All You Need to Know About Antifungal Essential Oils

The art of making essential oils has been around for hundreds of years. Yet, it’s still alive and well today. These oils are extracted from various plants which have different chemical compounds, giving them distinct medicinal effects and different antifungal properties.

Fungi are the underlying cause of many health conditions that can harm your long-term well-being and quality of life. Some fungal-related conditions are incredibly painful and debilitating, which means that you may have to take time off from work or school to recover from them. There are quite a number of chemical-based medications that can treat fungal issues. However, many come with harmful side effects that can be just as bad as the condition itself, which is why essential oils are a viable alternative treatment to the condition.

In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of antifungal essential oils and how to use them to their maximum potential.

What are antifungal essential oils?

Antifungal essential oils are those that have potent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to kill the spores and fungal matter, keeping it from growing and spreading. Some of the most common types of oil include tea tree, lemongrass, eucalyptus, and peppermint. Each of these oils has a distinct benefit that others don’t, so the choice will depend on the intended purposes.

Here are a few conditions that can be treated with antifungal essential oils:

// Ringworm

Contrary to popular belief, ringworm isn’t actually caused by an animal, but several types of fungal growths that irritate the skin, causing itchiness and redness around the affected area.

// Athlete’s foot

Athlete's foot is another type of ringworm that occurs on the foot. It’s a rather common issue among athletes as their feet will be in a warm and damp environment during the majority of the time, which is ideal for fungi to grow.

// Tinea versicolor

This condition causes patches of your skin to change colors, creating visibly different areas on your skin. The disease can occur as a result of fungal overgrowth, hormonal changes, and genetic predisposition.

// Toenail fungus

Toenail fungus is a common issue, as it affects up to 20 percent of the entire human population. As prevalent as it is, this condition is incredibly difficult to treat. The fungus will cause the nail to turn brownish-yellow with fungal spots in the middle.

// Jock itch

Jock itch is a condition where a culture of fungus grows in the warm and sweaty areas in your body such as your armpits, genitals, or buttocks. It’s a contagious condition, much like herpes, so you will need to be careful if anyone around you has it.

How to use antifungal essential oils

Firstly, you will need to create a mixture of oils that will be applied to your skin. Choose a mixture of a couple of types of essential oils that have the benefits you need. Then, mix them together, Add a carrier oil such as coconut to help blend it together and allow the skin to easily absorb the oil. Add 2 to 3 drops of the chosen essential oils with around 20 drops of carrier oil, stirring it all until everything is mixed up together nicely.

Once you have the mixture ready, use a sterile, disposable cotton pad and coat the affected area of your skin. You need to be careful not to touch the area with your bare skin, as that may cause the condition to spread. Repeat this process two to three times a day for at least two weeks to see the best results. You can even apply the oil mixture to areas where you expect fungi to be growing, such as the AC and kitchen sink to avoid the spreading of the spores.

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References:

1. “Antifungal Essential Oils: How to Use for Skin and Fungal Conditions.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/antifungal-essential-oils#benefits.

2. “Ringworm (Body).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Mar. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-body/symptoms-causes/syc-20353780.

3. “Athletes Foot, Jock Itch, and Ringworm of the Scalp | Cleveland Clinic: Health Library.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4560-athletes-foot-jock-itch-and-ringworm-of-the-scalp.

4. “Tinea Versicolor.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 15 May 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinea-versicolor/symptoms-causes/syc-20378385.

5. “Onychomycosis.” Onychomycosis - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/onychomycosis.