Essential Oils Can Eradicate Fungus!
Ridding the Body of Unwanted Fungus
There is a growing interest in seeking alternatives to conventional treatments for fungal infections. Pharmaceutical treatment for fungal related illnesses is often accompanied with unwanted and even dangerous side-effects. A growing body of science literature supports the use of essential oils to supplement or replace conventional treatments of fungal related diseases.
Fungi are More Than Mushrooms
Many of us associate fungus with mushrooms either growing on moist lawns or under a forest canopy. Yet fungus (known collectively as fungi) is a large group (in the Kingdom Fungi) of multi-cellar organisms that includes molds, yeasts and the familiar mushrooms. These organisms can infect human skin, nails and tissues ? causing unsightly, irritating and sometimes painful symptoms. Such infections are known as mycoses.
Ailments Associated with Fungal Infections
In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the perils of Candida species (namely Candida albicans) infections, especially for women. Overgrowth of these usually commensal critters often results in vaginal irritation and discharge. Other candida-related infections lead to oral thrush, gastrointestinal troubles, and infection of the urinary tract. For those with severely compromised immune systems, such infections can even be fatal.
Other disorders arising from fungal infections are such things as athlete’s foot, maladies of hair and nails, necrosis of the skin, and aspergillosis- a pulmonary disease initiated by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. An Aspergillus infection can cause airway restrictions and even fatal lung bleeding.
As you can deduce, fungal infections are nothing to trifle with. In the following paragraphs synopses of science study findings are assembled. All of these studies have indicated possible use of essential oils to effectively treat fungal infections.
Stopping Candida Overgrowth
There is a large collection of recent science literature indicating that various essential oils and their constituents (such as clove oil, lemongrass, eucalyptus, thyme, juniper, cinnamon, and tea tree) have been shown to be effective (in vitro) at inhibiting the progression and spread of this fungus. In a 2007 study from the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India, scientists found that rosemary essential oil was effective against drug-resistant mutants of Candida albicans.
Essential Oils in the Treatment of Dermatophytes
Dermatophyte fungi infect the skin, hair and nails of humans as well as our beloved pets. The by-products of their colonization are toxins. These toxins in turn cause often painful inflammation and embarrassing blemishes (remember your grandparents’ brown or even green toenails?yuck!).
Researcher from the Center of Advanced Study in Botany in India (2009) found that Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) and Chenopodium ambrosioides (wormwood) exhibited in vitro and in vivo (guinea pigs) antifungal activity separately and synergistically. They conclude that such results validate using essential oils in the treatment of dermatophyte infections and an alternative to conventional tropical treatments.
Stopping the Spread of Pulmonary Aspergillosis
As mentioned earlier, an infection from Aspergillus is no walk in the park. Several recent laboratory studies find that the inhibitory capabilities of essential oils against this fungus merit further investigation for clinical use. A 2010 Australian study from Charles Sturt University found that the essential oil Leptospermum petersoinii was more potent in reducing infection (in animal lungs) from Aspergillus than conventional antifungal drugs.
Conclusion
It is certain that most of us will experience fungal infections at one time or another. Once these organisms take a foot hold, they are not eager to leave and are often resistant to conventional treatments. Acknowledging that conventional treatments are not always successful nor safe, medical researchers are looking at using essential oils as a treatment alternative. Laboratory studies indicate that essential oils are effective against fungal infections and in some cases more potent than conventional drugs.
Many essential oil blends have already been created that combine these wonderful seasonal aromas.