Antifungals for Candida Infection

Antifungals are supplements that make use of their natural ingredient to inhibit harmful bacteria. No treatment of candida infection is complete without an effective antifungal.

Nowadays you have many options when it comes to treating candida infection. Antifungals can be categorized into several groups depending on what fungicidal ingredients are being used:

• Coconut Oil
• Grapefruit Seed
• Olive Leaf
• Garlic
• Pau d’Arco

Knowing where each product belongs is important because you need to switch between the groups now and then so that candida albicans won’t have enough time to develop resistance against a particular group.

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, a natural substance with significant antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal effects.

Studies performed in Nigeria and Iceland have shown that coconut oil is an effective agent for eliminating candida albicans and other harmful bacteria.

The great thing about taking products derived from the coconut oil is that they leave the beneficial bacteria intact.

Products based on coconut oil:

• Nutiva Coconut Oil,Organic
• Caproil Caprylic Acid (500mL) Brand: Innovite
• Caprylic Acid – 100 Tabs., (Solgar)
• Caprylic Acid 600 mg 60 Sgels

2. Grapefruit Seed (also Citrus Seed Extract)

Antifungals based on grapefruit seed extract (GSE) are believed to be capable of killing off a wide variety of pathogens including yeast. This makes GSE well suited to battle candida infection.

As a concentrated solution, it almost always requires dilution. You can avoid its bitter taste by mixing it with juice, for example.

Products based on GSE:

• Nutribiotic – GSE Liquid Concentrate
• Source Naturals Citricidex Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Vitamin Shoppe – Liquid Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Grapefruit Seed Extract 250mg – Capsules

3. Olive Leaf

Olive leaf extract contains a bitter substance called oleuropein. Its extracts have been found to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

These health benefits are widely recognized across the eastern Europe where many people have had success with the olive leaf extract. Olive leaf is an exciting new herbal with a promising future.

Products based on olive seed extract:

• Life-Flo Olive Leaf Plus, Standardized Olive Leaf Extract, Maximum Strength, 300 mg, capsules, 60 capsules
• Olive Leaf Extract (500mg)
• Olive Leaf Extract Super Strength 750 Mg 60 Caps

4. Garlic

Garlic is another popular (and cheap, too) natural remedy for candida infection. A fresh clove is high in allicin – garlic’s biologically active component – which is believed to be a potent antifungal.

It is considered best to eat up to 2 raw cloves each day. Alternatively, you can also find supplements in a tablet form.

Products based on garlic:

• Nature Made Odor Control Garlic 1,250 mg Garlic Equivalent – 300 Tabs
• Garlic Oil 1500 mg Eq 500 Sgels

5. Pau d’Arco

Pau d’Arco is a tree that grows in the Amazon rain forest. It contains a natural active compound called lapachol. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture lapachol is antiviral, antitumorous, bactericidal and fungicidal, among others.

A tea of Pau d’Arco can therefore have beneficial impact for those suffering from candida infection.

Products based on Pau d’Arco:

• Wisdom of the Ancients Pau d’ Arco ( Purple Lapacho) Herbal Tea, Loose Tea, 4.4-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3)

Prescription medications

In addition to the natural antifungal agents above there are also anti-fungal prescription medications. The most common are:

• Nystatin
• Diflucan
• Nizoral
• Sporanox

The kinds and dosages of prescription antifungals should be determined by your health care provider.You should not take these drugs if you are sensitive to any of their contents or have had an allergic reaction to similar drugs in the past. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.