Can Candida Be Cured Naturally?

While no foods or supplements can cure Candida overgrowth (candidiasis), you may help prevent it and manage symptoms with dietary changes like reducing sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol and boosting probiotic foods like yogurt.

Antifungal medications used to treat candidiasis are extremely effective and can provide relief in as little as a few days to one week. Because candidiasis can be linked to an underlying medical condition, it's important to work with a healthcare provider to make sure no illnesses are contributing to it.

Symptoms of Candidiasis

Candida infections are the most common fungal infections in humans. The symptoms of candidiasis vary by the location of the infection.

Oral

Symptoms of oral candidiasis (oral thrush) include the following:

• White patches in the gums, cheeks, tongue, and throat
• Pain when eating
• Redness or soreness in the mouth
• Reduced taste
• A dry, cottony feeling in the mouth

The main symptom of esophageal candidiasis is difficulty swallowing.

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Vaginal

Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection) include the following:

• Vaginal itching
• Vaginal soreness
• Vaginal redness
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese consistency

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Blood

This means it spreads through the bloodstream to multiple major organs, including the following:

• Heart
• Brain
• Eyes
• Bones

This is called invasive candidiasis, usually accompanied by fever and chills.

Causes

The overgrowth of Candida is influenced by many different factors, such as:

• Changes in hormones during your period or pregnancy
• Medications that disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeasts in your body, including antibiotics, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or corticosteroids
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Cancer
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Impaired immune function

Additionally, some foods may fuel Candida’s growth. Studies have shown the following may speed up Candida growth:

• Refined sugars, like glucose
• Some dairy products
  

Treatment

Antifungal drugs are commonly used as a first-line treatment. They are either topical (applied to the skin), oral (taken by mouth), or given intravenously (into a vein). The type of treatment will depend on the location of the infection.

Some vaginal infections may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) topical medicines. However, all other Candida infections typically require prescription medications from a healthcare provider.

Here are the recommended treatments for some common Candida infections:

Oral thrush: For oral thrush, antifungal lozenges or suspensions are applied to the mouth. In more severe cases, an antifungal medicine called Diflucan (fluconazole) is taken by mouth daily for seven to 14 days.

Vaginal yeast infections: For vaginal yeast infections, topical antifungals are applied to the vagina, usually for seven to 14 days. These topical medicines include the following:

• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole
• Nystatin

Oral medicines for vaginal yeast infections include the following:

• A single dose of fluconazole
• Fluconazole every 72 hours, for two or three doses (in more severe cases)

Natural Treatments

The evidence supporting the use of natural remedies for candidiasis is generally weak. Lifestyle changes may lower the risk of candidiasis but are unlikely to treat an active infection. These include:

• Diet: Restricting foods that can effectively fuel Candida growth, like refined sugars and dairy products, may be helpful. Sugar alcohols like xylitol may inhibit Candida growth.
• Smoking and alcohol cessation: Cigarette smoking appears to be linked to the overgrowth of Candida. Both tobacco and alcohol use are predictors of Candida infection and the spread of Candida to the esophagus.
• Stress management: Some research suggests stress is a major cause of vaginal yeast infections. Breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga or tai chi exercises may help reduce stress.
• Sleep hygiene: Candida may overgrow during sleep deprivation or chronic fatigue. To counter this, improve your sleep by creating a positive environment for bedtime, sticking to a routine, and avoiding things like alcohol or computer screen use before sleeping.

Supplements

None of the following remedies have been proven to treat candidiasis on their own, however, they may help support OTC or prescription antifungals.

Probiotics

Vaginal yeast infections: Probiotics lower the pH in the vagina and may act as a barrier to yeasts like Candida. According to one low-quality review, probiotics were added to conventional antifungal medicines. They increased the likelihood that a vaginal yeast infection would be cured and not recur within one month.

A 2014 study found that only about 14% of females using a vaginal insert with two probiotic strains had a subsequent yeast infection during the first seven months of probiotic treatment. This was lower than the typical recurrence rate, around 50%.

The long-term prognosis of probiotic supplementation for yeast infections has mixed reviews.

Oral thrush in denture wearers: Probiotics can benefit oral thrush because they decrease the amount of Candida. A trial of people who wore dentures determined that supplementing with probiotics decreased fungus levels and may impede thrush development.

Taking probiotics along with the antifungal medicine nystatin has been shown to decrease the treatment time of oral thrush by up to a week.

Preterm infants: Probiotics may prevent Candida from colonizing babies born prematurely. This may prevent fungal sepsis (a blood infection), but more clinical research is needed.

One trial found that Lactobacillus was as effective as nystatin in preventing candidiasis in preterm infants.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are nutrients that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the body. By increasing “good” bacteria, prebiotics can better keep fungi like Candida under control.

Prebiotics are found in foods like asparagus, garlic, bananas, and honey. There are also oral prebiotic supplements, such as lactoferrin. However, clinical evidence to support prebiotics for candidiasis is lacking.

Vitamin D

According to a clinical trial, doses of 300 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily may help prevent candidiasis in children with critical illnesses who are on antibiotics.

Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) may be beneficial in preventing the growth of Candida in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of preterm infants.

While Candida in healthy infants typically doesn’t pose serious problems, preterm babies are more likely to have invasive fungal disease caused by Candida. This is due to their weakened immune systems.

MCTs as prevention for candidiasis in these susceptible infants have only been studied in very small trials. More data is needed to validate these findings.

Spices and Extracts

Spices and extracts that have been studied for their use in Candida include the following:

• Garlic
• Tea tree oil
• Thyme
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Rosemary

Human data is needed to determine what effect, if any, these supplements may have on Candida infections.

How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better?

Most Candida infections will resolve within a few days of starting antifungal medications.

Contact your healthcare provider if you are still experiencing yeast infection symptoms a few days after finishing antifungals.

Summary

Candida overgrowth is typically treated with antifungal drugs. However, natural remedies may support the treatment of yeast infections and oral thrush, like dietary changes, stress management, and probiotics. The evidence supporting supplements to treat candidiasis is weak, and relying on natural remedies alone is unlikely to resolve it.

Candida infection, if left untreated, could spread throughout the body. Appropriate treatment must be started promptly. If you decide to try natural remedies for candidiasis, do so only in addition to antifungal medication and only after consulting a healthcare provider.