Candida albicans is a fungus normally found in the intestinal tract, colon, and genitourinary tract. When functioning as it is meant to, candida assists the body with the absorption of nutrients. However, under certain conditions candida albicans goes from being an assistant to being an unwanted invader.
This can happen when the body becomes too acidic or is under an abundance of stress. It can also happen when the diet is too high in carbs and sugars or when taking antibiotic drugs, and when the immune system weakens.
There are many things that can be done to stop this fungal invader and this article will briefly discuss some of the best methods. However, the main focus of this article is to spotlight the use of essential oils as part of a powerful anti-candida program.
According to a 2015 Polish study, “During the last three decades the number of fungal infections caused by yeasts of Candida spp. has increased dramatically, mainly due to the rise in the number of immunocompromised patients.”1 The problem with a compromised immune system is that there is a reduced ability to keep candida in check.
Frequently, cancer patients have chronic candida overgrowth, sometimes in the lead-up to their cancer diagnosis, and sometimes as a result of the treatments they receive (or both). Chemotherapy and radiation kill off the healthy bacteria that would normally help to keep candida levels in check.
Candida overgrowth is uncomfortable (to say the least!). But when it becomes widespread through the body, from the mouth right through to the other end, it can lead to other problems. Issues associated with candida albicans can include leaky gut syndrome, a weakened immune system, brain fog, digestive upsets, food allergies, hormonal imbalances and many other health concerns.
Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth
There are over 150 known species of candida, but only about 20 of them have been found to cause problems for the health of humans. There are two places in the body where candida albicans most often manifests. One is in the mouth, known as oral thrush. It commonly feels like tiny inflamed bumps on the soft palate or inner cheeks or tongue. The tongue might also have a whitish coating with loss of taste and/or an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Tiny red patches of dry skin might appear around the corners of the mouth, or at the corners of ears, eyes, or nose. It may look like a scaly, dry, rash. It can feel like tiny painful cuts or cracks in the skin in these areas. It can itch or burn and looks inflamed.
The second most common place is in the vagina, called vaginitis or yeast infection, where it burns and itches enough to drive most women crazy. Candida overgrowth can also cause acne and other skin disorders, athlete’s foot, chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and constipation.
It can also cause diaper rash, diarrhea, dizziness, eczema, headaches, blood sugar problems and sugar cravings, tiredness, indigestion (like a burning in the gut), and menstrual irregularities.
Then there is the mental/emotional aspect. Candida sufferers often experience anxiety and depression, mood swings, brain fog, and irritability.
Natural Therapies for Treating Candida Albicans
#1. Altering the Diet
The anti-candida diet can feel like a harsh one. The thing to remember is that any food that feeds the fungus is to be avoided.
Foods definitely to be avoided are:
- Processed meats and pork
- Shellfish
- Mushrooms
- Starchy vegetables including potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, beets, and beans
- Condiments and sauces such as ketchup, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, and vinegar (apple cider vinegar is the exception)
- Sugar and sugar alternatives including white and brown sugar, honey, molasses, corn syrup, and agave
- Fruit and fruit juice
- All alcohol
- Nuts including peanuts, pistachios, and cashews
- Dairy including cheese, milk, cream, and whey products
- Grains like barley, spelt, rye, and wheat
- Refined and processed vegetable oils and margarine
- Black coffee and black tea
The foods to include which will help your body to heal itself are:
- Non-starchy fresh vegetables (as many as you want)
- Lemons and limes
- Unpickled olives
- Avocado
- Non-wheat grains including buckwheat, millet, quinoa, oat bran, and teff
- Coconut
- Eggs
- Organic or free-range, pastured chicken
- Wild caught salmon and sardines
- Turkey
- Organic butter and yogurt (only natural yogurt that is probiotic)
- Fermented foods including sauerkraut and kefir
- Nuts and seeds including almonds, ground flaxseed, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds
- Herbs including basil, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, dill, garlic, ginger, oregano, paprika, rosemary, salt, thyme, and turmeric
- Cold pressed oils like coconut, flaxseed, hemp, olive, and sesame oil
- Alternative sweeteners including stevia, erythritol, and xylitol
- Herbal teas
- And of course, lots of filtered water
#2. Helpful Supplements
Good quality probiotics are extremely beneficial to help repopulate the gut with good bacteria. Digestive enzymes are useful because the candida patient is usually enzyme deficient. Supplementing with digestive enzymes can also help to rid the body of candida because the enzymes help to break down candida cell walls.
#3. Boost Immunity with Herbs
Candida albicans is becoming increasingly resistant to pharmaceutical drugs such as fluconazole, a much-prescribed anti-candida drug. Herbs, however, pose no such problem.
Herbs useful for candida include: olive leaf extract, raw garlic, goldenseal, pau d’arco, oregano, echinacea, peppermint, ginger, turmeric, and black walnut. Be sure to work with a qualified health practitioner to assist you with the correct dosage for you.
#4. Anti-Candida Essential Oils
Essential oils have long been utilized to help eradicate candida from the body − tea tree is especially favored. But there are many more! Some wonderful research studies are coming through from many parts of the world which indicate quite a few essential oils effectively stop candida albicans in its tracks. They work by controlling yeast overgrowth and inhibiting candida formation.
First, here are some great anti-candida essential oil recipes, then we’ll share the research.
Anti-Candida Sitz Bath
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 6 drops lavender oil
- 4 drops lemon oil
- 2 drops lemongrass oil
Especially helpful for vaginitis. Once per day add the above oils to about 5 inches of warm water in a bathtub. Soak for 15-20 minutes.
Oil Pulling for Oral Thrush
- 1-2 teaspoons organic coconut oil
- 1-2 drops of cinnamon, clove, thyme, or oregano oil
First thing in the morning before food, grab a spoon and put the coconut oil and 1-2 drops of your chosen essential oil in the spoon. Place the mixture in your mouth and swish around in the mouth for 20 minutes. That may seem like a really long time but the timing is important. You are breaking down the candida biofilm and detoxing the entire mouth, gums, teeth, and tongue.
This process helps you to eradicate oral thrush much more quickly. You’ll find that the quantity of liquid in your mouth increases as you swish − this is your saliva mixing with the oils. It’s important not to swallow any of the mixture. Once the 20 minutes is up, spit it out into a paper towel or tissue into the trash.
To finish, rinse well with warm filtered water and brush your teeth with a good natural toothpaste. If sensitive to coconut oil, substitute with sesame oil.
Immune-Boosting Candida-Fighting Body Oil
- 2 oz (60 ml) organic coconut oil
- 2 oz (60 ml) organic hemp oil
- 9 drops rosemary oil
- 7 drops lemon oil
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 6 drops geranium oil
- 3 drops frankincense oil
- 6 drops lavender oil
- 3 drops cinnamon oil
- 4 drops patchouli oil
- 4 drops oregano oil
- 3 drops marjoram oil
Essential oils are easily absorbed into the bloodstream where they will be working in about 20 minutes. So you can affect every cell in the body just by rubbing essential oils into the skin. They are then metabolized by the body’s cells just like other nutrients.
Besides fighting candida, this is a beautifully aromatic and dry skin quenching body oil. Place all ingredients into a dark glass container (never plastic because essential oils eat plastic) and keep out of the sunlight.
Anti-Candida Essential Oils: The Research
The following list of essential oils all have research indicating they have potent activity against Candida albicans. (Note: You can find the corresponding study by clicking on the Sources and References link underneath the article)
Basil 1, 2, 24
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) 3, 4
Cinnamon 3, 5, 6, 7
Clove 5, 8, 9, 10
Elemi 11
Eucalyptus 2, 3, 12, 13
Fennel 2, 8, 14
Frankincense 2, 11, 15
Geranium 2
Grapefruit 16
Lavender 2, 8, 24
Lemon 2, 3, 17
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) 8, 18
Lemongrass 2, 19
Marjoram 2, 22
Myrrh 2, 3, 11
Niaouli 2
Oregano 2, 20, 21, 24
Patchouli 2, 7
Peppermint 2, 3, 9, 19, 24
Pine 2, 8
Roman chamomile 19
Rosemary 2, 3, 10
Rosewood 2
Spearmint 2, 23
Tangerine 3
Tea tree 2, 9, 24
Thyme 2, 5, 8, 23
Winter savory 24
Wintergreen 2
Possible Candida Die-Off Symptoms
One thing to be aware of is that when large numbers of candida cells die, they can cause varying degrees of discomfort. This will depend on the severity of the infection. This die-off, called a healing crisis or a Herxheimer reaction, releases toxic substances into the body and can make you feel somewhat unwell.
Some of the symptoms might include (but are not limited to) headache, brain fog, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea, joint and/or muscle pain, swollen glands, chills or fever, allergies, hives, rashes, and skin breakouts.
Should you begin to feel unwell as the metabolic toxins from dying candida cells are released into the body, there are a few things you can do to help support yourself. Try these tips:
- Support the Liver – Take a liver supportive supplement like milk thistle to help the liver expel the toxins.
- Support the Lymphatic System – Do some dry skin brushing using a loofah or soft skin brush. Gently skim along the surface of the skin, always moving in the direction of the heart. This helps stimulate your lymphatic system to move the toxins out quicker.
- Vitamin C – Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day.
- Ease Off Therapies – Cut back or temporarily stop using the essential oils and/or recipes above until symptoms ease or disappear.
- Water is Crucial – Increase water intake to help flush toxins out of the body
- Get Some Rest – This might seem obvious but the more good quality rest you get, the better you will feel.
- Destress – Stress impacts your adrenals and makes it harder for you to fight off the fungal infection. Try 20 minutes of meditation per day.
One last thing. Be sure to choose high quality, organic essential oils to ensure that no chemicals or toxic pesticides are in the oils you are using to improve your health. Never buy cheap essential oils. They are generally not distilled properly to ensure that the phytochemical content in the oil is at therapeutic levels, and they may contain potentially toxic chemicals used to extract the oils. Do some research and find out which companies make the best grade essential oils.
If you intend to use essential oils internally, please ensure you work with a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare practitioner.
Article Summary
Candida albicans is a fungus normally found in the intestinal tract, colon, and genitourinary tract.
Under certain conditions candida albicans goes from assisting with nutrient absorption to being an unwanted invader. These conditions include when the body becomes too acidic or stressed, when the diet is too high in carbs and sugars, or when taking antibiotic drugs.
Candida overgrowth can be very uncomfortable. Issues associated with a candida overgrowth can include leaky gut syndrome, a weakened immune system, brain fog, digestive upsets, food allergies, hormonal imbalances and many other health concerns.
There are two places in the body where candida albicans most often manifests. One is in the mouth, known as oral thrush. The second most common place is in the vagina, called vaginitis or yeast infection.
Natural ways for treating candida albicans include:
- Changing the diet
- Supplementing with a quality probiotic
- Boosting immunity with certain herbs
- Using anti-candida essential oils
When large numbers of candida cells die, they can cause varying degrees of discomfort. This die-off is called a Herxheimer reaction. Ways to reduce the discomfort include:
- Take a liver supportive supplement like milk thistle to help the liver expel the toxins
- Do some dry skin brushing using a loofah or soft skin brush
- Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day
- Cut back or temporarily stop using the essential oils and/or recipes in the article until symptoms ease or disappear
- Increase water intake to help flush toxins out of the body
- Get lots of good quality sleep
- Destress with meditation or other relaxation techniques
Just a thought? Candid Albicans – appears as relative to lowered Glutathione levels as are many serious health conditions. Would it not seem reasonable to raise the Glutathione level? We now have the worlds safest, easiest and most efficient way of raising Glutathione levels with Non Transdermal patches that allow the body itself to raise the level higher than any other means known today and with NO harmful side effects. There are over 90,000 studies published on the aspects of Glutathione and the patches are already clinically studied to prove their effectiveness. Find out all you can about Glutathione and the benefits of raising the level in the body. Please ask if you require further information on the patches. Rob wellnessplus@adam.com.au
A patch of glutathione did not help me. My skin was too dry. Getting rid of mercury may help lower yeast and less sugar/starch in the diet may help. Yeast may burden the immune system so it can’t flight off other things. When the tongue is white with yeast a person may know to cut back on sugar. Fruit may help the immune system.. Lemon/lime/cranberry are low in sugar. Taking oil of oregano and later taking a strong probiotic helps me. I can’t have coconut oil which clogs my blood vessels or olive oil. Ozone may help get rid of infections
Sasha, I am not sure what patch you are speaking of? The patches I mention use infra-red light frequencies to communicate with the body’s energy system for a near immediate and powerful positive effect. Being Non Transdermal they can even be placed on top of or under clothing and still work extremely well. They allow the body itself to raise the glutathione level so there is nothing ingested or induced into the body.
The glutathione produced naturally by these patches is able to reach EVERY cell in the body and this is having life changing results for millions of people. Glutathione levels raised this way can efficiently detox harmful toxins and heavy metals from the body, provides a huge boost to the immune system and also important, can also neutralise Free Radicals naturally.
These patches are safe, easy to use, low in cost and extremely effective – all features sought by readers of these forums and could maybe resolve some of the issues you have?
The patches are now readily available in over 100 countries and while we can assist with purchase our main aim are to inform and we do this ongoing, without cost, to ensure all have the best result possible with the patches. We are happy to communicate directly with you or anyone that may have questions on how the patches could help with various conditions. Rob wellnessplus@adam.com.au
I ordered glutathione patches which they said were like the kind Suzanne Somers used. I had to return them. Thanks for explaining them.
When you said that coconut and olive oils “clog your blood vessels,” did you mean with regard to general methodology or simply only in your case? My point; do you not know that the idea that fats clog the pulmonary system has been debunked for quite some time now. Our arteries and veins don’t operate like drain pipes.
Where is the proof that Glut patches help candida? I’ve done my homework – cant see anything. I also use Lifewave patches .. but I dont do the MLM side of it.
When my mother did chemotherapy over ten years ago, she developed thrush in her mouth and she could not eat or taste food very well. Of course, in those days I did not know about coconut oil nor essential oils. There was no way that my parents wanted me purchasing that stuff from the Internet. Would the ‘Young Living’ essential oils consist of pesticides and herbicides?
I use Young Living and they have very strict standards. No herbicides or pesticides! If you have more questions about Young Living, feel free to contact me. I’m very pleased with their products and quality.
My 1st introduction to essential oils was Young Living. I eventually discovered that they were over-priced due to being multi-level. I have since found superior quality at a much lower price. I have found Oshadhi and Florihana to be some of the best. Amrita is good too.
Hello Family; This is great to see this news and it is old news brought to our attention. I helped a Doctor with immune function and through dowsing I found that he had c Candida in his spleen and I suggested that he used a homiopathic and do Forgiveness for a cause of the imbalance, and it worked. He was afraid of using the drug for candida as it was so toxic. Another man who came to be was treated with aanti biotics and his candida worsened until he died of candida over growth. Candida also mimicis other diseases. Please learn about muscle testing and dowsing to assist in choosing the oils which work with your body even for choosing herbs to use. Our bodies are given great intelegance please use it to determine what treatments to use, include your body in its healing. ” Forgive us our trespasses as we Forgive those who trespass against us” it too helps us to heal, emotions can get stuck in our bodies and create imbalances that brings diseases. Candida is a imbalance. Just sharing, and sharing the Love. Yourself called alan.
Yes…people can die from yeast…had a friend’s son almost have this happen. Gluten may lower the immune system allowing infections to take over. Yes…forgiveness is very important. Hate poisons people. Living in the present and being grateful instead of the past and fear the future is needed. God is real…ask him to help/guide/heal.
hmmm,millet is ok?? I don’t think so I used to make desserts from millet like cup cakes ,xylitol is ok too? this is sweetener ,how this is ok?? ..I did notice I started eating lots of cashew and the ichines got worst so I believe in that ….I have candid sine I am 12 ,nothing works ,its always coming back …I do drink coffee only one cup before like 7 cups :(,I heard digestive enzymes are not the best because ,they speed up the transformation of the food to sugar ,how about coconut is it coconut meat and juice ok??? or are You talking about coconut oil?? how about coconut amigos aminoss instead of soy sauce but this stuff is really sweet ….beans do you think like dry garbanzo beans or green beans??? I eat both I never really talk to a person who cured candid ,everybody is saying different stuff ……..but I did notice after cashews and vanilla flavoring got worst ,how about nutritional yeast?? I think got worst after this ,yes essential oils are great I might order something ……..and yes the flucanoze crap is not working at all ,I would preciate honest answers to my questions ,mahalo
There is Fluorine in the chemical formula for fluconazole…which may block thyroid. An immune system that is lower due to gluten/low sunlight may allow yeast and eating sugar/starch which feeds yeast. Mercury and yeast are together often in the body. Coconut oil/garlic/oil of organic and more the a person may need to be 100% gluten/GMO/sugar/yeast/starch free for a while to get rid of the yeast, but it may regrow as they eat things again. Wheat/gluten maybe on nuts not sold in the shell/meat basting/some spices/certified gluten free/food with a label/air/lotions an and more. Microscopic gluten hurts me. Xylitol hurt me and may hurt pets. Millet may lower thyroid. Inulin may feed yeast.Low sugar fruit may help like lemon/lime/cranberry/rhubarb etc, but sugar is like cocaine and gluten like Heroin to the brain so people may over eat it and then yeast grows. I just try to keep the yeast lower since I have not gotten rid of it.
is it ok to eat grapefruit if I can use grapefruit essential oil???like i don’t get it
You’re not getting the fructose from the essential oil.
and more than 30 essential oils to fight candid come on now ???what is this?
one more question how about products like miso or tempeh ???and who is writing this article is it a person who actually cured candidia?
Hello Family; I had candida in my left kidney and it was detected by muscle testing. I took thr Homeopathic under my tongue and within 3days i felt better and had more energy. I took it for 7 days. Through muscle testing myself I keep track of my health. Just sharing and Loving as Loving is healthy. alan.
Hi. Thanks for posting. Who would know how to muscle test and how is it done?
What are the ingredients in the homeopathic?
Thank you
Yeast is usually in the whole body…not just one organ. I had a mass of yeast come out of large intestines when I ate a psyllium bar. I was glad to see this clump of yeast get out of me, but yeast maybe all over the body. I have used homeopathics. They seem to help while taking them, but the help doesn’t last. Yes…muscle testing or electrodermal testing is awesome help. Yeast is like the body is being eaten up before you die as if you died already. Getting healthier is needed not just kill the yeast.
Hello again Family; We may want to be healthy in mind and Body. If the mind is not cleansed it still affects the body. We are talking of a single unit as the body and mind is all one. If we heal one and not the other the symptoms may return. Cleansing the emotional iss part of mind and body, we are to heal all of us. I have found that in my experience yeast can be in one part and that part is where the emotional blockage can be found, as sometimes cancer can be in the body past that was abused. A Doctor who had yeast infection in the splean also had a emotional blockage there too. It is all connected. With Love, Honour and Respect. Alan.
Hi, Yes…emotional blocks cause problems. I like acupuncture when I was upset. Anger may mean the liver needs detoxing. Ozone melted my anger away. Yes…forgiveness is important like detoxing the body the thoughts/brain need detoxing/cleansing. When I am happier I am healthier. I would say Americans have a toxic/body/mind and may not be connected to God also. The election anger may really be low VitD/gluten/GMO/chemical/medicine etc. issues, but they blame it on someone else. Yes…Stress uses up B vitamins and zinc and steals progesterone which helps the immune system. When the immune system is lower it lets yeast and other infections take hold and grow/stay. Some say a prayer to bless their mitochondria/kidney/adrenals etc which may help. Thanking God for your food before you eat may help the food help the brain/body more. I would like to heal more. People say you need to be thankful for what you already have and then more will be added to it. To me sunlight is a battery charge to the brain/body. I laugh more when I get sunlight or 5000IU of Vit D3. Before than I had. S.A.D, and didn’t laugh. Laughing helped Norman Cousins heal his cancer as it helps the adrenals/progesterone level/immune system. Thanks for reminding me/us that healing is more than diet/supplements etc. Love heals etc.
How long do you need to follow the diet?
You don’t explain why you had to return them; would you be so kind as to expound on this?
I would not want to give up mushrooms.
Mushrooms have Vit D/ Beta glucan…help the immune system. They help my health. i have yeast, but it is not from the mushrooms, but from sugar/starch.
Thank you, Shasha!
You are welcome! I can’t eat meat (clogs my blood vessels) so when I eat mushrooms they satisfy like meat in my meal and help my health/immune system. Best wishes.
Keep eating your mushrooms they eat away at all things bad including yeast or fungus!
Yeast….oil of oregano and later a strong probiotic may help. No gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO…taking vitamins/good oils/minerals…LDN..detoxing may help.
What concentration of hemp oil. This isn’t discussed in the body oil recipie.
What concentration of hemp oil should be used with the body oil?
Hello, everyone! I just want to share that I use bentonite clay (please do your research on this stuff, it’s really good!) first thing in the morning on empty stomach, it pulls all toxins and heavy metals out of body, fights candida very well! After 2-3 hours I use oregano and frankincense oil ( after reading this article I will have to add tea tree oil also) internally in gelatin capsule with a glass of water. Cranberry is very helpful too, but not juice!! It has too much sugar. Use fresh cranberries, wash them, pick out the bad ones(sometimes they have few rotten berries in a pack, it spoils the taste) put them into boiling water and let them pop, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let sit for 30 min and drink during the day. It flushes all candida out of your system! I tried it – it works! And of course- no carbs, guys! This is absolutely essential! But, there is a prize for that- you will stop craving sugars in about 3 weeks and will loose weight! This is great! I lost 20 pounds in 2 month! Thanks everyone for sharing! This is great article! Stay well everyone!
How you use essential oil oral or on the body