Overview
Fungi can lead to an array of health conditions, from athlete’s foot to thrush to ringworm. Aromatherapy can provide a gentle and minimally invasive mode of treatment, and it can complement existing treatment plans as well. Many essential oils have antifungal properties that have been documented in clinical research.
About Fungal Infections
Fungal infections most typically occur in the lungs or skin, due to inhaling or inadvertently touching fungal spores in the air. However, fungal infections can also occur in the mouth, intestines or genital area, and they may be of particular concern for those with compromised immune systems. Moreover, prolonged use of antibiotics can kill the healthy bacteria in the body, leading to an overgrowth of fungus.
Antifungal Essential Oils
Several essential oils have antifungal properties, according to Jeanne Rose, president emeritus of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy and an herbalist for 40 years. Rose recommends palmarosa, rosemary, spikenard and tea tree oils as options for antifungal treatment. In addition, several research studies have found bergamot oil derivatives to have antifungal properties. (The oil is widely used in the cosmetics industry but can increase skin photosensitivity, raising concerns about skin cancer.)
In Vivo Antifungal Research
The most common method of researching the antifungal properties of essential oils is to work in vivo, using isolated cells from living subjects. In the journal “Phytotherapy Research” (2004), researchers comparing the effects of essential oils on candida albicans—a yeast that can lead to oral and genital infections—found that thymus vulgarus (thyme) had a particularly strong antifungal action. In the “Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy” (2006), researchers found bergamot oil derivatives to have significant effects against dermatophytes, a group of fungi that can cause diseases in skin, hair and nails.
Live Subject Antifungal Research
It is less common to research antifungal properties of essential oils on live subjects, due to concerns about qualified training, informed consent, side effects and medical liability, among other variables. The “British Journal of Dermatology” (2002) injected histamine into healthy volunteers, then applied tea tree oil to the surface of the swelling, noting a substantial decrease in weal volume. In the journal “Flavor and Fragrance” (2006), researchers applied a byproduct of bergamot oil to the skin of rats that were infected with candida albicans. Researchers found significant skin improvements within 48 hours of treatment and total recovery within a week of the application.
Aromatherapy Applications
Due to concern for skin sensitivities, essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin. Instead, create a therapeutic blend by mixing up to 10 drops of essential oil to 20 ml of carrier oil, such as olive or grapeseed oil. (Use two drops of essential oil if the mixture is to be used for children.) Store the mixture in an airtight glass bottle. When using the oil mixture, prevent contamination of the entire product by using a small amount poured into a clean bowl. Due to concerns about side effects and drug interactions, individuals should obtain professional guidance before using essential oils and aromatherapy products.
About this Author
Trina Lion has been a literacy consultant for 14 years: writing, proofreading and copyediting for an array of industries, and spearheading grant-funded literacy programs for families. Lion has written for Braille Bug, the children’s website of the American Foundation of the Blind, and “Acupuncture Today,” a journal for practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.
