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Following is a list of various herbs and drugs which kill yeast/fungi. Tea tree oil is an extract of a tree native to Australia. It is a remedy for many mucosal fungal infections. The oil is used internally for thrush and esophagus and externally for fungal skin and nail bed infections. Tea tree oil and Grapefruit seed extract may be used for the external treatment of candida-related skin conditions by putting 2-3 drops of each in a lotion or salve and spreading it over the affected area. Nature's Cleanse by Melaleuca company (1.800.282.3000) is one source of Tea tree oil. Citricidal is an antifungal from Grapefruit seed extract in liquid form. NutriBiotic produces an organic form. Oregano extract is considered more potent and less harmful than nystatin to eradicate yeast . It is also considered to be more powerful and less toxic in killing staph infection. Purity Products (1.800.769.7873) has it in liquid form and other companies have it in tablets. Pau D'arco is an extract of the bark of a South American tree known to have potent antifungal properties. This substance has immune-stimulating and anti-tumor activity. It can be taken in many forms including teas. Garlic is one of the most potent antimicrobial agents. It was used by Albert Schweitzer to treat amebic dysentery and by Louis Pasteur as an antibacterial. It has been shown to be effective against all but two of 26 strains of candida albicans. The March 1985 issue of Scientific American reported that garlic was effective against 200 varieties of pathogenic fungi. Garlic is one of the richest sources of the element germanium, a potent inducer of interferon and effective against certain cancers by modulating the immune response. Parsley and fennel can be taken concomitantly to offset the strong odor associated with its use. (Caulfield) Propolis is a bee-harvested tree resin that is a strong antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral that can be used topically and internally. Naturopathic Handbook of Herbal Formulas(NHOHF) Neem (azadiracta indica) is an bitter tonic, fever reducer, alterative, anthelmintic and antiseptic. According to Vasant Lad in The Yoga of Herbs, neem is is 'one of the most powerful blood-purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic usage. It cools the fever and clears the toxins involved in most inflammatory skin diseases or those found in ulcerated mucous membranes.' CAUTION: Not to be used with severe fatigue or emaciation. Golden Seal (hydrastis canadensis) is 'effective in all digestive problems from peptic ulcers to colitis due to its tonic effects on the mucous membranes. It is a powerful antimicrobial improving all mucous conditions, especially those of the sinuses.' (NHOHF) Echinacea (echinacea angustifolia and purpurea) is alterative, immune stimulating and antiseptic. Terry Willard, PhD in The Textbook of Modern Herbology says that scientific research indicates antibiotic activity, cortisone-like activity, promotion of wound healing, production of systemic interferon and stimulation of T-cell lymphocytes. Other Anti-fungals: Diflucan, Caprilic acid, Nystatin, Fungilin, Oxy-Plus (contains food grade hydrogen peroxide), Nizoral, Colloidal Silver, Clove, 10-undecenoic acid derived from Castor bean oil, and Olive leaf extract. Earl Mindell in his Vitamin Bible writes that many natural and effective dietary anti-fungals are garlic, broccoli, cabbage, onions, home-made yogurt and turnips. The ethanol-soluble fraction of purple prairie clover yields a terpenoid called petalostemumol, which showed excellent activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and lesser activity against gram-negative bacteria as well as Candida albicans (100). Two diterpenes isolated by Batista et al. (23) were found to be more democratic; they worked well against Staphylococcus aureus, V. cholerae, P. aeruginosa, and Candida spp. When it was observed that residents of Mali used the bark of a tree called Ptelopsis suberosa for the treatment of gastric ulcers, investigators tested terpenoid-containing fractions in 10 rats before and after the rats had ulcers chemically induced. They found that the terpenoids prevented the formation of ulcers and diminished the severity of existent ulcers. Whether this activity was due to antimicrobial action or to protection of the gastric mucosa is not clear (53). Kadota et al. (108) found that trichorabdal A, a diterpene from a Japanese herb, could directly inhibit H. pylori. Thionins AX1 and AX2 from sugar beet are active against fungi but not bacteria (118). Santolina chamaecyparissus essential oil against candidal infections (213). |
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