Toenail fungus home remedies
Nutritional Supplements for toenail fungus natural cure
Acidophilus supplements replenish the "friendly" bacteria
that inhibit pathogens such as fungi. Take 1 teaspoon of acidophilus
powder or two capsules on an empty stomach twice a day.
Take a multivitamin that includes the B vitamins and vitamins
A and E daily.
Vitamin C increases immunity against fungi. Take 3,000 milligrams
of vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily.
Zinc increases immunity, inhibits fungi, and helps to heal skin
tissue. Take 50 milligrams daily, with food.
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a good source of sulfur, which
is believed to fight fungi. It is now available in cream or spray
form to apply topically to affected areas.
Home remedies for toenail fungus using herbal treatments
Apple-cider vinegar applied to a washcloth can be rubbed between
your toes to relieve the itch and remove scales and dead skin.
Calendula cream, ointment, or tincture diluted in warm water
has anti- fungal, astringent, and healing properties, and can
be used two to three times a day.
Drinking a cup of chamomile tea three times a day, and also applying
the tea directly to the affected area with a cotton ball three
times a day, should help.
Garlic extract is one of the best herbal antifungals. Take 6
teaspoonfuls each day. In addition, you can put raw garlic in
a blender and apply it to the rash three times a day with a cotton
ball. Dust your feet and shoes with garlic powder daily. Garlic's
antifungal properties have been documented by clinical studies,
which show that people taking garlic have blood serum levels with
significant antifungal activity.
Ginger tea, made from 2 ounces of fresh ginger root simmered
in 8 ounces of water for twenty minutes, contains more than twenty
different antifungal compounds. Drink a cup of ginger tea three
times a day. You can also make compresses by soaking cotton in
the tea and apply them to the affected area for five minutes three
times a day
Goldenseal is a good antifungal agent. Add 5 drops of the tincture
to juice and drink it three times a day. Or simmer 6 teaspoons
of the dried herb in a cup of water for twenty minutes to make
tea. Strain out the herbal matter and apply the tea to the rash
with a fresh cotton ball three times a day
Drink a cup of lemongrass tea three times a day and also apply
the used tea bags to the affected area. This should help toe nail
fungus to clear faster.
Olive leaf extract has antifungal properties and helps to fortify
the immune system. Take 250 milligrams three times a day.
Pau d'arco tea may be sipped three times a day to increase the
body's immunity and enhance lymphatic drainage.
A mixture of 2 tablespoons of pau d'arco tincture, 4 teaspoon
each of tea tree and lavender tincture, 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint
tincture, and 4 ounces of vinegar can be added to enough warm
water to make a healing foot bath. Use this treatment three times
a day, drying the feet thoroughly afterward.
Turmeric oil, diluted with two parts water to one part turmeric
oil, can be applied to the affected area with a cotton ball three
times a day to speed healing of your fungal infection. Additionally,
you can take 300 milligrams of turmeric extract orally three times
a day.
Some commercial antifungal lotions combine herbals with pharmaceuticals
to get the benefits of both. Also, mixtures of antifungal herbs
work synergistically, or much better, than single herbs. One such
product combines tolnaftate, myrrh, tea tree oil, aloe vera, calendula,
rosemary, and thyme.
Aromatherapy for toenail fungus
Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to a pan of warm water to make a
therapeutic foot soak. Soak your feet for twenty minutes three
times a day. Dry your feet completely afterward. You can then
apply a few drops of oil directly to the rash. If you find it
irritating, dilute it with an equal amount of vegetable oil. You
can also paint tea tree oil on affected toenails twice a day to
keep the fungus at bay. Remember never to drink this oil.
Myrrh, which has antifungal and astringent properties, can also
be made into a footwash.
Add 10 drops of myrrh oil or 1 milliliter of tincture of myrrh
to a pan of warm water.
Soak your feet for twenty minutes three times a day. Dry your
feet completely afterward.
Caution: Do not use myrrh during pregnancy.
Homeopathy remedies for toenail fungus
Silica is the mainstay of homeopathic treatment for toe nail
fungus. It is
particularly good if you have cracks between your toes and are
producing lots of smelly sweat. Take it as recommended by the
manufacturer.
Rub a few drops of homeopathic Thuja directly on the affected
area twice a day.
TOENAIL FUNGUS REMEDIES USING ACUPRESSURE
Apply slight pressure for ten seconds at the base of the little
toe where it joins the fourth toe. Repeat this three times twice
a day.
OTHER THERAPIES FOR TOENAIL FUNGUS
Ultraviolet light, in the form of a heat lamp or sunbathing,
helps to dry up the fungus.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TOENAIL FUNGUS
Wash your feet twice a day, then dry them completely, using a
new towel each time.
Wear white, 100-percent cotton socks and change them at least
daily so that they stay dry. Wash your socks in chlorine bleach
to prevent re-infection.
Place cotton balls in the webs between your toes to keep them
open and dry.
Wear open sandals whenever possible to allow air to circulate
between your toes.
Air out your shoes and sprinkle a powder containing an antifungal
such as tolnaftate (Aftate, NP-27, Tinactin, Ting, Zeasorb-AF)
inside them during flare-ups and afterward, to prevent recurrences.
Wear shoes when walking in gyms or pool locker rooms.
Do not share your socks or shoes with anyone.
Do not scratch your feet. This can only spread the fungal infection
and increase the risk of a secondary infection.