Obnoxious fungi have been around for about as long as there have been people to infect. They’re everywhere, hard to kill and persistent parasites. And so many varieties! On the outside, fungus loves to live in the layer of skin that is not-quite-inside and no-quite-outside, where they are tough to kill with external treatments and a big challenge for the immune system from within. Look for fungus to infect every square inch of human skin, from ringworm to jock itch to toenail problems. An article published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that fungal sinusitis is so common that fungus was found in washings from the sinuses in 96% of chronic sinusitis patients.
Yeast as the Villain
And the inside doesn’t escape, either. There are more than 150 types of yeast (a category of fungus) that live in the body, but one gets all the attention. Candida albicans creates a long list of problems, from minor discomforts, such as vaginitis and skin rashes, to serious digestive problems, allergies and depression. Yeast is so common that nearly 75% of all adult women experience at least one vaginal yeast infection over the course of a lifetime. It consorts with other immune disorders, too. Nearly 90% of fibromyalgia patients have had yeast infections.
Modern Age Fungus
Candida-related illnesses have bugged women for centuries, but it wasn't until 1968 that a medical professional was able to connect an overgrowth of yeast with a multitude of nagging chronic problems. C. Orion Truss, M.D., of Birmingham, Alabama, noticed that his patient’s migraines and depression also disappeared when he treated her vaginal yeast. Eventually, publication of The Yeast Connection, by William G. Crook, MD, brought attention to Truss's work.
Drive out the Invader
To give yeast and fungus the boot, use a multi-stage approach designed to (1) kill the bugs in the infected tissues, such as the vagina, (2) normalize and strengthen immune function, (3) replace beneficial flora in the intestines and (4) stabilize the nutritional status of the entire body.
First, eat a diet that starves yeast while supporting the immune system. Eat whole foods that nourish you--not the yeast. That means - get ready - No Sugar.
Most remedies that help control yeast work best from the inside. Even if you are fighting a fungal skin infection, this invader is hard to kill using external treatments. One of the first to consider is the Brazilian bark, pau d’arco, which contains constituents that kill yeast in the test tube. This popular remedy has been little studied in the lab, but one recent study from Brazil found that the herb was very active against fungus. A 2010 study confirmed this strong anti-yeast activity. Pau d’arco is available in many forms, but a simple tea often does the trick. Start with one cup of beverage strength tea per day and increase as needed.
Many tasty kitchen spices contain essential oils that kill fungus with a vengeance. Take oregano. This member of the mint family contains a potent oil that kills bugs as well as it flavors a pizza. Oregano has a history in health care as far back as Hippocrates, and it’s developed a collection of favorable scientific studies. In 2011, researchers again confirmed that oregano oil was active against many types of nasty bugs. A recent study from Phytomedicine concluded that oregano essential oil was the most effective oil tested, inhibiting all the Candida species evaluated in this study. Don’t expect it to taste like pizza, but thee dose of oregano oil is only about 4 drops, 3 times per day.
Herbs for Yeast and Fungus
Evidence has been building over the last fifteen years that turmeric is an effective remedy for fungus, and Candida, in particular. Though this idea is pretty new to natural healing enthusiasts, the healing properties of turmeric are not. This bright yellow root is the hottest herb in the research world today. In a 2011 study, Brazilian researchers determined that curcumin, the flavonoid that makes turmeric yellow, is a potent weapon against candida. Another 2011 scientific paper concluded that curcumin greatly reduced antifungal drug resistance in candida. Turmeric is a safe, simple kitchen spice, so be generous with the curry! Curcumin is available as a standardized extract. Use 500 mg per day.
You might think of aloe vera gel as a remedy to apply to a painful sunburn, but it is actually a powerful immune promoter. It’s used as a serious internal medicine around the world, especially in Ayurveda. Much like the case of turmeric, evidence has been slowly building for years that aloe fights fungus, which is not surprising, because it is well known to contain a plethora of immune boosting constituents. In 2011, scientists found that aloe activates macrophages, a type of immune cell, in their role as Candida killers. In 2011, Indian scientists announced the discovery of a potent antifungal and anti-inflammatory protein, found in aloe gel, that suppressed Candida. Aloe vera gel is very safe and can be consumed as a pleasant beverage. For an active infection, use 8 ounces per day. To keep the immune system sharp, one ounce per day will do.
Not Just Herbs
Caprylic acid, a natural derivative of coconut, is an eight carbon short chain fatty acid with antifungal properties that many clinicians use to kill yeast. A three-to-four month course of caprylic acid is typical. The usual recommended dosage is 1,000 to 2,000 mg three times a day. Slowly increase your dose by adding one capsule every two to three days until you reach the full recommended dose. Although this remedy is popular, the research is scanty.
Getting control of fungus requires a holistic approach to your total lifestyle. The world---and our bodies with it---is covered with yeast, and you will never be able to kill enough of the fungus to escape it. Start with these powerful fungus fighters, and then, only by adjusting your diet, de-stressing your lifestyle and supporting your immune system can you achieve a truce with the world of fungi. For this whole-person problem, you will find a whole-person solution and frolic fungus free forever.