Oral thrush is an infection of the mouth and the tongue caused by a fungus known as Candida or yeast. Candida is part of the normal oral flora but can lead to infections in individuals with reduced immunity. White, velvety lesions of the mouth with red tissues underneath that may bleed easily are the main symptoms of oral thrush. Oral thrush may be painful, especially in infants, but is not serious. Treatment may involve anti-fungal mouthwash or lozenges. Oral anti-fungal medications may be prescribed if the infection has spread to other parts of the body. Several herbal remedies for oral thrush exist, but consult a doctor before using them.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree, or Melaleuca alternifolia, and has strong anti-fungal properties. A mouthwash prepared by mixing a few drops of tea tree oil in a glass of water is recommended to treat oral thrush by the Home Remedies for You website. The mouthwash should be used two times a day until the symptoms go away. Tea tree oil is generally safe to use, but it is important not to swallow undiluted tea tree oil, as it may lead to confusion, unsteadiness, rash and coma. Always consult a doctor before using tea tree oil for oral thrush.
Garlic
The allyl alcohol present in garlic cloves inhibits the growth of a variety of fungi and bacteria, including Candida. "Life Extension" magazine recommends garlic to treat oral Candida infections. Garlic is safe to use, although overuse can lead to heartburn and nausea.
Propolis
Propolis is a resin-like substance synthesized by bees from the resin of poplar trees. It is obtained from bee hives. An alcohol extract of propolis is prepared by mixing 2g of dried propolis in 25ml of an 80:20 alcohol:water solution. Application of the extract four times a day for seven days may help treat lesions associated with oral thrush, according to the University of the Michigan Health System. Propolis side effects have not been completely studied and hence should not be used without consulting a physician.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate gel may help treat oral thrush associated with mouth sores. In fact, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, pomegranate gel may be as effective as anti-fungal medications such as miconazole in treating oral thrush. However, it is important to talk to a doctor before replacing prescription medications with pomegranate gel.
Salt
MayoClinic.com recommends rinsing the mouth with saltwater, which can be prepared by mixing 1 tsp. of salt in 1 cup of water. The saltwater should not be swallowed. No side effects of saltwater rinse have been reported.
