Combat Candida: 2 Essential Oils That do the Job
The soothing essential oil clove can provide medicinal benefits to relieve pain and kill parasites in the body. In Chinese herbal medicine, clove is also used to alleviate morning sickness in pregnant women.
Essential oils smell beautiful. But did you also know that many essential oils can support health and fight infection?
Last year, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study highlighting the strength of certain essential oils in controlling overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans.
Bacteria and yeast do not develop a resistance to herbs and their oils.
Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in the body.
A strong immune system and a healthy inner ecology keep the yeast Candida in check and prevent it from taking over its surrounding environment.
Unfortunately, overuse of antibiotics and a diet full of processed foods, sugar, and gluten limit the body’s ability to keep Candida in check. Because Candida is an opportunistic microorganism, it will multiply when it has the chance and cause issues like thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and systemic candidiasis.
Common symptoms of systemic Candida overgrowth include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Insomnia
- Swollen joints
- Constipation
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Depression and foggy thinking
- Mood swings
- Bad breath
Candida Protects Itself with Biofilm
Candida is especially good at constructing a strong, slimy substance around itself called biofilm.
Like green sludge stuck to the surface of a rock or plaque clinging to teeth, biofilm is a tough slime that can house Candida, parasites, and other disease-causing microbes. As colonies of Candida form and lay down more biofilm, this sticky goo protects the yeast and supports its growth.
Last year, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrated that the essential oils of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) are especially effective at busting through the tough biofilm that Candida hides behind.1
In addition to lemongrass and clove, previous studies have found that the essential oils of thyme, patchouli, and cedarwood can also inhibit the growth of Candida.2
RELATED TOPICS
- Candida |
- Candida Symptoms and Risk Factors |
- Reduce Your Risk of Candida Infection |
- Nutrition & Candida |
- Candida Solutions |
- Candida Treatments |
- Sugar & Toxicity
