Did you know that your body contains over 100 different types of fungal species? According to NPR, the average person holds up to 23 different strains.
Among all of these different types of fungi within the body, the most common includes the candida species.
Candida is a type of yeast fungi that mostly lives within your mouth, stomach, intestines, vaginal tract, and skin.
While it lives on and within your body in a naturally occurring way to assist with digestion, Candida can sometimes get out of control and cause a number of problems.
Candida can easily get overgrown and start multiplying rapidly by several factors, mostly fueling off of an excess of sugar or a “foreign” chemical or substance in the body.
Because of this, candida overgrowth is often caused by what you eat, drink, and any medications you may be taking, including antibiotics, alcohol, sugary drinks and processed foods, birth control pills, acute and chronic stress, chemotherapy, and more.
All of these substances could be harming and killing off the good bacteria within our gut and body and instead fueling more candida and yeast fungi within our body.
Once candida starts to overgrow within the body, it shows up in various symptoms depending on the person.
The most common symptoms of candidiasis include recurrent oral thrush (excessive white film on the tongue), itchy skin and skin rashes, vaginitis and yeast infections, gastrointestinal problems, unexplained fatigue, poor concentration and memory, sinus infections, allergies, anxiety, athlete’s foot, and more.
While candidiasis is obviously unpleasant, it actually affects millions of people every year, with an average of one in three people suffering from candida yeast overgrowth.
Not to worry though! There are actually many different natural solutions to conquer candida overgrown and get your body back on track.
While many doctors would want to prescribe pharmaceutical drugs to merely subside the symptoms of candidiasis, you can instead fuel your body with a variety of anti-candida remedies to naturally tackle any yeast overgrowth within the body.
Anti-Candida Foods & Herbs
- Probiotic Yogurt - Integrate more probiotic yogurt into your diet to help fuel the healthy and good bacteria in your gut. Yogurt containing probiotic bacteria – namely Lactobacillus – releases hydrogen peroxide which which kills candida. Make sure to select plain yogurt without any added natural sweeteners as candida feeds off of sugar (you don’t want to make it worse). If you’re suffering from a yeast infection in the vagina, you can also put some on and within the vagina for the same effects as well as a cooling substance.
- Garlic - Known as one of the best antifungals throughout the world, garlic has been used for centuries to treat candida overgrowth and help boost the immune system. It is also an active detoxifier for the entirety of the body. Natural, organic garlic contains high contents of the antifungal agent Ajoene, an organosulfur compound that has been shown to kill off a variety of fungal infections and candidiasis. Try to integrate garlic into your diet, but make sure it's at least an hour from any probiotic foods or supplements you may be taking, as garlic can inhibit and reduce the effectiveness of those good bacteria.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - A scientifically proven antifungal and antibacterial agent that clear research shows it inhibits the growth of candida. Because it's a liquid, you can do a lot with ACV (scroll down to see our ACV anti-candida tonic!). Have fun with it and do a round of ACV shots with your family and friends. Depending on where you notice your candida overgrowth, you can also dilute it with a glass of water, gargle it, add it some tea, use as a salad dressing, add to coconut oil (see below) or to a bath, and more.
- Coconut Oil - There’s a reason why coconut oil is considered one of the world’s most useful and versatile oils! Coconut oil contains three fatty acids, caprylic acid being the most effective and powerful antifungal treatment. Caprylic acid penetrates the cell walls of candida yeast, inhibiting the growth within and on the body. Similar to ACV, you can incorporate coconut oil into your diet and lifestyle in a variety of ways, including eating it in daily spoonfuls, using it in cooking, in capsules, and putting it directly on your skin.
- Reishi Mushrooms - Behold, the Mushroom of Immortality. With a name like that, there’s a reason why it holds such a title. While being a fungi, don’t let it confuse you. Reishi mushrooms contain bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and beta-glucans. These give the body an incredible boost of immunity when taken and also hold powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Additionally, the polysaccharides trigger the body’s immune cells to mature into macrophages, where they then destroy pathogens and candida overgrowth.
- Ginger & Turmeric - Ginger contains powerful antimicrobial properties that naturally inhibit and prevent the overgrowth of candida and other harmful pathogens in the body. Turmeric on the other hand contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent that also inhibits the growth of candida and protects against yeast infections. A recent study also indicates that curcumin prevented yeast bacteria like candida from settling on the mouth. You can easily incorporate both ginger and turmeric in many cooking recipes or even add to hot water for a tea concoction.
- Tea Tree Oil - Known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, tea tree oil has long been used as a popular essential oil and remedy for centuries. Research shows that tea tree oil helps naturally fight off yeast bacteria like candida and is a great natural remedy to combat a vaginal yeast infection. You can use tea tree oil in capsules and suppositories. Make sure to get 100% pure and natural tea tree oil and never one that contains a fragrance or with anything added.
- Kimchi - As a fermented cabbage dish, kimchi is probably one of the best natural foods to combat candida. Rich in probiotics, dairy-free, and oftentimes containing garlic and ginger, kimchi is a powerhouse food that aids in reducing gut inflammation, protects the body against candida overgrowth, and feeds the good and healthy bacteria within the body.
- Cruciferous Vegetables - From the Latin word “cruciferae” meaning “cross bearing” in resembling four petals of a cross, this is a group of vegetables that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes. All of these vegetables contain isothiocyanates, sulfur and nitrogen-containing compounds that inhibit the growth of candida. Not only are these leafy green vegetables tasty for eating, they also hold antibacterial properties to support a healthy balance of bacteria within the body.
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Pau D’arco Tea - Made from the inner bark of several species of Tabebuia trees that grow in Central and South America, Pau D’arco Tea can be used to treat a variety of ailments within the body. Pau D’arco extract contains antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as naphthoquinones that literally kill off harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites in the body. Moreso, Pau D’arco Tea also contains lapachol, a powerful yeast-fighting active compound that kills off candida overgrowth.
Recipe: Anti-Candida & Immunity Tonic
What if there was a way to flush toxins and candida overgrowth within the body almost entirely overnight?
There actually is! Below you’ll find our own yummy and zesty anti-candida tonic to make at home to give your body a huge immune boost and help flush out any excess toxins and candida in the body.
You can also make this as a natural immunity shot for your body during cold and flu seasons, while traveling, and if you find yourself exposed to people who are fighting illnesses.
Ingredients:
- Organic lemon
- Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- Mineral water
- Raw, unfiltered natural honey, ideally local
- Organic ginger
- Organic turmeric
- Organic garlic
Recipe:
- Finely mince or press 1-2 cloves of organic garlic cloves and set aside to oxygenate.
- Squeeze half an organic lemon, 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, 16 ounces of water, 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered honey, and 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric together in a cup and mix.
- Add the minced and oxygenated garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of grated organic ginger together and mix again.
- Bottoms up! Drink the anti-candida, immune-boosting tonic for maximum benefits against overgrowth of yeast and harmful fungi and bacteria within the body while fueling it with powerful probiotic and immune boosting properties.
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