The most obvious symptom of having toenail fungus is nail discoloration. Most of the time the nails become brownish or whitish-yellow. When the infection spreads to the other toes, the discoloration also progresses to the other toes. If the infection is not given any treatment, the nail can thicken and eventually crack in some cases.
There are usual antifungal medications that doctors often prescribe. These are itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), and terbinafine (Lamisil). These medications are not without side effects. The best alternatives to these medications are home remedies, and essential oils are one of them.
2Other Essential Oils
If you want to use other essential oils that can eradicate the toenail fungus and prevent a recurrence, you can pick from any of these: cinnamon essential oil (Cinnamomum Verum), lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia), peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita), manuka essential oil (Leptospermum scoparium), oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare), lemongrass essential oil (Cymbopogon citratus), eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus), and Ocotea essential oil (Ocotea bullata).
Lavender Essential Oil
Let’s take a look at the lavender essential oil. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, lavender oil can be used to fight off persistent antifungal-resistant infections. This essential oil is seen to have a potent antifungal effect on fungi strains that cause the most common nail and skin conditions.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
The lemongrass essential oil is one of the popular options for natural nail fungus treatment. This is due to its natural and nontoxic fungicide content. This oil smells clean and pleasant. It is also inexpensive and highly accessible. You can buy it at any natural food store.
One thing you must make sure of is the purity of the lemongrass essential oil you have. Stay away from the artificially scented ones and those that are a mixture of various types of oil. Remember only the pure essential oil has antifungal properties for treating toenail fungus.
Dilute the lemongrass essential oil with olive oil or grapeseed oil as a carrier oil. You simply our one ounce of pure oil into any clean container and make sure that it has a tight lid. Put 6 drops of lemongrass oil into the carrier oil. Close the lid, and shake the mixture.
All you have to do is massage the mixture into the nail. This must be done twice daily. After a few applications, it must become noticeable that the fungus becomes dark brown to black. This implies that the fungus will soon die and a healthy new nail will soon be growing. Until the new nail does, continue the application.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The peppermint essential oil helps well to ease any discomfort or inflammation. It also helps to boost one’s immunity against fungal infections. This oil can help to soothe pain in the infected area and helps prevent any complications. The peppermint oil contains methanol along with other antioxidants to eliminate fungus infection and provide relief.
You need not dilute peppermint oil. All you have to do is to add 4 to 5 drops of peppermint oil into the affected nail. Repeat this every day.
Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon Essential Oil has been known to have great benefits to traditional medicine. Our ancestors are right. Cinnamon has been proven effective in dealing with candida fungus as well as other fungus infections. Cinnamon oil distills all these antifungal agents to produce a potent toenail fungus remedy. It can help boost one’s immune system and prevent reinfections.
It is important to dilute the cinnamon oil in a carrier oil which can be jojoba or coconut oil before it will be applied to the infected toenail. You have to apply this to the affected toe. You may also opt to use a dropper to let the oil go underneath the nails. Repeat this procedure twice daily to ensure the best results.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has been known for its ability to treat yeast infections. It is truly effective against Candida fungus which is often the cause of toenail fungus. The best way to apply coconut oil is through a foot massage. It is also known as an immune system booster. It is packed with highly beneficial minerals as well as fatty acids that may function as antibacterial and antifungal agents.
The coconut oil may work as a carrier oil to all essential oils that can be used in treating the infected toenail. A great mix would be a few drops of tea tree oil and coconut oil which will be used in massaging the whole foot.
