Tips For Dealing With Thrush

Thrush is an overgrowth of yeast (candida) in the mouth and throat that appears as creamy white, slightly raised lesions. Anyone can get thrush, though it’s more common in babies, children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Causes are often medications like corticosteroids, antibiotics, and drugs used in chemotherapy treatment that reduce the good bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes sufferers are especially prone to thrush from sugar changes in the bloodstream leading to an overgrowth of candida.

A diagnosis of oral thrush doesn’t mean that symptoms are necessarily limited to the mouth. When looking at thrush, holistic practitioners also look at a systemic candida problem. Candida albicans should be in balance in the body, but when the immune system is weakened, candida can take over. Also, for those with food allergies or food intolerances, eating foods that their immune system reacts to along with an imbalance of candida can lead to conditions like thrush.

While antifungal medications are usually prescribed to help with thrush, many natural and herbal remedies thrush sufferers have on hand at home can help fight back against thrush and support prevention, often serving as the best natural treatment for thrush.

Tips & Preventative Measures for Addressing Thrush

Probiotics

Support a healthy microbiome with probiotic supplements. Many studies have shown that probiotics can work as an efficient alternative treatment against thrush - even those strains resistant to some medications. Alongside herbal remedies for thrush, probiotic supplements come in many forms, such as pills, powders, and drinks, making them easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Probiotics may help support your immune system and keep yeast populations in balance, which is associated with a lower likelihood of thrush infections.

The strain of bacteria can be found on the label. Researchers have studied strains including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium as a way to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your mouth and digestive tract. Yogurt with live, active cultures, plain yogurt in particular, is a strong candidate for the best natural remedy for thrush because it offers these same strains but without the sugar that can feed candida.

Oregano Oil

Oil of oregano is one of the best herbs for oral thrush, known for supporting the immune system and has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-candida, and anti-parasite properties. Pathway Oregano Oil is standardized to contain 70% carvacrol, which research shows to be the active biochemical in wild oregano. Another very effective herbal option is Fungus Fighter, which combines oregano oil with spilanthes and usnea lichens.

The standout ingredient is carvacrol. A 2018 study of oral Candida albicans found that Oregano vulgare essential oil had antifungal enzyme inhibition activity in vitro, and another in vitro study looked at oregano oil as an ingredient in dental prosthetics for antifungal properties, which makes sense, since poorly fitting dentures are one of the most common risk factors for thrush.

Avoid Sugar

Sugar encourages yeast growth, so high-sugar foods are foods to avoid with thrush, and limiting them in your diet can help you fight back against a thrush infection. For those with diabetes, yeast infections like thrush can be a particular problem if blood sugar is not well controlled. This can lead to high levels of sugar in saliva, sweat, and urine - helping yeast to grow all over the body.

Salt Swish

Salt has antimicrobial and cleansing properties that may help the battle against thrush. Because of this, a salt rinse may help reduce the discomfort associated with thrush, including soreness and irritation. To use salt as one of the best way to help with thrush, dissolve ½ teaspoon in a cup of warm water, swish the mixture around in your mouth, and then spit it out and rinse.

Lifestyle

How to get rid of oral thrush?

In addition to eating a well-rounded, healthy diet, avoiding certain lifestyle factors can help prevent oral thrush. Stress, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, and wearing ill-fitting dentures can all make a thrush infection more likely. Practicing good oral hygiene - brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups - can also go a long way to helping prevent thrush infections.

If thrush continues to be an issue, you may need to look at systemic candida issue as noted above. Schedule a consultation with one of Village Green’s naturopathic doctors or certified nutritionists for a personal assessment of your situation.

Green Tea and Thrush

Green tea has been studied for its antifungal polyphenols, especially EGCG, which may help support your body's balance against candida. A hot, unsweetened cup of tea is an easy part of a thrush-fighting plan. The only catch is that it has to be unsweetened; otherwise, the sugar will cancel out the anti-thrush effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you help with thrush naturally?

You sure can. Probiotics, oil of oregano, a salt water gargle, and decreasing sugar intake can all support your body as it brings Candida back into balance. In addition to great oral hygiene, you should seek a professional evaluation if your thrush is recurring. Our Naturopathic Doctors at Village Green Apothecary can put together a plan for you.

Does yogurt help oral thrush?

It might. A small amount of plain, unsweetened yogurt containing live active cultures can provide strains of Lactobacillus, which may inhibit the growth of Candida. You don’t want to drink sweetened yogurt, because the sugar will feed the yeast. Yogurt is just one component of a healthy microbial community.

What cause oral thrush?

Thrush presents with creamy-white, slightly elevated spots on the tongue, inside of the cheeks, roof of the mouth or back of the throat. These spots can be painful and can bleed slightly if scraped off. Thrush is caused by the fungus candida, which can be present in small amounts in the mouth without symptoms. Sometimes it grows in excess, and these symptoms occur. Thrush is more likely to occur in people taking antibiotics, corticosteroids or chemotherapy medications, and in people with uncontrolled diabetes or decreased immunity.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.