Natural cures for athlete's foot

(NaturalNews) If the skin between your toes itches or burns and is red and scaling, you don't have to resort to over the counter ointments or sprays. There are many choices for natural remedies.

From the kitchen

• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Coconut oil

All three of these common kitchen cures are anti-fungal. Apple cider vinegar and garlic will burn, but both will do the trick. Coconut oil will be soothing, but may not work as quickly or as effectively as the first two. Dab full strength vinegar on the skin or pour it on. You can soak in a water solution, but it won't be as effective. Crush garlic and rub it in between the toes or use garlic oil. You could also combine crushed garlic with coconut oil and use it as a salve.

From nature's medicine chest

• Colloidal silver
• Essential Oils
• Coptis Chinese
• Neem oil
• Thyme
• Propolis
• Undecylenic Acid

Colloidal silver is reported to kill fungus on contact. Apply directly to affected areas. Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil (there are many other antifungal essential oils too), coptis chinesis, and oil of oregano (perhaps nature's strongest antiseptic), can be used with coconut oil and/or neem oil, or by themselves. Coconut and neem oil have antifungal properties, but not to the degree that the others have. On the other hand, some of the other treatments can burn and coconut or neem can help mitigate that and sooth the skin. Add a few drops to a tablespoon of oil and apply to affected areas.? You could also try to apply them directly, but they are all very strong and may burn.

To use thyme, make a tea with a few tablespoon of herb and soak your feet or dab on the affected areas. Propolis can be used directly or try mixing it with a little aloe vera. Undecylenic acid burns, but it certainly works, and it works within minutes; it's faster than any of the other remedies. Once the burning is gone, so is the yeast. Break open gelcaps and spread on the affected area.

Medicinal claims for camphor oil do not include anti-fungal qualities, but I have seen its effectiveness ending a chronic (multiyear) case of athlete's foot with one application. But be forewarned - it really burns.

What to avoid

Many sites suggest corn starch for its drying qualities. Never use cornstarch on any yeast or fungus. It actually feeds the fungus! Use baking soda in your shoes instead.

It will help to keep your feet clean, dry, and let them breathe. Go barefoot when you can.

It is also important to note that a fungal infection of the skin is always a warning that you have an overgrowth of fungus within the body as well. For balancing the body's flora, and more on undecylenic acid, check out How to Kill Candida and How Candida Leads to Depression.

Sources:

http://www.healingthebody.ca

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/candida-overgrowth-symptoms/

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://en.mr-ginseng.com

http://nutritionreview.org

http://wholeintentions.com

http://truthwiki.org/Oregano

About the author:
Michael Edwards is the founder, owner, editor-in-chief, and janitor for Organic Lifestyle Magazine and Green Lifestyle Market. At age 17, Michael weighed more than 360 pounds. He suffered from ADHD, allergies, frequent bouts of illness, and chronic, debilitating insomnia.

Conventional medicine wasn't working. While he restored his health through alternative medicine he studied natural health and became immersed in it.