Keeping Yeast and Fungus Under Control

I see a lot of people who tell me they have candida because someone muscle tested and told them so or just because they’ve been told that their problems are caused by yeast. Just because you have a heavy white coating on your tongue does not mean you have yeast. Having a lot of white fibers in your eye doesn’t mean you have yeast, either. Also, chronic sinus infections, asthma and skin problems can be caused by factors other than yeast.

I never trust when people tell me they have Candida because I find that the role yeast play in causing people’s health problems is exaggerated. Let me repeat yeast is always present in the body, so just trying to kill the yeast is never going to work. Not only would you be completely incapable of eliminating all candida from your system, you wouldn’t want to. It’s part of the normal flora of your body. So, I see yeast as part of a bigger picture of health problems that involve leaky gut, poor diet and weakened immune systems.  

In fact, I recently learned that most of the symptoms people attribute to yeast infections are actually the result of an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestines.  You can read about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and leaky gut in an article on this topic on this website. Fortunately, the diet and supplements that can be helpful for SIBO will also be helpful for yeast.

In assessing whether someone may need to take antifungal herbs to control yeast, I look for several key factors. First, is their immune system compromised in some way? That is, do they have frequent colds, chronic sinus problems, or other signs of reduced resistance to disease? If so, have they taken a lot of antibiotics, birth control pills, steroids, etc.? I also try to find out if they have any actual signs of yeast overgrowth such as vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, itchy skin or ears or toenail fungus. If they do, they almost certainly have a problem with yeast overgrowth and some antifungal herbs, as well as dietary changes, will probably be very helpful.

However, even if you aren’t sure if a person has yeast overgrowth, it never hurts to urge them to give up refined carbohydrates for a time and put them on some natural antifungal remedies. After all, most antifungal remedies will boost overall immunity and work against bacteria, viruses and perhaps even parasites. This means you have a high probability of improving their health even if yeast isn’t the exact cause.

There are some great single herbs, essential oils and other products that are useful for controlling yeast infections. Garlic is still one of my favorites. In fact, freshly crushed raw garlic is still my favorite antibiotic, partly because it works equally well on bacterial, viral and fungal infections (and it’s really cheap). It does smell, but that’s probably its worst side effect.

Oregano is another great herb for fungal infections. It is an ingredient in yeast/fungal detox, but also works well as a single herb. The essential oil is also a very powerful antifungal agent, but it can be toxic when taken internally. I would avoid it, especially when it works just fine when taken as an herb without the risk of causing damage to your liver.

Speaking of essential oils, they make some of the best antifungal remedies I know. My friend Carl Robinson taught me how to use essential oils to treat thrush when one of my children had it. Here’s a basic formula.

• 2 drops tea tree or cajeput essential oil
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 drop thyme essential oil
• 1 drop lemon essential oil

Dilute the above mixture in about one teaspoon olive oil. For thrush in infants, you simply give them one drop twice daily for three to seven days. It’s easy to administer and it works remarkably fast. My kid’s thrush cleared up completely in two days, although I continued the remedy for a few more days to make sure it was under control.

The blend works equally well for adults with yeast infections, only the dose is higher. Use two drops twice daily for seven to fourteen days. You don’t need to take it any longer. It works that fast.

Oregano oil is even stronger, so it really surprises me when I hear that people have been taking it for a month or more. If you’ve been taking an antifungal agent that’s that strong for a month and your problem hasn’t cleared up, it’s probably something other than yeast.

Another herb I really like for fungal infections is usnea. If you’ve ever been in the Pacific northwest and seen this greyish-green stuff hanging from the trees like hair, that’s usnea. It’s a powerful antifungal and antimicrobial that also helps the immune system. I get it in tincture form.

Recently, I discovered an herb from New Zealand called horopito, which I’ve used for really stubborn yeast infections and that seems to work great. It’s my alternative to NSP’s Yeast/Fungal Detox, when it just doesn’t seem to be enough.

Other herbs that are helpful for fungus include black walnut, barberry, Oregon grape, spilanthes and purple loofestrife. I also find it helpful to take remedies to rebuild the immune system when someone has had a yeast problem. Echinacea or an Immune Stimulating Formula are good options. Another great remedy for rebuilding the immune system in chronic yeast infections is a fungi known as ganoderma.

Medicinal Fungi

Mentioning that ganoderma mushrooms are good for yeast infections brings us full circle. Fungi aren’t bad guys. In fact, some of our best immune enhancing herbal medicines are fungi like ganoderma, which is pictured on this page.

Take cordyceps for example. It’s a fungus that grows on caterpillars that burrow into the soil. Cordyceps can now be grown in vats, like yeast cultures, and has great immune-balancing properties. I find it wonderful for improving resistance to disease and helping chronic respiratory ailments. It also improves stamina and overall health.

Another great fungi is miatake mushrooms. My good friend, Kalman Markus in Pennsylvania, has taken me hunting these great-tasting mushrooms, which also have incredible immune-enhancing properties. He’s noticed that they are most plentiful right before hard winters, suggesting they have the capacity to help the body ward off illness in the cold weather. There’s some miatake in NSP’s Immune Stimulator, a formula I’ve used a lot to ward of sickness.  Many grocery stores now carry reishi mushrooms, which are also immune stimulants.

And how about that kombucha stuff that many people grow? It’s a culture of several yeasts and many people report it really enhances their immune system. It’s now available in bottled form at many health food stores. I tried growing it once, but I couldn’t stand the taste so I figured it wasn’t good for me.

The bottom line is that fungi aren’t bad. Many are downright useful. Yes, we can develop yeast overgrowth, but this is not a reason to avoid eating mushrooms or using products made with yeast. Personally, I think that if you change your diet to eat the way you should have been eating in the first place (using natural foods, particularly quality proteins and vegetables, and avoiding all refined carbohydrates). Then use some anti-fungal remedies and follow it up with some probiotics. Unless you have a really bad problem, this should be enough to help you regain your health.

So, instead of cursing the fungus among us, let’s rejoice in all these creatures do to benefit our health and well-being. And, next time you eat a slice of bread or have a glass of wine or a bottle of beer, thank the little “yeastie beasties” for their good work!