Top 4 Antifungal Essential Oils For Fighting Fungal Infections
Have you ever got fungal infections? If yes, do you believe that some antifungal essential oils can solve the health problems?
Fungi and yeast present everywhere, so you have the chance to get them regularly through the respiratory tract. Within certain limits; commonly, the presence of fungus and yeast in the body poses no health risk. However, when your immune system becomes weak, you easily get fungal infections. Various strains of fungi cause different health problems. So, how do get out of these infections? While there are definite prescription medications recommended to inhibit the growth of fungi and yeast, in this article, we suggest the best antifungal essential oils to deal with the problem.
Fungal Infection Causes and Symptoms
Fungi present in considerable numbers in your body, especially in the intestines and mucous membranes. The presence of fungi in the body is perfectly natural. However, when your immunity is compromised by various causes (drugs or conditions), many fungal infections have chances to arise.
Below are some common symptoms of fungal infections:
- Body odor
- ADHD
- Fatigue
- Leaky Gut
- Insomnia
- Low sex drive
- Seasonal allergies
- Have a cough
- Itching
Fungal Infection Risk Factors
There are different reasons why we get fungal infections, and some following reasons are often noticed:
- Diabetes
- Unprotected sex
- Antibiotic use
- High acidic or sugar diet
- Being immune-compromised (HIV infection and cancer risk)
Some Common Fungal Infections include:
- Ringworm
- Athlete’s foot
- Jock itch
- Candida Albicans
- Onychomycosis (also known as toenail fungus)
- Fungal keratitis (also known as corneal infection)
Top 4 Antifungal Essential Oils For Fighting Fungal Infections
The following antifungal essential oils contain various bioactive compounds which can be the dominant natural remedies for fungal infection treatment.
Oregano Essential oil
The Birch essential oil with its strong scent has a potent antimicrobial compound. It contains high levels of carvacrol which makes it become a potent antifungal compound. According to studies, Oregano essential oil could inhibit Candida overgrowth. Other researchers also concluded that the compound in the essential oil has significant damaging effects on the structure of fungi spores, and thereby it is considered an antifungal agent.
Method 1: For those with vaginal infection caused by Candida fungi
- Add two teaspoons of Oregano essential oil, a teaspoon of lemongrass essential oil, a teaspoon of peppermint oil, 3-5 slices of ginger into a hot pot
- Boiling the mixture and leave it from heating
- Use the mixture to steam your vaginal areas
- Repeat this each day to get the best results
Method 2: For those with Candida fungus skin infection
- Mix 2 teaspoons of Oregano essential oil, a teaspoon of lemongrass essential oil, a teaspoon of peppermint oil, a teaspoon of ginger juice, some baking soda
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas for 20 minutes
- Repeat this 2-3 times a day for 3-4 weeks
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Another powerful antifungal essential oil is lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass is known as one of the potent medicinal herbs. It has an antifungal agent which is useful in fungal infection treatment. In a 2008 research from Weber State University, lemongrass essential oil could be effective in curing Staph infection named MRSA. Another study also showed that lemongrass essential oil has powerful effects on Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. Lemongrass oil is safe, but it should be diluted before it is used topically.
How to use:
- Mix ½ teaspoon of lemongrass essential oil with ½ teaspoon of peppermint oil and ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- Apply the mixture to the fungus skin within 20 minutes
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water
- Repeat this twice a day within 2-3 weeks to quickly recover
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is used so popular for skincare, headaches, sleeplessness, stress, anxiety. According to a study published in the journal Scientifica, the effect of lavender essential oil is equal to the antifungal drug clotrimazole (the drug used for vaginal candidiasis treatment). The study’s researchers said that clotrimazole works efficiently in the first 48 hours of curing the infection, but after 48 hours, the therapeutic effects of the essential oil and clotrimazole have no differences.
How to use:
- Mix 2-3 drops of pure rose water with one teaspoon of lavender essential oil, 2-3 drops of tea tree oil, 2-3 drops of cider vinegar
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas (nail fungus)
- Repeat this 3-4 times per day
- Do this regularly until you feel better
Camphor Essential Oil
Camphor essential oil is also a strong antifungal, especially for those suffering from aspergillosis ( a disorder caused by Aspergillus spores in your lungs and procreates). When your immunity gets compromised, or you get lung disease, aspergillosis has a chance to develop. Camphor essential oil also contains calming effects which can reduce cough, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, and itchiness.
Method 1: For those with a cough and the pain linked to fungi or yeast infections
- Mix 3 teaspoons of camphor essential oil with two teaspoons of peppermint essential oil
- Put the mixture into an aromatherapy inhaler
- Use it to inhale when you have a cough or stuffy nose
- Repeat this when you feel uncomfortable
Method 2: For those with itchiness or red rash caused by fungi or yeast
- Mix 3 teaspoons of camphor essential oil with two teaspoons of peppermint essential oil, one teaspoon of baking soda
- Apply the mixture to the affected areas for 20 minutes
- Leave it overnight
- Then rinse it off lukewarm water
Conclusion
The top 4 antifungal essential oils mentioned in this article may help you to cure fungal infections efficiently and with no side effects. However, they should be diluted with a suitable carrier oil before applying topically. If you have ever tried different combinations, please share them with us in the comments below.