Habits and plants to treat candidiasis naturally

It is said that the thrush is it mycosis or fungal infection most common worldwide, in humans and warm-blooded animals. Its appearance in the mouth is common in children –what is popularly known as thrush–, and it is estimated that between 55 to 75 percent of women suffer from vulvovaginal candidiasis at least once in life; of them, between 40 and 50 percent with recurrent episodes.

Infection occurs when the fungus Candida albicans proliferates excessively. This fungus is part of the normal flora of the body; presents already in the first days of life and lives in the intestinal tract (except stomach), mouth, larynx, pharynx, and genital mucosa.

In the vagina it can coexist in balance with the abundant and rich Doderlein flora. But when this normal flora is thrown out of balance, candida multiplies and causes problems. They favor that imbalance changes in vaginal pH, debilitating processesthe malnutritionthe immunodeficienciesprolonged treatments with corticosteroids, antibiotics, contraceptives either cytotoxic drugsor the presence of these in the diet, and previous alterations of the skin or mucous membranes.

In the vaginal yeast infection the most common symptoms are inflammation, itching or burning and profuse discharge. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and microscopic examination. If the infection recurs, it is also advisable to carry out a culture to isolate the specific fungus and see which drugs it is sensitive to.

Some habits that can favor candidiasis

Some habits and practices increase the risk of the infection coming back. Among them, a high consumption of sweets and foods rich in carbohydrates plain or denatured flours, the use of high estrogen oral contraceptivesdiaphragm, intrauterine devicecontraceptive sponges and spermicidesdouching, and some sexual practices, such as frequent oral sex, anal intercourse, having a large number of sexual partners, or intercourse during menstruation.

The infection sometimes happens use of antibiotics, that destroy the intestinal flora. Other factors that may influence are the stresshe smokingdissatisfaction or a low selfsteem. On the other hand, certain health problems can favor it, such as diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance in non-diabetics, a high body mass index (BMI) or the immunosuppression by the virus human immunodeficiency (HIV).

A first approach to combat infection

Sometimes the treatment can be simple: you get restore balance with washes that change the pHof vinegar or of sodium bicarbonate. This is how many local infections are solved, but when these are repeated or there is a general affectation, a more extensive treatment should be considered.

Between the antifungal drugs most frequently used are the azoles: the ketoconazolehe fluconazole and the clotrimazole. Currently there are also antifungals obtained from fungi and actinomycetessuch as echinocandin and nikomycin, which seem effective but are not exempt from side effects and are still in the experimental phase.

He clotrimazole wave azole family can be effective in mild or punctual candidiasis, such as vinegar or bicarbonate, but many times they are insufficient. Sometimes just change one antifungal for another. The problem is that resistance is often generated and the infection reappears.

A more holistic approach: strengthening the organism

In view of recurrent yeast infections many people end up looking for help in more inclusive alternatives that address the problem in a much more global way, treating not only the local infection but also the imbalances that favor its appearance.

In fact, since the vulvovaginal candidiasisrelapsing difficult to treat, it is prudent to incorporate modalities of complementary treatment to conventional treatment.

These treatments can help reduce resistance to be sensitive to the treatment, as well as provide good foods that strengthen the body that make it less vulnerable and more capable of recovering.

On the other hand, one of the problems in dealing with yeast infections is that often the antifungal is prescribed without performing a culture with antibiogram. This test helps ensure that you are prescribing a drug to which you are sensitive, rather than one to which you may already have developed resistance. But sometimes candida spores know how to protect themselves in the body from the antifungal that is being used, so, if the environmental conditions do not change, it is easy for them to reappear as well.

In this context, there are those who speak of chronic yeast infection. The fungi, by proliferating over time, change the composition of the flora and damage the intestinal walls by attaching to them with their roots. This causes inflammation and increases intestinal permeability, which can lead to many other problems, such as allergies, digestive problems, mood swings… This creates a weakened organism It enters a kind of vicious circle.

Measures that help prevent relapses

People who have already suffered from candidiasis can take into account certain aspects to avoid relapses.

The most important part of a good prevention is to consider a training for the general strengthening of the organism. For this, it is necessary to respect the rest and the dream and exercisegradually increasing the intensity. They may also be useful practice of fasting and one vegan and fair calorie dietas well as a good adaptation to the environment, which is promoted with a progressive training with cold and heat so that the organism learns to withstand climatic changes. You can also resort to relaxation methods, meditation, deep breathing, yoga, directed visualizations and autohypnosis to reduce stress and take care of emotional and spiritual well-being. this improves the immune response. It is advisable to eat a healthy diet, poor in simple sugars and refined flours, and preferably organic; consume garlic and a type of yogurt that contains lactobacilli daily; and take daily biotic proconceptives with multiple active species of lactobacilli. Consideration should be given to discontinuing oral contraceptives with high doses of estrogen. Antibiotics should only be used if they are essential and, in that case, protect the flora with probiotics beforeduring and after the treatment. avoid practices such as douching or introducing water inside the vagina destroys the vaginal flora. It is also advised avoid oral sexTo control blood sugar levels, exercise is helpful in people with a high BMI or impaired glucose tolerance.

How to change the diet

Nutrition is one of the aspects that should be most attended to in order to prevent thrush or complement the treatment. The relationship between the excessive consumption of refined sugarss with the propensity to infection has been inferred from the frequency with which it occurs in poorly controlled diabetics.

Besides, yeast infection is not common in healthy people They eat lots of complex carbohydrates. It is therefore proposed to eliminate refined carbohydrates. The radical diets that exclude all carbohydrates or specific foods such as fermented foods or mushrooms have not proven to be more effective.

Since increased caloric intake is another risk factor, a light diet is advised and not take animal or heated fats.

yogurt and probiotics

The probiotics are plugins that contain live bacteria, which colonize the intestine and support a healthy normal microflora. To be useful, they must contain Lactobacillus acidophilus.

It is also effective yoghurtas food or applied intravaginally. In a study it was observed that 240 ml of yogurt with L. acidophilus decrease both colonization and infection by candida.

In another study it was shown that 150 ml daily of yogurt with L. acidophilus effectively protect against vulvovaginal candidiasis repetition compared to pasteurized yogurt. You can take 240 ml of yogurt a day, once or twice; intravaginal application can be done with a tampon.

Other natural aids that candidas do not like

Apart from vinegar, baking soda or yogurt, locally there are other natural remedies that fight infection, such as iodine tincturehe boraxhe propolis or medicinal plants such as garlic or the tea treealthough the antifungal effect of others has also been studied, such as grenade (punica granatum), he toothbrush tree (Streblus asper), he neem (Azadirachta indicateda) or the grape (Vitis vinifera). We will see later how to use some of them.

The intravaginal application of 600 mg of boric acid once a day for 14 days is effective in infections by Candida glabrata, with success rates of 70%. However, boric acid is associated with fetal abnormalities: should not be used during pregnancy or when seeking.

It should not be taken orally either., although it should not be used in pregnancy or when looking for it. Sometimes it has been proposed intestinal lavage with colon hydrotherapybut it is a temporary solution: the body is cleaned of candida but they recover quickly if the environment is favorable.

The most effective medicinal plants

1. Fresh or extract garlic

In vitro studies have shown that the garlic (Allium sativum) has properties anticandidal. Oral extract preparations fresh garlic and lyophilized extracts are also effective. To date, no studies have been carried out in humans.

Dose: it has not been established for vulvovaginitis. However, you can take freeze-dried extracts of garlic in a dose of up to 500 mg, two or three times a day.Precautions: topical applications of garlic can be annoying and cause burns to the skin or mucous membranes.

2. Tea tree oil

He tea tree oil (Malaleuca alternifolia) is native to Australia and its main component is terpinol. He has shown antifungal activities in studies in vitro, equivalent to those of ketoconazole, econazole and miconazole. It has also been observed in in vitro studies that it is effective against fluconazole resistant Candida species.

There are no human studies on tea tree oil for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Dose: a 10% tea tree oil preparation, applied topically every day.Precautions: it is known to cause allergic dermatitis. Before use it is recommended perform skin tests.

3. A nightshade

The saponin SC-2obtained from Solanum chrysotrichumshowed a percentage of therapeutic clinical efficacy similar to that of ketoconazole, a better percentage of mycological efficacy, even with Candida albicans resistant, and 100% tolerability.

4. Patchouli

Patchouli (pogostemon cablin), a plant used primarily as an essence and perfume, it is a good antifungal demonstrated in laboratory cultures and…