Choosing an Antifungal

There are many antifungals that will help with Candida. Herbal remedies like oil of oregano, garlic and grapefruit seed extract are all very potent antifungals. A good antifungal or two should definitely be a part of your Candida treatment plan.

You can start taking antifungals when you begin Stage 2 of the treatment plan and start the strict diet. Try taking two or three antifungals at the same time to get the most out of your treatment, but start slowly to avoid a Die-Off reaction. You can also rotate your antifungals every two to three weeks, but when you find a combination that works, you should stick to it.

How do antifungals help with Candida overgrowth?

Antifungals are almost as important as probiotics in your fight against Candida, in fact they actually complement each other in the treatment. Antifungals kill the Candida yeast, then the probiotics replenish your gut with good bacteria and prevent the Candida from overgrowing again. Taking probiotics alone will certainly slow the Candida overgrowth and perhaps even reduce it over time, but for fast results you need to be taking a good antifungal too.

There are many different types of antifungal, but most work by damaging the cell wall of the fungus cell, causing it to die. Unfortunately, the similarity between human cells and fungus cells means that prescription antifungals tend to have nasty side effects. Natural antifungals are a good alternative, but if you suspect you have a serious fungal infection you should always consult your doctor first.

How do you take antifungals?

You should begin taking your antifungals when you start the strict Stage 2 diet, or soon after. Start slowly with low doses of antifungals. A large dose could kill too much of the Candida yeast too quickly, resulting in a severe Die-Off reaction. For the same reason, try to leave at least a few days between starting your antifungals and your probiotics.

Another good tip is to take several antifungals at the same time. Many people believe that Candida can adapt to a single antifungal over time, so by doing this you can ensure that the antifungals lose none of their effectiveness. You can also rotate every month or so, and don’t be afraid to try a few different antifungals.

How do you choose an antifungal?

There are a huge number of antifungals out there. You can check out a larger list in our Antifungals section. To get you started though, here are 4 great antifungals that you should definitely take a look at.

Caprylic Acid

This supplement is a powerful antifungal that comes in capsule form. Its one of the antifungals most often used in Candida treatment. Alternatively you can take the whole food approach and eat coconut oil, which contains large amounts of Caprylic Acid. You can take up to 5 tablespoons per day, but start on a lower does just in case you experience a Die-Off reaction.

A 2007 research study proved the effectiveness of coconut oil and Caprylic Acid in fighting Candida - read more here. The conclusion of the report was that “coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections”. Read more about caprylic acid >>

Oil of Oregano

Oil of Oregano can either be used to treat topical fungal infections, or taken orally in a capsule or liquid form. If you buy it in the liquid form, generally the instructions will tell you to take 1-3 drops per day. These drops can be taken under the tongue or diluted with water.

Oil of Oregano’s antifungal properties were borne out in a 2001 study showing its effectiveness against fungal infections like Candida. Another study demonstrated its potency against parasites and worms, making it a useful supplement for those Candida sufferers who also have Leaky Gut Syndrome, and it also has antioxidant properties. Read more about oil of oregano >>

Garlic

Garlic contains a chemical compound named Ajoene which has potent antifungal properties. A 2009 study showed the effectiveness of Ajoene against 98.2% of yeasts, including Candida - read more here.

Garlic can be added to many different foods. You can even mince a couple cloves of garlic into a glass of water and drink it with some coconut oil to make it easier on your stomach. Alternatively there are some great garlic supplements that you can use as a part of your daily routine. Garlic has so many health benefits that you can’t go wrong. Read more about garlic >>

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) comes from the pulp and seeds of grapefruit. A 2004 study showed that GSE inhibited the growth of Candida Albicans, and this is one of the most popular antifungals used for cases of Candida overgrowth.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is quite a powerful antifungal, so you should start with a small dose and make sure to dilute it in plenty of water. If you start experiencing Die-Off symptoms, reduce the dose a little. Also be aware that Candida can adapt to GSE, so you should take this as part of a group of antifungals. Read more about grapefruit seed extract >>

Medical antifungals

Your doctor may also prescribe an antifungal medicine. Examples are Diflucan and Nystatin. Both are very effective antifungals but they do tend to have more side effects than the natural remedies listed above. If you think you have a fungal infection, remember to always consult with your doctor before you start a course of medical or herbal antifungals.

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