9 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Fungal Infection
Herbal essential oils for fungal infection are plant-derived oils extracted from various herbs and plants that are known for their antifungal properties, which help to combat and alleviate fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and nail fungus.
These oils offer numerous benefits, including promoting a healthy environment for the skin, reducing inflammation and itching, and preventing the growth of fungal organisms.
Examples of herbal essential oils that can be used to treat fungal infections include tea tree oil, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of fungal cells, lavender oil, which has antiseptic and antifungal properties, and oregano oil, which contains carvacrol, a compound that has been proven to be effective against fungal infections.
Other examples include eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil, and geranium oil, which have been traditionally used to treat fungal infections due to their antifungal and antibacterial properties, making them a natural and effective treatment option.
According to "Current pharmaceutical design", essential oils for fungal infection have been reported to possess potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, making them a promising natural alternative to combat fungal ailments such as those caused by Candida albicans.
Below there's a list of the 9 best herbal essential oils for fungal infection.
- 1. Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils
- 2. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
- 3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
- 4. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 5. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
- 6. Thymus vulgaris essential oils
- 7. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 8. Origanum vulgare essential oils
- 9. Salvia officinalis essential oils
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1. Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils
Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils, also known as tea tree oil, have been traditionally used to treat fungal infections due to their antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
The oil's active compounds, such as cineole and terpinen-4-ol, help to inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens, thereby alleviating symptoms of infections like athlete's foot and nail fungus.
The bioactive constituents in Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils, including the terpenes and flavonoids, work synergistically to reduce inflammation and promote a healthy environment for skin and nail tissues.
The benefits of using Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils to treat fungal infections include reduced symptoms, improved wound healing, and prevention of further infection.
Related Study
According to "Skin pharmacology : the official journal of the Skin Pharmacology Society", Melaleuca alternifolia essential oils have shown antifungal activity against a range of fungal species, including dermatophytes, Candida albicans, and Malassezia furfur, with the lipophilic yeast M. furfur being the most susceptible.
2. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
Eucalyptus globulus essential oils have been traditionally used to treat fungal infections due to their potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
The herbal preparation's ability to inhibit the growth of fungal pathogens, such as Candida albicans, makes it an effective treatment option.
The bioactive constituents of Eucalyptus globulus essential oils, including eucalyptol and limonene, contribute to its antifungal activity, helping to reduce symptoms and prevent the spread of the infection.
The benefits of using Eucalyptus globulus essential oils to treat fungal infections include reduced inflammation, improved wound healing, and a lower risk of developing antibiotic-resistant strains of fungi.
Related Study
According to "Mycoses", Eucalyptus globulus essential oils have been found to markedly inhibit fungal growth.
3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils have been studied for their potential to treat fungal infections due to their antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
The bioactive constituents, such as carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, in this herbal preparation help to inhibit the growth of fungi, including Candida and Aspergillus species, thereby reducing the severity of the infection.
The antifungal properties of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils help to treat fungal infections by disrupting the fungal cell membrane and preventing the spread of the infection.
The benefits of using Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils to treat fungal infections include reduced symptoms, improved wound healing, and a lower risk of developing antibiotic-resistant fungal strains.
Related Study
According to "Current pharmaceutical design", Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils have been reported to possess potent antimicrobial properties that nominate them as a promising natural candidate to combat fungal infections, including those caused by Candida spp.
4. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been traditionally used to treat fungal infections due to their antimicrobial properties, which help to inhibit the growth of fungi and prevent the spread of infection.
The properties of this herbal preparation, including its antifungal and antiseptic properties, contribute to its effectiveness in treating fungal infections.
Bioactive constituents such as linalool and linalyl acetate in Lavandula angustifolia essential oils are responsible for its antimicrobial activity, which helps to combat fungal infections.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat fungal infections include reduced inflammation, improved wound healing, and a decrease in the severity of symptoms associated with fungal infections.
Related Study
According to "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Lavandula angustifolia essential oils for fungal infection, specifically against Candida albicans, demonstrated a significant antifungal activity, achieving a 99.9% reduction in 27% isolates within 30 minutes when used in a 2% concentration.
5. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, commonly known as lemongrass oil, have been traditionally used to treat fungal infections due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
The terpenoids and aldehydes present in lemongrass oil, such as citral and geranial, exhibit potent antifungal activity, helping to inhibit the growth of fungi and alleviate symptoms of fungal infections.
These bioactive constituents help to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing, making lemongrass oil a beneficial herbal preparation for treating fungal infections.
The benefits of using lemongrass oil to treat fungal infections include its natural and non-toxic properties, making it a safer alternative to conventional antifungal medications.
Related Study
According to "Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)", Cymbopogon citratus essential oils have been shown to exhibit significant antifungal and antibiofilm activities against Candida spp. and Malassezia furfur, suggesting its potential use in preventing fungal infections.
6. Thymus vulgaris essential oils
Thymus vulgaris essential oils, derived from the leaves of the thyme plant, have been traditionally used to treat fungal infections due to their antifungal properties.
The bioactive constituents of thyme essential oils, including carvacrol and thymol, exhibit strong inhibitory effects against various fungal strains, thereby helping to control the growth of pathogens and alleviate symptoms.
The antimicrobial properties of thyme essential oils help to combat fungal infections by disrupting cell membrane integrity and inhibiting the synthesis of fungal cell walls, ultimately leading to the death of fungal cells.
The benefits of using thymus vulgaris essential oils to treat fungal infections include their non-invasive nature, ease of application, and potential to reduce the reliance on conventional antifungal medications.
Related Study
According to "Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV", Thymus vulgaris essential oils exhibited potent antifungal activity against Candida spp., with a fungicidal effect resulting primarily from an extensive lesion of the cell membrane.
7. Zingiber officinale essential oils
Zingiber officinale essential oils, derived from the rhizome of the ginger plant, possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat fungal infections effectively.
The bioactive constituents, including gingerols and shogaols, exhibit antifungal activity by inhibiting the growth of fungal pathogens and reducing inflammation in the affected area.
These properties aid in the treatment of fungal infections by promoting a healthy balance of the skin's microbiome and reducing symptoms such as itching and redness.
The benefits of using Zingiber officinale essential oils to treat fungal infections include natural and non-toxic relief, reduced risk of antibiotic resistance, and enhanced skin health.
Related Study
According to "Mycoses", Zingiber officinale essential oils for fungal infection have pronounced antifungal activity against a wide variety of fungi.
8. Origanum vulgare essential oils
Origanum vulgare essential oils, derived from the leaves of the oregano plant, possess antifungal and antibacterial properties that help to treat fungal infections effectively.
The bioactive constituents of this herbal preparation, including carvacrol and thymol, exhibit potent antifungal activity, inhibiting the growth of fungal pathogens and alleviating symptoms of infections such as candidiasis and athlete's foot.
The antimicrobial properties of Origanum vulgare essential oils help to prevent the spread of fungal infections, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing, making it a valuable natural remedy for treating fungal infections.
The benefits of using Origanum vulgare essential oils to treat fungal infections include their non-toxic and non-invasive nature, making them a safer alternative to conventional antifungal medications.
Related Study
According to "Molecular and cellular biochemistry", Origanum vulgare essential oils, particularly due to its high content of phenolic derivatives such as carvacrol and thymol, possess broad antifungal properties and have been shown to completely inhibit the growth of Candida albicans in culture and significantly improve survivability in experimental murine systemic candidiasis models.
9. Salvia officinalis essential oils
Salvia officinalis essential oils have been found to exhibit antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making them a potential natural remedy for treating fungal infections.
The bioactive constituents of Salvia officinalis, including carnosic acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid, have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria, helping to combat infections.
These bioactive compounds in Salvia officinalis essential oils work by disrupting the cell membranes of fungal cells, ultimately leading to their death and the resolution of the infection.
The benefits of using Salvia officinalis essential oils to treat fungal infections include reduced inflammation, accelerated wound healing, and a lower risk of developing antibiotic-resistant strains of fungi.