Thrush
Thrush is a common term used to describe a fungal/yeast infection caused by the candida organism and can affect areas such as the vagina, anus, head of the penis, mouth and anywhere dark and moist such as between folds of skin or the armpits. Vaginal thrush symptoms include itchiness, pain, redness, white or creamy (sometimes smelly) vaginal discharge and pain during sex. Thrush in the mouth is common in infants and can often be seen as white patches on the inside of the mouth and/or tongue. Swelling and redness of the mouth may also be present. When candida is over-running the system it is vital to keep the diet low in sugars and other foods which may feed the yeast. Avoid any foods that are high in natural or added sugars such as processed and 'junk' foods, wine, beer and spirits, carton juices and limit white flour products such as white bread, cakes, pies and pastries. Avoid non-organic meats and dairy as these often contain traces of antibiotics. Avoid also processed meats such as salamis and hams. Avoid marmite and other yeast based foods. Check ingredients for yeast extract. Avoid processed distilled vinegars and all foods containing them such as bottled sauces and dressings. Use only raw and un-pasteurised vinegar, especially cider vinegar. Avoid pasteurised dairy foods like milk, yoghurts and cheeses. Use raw unpasteurised ones instead as these still have their bacteria present and will go on to help re-balance the bowel bacterial population. Make sure you are eating plenty of plant fibre which is vital for keeping the bowel moving and regularly cleansed. A lazy, slow moving bowel is an ideal situation for candida to thrive in. See 'fibre' in the 'natural healing' section of this site for ideas on fibre rich foods. Eat plenty of organic salads, soups, whole grains, sauerkraut, nuts and seeds. For snacks eat apples and other fruits. Eat plenty of raw garlic and other members of the onion family as they are good anti-fungals. Take at least 2 raw gloves of garlic a day or fill empty vegetarian capsules with it. Use turmeric and cinnamon in powder form in your cooking or add half a teaspoon to herbal teas. Blueberries help to combat bad bacteria in the bowel and can be eaten freah or dried as a tea to help against thrush and candida. Drink Pau d'arco tea daily. Put 5 heaped teaspoons of the bark in a pan, add 2 pints of water, bring to the boil, cover and simmer very gently for 10 minutes. Drink the whole amount over the day. Pau d'arco is a very effective immune booster and anti-fungal. You can also use the tea as a wash for parts of the body that are most affected by candida such as the mouth and vagina. Boost your immune system by mixing a formula using equal parts of the tinctures of echinacea root, siberian ginseng, astragulus, neem leaves and walnut leaves or husks with half a part each of barberry and liqourice root. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day in a little water until symptoms ease and vitality returns. Gentian root can be added to formulas for its antifungal properties. Use a tablespoon of pure unprocessed coconut oil in your food or straight from the spoon every day. Coconut oil contains many health promoting components and is not harmful to cholesterol worriers or dieters, in fact it can remedy both situations if taken regularly. It must be pure and unprocessed though. You can increase to 2 tablespoons a day in the second week and 3 tablespoons a day in the third week. Take a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (sodium bicarbonate) in a small glass of water each morning with breakfast. Half dose for children. Look at this site www.curenaturalicancro.com by Dr. T. Simoncini, a cancer specialist, about the role of sodium bicarbonate in treating thrush and candida. Use cotton, silk or natural fabrics for your underwear, clothes and bedding as they breathe and allow heat to escape from your body. Man-made fabrics tend to trap heat and moisture which are needed for yeasts and fungus to grow, candida does not like oxygen! Take a tablespoon of cider vinegar in a little water before meals. Cider vinegar encourages the healthy growth of beneficial gut bacteria which in turn keep candida in its place. Avoid using harsh cleaning products for your clothes and body. Take some regular, gentle exercise and get good amounts of sleep at night. Add a few drops each of lavender, oregano and tea tree essential oils to your baths and washing water. Keep the water you wash with lukewarm and not too hot as the heat can encourage candida growth. Take a good quality acidophillus product to rebalance the bowel bacteria and help control the candida. Molkosan is a product (made by Bioforce) that is made from fermented whey. It is good for promoting a healthier environment in the intestines and stomach and effectively helps keep candida in balance. Make your own vaginal pessaries by adding a few drops of tea tree and lavender essential oils to several tablespoons of melted/liquid coconut oil. Add a teaspoon or so of powdered marigold and/or powdered pau d'arco (or any appropriate herbs of your choice) and when cool, shape into pessaries. Wrap each pessary in clingfilm and store in a box in the fridge. Insert a pessary at night times, wearing a sanitary pad and old pants. For stubborn vaginal thrush that goes then keeps coming back, try inserting a clove of peeled garlic high into the vagina overnight. It can feel hot and firey, so you could try smearing the garlic clove in coconut oil before insertion to provide some protection against garlic's powerful essential oils. General characteristics
General characteristics
Diet and lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle
Useful herbs
Useful herbs
Natural healing
Natural healing
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