Thrush, also called oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection that appears as white sores inside the mouth. Candida albicans, a fungus normally found in the body, is responsible for thrush and many other fungal infections. Candida becomes a problem when the body's immune system cannot keep it under control. Patients with immune-system disorders, or those taking antibiotics, which destroy helpful bacteria, or steroids, which suppress the immune system, are most vulnerable. Candida is becoming resistant to conventional anti-fungal drugs because of their overuse, according to Phyllis A. Balch and Dr. James F. Balch. Herbs may be effective home remedies for thrush. It is important to consult an herbalist or other health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Pau d'arco
Pau d'arco, or Tabebuia avellanedae, is a tropical tree with clusters of pink, trumpet-shaped flowers native to Central and South America. Traditional healers use the bark to treat a range of diseases including candida fungal infections, upper-respiratory infections, malaria, arthritis, digestive disorders and cancer. The bark contains compounds called naphthoquinones, which have antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds also stimulate the immune system, possibly explaining the effectiveness of the herb. A study by A. Portillo, et al, published in the June 2001 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology tested water and chemical extracts of 14 plants for their anti-fungal action in vitro. The study found that a methylene chloride extract of pau d'arco was the only one that showed activity against Candida albicans. The researchers tentatively attribute the herb's action to two naphthoquinone derivatives, lapachol and beta-lapachone. In their 2000 book, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Balch and Dr. Balch recommend pau d'arco tea to treat candida infections, including thrush. Research supports the traditional use of pau d'arco in treating candida infections, but further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of the herb on humans.
Thuja
Thuja, or Thuja occidentalis, is the white cedar, a cypress tree native to North America. The Ojibwe people used the twigs as a cough remedy and European settlers used them for fevers, coughs and intestinal parasites. Contemporary herbalists use the leafy branches and volatile oil to treat fever, headache, rheumatism, cystitis, bronchitis and other upper-respiratory infections. The volatile oil from the branches contains alpha- and beta-thujone, limonene, camphor and borneol, which have potent anti-fungal and anti-candida actions. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," herbalist David Hoffmann says that externally, thuja shows marked anti-fungal action against thrush. Thuja should not be used during pregnancy, or taken internally without first consulting a health care professional. Studies are needed to validate the traditional use and safety of the herb for thrush.
Oregano
Oregano, or Origanum vulgare, is also known as wild oregano, an aromatic perennial herb used throughout the Mediterranean in cooking and medicine. Traditionally, it is used to treat colds, flu, bronchitis and mouth infections. The plant is rich in anti-candida chemicals, including carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, beta-pinene, borneol, carvone, caryophyllene, cosmosiin, eugenol, geraniol, limonene, naringenin, thymol, ursolic acid and quercetin. Balch and Dr. Balch recommend wild oregano oil in treating candida infections, including thrush. A study by P. Pozzatti, et al, published in the November 2008 issue of the Canadian Journal of Microbiology, tested the essential oils of eight aromatic herbs for action against fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-susceptible species of Candida. The study found that oregano was effective against all fungal strains, but showed the highest activity against resistant Candida strains. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
References
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Antifungal Activity of Paraguayan Plants Used in Traditional Medicine; Portillo A, Vila R, Freixa B, Adzet T, Cañigueral S; June 2001
- Canadian Journal of Microbiology; In Vitro Activity of Essential Oils Extracted From Plants Used as Spices Against Fluconazole-Resistant and Fluconazole-Susceptible Candida spp; Pozzatti P, Scheid LA, Spader TB, Atayde ML, Santurio JM, Alves SH; November 2008
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