Candida, or Candida albicans, is a fungus that causes oral and genital yeast infections. Candida normally lives in the mouth, vagina and gastrointestinal tract without causing any problems. But if you have an impaired immune system, take antibiotics, are pregnant or have diabetes, the balance of yeast and bacteria in your body may become disrupted and you can acquire a yeast infection. Herbal teas and tinctures rich in volatile oils may be effective against yeasts and help relieve your symptoms. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal treatment for candida infections.
Rosemary
Rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis, is a fragrant bush native to the Mediterranean. Herbalists use the dried leaves to treat a range of disorders, including fungal infections, indigestion, flatulence, headache, nervous disorders and bacterial infections. The needle-like leaves are rich in essential oils, especially terpenoids, and have potent antibacterial and antifungal actions. A study published in the September-October 2007 issue of "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" tested the essential oils against several strains of bacteria and fungi and found that rosemary was active against drug-resistant strains of Candida albicans. You can prepare rosemary leaves as a tea or use prepared tinctures diluted in a small amount of water. Do not ingest pure rosemary oil, which is commercially prepared for external use only. Do not take rosemary if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have hypertension, ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease.
Thyme
Thyme is an aromatic herb that grows throughout Europe. Traditional healers use the leaves as teas and tinctures to treat gastrointestinal problems and upper respiratory infections. There are many species of thyme, all rich in microbe-fighting terpenoids like thymol, carvacrol, linalool, cineole and p-cymene. A study published in the June 2010 issue of "Planta Medica" tested volatile oils from the leaves of Thymus viciosoi against eight candida strains. The study found that carvacrol and thymol were the major constituents in thyme with anti-candida action. The herb caused cell death in candida strains by disrupting the plasma membrane of the fungi. Dilute thyme tincture in water, or make a tea from the leaves; thyme tea may also be used as a mouth rinse in cases of oral candida. Do not use thyme oil internally. Avoid thyme if you are pregnant, have thyroid problems or have allergies to members of the mint family.
Clove
Clove, or Syzygium aromaticum, is a popular cooking and medicinal herb that is the dried flower bud from the clove tree. Herbalists use cloves for toothache, mouth and throat infections, and muscle and joint pain. Clove is rich in flavonoids, tannins and volatile oil, especially eugenol. A study published in the November 2009 issue of the "Journal of Medical Microbiology" found that clove essential oil, at very low concentrations, inhibited Candida albicans, including strains resistant to the conventional drug fluconazole. Add cloves to boiling water for a medicinal tea. Do not ingest pure clove oil. Avoid cloves if you have a clotting disorder, and check with your doctor before using cloves if you are pregnant or nursing.
References
- PubMed.gov: Potential of rosemary oil to be used in drug-resistant infections
- PubMed.gov: Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Thymus x viciosoi against Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and Dermatophyte Species.
- PubMed.gov: Antifungal activity of the clove essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus and dermatophyte species.
Member Comments