Fungi spores are so tiny that you
don’t notice when you inhale them or they land on your skin. But once
they begin to reproduce and show themselves as athlete’s foot, yeast
infections or skin rash, you’re painfully aware that your body is
hosting a fungal infiltration. Topical creams containing powerful,
natural ingredients like tea tree oil can help, while severe fungal
infections may need to be combated with prescription medication. Herbal
teas may also provide complementary therapy when used in conjunction
with topical creams and oral medicine.
Green Tea
Green
tea is popular for its antioxidant properties. But the tea is also
recommended for anti-fungal characteristics. It also helps ease
swelling, a useful trait for skin rashes
that come with inflammation. The University of Maryland Medical Center
recommends either taking between 250 to 500 milligrams of green tea a
day in capsule form, or drinking it as a tea. Each cup of tea delivers
about 50 to 150 milligrams of antioxidants.
Traditional Teas
Black
and oolong teas are harvested from the same plant as the green tea,
Camellia sinesis. These teas also contain the group of antioxidant plant
compounds known as catechins that are associated with anti-fungal use. A
2007 study in the journal “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research”
showed that these catechins helped protect the body against several
kinds of bacteria and viruses, as well as the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections
and fungal skin infections. The process of fermentation that sets
green, black and oolong teas apart has different effects on the leaves’
plant compounds. The journal called for more research to determine if
some kinds of tea were more effective than others at combating fungal,
bacterial and viral predators.
Pau D'arco Bark
Pau
d'arco bark’s anti-fungal properties may be useful for fungal problems
such as a yeast infection, according to the University of Maryland
Medical Center. Buy the tea from a reputable supplier, because the bark
does not always yield medicinal properties when brewed. UMMC recommends
three to six cups of pau d'arco tea each day to protect your body
against fungus. Use 2 tablespoons of the bark for each quart of boiled
water. For vaginal yeast infections, the cooled tea can double as
douche, notes UMMC.
Alternatives
Home remedies
for yeast infections include eating yogurt, douching with vinegar,
applying a cream with tea tree oil or using a boric acid or garlic
vaginal suppository. MayoClinic.com notes that these treatments remain
anecdotal rather than scientifically proven. Vinegar soaks are also
traditional cures for nail fungus.
.jpg)
.jpg)
