Struggling with yeast? If so, you’re not alone.
It’s estimated that 70% of Americans struggle with yeast overgrowth in one form or another.
Though yeast is the broad term, individuals infections are named according to their location. If it’s in the mouth, it’s known as thrush. If it’s in the gut, it goes by the name “candida.”
Then there’s vaginitis (aka vaginal yeast infection), athlete’s foot and the list goes on.
One form of yeast has taken the spotlight in recent years - Candida albicans - which we’ll focus on in this article as it plagues the vast majority of Americans whether they realize it or not.
You’ll find lots of opinions on the best yeast treatments, but we’d like to introduce you to some herbs for candida that are safe, effective and versatile for a wide range of yeast infections.
First, let’s take a closer look at candida.
What is Candida?
Candida is a fungus that aids with the absorption of nutrients and digestion in the body. It’s a single-celled, opportunistic infectious organism that lives in the GI tract, vagina and mouth of 40-60% of adults. It may also affect the skin and other mucous membranes as well.
This type of fungus is naturally present in small quantities, and for the most part, they are just normal, natural and harmless...until there’s a trigger.
These triggers can happen when your body’s pH balance is thrown out of whack or your immune system crashes. Then, the same simple fungus can grow rapidly out of proportion, leading to a condition known as “candidiasis.”
Several things could trigger the growth of the candida fungus, but studies show that the most common trigger is the overuse of antibiotics. Other triggers include diets that are high in sugar, alcohol that helps feed candida, refined carbohydrates, birth control pills, cancer treatment and oral corticosteroids.
Usually, candidiasis is characterized by one or more of these symptoms:
- exhaustion
- cravings for sweets
- bad breath
- white-coated tongue
- brain fog
- hormonal imbalance
- mood swings
- weak immune system
- constipation
- joint pain
- allergies
- development of new sensitivities (to food or chemicals)
- chronic UTIs
- and more
Candida overgrowth is infamously hard to get rid of as it often defies treatment and is prone to resurfacing. This can be explained when we understand that candida mutates and builds up a defense against treatment.
Candida albicans can rearrange its genes for adaptation to many methods of eradication, including antifungal medications, oxidative stress and high-temperature exposure.
Using Herbs for Candida Treatment
In light of the fact that candida resists most antifungal treatments, we believe supporting your body’s defense mechanisms against yeast naturally is the way to go.
That’s where nature’s best anti-fungal herbs for candida come in.
It’s important to note, too, that probiotics complement antifungals in the treatment of candida. While herbal antifungals weaken candida biofilms and eradicate its colonies, probiotics help colonize your gut with good bacteria.
In taking any of these natural antifungals, we recommend starting slow to avoid killing off too much candida at a time, which can result in uncomfortable, flu-like symptoms.
Top 6 Herbs for Candida
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Pau d’ Arco
Pau d’Arco is found in the bark of a tropical rainforest tree found in South America, Latin America and the Amazon rainforest. There are several components within it that support the human immune system, decrease inflammation,and prevent and treat yeast infections.
Pau d’Arco contains beta-lepachone, which is a potent catalyst for the NAD+ molecule. Usually, when NAD+ is increased, pau d’Arco helps improve mitochondrial ATP production.
It also contains quercetin which is an antioxidant flavonol that cleanses the blood and combats inflammation and viral diseases. Quercetin also acts as a natural antihistamine. Pau d’ Arco is usually supplemented in the form of a tincture, capsule or tea.
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Olive Leaf Extract
Olive leaf is a natural anti-fungal and anti-parasitic retrieved from the leaves of an olive tree. It serves stabilize blood sugar, fight viruses and boost immunity while teeming with antioxidants.
These benefits are mostly attributed to its rich concentration of phenolic compounds, especially oleuropein. Its potency is obvious after intake as candida symptoms begin to wane almost immediately.
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Goldenseal
Also called orange root or puccoon, goldenseal is a perennial herb with roots in southeastern Canada and eastern United States. Goldenseal is comprised of berberine—an effective chemical against bacteria and fungi.
Berberine is also able to lower blood pressure, prevent E.coli from attaching to the urinary tract, lower blood sugar and lipoprotein and stabilize irregular heartbeats.
It’s generally recommended to not use goldenseal when pregnant or nursing as it contains a chemical that could affect the baby through breast milk or via the placenta.
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Black Walnut
Black Walnut is predominantly composed of a chemical called juglone that is antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and a potent fungicide. It’s used to cleanse the intestinal tract and has even been used to effectively expel harmful pathogens and parasites from the body. Overall, it’s a great herb to promote balance in intestinal flora.
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Garlic
Garlic contains a compound known as “ajoene,” which possesses potent antifungal properties. In fact, one study involving foot fungus showed that supplementing with ajoene resulted in a complete cure in nearly 80% of patients.
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Turmeric Root
Turmeric root contains curcuminoids, which are antifungal in nature. Studies reveal that this compound has the propensity to inhibit the growth of the candida fungus by disrupting the cell membrane and the cell wall.
As hard as it is to treat, candida overgrowth and virtually all forms of yeast infections can be helped with the use of certain antifungal herbs.
Rather than wait for a scenario that triggers the candida overgrowth, you could take a preventive approach with these 6 herbs for candida.
Consider a potent tincture that combines nature's best anti-yeast herbs like our Yeast X.