Candida: Tea Tree, Lavender, Oregano, Armor, Clove, Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus, Rosewood, Spearmint, Tummy Troubles, Resistance, Clarify, Rosemary, Thyme, Myrrh, Patchouli.
Application ideas:
Dilute oil of choice as recommend and apply on lower abdomen or bottoms of feet.
(Do not apply essential oils directly to sensitive areas- or inside the vagina!)
Candida albicans, also known as thrush, is a common problem affecting many people. It commonly follows a round of antibiotics as these kill a lot of the helpful bacteria in the intestines. Candida albicans lives in all of us, but under normal conditions the good bacteria in the intestines are able to keep the candida at a level to where it does not cause trouble.
However, when there is a flare up, it can be a tough thing to beat. "Thrush and cystitis often alternate with each other in a painful and depressing cycle, because the antibiotics given for the cystitis suppress the body's natural way of controlling candida organisms. Using essential oils to treat the cystitis, either alone or in conjunction with antibiotics if necessary, and [eating yogurt and taking probiotics] to counter the side-effects of the drugs can break this cycle." (Davis, 293)
Price recommends 1 drop Rosewood essential oil or Tea Tree essential oil in honey and water used as a mouth rinse 3-5 times a day is an effective treatment for candida in the mouth. (Price, 282)
While we at Selah do not recommend putting essential oils inside the vagina, but one of our trusted resources uses this method, as described below. We recommend that you follow this exactly as described so as to not harm yourself with potent essential oils on already delicate tissues.
According to Jane Buckle, PhD, RN in her book, Clinical Aromatherapy Essential Oils in Healthcare, there is one essential oil that can get rid of this fungal infection permanently and within only a few days - Tea Tree. Mix two or three drops of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) in 5ml [approx. 1 teaspoon] of cold-pressed vegetable oil, such as sweet almond oil. Mix the essential oil and carrier oil in a saucer. Roll a tampon in the mixture until it is saturated, then insert into the vagina. Use the remainder on your fingers to spread the mixture over the labia, and wash your hands.
The tampon should be changed three times a day for a new tampon with a fresh dilution of carrier oil and tea tree... and keep on in overnight as well.
"It will not lead to toxic shock syndrome. Tea Tree Tampons are a very safe and effective method of eradicating candidiasis (and many other vaginal infections) and there appear to be no adverse side effects." (Buckle, 386)
Buckle does urge caution, though. If there are exposed raw areas in the vagina or on the labia, using Lavender diluted in vegetable oil first is best. Used in the exact same way, with a tampon for 1 or 2 days. You can also use lavender in a sitz bath.
"The tea tree tampon method has been used successfully in pregnancy with no adverse effects to the mother or baby. Having suggested this treatment to many patients and colleagues over the last 20 years, I am confident Melaleuca alternifolia will remove the infection within 3 days, regardless of how long the woman has had the infection, or if the infection is resistant to conventional antifungals." (Buckle, 387)
Buckle, Jane. Clinical Aromatherapy Essential Oils in Healthcare, Edition 3. (2015). p. 386 - 387.
Davis, Patricia. Aromatherapy An A-Z. (2000). p. 293
Price, Shirley & Price, Len. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals. (2012). p. 282
