Top Antifungal Essential Oils

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Essential oils can have a great many uses in a variety of settings – they aren’t just for around the house. Outdoor enthusiasts like us can also use essential oils for many purposes, including relief from fungal infections.

Using Essential Oils for Antifungal Properties

Many essential oils have antifungal properties. That is why these oils are an essential part of any camping or outdoor essentials kit.

Some common fungal infections that you may find yourself faced with include athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, onychomycosis and yeast infections.

Yeast infections encompass a variety of infections, such as candida albicans. These can be found in the mouth, vagina, stomach, or urinary tract.

While antifungal medications are available in the pharmacy section of almost any store, the medications usually come with a number of side effects that can be quite uncomfortable. Also, frequent use of medication can cause your body to build up a resistance to that medicine.

Safe, natural treatments are a great option, since they do not have any side effects and your body won’t build up an immunity to them.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is perhaps one of the most diverse essential oils.

It’s incredibly safe and has a multitude of uses, one of which is to stop the spread of candida infections. Other uses include treating acne, fungus, ringworm, lice, dandruff, eczema and other skin infections.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is seemingly as diverse in its uses as tea tree oil. Along with alleviating headaches, sleep issues, stress and anxiety, this oil is effective in fighting fungal infections when used over a timespan of two or more days.

On top of that, it has none of the side effects that over-the-counter medication has. Some research provides evidence that lavender oil can possibly be lethal to candida infections and dermatophytes – the infections found in the nails and skin.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil also has a variety of uses, one of which is treating fungal infections. In particular, lemongrass oil can be used on internal infections such as ringworm, or in external infections like jock itch or athlete’s foot.

Outdoorsmen and athletes alike will find lemongrass oil to be an essential part of their outdoor kit, considering the myriad of sweat-induced fungal infections that come with the territory.

Cinnamon Bark Oil

This oil is known for many of its qualities. It has antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities. If you’re going to be outdoors and away from home, this oil is a must-have because it covers so many bases.

Aside from working as an antifungal, you can use it to disinfect cuts and scrapes as well as ease swelling.

Common Types of Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are caused by various types of fungus invading your personal space – your body. They can be transmitted through many different means – such as air, soil, or water – and they can be very difficult to kill.

Ringworm

Itchy and very contagious, ringworm can be found anywhere on the skin – even the scalp. It causes jock itch and athlete’s foot, but when found on other places on the body, it’s called ringworm.

It looks like a red, scaly circle that is raised on the skin. Ringworm can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, so it’s essential that it is treated as soon as possible.

Athlete’s Foot

The same fungus responsible for ringworm is also responsible for athlete’s foot when it manifests on the feet, usually in the toes or the cracks around the toes.

This fungus is commonly associated with athletes because it is often found in warm, moist environments. This would include socks, shoes, locker rooms and equipment.

However, anyone can find themselves dealing with athlete’s foot, especially if they wear closed-toe shoes in the summer when feet tend to be warm and sweaty. Athlete’s foot is characterized by soft, red, blistered skin that is peeling or cracking and it itches, burns, or stings.

Jock Itch

Ringworm is also responsible for causing jock itch, which grows in moist, warm areas of the body, such as the genitals and the buttocks.

It is commonly associated with athletes, but like athlete’s foot, jock itch can affect a person who comes across anyone or anything infected with the fungus. This is especially so if that person has warm, moist places in which to propagate.

Like athlete’s foot, jock itch is also characterized by redness, itching, burning, irritation and cracking of the infected area.

Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is also known as onychomycosis, but usually it is just called toenail fungus. This is because it can be found in the toenails or fingernails. It’s more often found in toenails because fingernails, being on the hands, are easier to keep clean and dry.

This fungus is relatively common, affecting up to 20 percent of people. Symptoms of nail fungus include: a discolored or yellowish color in the nail, accompanied by streaks or spots. It can be very difficult to get rid of.

How to Use Antifungal Essential Oils

Using essential oils must be done with care. You can use them topically, but you need to pay attention to how you mix them. This is because using them without properly diluting them can cause skin irritation.

In general, a mixture should contain 2-3 drops of each essential oil and 20 drops of carrier oil. After mixing them thoroughly, you can apply the mixture to the affected area using a cotton ball or sterile pad.

Be careful not to touch the cotton ball or sterile pad to any other area of your skin because you don’t want to spread the fungal infection.

Continue using the essential oil mixture several times a day until the fungal infection goes away. However, keep in mind that it could take several weeks to see results. Another way to use antifungal essential oils is to use them in a diffuser.

If there is fungus growing in your air vents, the fungus may spread through the air when air blows through the vents. Adding a few drops of antifungal essential oil to a diffuser will help make the air healthier to breathe.

doTERRA Cassia Essential Oil

Cassia is similar to cinnamon in that it has a strong, spicy aroma and can be uplifting. It has calming properties and can be used to help your physical and emotional health.

Not only can this be mixed with carrier oil for use, but you can also add it to veggie capsules and take them as a way to improve your immune system or to aid in healthy digestion. This cassia oil can also be added to water along with lemon to help curb hunger cravings.

Another great use is to mix it with carrier oils such as coconut oil and use it for massages.

Pros

• Excellent brand quality
• Very effective when diluted properly
• Very potent aroma
• Customers familiar with its uses find it to be an excellent product

Beauty Aura Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme is another spicy essential oil that has disinfectant and antifungal properties. This oil can be mixed to make a natural household cleaner or other cleaning products. It can also be used to make homemade beauty products.

This oil is great to add to a carrier oil to be used as a massage oil, or it can be mixed with other essential oils and used for a variety of purposes.

Pros

• It is potent
• Effective and safe against fungal infections
• Attractive packaging
• It is affordable in comparison to other brands

NOW Solutions Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano, probably best known as an Italian food seasoning, is a spicy essential oil as well. Its therapeutic uses range from soothing chest congestion, to calming digestive disorders, to being diluted and used to clean the skin.

Pros

• Manufactured by a long-established and trusted brand
• Environmentally-friendly company
• Safe and effective when diluted properly
• Very affordable in comparison to other brands

NZ Country 100% Manuka Oil

This manuka oil is ten times more effective than regular tea tree oil. It can be used on many skin irritations such as fungal and bacterial infections. It is also a great antiseptic to cleanse cuts, rashes, or other skin irritations.

Pros

• Effective against foot fungus
• A great product when used properly

USDA Certified Organic Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is used for a wide range of issues, such as acne, infections, skin irritations and fungal infections. It is great to use around the house in a diffuser to purify the air and it can also be used to clean your skin and nails.

Pros

• Effective against nail fungus and other types of fungal infections
• Pleasant aroma
• Variety of uses
• Contains natural and organic ingredients
• Vegan and is cruelty-free
• Made in the USA

Artizen Clove Essential Oil

When mixed with a carrier oil, this Artizen Clove Essential Oil is great for homemade soaps and for cleansing skin irritations as well as fungal infections.

Pros

• Effective when used properly
• Works well on tooth pain
• Requires only a few drops in a diffuser to fill the house with a clove fragrance

Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil

This lavender essential oil can be used in a diffuser to create a relaxing atmosphere. On the other hand, it can be mixed with a carrier oil to be applied to the skin in order to treat a number of different skin irritations.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Well-known brand

Conclusion

For those who plan to spend time outside, many of these essential oils are great to carry with you because even just one or two of the oils have so many uses. Instead of packing a myriad of over-the-counter ointments and creams, choose a few different essential oils instead.

You’ll find yourself traveling lighter and planning more effectively.

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