Best herbs for treatment of fungus (fungal infections) of the skin, toes, nails and other body parts.

SYMPTOMS

Moist, possibly itchy, red patches on the skin, mucous membranes, under the nails, between the toes, or on internal surfaces of the colon, vagina or throat.

CAUSES

Fungal infections grow most frequently in moist, hot areas on the skin, especially in crevices where the skin touches skin or nails and on the surfaces of the colon, vagina or throat: Athlete’s foot occurs between the toes, Candida in the throat or colon. Ringworm, also known as tinea infection, is a fungal infection of the skin or scalp.

   If, while treating the fungal infection, you develop symptoms of a worse infection (such as increased redness and swelling or fever) you may have contracted a bacterial infection-in addition to the fungal infection.

NATURAL REMEDIES

• Avoid applying soap to the area.

NUTRITION

• Eat a nourishing diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. While treating the infection, a diet primarily of raw food is best.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine. Do not eat meat or dairy products. Avoid sugary, fried and processed foods. Eat nothing greasy.

HERBS

• Goldenseal contains berberine, which destroys fungi. It can be used against every type of fungus infection. It can be used in a drink or typically applied. Only use goldenseal for a week; then switch, for a time, to another fungicide herb.
• Pau d’arco is strongly antifungal. Drink 3 cups daily.
• Bloodroot also contain berberine and has been shown to be quite effective as a fungicide.
• Yellowroot, barberry and Oregon grape also contain berberine.
• Tea tree oil is excellent when applied externally, but do not drink it. Apply it several times a day to the affected area, either full strength or diluted with little distilled water or cold-pressed oil. Black walnut extract can also be used.
• A powerful anti-fungicide is wild oregano oil. The most resistant forms of fungus infection can generally be eliminated by it.
• The pepper tree (horopito) is a New Zealand shrub which contains polygodial; this is useful against both fungi and bacteria. Another antifungal herb is the Licaria puchuri-major, a Brazilian plant.
• Research studies have found that raw garlic inhibited every type of fungal infection it was applied to.

FUNGUS GROWTH

SYMPTOMS

A peculiar tiny growth on various parts of the body. It appears to be moist, red, circular patches. In the vagina, it produces a cheesy discharge.

CAUSES

This substance is fungus, which also called yeast or mold. It can grow under the nails, causing them to become raised and misshapen. It can grow on the feet and toes. It can grow in the throat or intestines, or vagina.

   Those especially affected are those who take antibiotics, have a depressed immune function, perspire heavily, live in a damp environment, or eat improperly. Also affected are those who are obese, ill, diabetic or use of oral contraceptives. Using the same bathroom, shoes or shaver of someone who is infected.

NATURAL REMEDIES

• Eat a nutritious diet, supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, much of them raw.
• Avoid mucous-forming foods (milk and white-flour products). Do not eat meat or processed foods. Fungi thrive on the sugar foods you eat. Avoid soft drinks, caffeine, alcohol, fried and greasy foods.
• Keep body parts clean; and keep them dry! Wear clean, dry clothing.
• Do not let an infected part of your body come in contact with healthy skin.
• Apply crushed garlic to the affected area on the outside of the body, alternating with honey.
• Another formula for fungal infections of any kind is tea (tea or tree) tree oil. Place some on affected area for 2-3 weeks, and the problem will be eliminated. Tea tree oil, which smells like eucalyptus, also comes from Australia.
• The fresh husk of the black walnut destroys fungus better than many drugs.
• For fungus in toenails: Apply black walnut tincture with plantain and tea tree oil to toenails every night for 60-90 days.
• Drink 1-4 cups of tea, daily, of lemongrass, turmeric, or Pau d’arco. All are good fungicides.
• Use either chamomile or garlic (or both together) internally and externally as anti-fungal remedies. Garlic, taken internally, is powerful weapon against fungus attacks on the skin. The extract is very potent when applied externally. Studies revealed that people who took 5-6 tsp. garlic extract daily had significantly greater antifungal activity against several common fungi.
• Licorice contains 25 fungicidal compounds. Goldenseal contains berberine, a powerful fungicide.
• Fungus under the fingernails or toenails (paronychia): This is a special problem which is quite difficult to solve. It may take six months of careful work before results begin to be seen. The fungus is generally under one or more toenails and causes them to warp out of shape. Potassium permanganate has been the remedy used on this for decades. This is a poison; yet if used externally, it seems to be one of the best solutions to the problem.
• Used externally, permanganate is a powerful fungus killer! It can be used on any fungal infection of the skin. It is deadly, do not drink it! The permanganate will stain the skin dark brown for several days. Formula: Soak the feet for half an hour in a warm 1:5,000 solution of potassium permanganate. Dry the feet thoroughly after use. This is the same formula for athlete’s foot, which is a similar fungal foot disease.
• If you need to prepare this solution at home, you dissolve a slightly rounded teaspoon of the crystals in 8 ounces of water. Keep it in a dark- colored glass bottle. One tsp. of this saturated solution in a pint of water makes a solution of about 1:1,500 strength; 1 tsp. in a quart of water makes one of about 1:3,000 strength. With this information, you will be able to prepare about any strength you might need. Do not let a child drink it!
• Another formula for under-nail fungus is soaking them in 50-50 mixture of white distilled vinegar and clean water 15-20 minutes daily.