Thrush

What is thrush?

Thrush is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of the yeast organism Candida albicans.

If reoccurring thrush is a problem for you it is recommended to address the complaint, if left untreated may cause further complications to health. Often the bacteria responsible for thrush lays dormant or at low levels for a long time in the body and does not produce any symptoms. However if this bacteria over proliferates and grows this is when the symptoms appear. For many people they can go on for a long time with no problems and then all of a sudden the problem will nastily reoccur.

What causes thrush?

When people take a course of antibiotics the entire good balancing flora in the bowels is destroyed and if we don’t replant these good bacteria then bloating and digestive symptoms become present
Constant emotional stress
Hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual tension)
Poor eating habits including excessive consumption of foods and beverages high in sugar
Incomplete digestion commonly due to rushing meals
Overuse of certain medication like antibiotics, antacids, corticosteroids and hormone therapy (including the contraceptive pill) predispose individuals to yeast overgrowth or candidiasis
Excessive alcohol consumption
Sexual activity
Insufficient hygeine practices
Over consumption of sweet foods and foods high in simple carbohydrates e.g. white four products, cakes, biscuits, refined sugar, honey, cordials, soft drinks, fruit juice and certain fruits, particularly dried fruit, can provide fuel for Candida to overgrow in the intestines
Eating too fast
Immune weakness
Impaired liver function
Oral contraceptive pill use

Diet tips for thrush

Increase water intake to flush the kidneys and bowels of wastes and acidity. Introduce herbal teas to increase your water intake and cleanse the digestion. Teas such as Peppermint, Ginger, Echinacea, Lemongrass and Fennel are ideal
Begin each day with a small glass of warm water with ½ lemon squeezed into it. Lemon cleanses the bowels, switches on the liver and also helps to alkalise the blood
Eliminating tea, coffee, alcohol, sugar, wheat, dairy, carbonated drinks and cordial
Increase the amount of garlic in your diet as garlic and onions as they are antimicrobial due to the sulphur content. Also include ginger and chilli in the diet as these are beneficial to encourage digestion and cleansing and fight the infection
Have a vegetable juice each day such as carrot, celery, ginger and beetroot.
Include more bitter foods in your diet such as lemon juice, radicchio, rocket, endive and beetroot leaves
Eliminate simple sugars from your diet such as sugar, honey, cakes, breads, chocolate, biscuits and bakery type foods
Eliminate fermented foods from your diet such as mushrooms, vinegar, apple cider vinegar, alcohol, wine, bread and yeasts
Yoghurt containing live probiotics such as acidophilus and bifidus is also a valuable addition to the diet

Lifestyle factors for thrush

Support liver, digestion and detoxification processes
Treat underlying urinary bacterial, parasites and immune insufficiencies
Address any side effects of medications (antibiotics, oral contraceptive pill)
If you follow a strict anti-Candida diet you will find that both of these symptoms will be dealt with. It is recommended by most Naturopaths to do a “sloughing off” diet for at least 2 months
Candida is more likely to develop in warm, moist environments. Try to wear cotton rather than nylon underwear
Don’t overeat, and allow yourself to get a little hungry before eating
Chew very well, combine your foods properly, and be relaxed at meal times
Other considerations are digestive strength by making sure your digestion is breaking down your food efficiently
Address any underlying contributing factors such as Candida, yeast infection and liver health

Natural remedies for thrush

Probiotics help to rebalance the flora of the bowels. Many conditions of Candida are directly contributed to the wrong bacteria being housed in the bowels, by taking an acidophilius supplement such as this it helps to recorrect this imbalance and reduce symptoms such as bloating, thrush and constipation
Take a Spirulina supplement, available at a health food store, as Spirulina is a blood cleanser and also an alkaliser
Antifungal herbs will help to kill off the bacteria contributing to thrush, herbs such as Pau D'arco, Dandelion, Bitter Orange, Gentian, Black Walnut, Black Cumin, Chamomile, Echinacea, Oregon Grape, Bitter Orange, Cloves, Oregano, Golden Seal, Neem, Olive leaf and Wormwood. Speak to a Healthcare professional who can tailor make a herbal tincture specific to your needs