How to Fight Candida Yeast Infections Naturally

(NaturalNews) A yeast-like fungus, Candida albicans usually lives in the intestines along with many other microorganisms known as intestinal flora. If these microorganisms are not carefully balanced, Candida can multiply unchecked, causing infection. The taking of antibiotics, steroids, a diet high in yeast-containing foods, alcohol and refined carbohydrates can affect the delicate balance of intestinal flora. Prevent and treat Candida the natural way to restore and maintain health.

Also called thrush or yeast infection, a serious Candida infection can cause various symptoms including fatigue, headaches, poor digestion, flatulence and general feelings of malaise.

In women, in the vagina, it causes a white, thick discharge often accompanied by itching and soreness. Oral thrush causes sore, yellowish patches in the mouth and on the tongue.

Tips to Prevent Candida

Cut out refined sugar and foods containing refined carbohydrates. Reduce intake of foods containing natural sugars such as milk, fruit and wine, since Candida thrives on sugar.

Candida fighting foods include plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures, leafy green vegetables, garlic and olive oil. The bacteria in yogurt help to maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in the intestines. Other items on the menu should comprise mainly of a vegetable rich diet and carbohydrates in the form of whole grain cereals, nuts and seeds. Eat two or three freshly chopped garlic cloves daily.

As far as vaginal Candida goes, be sure to keep the genital area clean. However, avoid very hot baths or showers. Do not use bubble bath products or soap bars with fragrances and/or emulsifiers or anything that might irritate the skin. Use a plain, mild, non perfumed soap. Be sure to wear cotton underwear rather than synthetic fiber underwear.

Herbal Remedies and Aromatherapy to Fight Candida

Echinacea and grapefruit seed extract are known herbal remedies to inhibit the growth of intestinal Candida. Adding a few drops of lavender, thyme or tea tree essential oil to a warm bath can help to cure vaginal yeast infections and ease discomfort, since these oils are known for their anti-fungal properties.

If a Candida infection does not clear up after a few days, if a mouth infection starts developing or the condition worsens, make an appointment to see a professional homeopath for further analysis and treatment. When it comes to herbal remedies, stick to recommended doses and do not mix herbal remedies in combination with conventional treatments without the approval of a homeopath.

By: Fleur Hupston, citizen journalist, at Natural News.

Natural Cures and Remedies for Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans accumulates in the mouth. Ultimately thrush can spread to the gums, the back of the throat, the tonsils and even down the esophagus. Oral thrush occurs most often in babies and toddlers, or in older people with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of Oral Thrush

• Oral thrush symptoms can develop suddenly but they persist for a long time if not treated.
• Oral thrush looks like creamy or white lesions (or like cottage cheese) on the tongue and inner cheeks and sometimes spreads to other parts of the mouth and back of the throat.
• The lesions are painful and may bleed a little bit if rubbed or scraped.
• If the thrush spreads into the esophagus it can make swallowing more difficult and may feel as if there is food stuck in your mouth.
• Oral thrush can make eating very painful and difficult.
  
  

Causes of Oral Thrush

• The main cause of thrush is a poor functioning immune system.
• Thrush can occur as a side effect of taking antibiotics. This is especially true in infants.
• Corticosteroids and birth control pills may upset the balance of microorganisms in the mouth and may cause thrush.
• Poorly fitted dentures or dental appliances.
• Diabetes mellitus can cause oral thrush as it can cause high levels of sugar in the saliva which encourages the growth of candida.
• HIV/AIDS can cause oral thrush as it damages and destroys the immune system.
• Cancer patients can have oral thrush as the disease and the treatments weaken the immune system.
  
  

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Practice good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once.
Completely remove sugar from your diet. Candida albicans, the cause of oral thrush, thrives on sugars. Eating sugar will cause it to proliferate more rapidly and make it harder to control.
Salt Water -- Rinse your mouth with salt water. Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water and rinse it around in your mouth. Do not swallow but spit it out when finished.
Yogurt -- Eat yogurt containing lactobacillus acidophilus and/or bifidobacterium. This is especially helpful after taking antibiotics in preventing oral thrush. Be sure to use a high quality yogurt.
Coconut Oil -- Caprylic acid, a well known candida remedy, is a substance found in coconut oil. Using coconut oil for oral thrush is easy and effective. Take 1/2 tablespoon to one whole tablespoon of organic extra virgin coconut oil and let it melt in your mouth. Then swish the oil around in your mouth for at least five minutes and up to 20 minutes. Don't swallow any of it but spit it out when you are finished. Also rinse your mouth out with water thoroughly when finished.
Tea Tree Oil -- Mix four drops of tea tree oil into a half a glass of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth for at least a minute, longer if you can. Make sure you reach every part of your mouth. Do not swallow but spit out solution when finished.

Find out more about natural cures and remedies here.

Twelve Creative Ways to Use Coconut Oil

(NaturalNews) In the past several years, coconut oil has become a sort of rising star in the world of health food. More and more homes have a jar of organic extra virgin coconut oil on their pantry shelf. But coconut oil is more than a healthy cooking alternative. There are endless ways to use coconut oil that extend far beyond the occasional cookie or stir-fry. Here are twelve creative uses for a classic health food:

Colds and Sore Throats - Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help you recover from a cold. Mix it with warm tea and honey for a very soothing throat remedy.

Cuts and Scrapes - Coconut oil can be used as a topical cream for common cuts and scrapes, protecting against infection while conditioning the skin to heal faster. It may also prevent scarring.

Dandruff - Several times per week, coat your fingertips with coconut oil and massage it into your scalp for an easy dandruff cure. This is an effective yet gentle method, suitable for young children or babies with cradle cap, too.

Deodorant - You can use coconut oil by itself as a deodorant that leaves underarms feeling silky soft, or you can add baking soda and cornstarch for advanced odor protection.

Detoxification - There are many methods for detoxifying the body, but coconut oil is unique because it can provide energy while cleansing the body. One popular method is to take 1-2 tablespoon of coconut oil seven times per day for one to seven days to cleanse the body from toxins, impurities and candida.

Fungal Infections - Coconut oil contains strong antifungal agents, and can be used to treat fungal infections like athlete's foot, ringworm, thrush and vaginal yeast infections. You can use it internally and topically for these conditions.

Hair Conditioner - Apply a thin layer of coconut oil to your scalp and hair. Allow it to soak for several minutes and then wash as usual. There is no need to use other conditioners with this method, even after washing with shampoo.

Lip Balm - Lip moisturizers are filled with chemicals, and natural products are often pricey. If you need a moisturizer for your lips, try coconut oil in a commercial lip balm container.

Make-up Remover - Coconut oil is a very effective make-up remover, so you can toss out all the chemical-laden products from the drug store. It's also a natural moisturizer, so it won't cause dryness or irritation.

Skin Conditions - Since coconut oil is moisturizing, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory, it's a great natural remedy for all kinds of skin problems ranging from eczema to acne to diaper rash.

Sun screen - Coconut oil provides effective and natural sun protection without exposing your body to the toxic chemicals and metals in conventional sun block. Coconut oil protects against free radicals, which provides added protection against skin cancer.

Toothpaste - Mix an equal amount of coconut oil and baking soda for an all-natural, fluoride-free toothpaste. Add spearmint or peppermint oil with stevia for a fresh, sweet flavor.

As you can see, there is more to coconut oil that what meets the eye - or the frying pan!


By: Elizabeth Walling, citizen journalist
Visit Natural News.

Natural Treatments for Coughs: Use Herbs and Homeopathy

(NaturalNews) Coughs are caused by an irritation in the lining of the throat or lungs, causing mucus build up. When you are sick, the lining of your throat and lungs becomes more sensitive. Cold air, eating or drinking, or sometimes just plain breathing can annoy the already tender lining. Coughs can tickle, or feel dry, making you clear your throat, or cough when you step into cold air. Some coughs are caused by mucus backing up in the throat or lungs. These coughs will end with the coughing up of mucus. These coughs can rattle, or bark. They can be spasmodic, as your body tries to eliminate the mucus. If you use cough drops, or cough syrups, you can prevent your coughs. This doesn't fix the problem that caused the cough; it only suppresses the body`s natural desire to heal.

The best way to stop a cough is to sooth the irritated area, and give the mucus a channel for expression-- a way to get out of your body. Coughs can be softened and soothed by herbal and homeopathic remedies. Good herbal remedies for colds with coughs include: licorice, horehound, mullein, peppermint, elderflowers, and yarrow. Homeopathy offers many cough remedies depending on the type of cough.

Remedies for dry coughs
Belladonna (short, dry, and tickling cough), Bryonia (dry cough with weakness), Gelsemium (dry cough with a dry throat or for bronchitis). Rumex crispus cough is dry and tickling. This is the remedy for a cough brought on as soon as the person goes outside.

By: Melanie Grimes, citizen journalist at Natural News.
Read the full article here.

The healing power of honey: From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help

The list of honey's beneficial functions is a long one. Honey increases calcium absorption; can increase hemoglobin count and treat or prevent anemia caused by nutritional factors; can help arthritic joints, when combined with apple cider vinegar; fights colds and respiratory infections of all kinds; can help to boost gastrointestinal ulcer healing; works as a natural and gentle laxative; aids constipation, allergies and obesity; provides an array of vitamins and minerals; and supplies instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar. Many have found raw honey helpful for its positive effects against allergies and hay fever, and one or two teaspoons last thing at night can help with insomnia. As an antiseptic, honey is also a drawing agent for poisons from bites or stings or infected wounds, and has outperformed antibiotics in treatments for stomach ulcerations, gangrene, surgical wound infections, surgical incisions and the protection of skin grafts, corneas, blood vessels and bones during storage and shipment.

"Raw honey is exceptionally effective internally against bacteria and parasites. Plus, raw honey contains natural antibiotics, which help kill microbes directly. Raw honey, when applied topically, speeds the healing of tissues damaged by infection and/or trauma. It contains vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as sugars, all of which aid in the healing of wounds."

By: Kelly Joyce Neff, citizen journalist at Natural News.

Read the full article here.

THE STAMP: Psychiatric Disorders Fuel $80 Billion Drug Industry

Check out the video and others here.

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris (ker-uh-TO-sis pil-AIR-is) is a common skin condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps, usually on the arms, thighs and buttocks. Keratosis pilaris bumps are usually white, sometimes red, and generally don't hurt or itch. Keratosis pilaris can be frustrating because it's difficult to treat. Prescription medications and self-care measures can improve the appearance of your skin.

Though you may not like the sandpaper-like appearance of your skin, keratosis pilaris isn't serious and doesn't have long-term health implications. In fact, though some cases may persist, keratosis pilaris usually disappears by age 30.

I recently discovered that I have Keratosis Pilaris on my arms, back, chest, and thighs. One Natropathic doctor that I had seen a couple of years ago said that it was an omega 3 deficiency and another Natropathic doctor that I am seeing mentioned the possibility of it being a Vitamin A deficiency.

I am taking both Vitamin A and Omega 3s and still have not noticed a significant difference, unless I am not taking a high enough dose. Hmmm...

I have tried some home remedies that are working and would like to share it with anyone who may be trying to get rid or reduce the the appearance of KP.

Here is a list of the ingredients along with my regimen.

ACV

Water

Mix equal parts ACV and water in a spray bottle and leave in the shower

You can use this liberally to restore your body's natural pH balance. It also is a great deodorant and hair conditioner.

Food for your skin:

Nutiva Certified Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ( GREAT STUFF) I have tried quite a few brands and this one by far is the most superior and tastes GREAT!!!

Body scrub ingredients:

Olive Oil

Himalayan Crystal Salt

Organic cane sugar

In a small container mix all the ingredients together. I used about 1/4 cup olive oil with about 2 tbsp of Himalayan Crystal Salt and organic cane sugar. Leave it in the shower. Make a small amount so that the oil does not become rancid.

My Concoction:

Olive Oil- 1 ounce

Sea Buckthorn-1 ounce

Jojoba Oil

Vitamin E oil-1 capsule

Primrose Oil-1 capsule

Mix all the oils into a small two ounce brown bottle and apply it 2-4 times a day.

My regimen:

In the shower gently exfoliate your problematic areas with the body scrub in a circular motion being sure not to rub vigorously so as not to irritate your KP. Then spray the ACV/water mix directly onto your skin and apply a liberal amount of coconut oil and massage the area.

If you choose to use my oil concoction great, but if not I believe the ACV and Coconut oil will work fine. It is just a little something that I wanted to try and it is working wonderfully. I apply this mix 2 to 4 times a day and it has only been 1 full day since I have done this and I already notice a significant improvement.

For all of you silver bullet fans out there, I hate to bust your bubble but there is no silver bullet. Doing one thing will not do. It is a combination of things and a good place to start is your diet. Properly hydrating your body and eating right is important. Eat as much fresh vegetables and fruits as possible, preferable organic. Eat grass fed meat whenever possible and avoid fast food like the plague. I know sometimes we bend, I am even guilty of it. Many people eat out all the time and wonder why they cannot see past their navel. Moderation is key. I understand not everyone can afford to eat organic but start small, remember baby steps. We did not get this way over night and it will take some time to turn things around.

To your health, Eleny