leaves and stems to treat a range of disorders, including sore throat, herpes infections, sprains, rheumatism, gout and thrush, which is an oral form of yeast infection.
The plant contains alkaloids, saponins, tannins and several anti-fungal flavonoids like kaempferol, pinocembrin and quercetin. A study by M. Patel and M. M. Coogan published in the June 2008 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested a leaf extract on 40 strains of oral Candida taken from 150 HIV-positive patients and 100 HIV-negative patients.
The yeast strains from HIV-positive patients were more resistant and virulent, but the study found that 50 mg/ml of the extract killed all strains within 30 seconds. In comparison, chlorhexidine gluconate and triclosan, the conventional anti-fungal drug controls, reduced, but did not eradicate the oral yeasts, thereby opening the door to chronic recurring infection.
This study supports the traditional use of hopwood for thrush. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine a safe dosage for humans.
Thyme
Thyme, or Thymus spp., is a genus of aromatic herbs used throughout the Mediterranean in cooking and herbal medicine. Like other members of the mint family, thyme contains potent essential oils, including thymol, carvacrol, linalool, cineole, γ-terpinene and p-cymene.
Traditional healers use the essential oil for its antispasmodic and antimicrobial actions. A study by L. A. Vale-Silva, et al, published in the June 2010 issue of "Planta Medica" tested the essential oil of one species, Thymus viciosoi, against seven strains of Candida and several other fungi.
The study found that both the total essential oil and its components carvacrol and thymol had strong antifungal action at very low MIC, or minimum inhibitory concentrations, which is the lowest concentration needed to interrupt the yeast's growth. Thyme works by destroying the cell membrane, causing cell death, and it was effective against all strains tested, even those resistant to the antifungal drug fluconazole.
This study validates the traditional use of thyme as an antimicrobial, and indicates that it may be effective in chronic yeast infections that are resistant to conventional therapy. Further studies are needed to test the effects of thyme on human subjects.
Rosemary
Rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis, is an aromatic evergreen shrub found throughout the Mediterranean. Traditionally, it is used to treat digestive problems like flatulence and colic, or stress-related disorders like headache and anxiety. The essential oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is mildly analgesic.
A study by S. Luqman, et al, published in the September-October 2007 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" tested the essential oil against 13 bacterial strains and eight fungal strains, including a drug-resistant strain of Candida albicans.
The study found that the oil was effective against all strains of fungi, even those resistant to the conventional drugs amphotericin B and clotrimazole. The study also found that rosemary oil had a stronger effect against the fungi than the bacteria. This indicates that rosemary essential oil may be effective in cases of chronic yeast infections that are resistant to conventional therapy. Further research is needed to test these results on humans.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Antifungal Activity of the Plant Dodonaea Viscosa var. Angustifolia on Candida Albicans From HIV-Infected Patients; Patel M, Coogan MM; June 2008
- "Planta Medica"; Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Thymus x Viciosoi Against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species; Vale-Silva LA, Gonçalves MJ, Cavaleiro C, Salgueiro L, Pinto E; June 2010
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; Potential of rRsemary Oil to Be Used in Drug-Resistant Infections; Luqman S, Dwivedi GR, Darokar MP, Kalra A, Khanuja SP; September-October 2007
