Candida and Proven Natural Medicines

Naturopathic Suggestions for Candida

Firstly, in treating a patient with candida, we need to eliminate those factors that contribute to the overgrowth.

In discussing this disorder, I am referring to chronic candida. Yes, my suggestions help for the 'one off' episode but when it is a reccurring condition, we need to look further than just an over the counter thrush cream.

Overgrowth doesn't just effect the vaginal tract, it also can effect out gastro-intestinal system all the way from our mouth to our anus. It can also effect our skin, so when I talk about candida, I am not just referring to the common notion of vaginal candida. This disorder also affects men and it CAN be passed on to a sexual partner but is not common.

rid candida naturally Lets start by eliminating these things:

1. Antibiotics - these kill the 'good' bacteria in our system.

2. Incomplete protein digestion - supplement with digestive enzymes. A lack of enzymes will allow the candida to grow. For digestive enzyme supplementation and more information see Doctor's Best's Digestive Enzymes 90Vcaps

3. Sugar - thrush thrives if you feed your body plenty of sugar, including concentrated fruit juices.

4. Yeast - foods such as breads, cheeses, dried fruits. Candida is a yeast, so these foods will only contribute.

5. Milk - milk has a high sugar(lactose) content and can be an allergen so if you think milk may be a problem for you then 'give it a miss'.

6. Immune compromisers - alcohol(high in sugar too), chemotherapy, stress, diabetes. These can all compromise your immune system and contribute.

7. Liver function - if your liver function is compromised then there is less detoxification of candida as it passes through.

Obviously there are some things on this list that you may not be able to eliminate but if you can eliminate some of these then it will contibute greatly to your battle against candida.

Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicines for candida

Garlic for Candida

Garlic has long been used as a supplementary in yeast overgrowth as it has been shown to be an antifungal. I know that some of you are hesitant in using garlic because of the smell BUT, the smell is the most important part of the plant because it is the allicin in garlic that is the active constituent and it also happens to be the 'smelly part' of garlic. For effective treatment of candida see Country Life Nature's Garlic 180 sgels

Barberry

Nature's Answer's Barberry 1oz
Barberry is an excellent herbal for candida as it is an intestinal normalising herb. With candidal overgrowth, comes all those nasty symptoms that I have previosly mentioned in the womens health section. Diarrhoea is especially eased by Barberry and is also an immune stimulant, increasing the activity of macrophages (these destroy bacteria and virus's etc).

Vitamins and Minerals

If you do decide to use any of my recommendations then please pick the ones that are yeast free.

Potassium Chloride and Iron Phosphate

This combination of minerals is great in decreasing congestion and inflammation associated with overgrowth.

Zinc

Zinc is known to aid our immune system so will help in fighting the chronic disorder.

Lactobacillus

This probiotic is a 'good' bacteria and is found naturally in our intestines. When we supplement with this bacteria, we are actually replacing the good bacteria that the fungus overpowered. I always recommend this as a probiotic supplement opposed to eating yogurt because there is just not the quantity of lactobacillus in yogurt that you need. If you really don't want to take a tablet and WANT to eat yogurt, then you better buy a BIG TUB of it! And make sure that it has live culture and lactobacillus in it. For one a day proven candida treatment see Douglas Lab's Multi-Probiotic 4000 100 caps

Latest Clinical Trials

Most reports state that because of the underlying factors that contibute to this condition, once you remove those, then the symptoms usually subside. This is why there are not many clinical studies done on candida.

So, what I would suggest you do, is to get a diagnosis of your infection and consider the options. The treatments I have used have been successful and have been commonly used by other practitioners for decades. The main issue we need to look at is BALANCE. Everything in balance means a healthy body.

If you would like to ask me a question about candida, click here

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