Candida is a type of yeast that assists the body with the absorption of nutrients. It normally lives in small amounts in the mouth, gut and skin without causing any problems.

Candida can multiply and grow out of control resulting in a condition known as candida overgrowth. This overgrowth of yeast, primarily in the intestines, that can spread to other parts of the body, presenting as yeast or fungal infections such as oral thrush in the mouth, skin disorders (including a rash, dry skin, eczema, acne or athlete’s foot) or a vaginal yeast infection.  It can present as diaper rash in young children.

Candida Overgrowth

Symptoms include:

• Sugar, carbohydrate, or alcohol cravings
• Bloating after eating / Flatulence
• Fatigue, inability to focus or concentrate, dizziness, memory loss
• Vaginal yeast infections, skin disorders, itching

What Causes Candida Overgrowth?

Candida overgrowth can be triggered by the overuse of antibiotics or a diet of high in refined sugar, processed food or carbohydrates. It can also be triggered when the body becomes too acidic or is under an abundance of stress.

Candida is also correlated with the presence of toxic heavy metals in the body.  Many health experts believe that candida binds to heavy metals and prevent them from entering the bloodstream, in effect shielding and protecting the body from toxicity of metals.   In other words, the presence of heavy metals may cause candida to overgrow.  That said, it is important to detoxify heavy metals in combination with eliminating candida overgrowth to avoid a flare in heavy metal toxicity symptoms.  Learn more about detoxifying heavy metals with essential oils HERE.

Candida overgrowth can be associated with leaky gut syndrome, a weakened immune system, brain fog, digestive upsets, food allergies and hormonal imbalances.

Essential Oils for Candida Overgrowth

Essential oils can be used to effectively inhibit the growth of candida and treat and reverse different forms of candida infections.  Several studies reveal that the antifungal and antibacterial properties of essential oils work to control yeast overgrowth without harming the beneficial gut microbiome.

Essential Oils for Biofilms

Biofilms shield pathogens like candida and parasites, making them challenging to treat, even with powerful prescription antifungal drugs.  Fortunately, lemongrass and clove essential oils are especially effective at busting through the tough biofilm that Candida hides behind, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Small Intestine Support™:  This amazing blend supports the small intestine both energetically and physically.  It contains Lemongrass essential oil, a powerful antiseptic, antidiarrheal, antifungal, and antibacterial essential oil can break up Candida biofilm and alter its cellular structures.  The Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research confirms the antioxidant, antidiarrheal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of lemongrass.  When the essential oil is vaporized, it can be even more effective in altering the cellular structures and surfaces of Candida. Lemongrass oil has direct aromatic applications for Candida and oral thrush to improve digestive health.  Apply Small Intestine Support™ in a clockwise direction around the belly button to help eliminate yeast without affecting natural bacterial flora.

Parasympathetic®:  Clove essential oil, the primary ingredient in the Parasympathetic® blend, contains antifungal properties proven to inhibit Candida formation as well as treat fungal infections. One reason Clove essential oil is so effective as an antiseptic can be attributed to its ability to inhibit bacteria and yeast.  Indian Ayurvedic medicine has long used clove oil to enhance digestion and kill pathogens, like parasites.

In a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, clove essential oil was able to obstruct Candida formation with its antifungal activity, reducing candida strains to near zero levels! Researchers recommended further investigation into the use of clove essential oil for the clinical treatment of fungal infection. (J Med Microbiol. 2009 Nov;58(Pt 11):1454-62. doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.010538-0. Epub 2009 Jul 9.)

Another study found that the antimicrobial activity of clove oil was enhanced in combination with other essential oils, which has been consistent with our experience of the parasympathetic blend.  Parasympathetic® blend can be applied behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone, on the bottom of the foot or on any digestive reflexology points (my favorites are on the ankle (three finger widths above the inner ankle bone) and the webbing between the big and the second toes.

Parasympathetic® can also be added to 1-2 teaspoons organic coconut oil and swished around in the mouth as part of an oil pulling routine to alleviate oral thrush.  Try to swish the oil for 15 – 20 minutes to help break down the candida biofilms and detox the mouth (including the tongue).

Heal the Gut with Essential Oils

Good bacteria in the gut limits candida from overgrowing.   Anything that damages the healthy bacteria in the gut, including leaky guts or pathogens, disturbs good bacteria and allows opportunistic organisms like Candida to grow unchecked.  Vibrant Blue Oils Gut Repair Kit™ can help heal the microbiome and support healthy gut flora.

Open Drainage Pathways:  Before starting to cleanse candida from your body, it is important to make sure your body can eliminate the released toxins as quickly as possible so they are not reabsorbed back into the body.  Essential oils can be topically applied to support the following drainage pathways. Using the Detox Support Kit™ can help supply drainage in the body.

Liver™: The liver is the primary organ of detoxification. Liver™ helps support optimal health and vitality of the liver and is ideal during a candida eradication effort where extra toxins are released (like yeast die-off).  Apply 2 to 3 drops of Liver™ directly over the liver (right side of the body, under the breast) two to three times daily.

Gall Bladder™: The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile which helps us emulsify fat for digestion and carries toxins out of the body. Ideally, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine where it is then eliminated from the body in the stool. When we eliminate the bile, we eliminate toxins with it.  Unfortunately, stress, toxicity, hormones, or diets too low or too high in fat can make the bile thick, viscous, and stagnant which impedes its ability to flow both to the small intestine and out of the body.  If toxins, do not exit the body, they can be reabsorbed. Applying Gall Bladder™ on the right side of the body under the bra under-wire or along and slightly under the right rib cage two to three times daily may help support optimal flow of bile.

Kidney Support™:  The kidneys play a vital role in detoxification, regulating the flow and balance of fluids in the body, filtering the blood, and helping remove waste from the body through urination.  Kidney Support™ applied over the kidneys (lower back, size of a fist starting at bottom rib), over the forehead or around the outside of earlobes can help support the kidney’s ability to release toxins.  Binders also help protect the kidneys by routing toxins out through the gut, rather than excreting them through the kidneys.  Read more about binders HERE.

Lymph™: The lymphatic system removes toxins from every cell in the body. It works as the body’s septic system, removing the byproducts and wastes created from metabolizing nutrients. Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system does not have a central pump—it only moves as the muscles squeeze it along. So the lack of movement makes the lymphatic system stagnant, with waste accumulating and excessive toxins building up.  Lymph™ blend helps keep lymph flowing to move toxins out of the body. Liberally apply 2 to 3 drops of Lymph™ to both sides of the neck, the lymph nodes under the arms, over the clavicles and around inguinal ligament (bikini line area—think where your leg creases when you lift it) to ensure optimal drainage and health.

Lung Support™: The lungs are sponge-like organs located near the backbone on either side of the heart, that play a key role in detoxification. Applying 2 -3 drops of Lung Support™ over the lungs can help release toxins.

Skin:  Our skin is our largest organ and can be a powerful channel for sweating out toxins either in a sauna or an Epsom salt bath.  The addition of Parasympathetic® oil can further increase heat levels, which will help you to sweat out toxins. Learn more about healing baths and essential oil combinations HERE.

Tea Tree™:  Comprised of antiviral, antibiotic and anti fungal properties, Tea Tree™ oil can be used as a gentle and safe topical applied ointment for candida infections and other fungal infections present on the skin including athlete’s foot, eczema and acne.  It can be used to treat vaginal yeast infections when topically applied via a tampon soaked in highly diluted tea tree oil.

Immune Support™:  Supporting the immune system helps kill most staphylococcus bacteria, which is a bacterium that can combine with candida to create infections such as eczema. It can be used topically to attack candida infections and as an antiseptic for fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.  Immune Support™ contains Oregano oil which is recognized for its aggressive antifungal properties and can effectively take care of stubborn candida fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, nail fungus and fungal infections of the scalp.

Resources

Ready to get started? Click the links below to order today:

• Small Intestine Support™ available here
• Parasympathetic® available here
• Gut Repair Kit™ available here
• Detox Support Kit™ available here
• Liver™ available here
• Gall Bladder™ available here
• Kidney Support™ available here
• Lymph™ available here
• Lung Support™ available here
• Tea Tree™ available here
• Immune Support™ available here