Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil
Clove oil is another essential oil to add to your arsenal when you want to terminate yeast. Clove (also known by the scientific taxonomy of Syzygium aromaticum) oil contains eugenol and carvacrol; these two chemical constituents of the herb have been shown to have potential for treating vaginal yeast infections. Consequently, this is one oil to include in your assortment of essential oils for yeast infections.
When clove oil was used in tandem with lemongrass oil, researchers found that these essential oils were able to fight against the biofilm produced by Candida. By effectively fighting biofilm produced by yeast as it grows in the body, problems with drug resistance and recurrent infection could be ameliorated. This finding could make using these oils especially helpful for women who suffer from recurrent yeast infections. Case in point, in a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (Volume 140, Issue 2, 27 March 2012, Pages 416–423); researchers found that Candida with preformed biofilm was sometimes 1024 times as resistant to conventional antifungal drugs.
How to Use Clove Essential Oil for Candida
Cloves do have a wonderful fragrance, and it is true that you can harness the power of clove essential oil to treat Candida. There are many ways you can use this powerful antiseptic essential oil.
One caveat, before you just use clove oil, or any essential oil for that matter, consider checking out some other antifungal essential oils. Dr. James Duke, in his book The Green Pharmacy, states that mixing together multiple herbs can create a much more efficacious natural remedy.
Clove Herbal Tea
Treating yeast in the digestive system is perhaps more important than dealing with it in the vagina. If you have experienced recurrent yeast infections it is perhaps because yeast has colonized your intestines to some degree. If your intestines have been compromised by yeast, the fungus can make its way from your rectum to your vagina and constantly reinfect your vagina. Having yeast in the gut is also undesirable; even if you don’t suffer from repeated vaginal infections. Also note that if you have taken strong antibiotics recently or at some time in the past, you are more prone to have yeast colonizing your body.
Fortunately, you can drink clove tea to treat a yeast infection in the digestive system. There was a study where several different herbs were made into tea (the study refers to them as hydrosols) and the herb’s effects on Candida albicans was analyzed. The study on was published in the Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology. (Dec. 2009, Vol. 50 Issue 4, p. 243-252). In this study, clove tea was found to be one of the most effective herbal teas for treating yeast infections.
To make clove tea you can use cloves and boil them in water, or you can add a drop or two of the essential oil to a liquid and drink it down. You may wish to consult a skilled apothecary or medical doctor before you add more clove oil than a drop or two. It may even be beneficial to use some of the herbs the researchers did in conjunction with clove oil. Try mixing several different herbs together and make synergistic Candida killing tea.
How to Take Clove Oil
Topical Use
You may use this oil undiluted directly on the area of concern. You can use it directly on the gums around infected teeth. You can put this oil directly on the back of your tongue to relieve irritation in the throat–such as a tickling cough.
Oral Use
Clove essential oil is generally regarded as safe for human consumption by the U.S. FDA. Generally use one drop of oil in 4 ounces of liquid or 1 teaspoon of honey. Do not let children under 6 years old ingest this oil!
Cautions
This oil may irritate the skin where it is applied. If you are pregnant, use this oil with caution. Repetitious use can cause contact sensitization.
Using Essential Clove Oil
The clove tree has been utilized and cultivated for perhaps over two millennium. It is indigenous to Indonesia, but is used the world over for a variety of purposes. Cloves are commonly used to flavor culinary items (as you probably already know). Various parts of the clove tree are used for a variety of purposes; however, the clove bud is primarily used in the creation of essential clove oil. Clove oil can be strong, so make sure you don’t use too much of it.
You can use clove oil for more than just fighting a yeast infection, here are some other uses for this natural remedy:
Digestive Problems
Clove oil will help relax the smooth muscle lining of your digestive system. If you feel nauseas or are already vomiting, you can add a drop or so of clove oil to some tea for natural relief.
Oral Problems
Since clove oil is antiseptic, it can help eliminate hazardous bacteria on the teeth. Use a cotton swab and place several drops of the oil on it and rub it on a cavity or on a tooth that is causing you pain for quick relief.
In Soap
Clove oil has a excellent fragrance and is also an antiseptic. Consequently, you can make a germ fighting soap that also has a great aroma by adding clove oil to your soap. Try it with your body wash and see what you think!
Muscle Pain
Clove oil can be used to relieve muscle pain and perhaps a fair amount of stress that comes with it. Try putting 5 to 10 drops of the oil in two ounces of coconut oil or olive oil. Massage the mixture into the area where you are feeling the pain.
Skin Infections
Essential clove oil is an antiseptic and can be used topically to help the body fight off a skin infection. If you suffer from a bacterial problem like acne or a fungal infection of the skin, you can utilize this oil to help mitigate your skin problems.
For more information on Therapeutic Aromatherapy, follow this link.
