Colonista: One Woman's Search for the World's Best Colon Cleansing

5 Herbs to Help Soothe Candida

Candida infections are no fun. However, there are many herbs that can help to fight off candida growth and help you become healthy again. Here are five of our favorites:

 

1. Tea Tree Oil - This oil can actually cure candida infections of the mouth. It can be used topically in many different forms including mouthwash, dental floss, or soap. 
2. Garlic - There has been research confirming garlic's anti-fungal properties and its ability to treat candida. A study conducted by Benjamin Lau showed that mice with candida infections were free of the fungus after being treated with garlic extract for two days.
3. Barberry - Barberry is rich in berberine, an anti-microbial substance that treats yeast infections by aiding the body's healthy intestinal flora. It also boosts the immune system and stops the diarrhea that can accompany candida infections.
4. Pau d'Arco - Pau d'Arco has powerful anti-fungal properties that kills off excessive candida growth while also supporting the immune system.
5. Black cumin - Black cumin seed extract has anti-fungal properties that are effective against candida. 

 

There you have it! Now go show that candida who's boss!

 

(Picture Credit: How to Boost Your Immune System)

Candida Albicans--What Does It Do To My Body?

Candida albicans is a type of yeast fungus that is present in everyone's body. The majority of the fungus can be found in the mouth and the intestinal tract. However, sometimes candida can get a little out of control, and that's when the body can be harmed by it.

 

Having a small amount of candida in your body is actually a good thing--it acts as a natural antibiotic and helps to limit the amount of harmful bacteria. When candida becomes an issue is when it's excessive, which can be caused by prescription antibiotics and/or birth control pills coupled with a bad diet, soft drink and alcohol consumption, drinking chlorinated water, and overall poor health.

 

An overgrowth of candida can rob your body of the essential nutrients it needs by consuming all the sugars and starches in your digestive tract. Symptoms of excessive candida include:

• Abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Itchy eyes
• Constipation
• Menstrual irregularities
• Decreased sex drive
• Muscle and joint pain
• Depression
• Sinus drainage
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Food allergies
• Nail fungus
• Hair loss
• Urinary tract infections
• Headaches
• Weight change
• Inability to think clearly

 

If left untreated, an overgrowth of candida can eventually lead to chronic fatigue and/or bowel disease.

 

(Picture Image: Candida Shmeeda: Beating the Fungus)

What Causes Candida Overgrowth?

Unfortunately, a lot of things can cause Candida infections. Following is a long list.

• Allergies
• Birth control pills
• Adrenal burnout
• Bacterial infections
• Weak immune system
• Age
• Antibiotics
• Constipation
• Diet
• Diabetes
• Environmental toxins
• Douching (Ladies, I’ve never been a supporter of douching—stay away!)
• Heavy metal toxins
• Parasites
• Hormonal changes
• Stress

Think you might be affected? Make an appointment with your physician.

Three Candida Cleanse Options

Following are three cleansing options that you can attempt if you have been diagnosed with Candida overgrowth.

 

1. Mix the juice of one lemon with a cup of water as well as some cayenne pepper (as much as you can handle).  This mixture will help to cleanse your body and boost your energy.  It is recommended that you drink this concoction once a day.  While other regiments such as the Master Cleanse requires that you live on a liquid diet for the duration of the cleanse, I believe that you will receive all of the benefits without having to starve yourself.

 

2. Search for cleansing products which are specifically designed for Candida overgrowth.  Examples of this type of product include:  Candida Cleanse by Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems, Zand Candida Quick Cleanse, and Gaia Herbs Candida Supreme Vital Cleanse.

 

3. Take part in a colon cleanse.  As I’ve discussed in earlier posts, colon cleansing helps to rid your body of the toxins that accumulate over years of bad diet and pollution exposure.  It can also help to rid your body of that yeast Candida which is taking over.

 

Have you ever experienced Candida overgrowth?  Did you try one of these treatments?

What Happens When Candida Overgrowth Dies Off?

After you begin treatment for your Candida overgrowth, you should expect to experience some symptoms as the yeast dies off.  Bluntly put:  you might feel worse before you being to feel better.

 

The symptoms you may experience include:  headaches, basic aches and pains, abdominal distress, or other flu-like symptoms.  In order to make your die-off reaction as minimized as possible, make sure that you experience a bowel movement each day.  If you find that you’re constipated, consider taking a fiber powder to help regulate your system.

 

While the die-off reaction may be uncomfortable, it is a sure sign that toxins are leaving your body.  If you are concerned, see your physician.

 

Have you ever experienced Candida overgrowth die-off symptoms?

Three Ways to Treat Candida Overgrowth

Once your Candida overgrowth is diagnosed, it is time to focus on killing the yeast along with its toxins.  The treatment is simple, but it does take severe consistence.  You will be put on an anti-fungal treatment and will need to modify your diet so as to not add to the yeast overabundance.  Following are a few different treatments for killing Candida and its toxins.

 

1. Nystatin

Nystatin is a safe and effective organism that can even be used by pregnant women and infants.  The usual recommended dosage is one pill taken three times a day.  Nystatin is also available in powder form, where the recommended dosage is 1/8 teaspoon taken three times a day.  If you have a mild case of Candida overgrowth, taking Nystatin for three to four months should be sufficient.

 

2. Diflucan

Diflucan is an antifungal drug and is ten times stronger than Nystatin.  Be sure to have your doctor monitor your liver’s condition if you use Diflucan for a significant period of time.  Some choose to use Diflucan for a week and then switch over to Nystatin.  I recommend discussing the options with your physician.

 

3. Herbal Antifungals

If you have a very mild case, consider using an herbal compound.  Many herbal antifungals can be found at your local health food store, and most of them contain a combination of these ingredients:  fennel, garlic, marshmallow, berberine, gentian root, undecylinic acid, ginger, grapefruit seed extract, oregano oil, and black walnut.

 

Which one of these treatments would you consider using if you had a Candida overgrowth problem?

Ten Symptoms That You’re Suffering from Candida Overgrowth

So you’ve read my previous posts, or maybe you heard about Candida overgrowth through friends or family, and you’re wondering exactly what it does and how to know that you’ve got it. You’ve come to the right place, my friend.

Candida albicans is a yeast that naturally exists in your gastrointestinal tract; however, if certain conditions are allowed, Candida growth can get out of control and become harmful to your health. Candida overgrowth targets your muscles and nerves and causes a number of symptoms including:

• Bloating and Gas
• Indigestion
• Fatigue
• Poor Memory or Disorientation
• Urinary Frequency
• Vaginal Yeast Infections
• Irritability, Depression or Anxiety
• Shaking When Hungry
• Headaches
• Rashes

***Keep in mind that you may experience just a few or many of the above symptoms in order to be experiencing Candida overgrowth. Also, it’s extremely important to remember that each of these symptoms, even if experienced in combination, can be linked to many other conditions. This is why it’s essential that you speak to your healthcare provider and do not simply self-diagnose.

Ten Good and Bad Foods to Eat if You Suffer from Candida Overgrowth

Your diet does a lot to either feed Candida overgrowth or help to snuff it out. Follow this list of good and bad foods to help your Candida issues.

 

Good Foods

•  Chicken and Fish
• Light Olive Oil
• Pasta
• Any Whole Grains Besides Wheat
• Sesame and Sunflower Seeds
• Eggs
• All Veggies Except for Mushrooms
• Fresh Herbs
• Apples and Berries
• All Beans

 Bad Foods

• Processed and Packaged Meats
• Peanut Oil
• Corn and Mushrooms
• Peanuts and Cashews
• All Cheeses
• Wheat
• All Vinegars
• Candy and Cookies
• Peas
• White Sugar

Why Antibiotics Lead to the Candida Overgrowth Cycle

It’s astonishing to realize that 1/3 of the population suffers from Candida overgrowth. While Candida is a natural yeast that should be present in certain amounts in your body, if your body’s environment gets out of control, it can lead to Candida overgrowth that can then attack any organ in your body.

Candida overgrowth can be caused by many different things including antibiotics, steroids, birth-control pills, a poor diet, alcohol overuse, chemotherapy, radiation and stress, among others.

It’s important for you to realize how it is that antibiotics can lead to an overgrowth of this otherwise harmless yeast.

First, know that antibiotics are for bacterial infections; they do not treat viral infections. When it comes to the common cold or flu, antibiotics are literally useless. Antibiotics wipe out both good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract; however, these drugs do not affect Candida.

Without the “good” bacteria, Candida multiplies and is kept out of check. Now, your body isn’t just dealing with an overgrowth of Candida—it also has to contend with the issue that Candida expels over seventy toxic by-products that lead to the weakening of your immune system.

 With a weakened immune system, you become more susceptible to viruses, and then you take more antibiotics. These antibiotics do nothing to your virus, but they do make your gastrointestinal tract perfect for Candida overgrowth.

Don’t worry, though. There are several ways that you can deal with Candida overgrowth that I will explain later on in this blog.