10 Home Remedies For Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans attacks the lining of the mouth. Candida is a naturally occurring fungus found in various parts of the body including the mouth and skin. When there is normal microorganism balance, candida does not cause infection. However, if candida overgrows in the mouth, it leads to oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis.
The condition presents with creamy white lesions on the inside of the mouth, including the tongue and inside of the cheeks. Oral thrush is more common in young children and older adults since they have lower immunity.
Conventionally, oral thrush is treated with antifungal medications like clotrimazole and nystatin. However, you can control or even prevent this fungal infection using the following 10 home remedies for oral thrush.
Home Remedy #1: Baking Soda
Baking soda, whose chemical name is sodium bicarbonate, is normally used as a baking agent that causes dough to rise. But it can also be used to lower the numbers of candida fungus in the mouth and thereby help treat oral thrush. Baking soda works by providing an environment that is unfavorable for candida fungus to thrive.
To use baking soda as a home remedy for oral thrush, boil a cup of water and set it aside to cool. Once cool, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to form a paste. Using a cotton ball, apply the paste on the affected areas inside the mouth. Repeat the application for up to three times daily until better results.
Home Remedy #2: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. It is used in salads, marinades, and as a food preservative among other uses. Apple cider vinegar contains a number of minerals, B vitamins, and beneficial yeasts and bacteria. This combination of chemicals and living microorganisms gives apple cider vinegar its many health benefits.
To use apple cider vinegar for the treatment of oral candidiasis, boil one cup of water and let it cool. Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of table salt and stir. Gargle with this mixture three or more times a day until the condition improves.
Home Remedy #3: Clove Oil
Clove oil is and essential oil extracted from buds of the clove plant. It contains a chemical called eugenol, which is an anesthetic and antibacterial compound. Eugenol also gives clove oil anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, which make it a powerful home remedy for treating oral candidiasis.
To use clove oil as a home remedy for oral thrush, mix 1 or 2 drops of the oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil and swish in the mouth for 10 to 20 minutes. Ensure that the mixture reaches all parts of the mouth for best results. Repeat this treatment two times daily.
Home Remedy #4: Turmeric
Turmeric tuber has many health benefits, which is the reason why it has been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years in the treatment of a variety of conditions. Turmeric has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its main active compound called curcumin also has immunity boosting properties that help the body fight infection. This powerful combination of beneficial properties makes turmeric an effective treatment agent for oral thrush.
For the treatment of oral thrush using turmeric, an adult should consume 400–600 milligrams of pure turmeric powder three times per day until the condition improves. Alternatively, take 1–3 grams of grated or dried turmeric root to get rid of the thrush.
Home Remedy #5: Oregano Oil
Oregano is a flowering plant in the mint family from which oregano oil is extracted. Over the years, this oil has been used as an effective treatment for oral thrush. Oregano oil contains a variety of powerful beneficial properties. It is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. These properties come in handy in the prevention of overdevelopment of yeast and fungus that cause infections.
To treat thrush using oregano oil, put one or two drops of the oil in your food, two or three times daily. Note that you should not take oregano oil internally for more than 10 days consecutively. Therefore, always take at least a one week break before reuse.
Home Remedy #6: Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb popularly used in combating the flu and cold among other medical conditions. It contains a wide variety of beneficial substances, some of which are antimicrobial while others interact with the immune system positively, thus boosting the body’s defenses against infections and disease. Candida thrives in an atmosphere of reduced immunity. Therefore, immunity boosting echinacea goes a long way in helping the body defend itself against candida overgrowth.
To combat thrush, adults should take an average of two to four milliliters of echinacea tincture daily. Echinacea tea may also be taken, even by breastfeeding women. However, they should limit their intake to one to two cups per day.
Home Remedy #7: Raw Garlic
Raw garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. This makes raw garlic one of the most effective home remedies for oral thrush in both infants and adults.
When treating the thrush in infants, the breastfeeding mother should consume the raw garlic with meals. This will mean that the milk is infused with allicin to provide the antifungal properties to the baby. Adults, on the other hand, can chew 1–3 cloves of raw garlic daily. This helps to eliminate the lesions and kill the candida fungus. You can also take raw organic garlic supplements that work just as well. However, you may need to talk to a doctor if you prefer the garlic supplements.
Home Remedy #8: Yogurt and Sauerkraut
Yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, and other fermented foods are high in beneficial microorganisms called probiotics. Eating these foods regularly can help increase the numbers of these beneficial microorganisms and thereby outgrow the Candida albicans fungus and harmful yeasts that cause oral thrush. Once this happens, your mouth and body microorganisms will balance out, leading to healing of the mouth candidiasis and other similar fungal infections.
For best results, eat probiotic foods that are low in sugar and yeast. Other probiotic-rich foods include kimchi and lacto-fermented vegetables, among others. Breastfeeding women who want to use this remedy for their infants can apply the juicy components of these probiotic foods to the nipple before breastfeeding.
Home Remedy #9: Grapefruit Seed Extract
As the word suggests, grapefruit seed extract comes from the seeds of grapefruits. The extract has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, making it a useful addition to this list of home remedies for oral candidiasis. Grapefruit extract can be used both internally and topically for fungal and yeast control and is one of the most commonly used organic treatments for oral thrush. Grapefruit extract kills the Candida albicans fungus, reducing their numbers and allowing the body to heal.
You can apply grapefruit extract topically to clear the thrush or take it internally. To take it internally, add 2 teaspoons of the oil to a cup of warm water and drink it two or three times daily. The mixture reduces inflammation and promotes healing of the damaged parts of the mouth.
Home Remedy #10: Reduce or Eliminate Sugar from Your Diet
As mentioned elsewhere, sugar is one of the factors that the Candida albicans fungus depends on to thrive, multiply, and cause damage through infections. By eliminating sugar from your diet, you will be cutting down on the food supply to the fungus and thus slowing down its growth. Combining this with other home remedies for oral thrush will help reduce the numbers of the fungus such that it will no longer cause oral candidiasis.
During and after recovery from oral thrush, eat nutrient dense foods such as legumes, fresh vegetables, greens, and fish to energize your body without feeding the yeast. You should also avoid things like alcohol, maple syrup, and high sugar fruits during treatment since they are high in sugar. Breastfeeding mothers should also follow such a diet to provide their babies with the nutrients necessary to build their immunity.
