By Salome Wagenbach, Master Herbalist
As early as 400 BC, Hippocrates documented a case of what seems to have been oral thrush. However, it wasn’t until centuries later that the Candida species were discovered. Today Candida is almost a household word and becomes apparent in various ways such as thrush, yeast infections and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Candida is a yeast that naturally occurs in areas of our body such as the mouth, gut, vagina and skin. Being an opportunistic fungus, an overgrowth can happen when our microbiome becomes imbalanced or our immune system is compromised. These fungal infections are called Candidiasis.
What does a Candida overgrowth look like?
To better answer that, let’s look at several different aspects of Candida overgrowth. Because many strains of Candida are a part of our normal microbiome and can be found all over the body, it stands to reason that Candidiasis will manifest itself in various ways.
Thrush. Thrush is the common term for white patches found mostly in the mouth and throat. It’s a familiar term to you because infants sometimes develop this form of Candidiasis. Other symptoms of an oral overgrowth are a cotton-like feeling in the mouth, redness or soreness, pain while eating, loss of taste, and cracking at the corners of the mouth.
Cutaneous Candidiasis. This refers to an overgrowth on the skin, typically found in warm, moist areas such as the underarms and groin, and creates raised, red patches with small itchy bumps. Think diaper rash.
Vaginal Yeast Infections. Vaginal overgrowths are the most common fungal infections, affecting 75% of women at some point in their lifetime. Itching, soreness, discharge, and pain are all signs of a yeast infection. Symptoms of a severe infection include redness, swelling, cracking, and burning.
Abdominal Candidiasis. It’s tricky to diagnose and even trickier to treat. When an overgrowth occurs in the gut it can involve a myriad of symptoms such as gas and bloating, chronic fatigue, brain fog, constipation or diarrhea, reduced mental acuity, and poor sleep. In some, it causes psychological symptoms such as mood swings or attention lapses. Muscle aches and skin abnormalities are also correlating complaints… and the list goes on. Mitchell Medical Group believes these symptoms can be attributed to the by-products of fungal toxins (mycotoxins) produced by Candida which disrupt cellular communication. If misdiagnosed or left untreated, it can lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) due to increased permeability of the gut.
Invasive Candidiasis. This form causes fever and chills and can be critical if it goes septic. We won’t address it much here because it mostly is introduced in healthcare facilities and generally, healthy people are not at risk.
What causes Candidiasis?
According to the CDC, a rise in Candidiasis is mainly due to a rise in immunocompromised illnesses, endocrine disorders, and excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Remember, the healthy flora in our body has a checks and balance system that becomes disrupted when we encounter stress or overuse antibiotics, steroids, and chemotherapy. Cleveland Clinic notes that eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, or yeast can also increase your risk of Candidiasis.
Let’s also look at a few risk factors for specific overgrowths.
Thrush – Nursing babies can contract thrush, but adults who smoke or who have diabetes, HIV, or dentures can get it too. Also, using corticosteroids (via inhalers) can increase your chance of getting thrush.
Vaginal Yeast Infections – Women are at increased risk for vaginal infections during hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, or through the effects of hormonal contraceptives. A compromised immune system and recent antibiotic use can also be contributing factors.
Once again, remember that these fungi are a normal part of our flora, but become pathogenic when our bodies are compromised.
How do we prevent a Candida overgrowth?
If you must take antibiotics or corticosteroids, use them only as prescribed by a healthcare provider and follow their instructions explicitly. Frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics will wreak havoc in the balanced microbiome of your gut which in turn can allow Candida to get out of check.
Other practical ways to discourage an overgrowth are to wear cotton or breathable clothing that is not too tight. Maintain good oral health. And keep susceptible areas clean and dry.
Perhaps the most important thing is to keep your diet clean. Candida thrives in an acidic environment; somewhere around 6 is their happy place. So keep to a diet that will keep your pH slightly alkaline. No matter how many times you successfully kill off excess Candida, it will easily return if your diet is poor.
What can we do about Candidiasis?
Begin right away. Like any illness or infection, its best to treat it at the first sign.
Try tea tree. Tea tree oil is antifungal and can be a help for those with skin overgrowths. Use it topically, diluted in olive oil.
Lemon juice. For thrush, mix a teaspoon of lemon juice to a cup of water and swab the mouth frequently during the day.
Garlic and cloves. Eat minced raw garlic or insert a whole clove bud in the vagina for a few hours to treat yeast infections.
Apple cider vinegar. Try mixing a tablespoon of ACV in a half cup of water and using this as a wash or spray for external infections. Dilute it a bit more if needed for extra sensitive areas.
Watch that diet. Eliminate refined or processed carbs as well as foods high in carbohydrates such as white rice, potatoes, corn, beans and peas. Absolutely no sugary foods should be eaten (Candida feeds on it!) and stick to low-sugar fruit and vegetables. Also avoid high lactose dairy products. Eat whole foods.
Give it time. When dealing with an abdominal overgrowth, start slow and expect die-off symptoms.
Boost immunity. Taking an effective, high-quality probiotic is essential. Remember, your microbiome is imbalanced and the flora that maintain your gut integrity need support.
Target the yeast. Consider finding a quality herbal product that is antifungal and designed specifically for yeast such as one of the products Walnut Creek Botanicals offers.
Walnut Creek Botanical’s Yeast Away kit and Yeast/Candida tincture
Whether you’re a DIYer or you prefer something ready-made, you’ll find Walnut Creek Botanicals is a go-to source. They offer a Yeast Away kit that allows you the fun of creating your own tinctures with the convenience of pre-measured herbs and easy instructions. They also have a prepared Yeast/Candida tincture.
Let’s take a brief look at a few of the plants used in these formulas.
Black walnut hull. It’s been used as an anti-fungal for centuries and may be even more effective in the fight against Candidiasis than some pharmaceuticals. This could be attributed to its juglone content as phenolic compounds inhibit certain enzymes needed for metabolic function by parasites/yeast. But it also has a high concentration of tannins which are antibacterial.
Wormwood leaf. Being both antiparasitic and antifungal, Wormwood leaf is incredibly effective in fighting candida. It produces free radicals that attack their mitochondrial membrane and interfere with processes within the mitochondria.
Echinacea root. A traditional remedy for fungal and bacterial infections, Echinacea also supports the immune system.
Calendula. Often a first-choice treatment for thrush and diaper rash, it is known for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties. This may be due to the presence of cardiac glycosides, sterols and flavonoids.
Pau d’arco bark. With two active antimicrobial quinones, Pau d’arco is a common choice in herbal formulas to combat yeast. While the exact action of these quinones is unknown, it’s believed they may impede the processes by which bacteria and fungi produce oxygen and energy.
Cat’s claw bark. Not only does Cat’s claw contain alkaloids that support your white blood cells, it also has antifungal compounds.
Spilanthes. It’s antifungal. It’s antimicrobial. It’s antioxidant.
Barberry root. Barberry contains berberine which is effectively antifungal. It damages the cell membranes of yeast.
It’s a difficult - but certainly not impossible - task. Conquering a Candida overgrowth can be done if the right tools are used and the necessary changes are made to keep it from recurring.
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