Peppermint Oil Prevents Candidiasis

Candidiasis is not a strange term to many-
most especially to the female population
because females are very prone to
developing a vaginal yeast infection.
Compared to men, the environment of the
female genital is much more prone to the
growth of not only yeast, but other forms
of micro-organisms as well because it is
warm, dark and moist.
However, of all fungal infections common in
the sexually transmitted infections parlance,
candidiasis is a stand-out condition that
occurs more commonly among 70 to 75 per
cent women of childbearing age
worldwide, at least, once during their lives.
Unfortunately, when a person contacts this
condition, spreading it will be very easy,
most especially during unprotected sex. In
addition, people with compromised body
immunity, who abuse antibiotics, wear tight
fitted underwear and have diseases, such
as diabetes are more prone to developing
this vaginal yeast infection.
Certainly candidiasis is not a rare problem
among women because it causes itching,
redness and sensitivity of the virginal area,
especially during the menstrual period. But
with the advent of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in
1982 to date, the clinical relevance of
vaginal candidiasis has proportionately
deepened along with the course of other
sexually transmitted disease (STDs) because
they contribute significantly to the spread
of HIV infections at the onset of this
disease.
Different classes of drugs are available to
treat fungal infections such as candidiasis,
but their intensive clinical use for both
treatment and prevention of candidiasis has
favoured the emergence of resistant
strains. The phenomenon of drug resistance
has raised interest in substances of natural
origin as a therapeutic alternative.
Scientists, in the last few years have being
looking for alternatives for treatment of
candidiasis in the wild. The latest on the list
of plant materials tested was the essential
oils of an aromatic plant called Mentha
suaveolens.
Mentha suaveolens, whose close family in
Nigeria is referred to as peppermint plant,
has been used in the traditional medicine of
the Mediterranean areas and has a wide
range of effects: tonic, stimulating,
increases appetite, laxative, analgesic,
choleretic, prevents seizures, sedative,
reduces blood pressure (hypotensive) and
insecticidal. It is also useful for treating
conditions that give pain.
Scientists, in a new study to ascertain the
usefulness of Mentha suaveolens in the
treatment of candidiasis under laboratory
conditions, indicated that the oil extracted
from this plant was potent against this
fungal infection. They found that the oil
gave some degree of protection against
vaginal candidiasis.
They wrote: “In addition, essential oil of
Mentha suaveolens (EOMS) was shown to be
not only an inhibitor of candida growth, but
also able to actually kill the yeasts. We
determined the time killing curves, and so
discovered that EOMS was apparently more
effective than the more extensively
investigated essential oils of tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia) (TTO). All experiments
were performed against a control, the
jasmine oil, which proved totally ineffective.
They concluded in the 2011 BMC
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Journal: “Our findings lay the ground for
further, more extensive investigations to
identify the active EOMS component(s),
promising in the therapeutically problematic
setting of chronic vaginal candidiasis in
humans.”
Natural medicines are increasingly
important in treating disease and traditional
knowledge provides a starting point in the
search for plant-based medicines. Although
the plants tested had a lower potency than
conventional antibiotics, they offer hope
against resistant species. These results are a
starting point for further testing in the
laboratory and clinic.
Several plants have been tested for broad
spectrum antibiotics, which are able to
combat bacteria including E. coli, S. aureus
and the fungi candida and Aspergillus. Both
desert date and castor oil plant were
especially able to target bacteria, such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are known
to be difficult to treat with conventional
antibiotics.
However, the following candidiasis
treatments are important to prevent the
delay of healing and transmission of this
disease:
Yogurt: Sugar-free yogurt can be used as
yeast infection treatment either by applying
it directly on the genitals or eating them.
Yogurt contains good bacteria that can fight
the candidiasis causing micro organisms in
the genitals. Simply apply an adequate
amount of yogurt into the affected area
and leave it there for some minutes. Wash it
properly and make sure no yogurt remains.
Garlic: Garlic is a great yeast antagonist,
making it one of the most effective yeast
infection treatments.
It can be taken either as a tablet form or a
freshly cut/ chopped garlic. Garlic can
provide a soothing effect on yeast infection
and can lessen the pain and itch that
accompany it. It contains an enzyme called
Allicin which kills bacteria and fungi
effectively.
Water therapy: Drink at least between eight
to 10 glasses of water. This would provide
the body enough hydration to flush out the
toxins and other bacteria which can lead to
diseases like yeast infection.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is
also an excellent yeast infection cure. Dilute
this vinegar with warm water and use it to
wash the entire area to promote healing
and avoid further spread to adjacent areas.
Honey: Honey is not only a great sweetener
to foods and desserts; it can be applied
over the affected area as a yeast infection
cure. Leave the honey over the area for
about 15 minutes and wash the entire area
with warm water because glucose is a great
food for bacteria.