From the Mailbag: More Toenail Fungus Solutions
By
Natalie Moore
Posted September 8, 2016
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
Last week, we shared an important reader question about how to get rid toenail fungus with natural solutions. Since then, we have gotten dozens of your questions and recommendations about how to remedy this unsightly problem.
Today we are going to share two of the most popular suggestions, and also clarify how to use olive leaf extract to relieve your toenail fungus.
Let’s dive in…
Olive Leaf Extract Remedies
As you may have already read in last week’s reader mail, olive leaf extract is a powerful natural anti-fungal agent. Many readers wrote in to ask if they should harness its fungi-fighting powers by taking olive leaf extract by mouth or by applying directly to the toenail.
The answer is both!
Taking olive leaf extract orally will help your body fight off any microbial invaders by killing yeast and other fungi in your system. Not to mention olive leaf extract can boost your immune system and offers antibacterial support as well, both key factors to fighting infections.
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking 250–500 mg capsules one–three times daily for immune system support. Continue taking capsules until the infection is resolved.
Some folks have also reported successfully clearing up their toenail fungus by using olive leaf extract directly on their toes.
One way to do this is with tea bags.
First, make a cup of hot tea using an organic olive leaf tea bag. Next, once the bag has cooled, place the bag directly on the affected toe. Let sit for 10–15 minutes (perhaps while you’re drinking your tea). Repeat for up to twice a day until fungus as cleared.
To get the quickest results, you can use both methods at the same time. You can find capsules and tea through Amazon.com.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Essential Oils
Hi Natalie,
I’ve been soaking my feet in apple cider vinegar and then rubbing my infected toenails with tea tree and lavender essential oils for about three months. It’s working! Though I must admit it’s taking a bit longer than I hoped for. I only do the soak and oils two days a week. Maybe I should be doing it more often?
Thanks,
Patti
Thanks for writing in, Patti. You weren’t alone on this. Several readers are trying this method too. And many are reporting results.
Only treating your fungus two days a week may be what’s slowing down the process.
Apple cider vinegar, which is a home remedy staple, has been praised as a powerful anti-fungal for many years. Recently, a study showed that apple cider vinegar is able to kill Candida yeast, which is a type of fungus that could lead to toenail fungus infections.
However, it seems that continuous daily treatment is necessary to keep the fungus-fighting momentum going. Many home remedies call for a daily soak of the infected toes in equal parts water and apple cider vinegar solution for 10–20 minutes until the fungus has cleared.
In addition, following the soak with either tea tree or lavender oil should help restore your nails back to a healthy state.
Both of these essential oils are proven fungi busters and are great natural solutions to toenail fungus. Just like the vinegar soak, they should be used daily to clear the fungus or until instructed by a medical provider.
So if you keep on soaking and using your essential oils, you may get some relief, Patti.
Thanks for your questions! Keep them coming! Send all questions to nmoore@lfb.org
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] Fungal Nail Infections (Onychomycosis): A Never-Ending Story?
[2] Warts
[3] Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis.
[6] Lavender oil has potent antifungal effect
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...