Candida albicans is a microscopic fungus that occurs naturally in the body. However, people who have taken antibiotics or who have immune system problems may develop an overgrowth of Candida. This overgrowth can cause infections in the mouth, vagina or intestines. Systemic Candida is an overgrowth of Candida throughout the body. This condition can be life-threatening, and conventional treatment should be sought immediately, according to the Life Extension Foundation. Conventional treatment includes antifungal medications given intravenously. But several herbs, along with probiotics, have been found effective in preventing the development of systemic Candida, or for occasional or chronic Candida infections.
Cloves
According to a Creighton University study by Y. Taguchi, et al, found that clove oil, when in direct contact with tissues in the mouth and intestines, suppressed Candida.
Goldenseal
The goldenseal root contains a compound called berberine that is lethal to Candida. According to naturopathic doctor Stephen Byrnes, barberry and Oregon-grape root also contain berberine. The Life Extension Foundation says that goldenseal increases the effectiveness of intravenous antifungal medications used to treat Candida overgrowth so that lower doses of the medications are required.
Garlic
Garlic contains powerful antimicrobial compounds that have been shown to slow the growth of Candida in laboratory studies, according to the Life Extension Foundation. Other studies cited by the foundation have shown that garlic begins to work fast--within an hour after a person eats it.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has the ability to control fungus infections when used in controlled doses. The Life Extension Foundation says it does this by causing the cell walls of the yeast to collapse.
Oil of oregano
Oil of oregano is an extract of the herb oregano, a common ingredient in pizza sauces and salads. It is known for its anti-fungal properties. The chemicals in oregano that knock down fungi are thymol and carvacrol, according to the University of California, San Diego. A study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition showed that carvacrol slowed the growth of Candida more effectively than calcium magnesium caprylate, a commonly used antifungal.
Other herbs
Several other herbs are helpful in treating some of the side effects of a Candida infection. These include licorice root, which Byrnes says soothes the inflamed intestines that often accompany an infection and it helps treat constipation. Astragalus is a Chinese herb that helps stimulate the immune system to fight infection.
References
- Creighton University
- Life Extension Foundation
- Stiles, J.C, Sparks, W., and Ronzio, R. A. (1995). The inhibition of Candida albicans by oregano. Journal of Applied Nutrition, 47:96-102.
