Do you have trouble with candida infection? Here are home remedies for thrush that you may consider to fight this infection.
Thrush is also known as candidiasis. It can be oral or vaginal. Candida is a group of fungi living in the mouth, gut, throat, and vagina.(1,2)
When there is a flora imbalance in the areas, candida may overgrow, causing thrush.(3,4)
In the mouth, thrush causes a creamy white lesion on the tongue. It may also cause redness, cracking, and bleeding when scratched.(5)
It also brings a cottony feeling in the mouth with difficulty in eating and swallowing.
In the vagina, thrush causes itching, pain when urinating and during intercourse, and an abnormal discharge.(6,7)
As many as there are medical prescriptions, so there are natural home remedies for thrush.
Before opting for the prescriptions, why not save that coin and treat yourself at home? Here are 17 remedies you can comfortably use at home.
1. Oregano oils
For their good antifungal properties, most essential oils are the best home remedy for thrush. They work by inhibiting the growth of excess candida.(8,9)
Oregano oils help kill unnecessary fungi and bacteria, reducing their overgrowth.
A 2013 study found that oregano oil was a perfect remedy for thrush. The study further observed that myrrh oil mixed with toothpaste could also help control candida growth.
For vaginal thrush, mix with a few drops of other carrier oils like coconut oil before applying to the affected area.(10)
Note, however, that the quantities of the essential oils used should be controlled. For excess of them can kill even the bacteria and fungi necessary in the mouth.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar as a remedy for thrush
Apple cider vinegar helps restore the normal pH in the mouth. This normal pH is necessary for the growth of only the required candida.(11)
Dilute with water to dissolve the strong taste. Sip through the day. Avoid gulping down at once, for it may corrode the gut.
This remedy also helps banish bad breath developed by the thrush. So if you have thrush and bad breath, you can kill both birds using one stone.
3. Probiotics
Probiotics help restore the normal bacteria in the mouth naturally. By this, it inhibits the growth of excess candida. Adding probiotics to your diet can help restore a balance in your mouth.
Probiotics contain other live bacteria like lactobacillus acidophilus necessary for rebalancing bacteria and fungi- both in the mouth and in the vagina. From the day of consumption, it may take up to ten days to manifest in the results.
Although there is not much scientific evidence to back it up, many anecdotal confessions prove its effectiveness.
Moreover, doctors always recommend probiotics alongside the prescriptions for faster and more effective results.
Probiotics-rich food includes tempeh, miso, yogurt, and some cheese. This food, however, should be in its natural state. For example, most manufactured yogurts have large quantities of sugar that can encourage candida overgrowth.
4. Using Coconut oil to treat thrush
Coconut oil has great antimicrobial properties. It contains lauric and caprylic acids that kill excess candida.
Whether you use it directly or mix it with food, the results are just as good.
Powell (2010) poise that coconut is as effective as fluconazole (a common candidiasis prescription) in fighting thrush. It helps remove candida from the gut without straining the necessary probiotic bacteria.
Moreover, coconut oil also contains caprylic acid that is necessary for fighting candida infections.
5. Saltwater
Salt has great soothing, antiseptic, and cleansing properties. These properties make it one of the best home remedies for oral thrush.
Try rinsing your mouth with salt water to help relieve you of the symptoms.
Salt also helps prevent the growth of excess bacteria and fungi, keeping the normal condition in check.
The process is simple;
Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swiss through the mouth for about ten seconds and spit. Repeat the process three to five times each time.
Relief from the symptoms starts immediately, and further total healing may come about a week later.
6. Lemon juice for thrush
The antiseptic and antifungal properties of lemon helps it fights excess candida. For this reason, it is an effective home remedy for thrush.
According to a 2009 research, lemon juice is more effective than gentian among people with HIV. Gentian was a well-known remedy for thrush until it was found to be a cause of cancer.
This is what you need to do; squeeze the juice out of the lemon and mix it into a cup of water. Use a mouth rinse or drink.
Physicians discourage applying the lemon juice directly to the thrush; its acidity may cause irritation and burning.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric has a vibrant yellow color because of its curcumin content. Curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory properties necessary for fighting excess candida.
Morgan et al. (2009) researched on thrush infected and found that turmeric is an effective remedy. He purported that turmeric contains strong antifungal properties that effectively kill both the
Albicans and the non-Albicans species of candida. When combined with piperine, he noticed that the results were even better. Piperine is present in black pepper.
Make a golden milk solution of a teaspoon of turmeric paste, a little black pepper powder, and a cup of milk or water. Warm the solution. Swish the mixture in your mouth as you drink.
8. Vitamin C
Commonly known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is essential for efficient body immunity. It achieves immunity building by encouraging the development of white blood cells necessary in fighting infections.
It also boosts cell function and helps protect them against harmful molecules.
By taking additional vitamin C, you are boosting your body’s immunity. This is necessary for fighting fungal infections and rebalancing the candida in the mouth.
For that reason, this is an effective home remedy for thrush.
For faster relief, increase the quantity of vitamin C in your diet. You can do this by taking more oranges.
9. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has great antifungal properties. This makes it effective in killing excess candida. It works by killing the cell walls and the cell membranes of the candida.
By sampling, research by Alexander and Straub-Bruce (2014) confirmed that most vaginal medications with tea tree oil as an ingredient were more effective than the rest in treating vaginal candidiasis.
Like the other essential oils, add a little carrier oil to the tea tree oil and use it on the infected area. This yield results in about one week.
10. Garlic
Garlic work in a unique way. It help solve candidiasis from the genetic level. Garlic turns off the gene activity of candida, inhibiting their protein synthesis and straining lipids formation.
In a study by Ocasio, Solomowitz, and Sher (1999) garlic was effective in inhibiting the growth of candida in the mouth. Garlic, in that study, was effective in inhibiting the growth of eighteen different species of candida.
A 2014 clinical trial showed that taking garlic extracts reduced vaginal candidiasis in women, especially in the second menstruation phase.
Instead of looking for garlic supplements, why not reap the benefits directly from the source?
Crush some garlic into a paste and dissolve in warm water. Sieve and allow to cool. Swash in your mouth as you drink.
11. Good oral hygiene
Practicing good oral hygiene helps with thrush and is also necessary for many other aspects of life. It is a home remedy that can prevent the thrush from developing and from worsening.
Akhalwaya, Van, and Patel (2018) suggests that the plaque in the mouth after meals provides an extra condition for unnecessary bacteria to thrive. These bacteria may encourage the growth of extra candida, which results in thrash.
By cleaning your mouth, you limit the condition for extra candida growth. This reduces the effects of the existing candida and prevents new conditions from developing.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush at least twice each day.
Dentures may also increase the chances of developing thrush. It is advisable to remove them, if possible, and clean them as regularly as you can.
If your thrush keeps reoccurring, you should change your toothbrush at least once every month.
12. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is lemon-scented grass. Just like the lemon, it contains good antifungal properties.
Although their ability to counteract oral thrush is not exhaustively researched, some studies support their use as a natural remedy for thrush.
Morgan et al. (2009) for instance, stated in their journal that no one should undermine the power of lemongrass. He added that it could be just as effective as the lemon juice; this, they supported, by clarifying that lemongrass contains similar antifungal components as the lemon fruit.
If you can get the lemongrass, then dry the leaves and steep. Then dilute in water and swash in your mouth. Repeat the process every morning and evening.
13. Clove oil
Clove oil is a legendary oil. It is the most preferred painkiller and antiseptic by dentists.
In a study by Alexander and Straub-Bruce (2014) on immune-suppressed rats, he discovered that eugenol, a major component of clove oil, was an effective treatment for oral thrush. It also has great antifungal properties. This property helps it inhibit the growth of excess candida in the mouth and gut.
You can extract and use clove oil at home. The steps are here;
Grind cloves into a paste and steep in a cup of boiling water for about five minutes. Strain the solution and retain the liquid. Swish in your mouth and spit. Repeat for three to five times. Do this at least twice each day.
14. Avoid Sugar
Sugar does to fungi what fuel does to fire. It’s that simple! If you want to contain excess candida growth, you must cut down on your sugar consumption.
Sugar acts as a catalyst to the growth of fungi and some bacteria. So taking sugar when you have thrust is simply boosting their growth. The little fragments of sugar that might remain between the teeth can do a great harm.
You can use natural honey instead. This will help reduce the growth and severity of the candida.
15. Cranberry
Cranberry juice contains rich nutrients and acids. This acid suppresses and kills candida in the mouth.
Suppose you can make some cranberry juice, the better. Take a cup every day, swishing in the mouth before gulping down your throat. It can assist reduce the symptoms of thrush.
16. Grapeseed
Thrust is among the ailments treated by grape seed. It is very effective against candida because of its great antifungal properties.
Apart from anecdotal evidence, multiple studies confirm the healing power of grape seed against thrust.
What’s better with using grape seed is that it reinforces your immunity preventing any further thrust reoccurrence.
Collect a tablespoon of grape seed and crush it into a paste. Mix into warm water and drink.
You can also chew the seed together with grapes.
17. Pineapple juice
The magical power of pineapple against thrust is in its bromelain content. Bromelain breaks down microorganisms and eliminates them. This is what it does to the excess candida in the mouth.
Blend a cup of pineapple juice and add to your meals and witness the healing.
If you can’t blend, well, you still don’t need to worry. Just cut your pineapple into pieces and chew every once in a while. Chewing is better because it ensures the juice gets between the teeth, reaching even the hidden candida.
18. Curing Thrush using Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has great antifungal and antimicrobial properties necessary in treating oral infections; this includes candida.
Trap the aloe sap and apply it to your mouth and tongue. Leave for about five minutes and rinse.
Alternatively, you can swish a quarter glass of aloe Vera juice every day.
Symptoms Of Thrush
The major symptom of thrush is the unusual while lesions in the mouth.
They may give the tongue a pinkish white towel look. Sometimes the tensions may spread to the gums, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth, throat, and tonsils.
They may be painful when scratched by the tongue and sometimes even ooze blood. Other symptoms may include red sores at the corners and in the mouth.
Common risk factors of Thrush
Thrush may lead to loss of appetite. They are common to people with some underlying medical conditions, including diabetes, HIV, or cancer. Other lifestyles habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, and dentures also increase the chances of developing thrush.
The cost of treating thrush is relatively high. For this reason, home remedies are a suitable solution. Moreover, the home remedies do not poise many side effects like the prescriptions.
Furthermore, all the home remedies do not provide a solution only to thrush but also many other medical conditions.
Therefore at the slightest notice of thrush, your best resort should be the home remedies.
Summary on home remedies for thrush
The best approach for any disease is to get to nature. Nature will always bless the obedience offered to her laws. Try these home remedies for thrush after which you may consider medical treatment if symptoms persist.
Although thrust is a fungal infection, it is also considered a type of yeast infection. An overgrowth of candida causes it; candida is the same fungi causing penile and vaginal yeast infections.