Fungus Can Be An Easy Foe

One of the most common, and persistent fungal infections around is Athlete's Foot -Tinea pedis. This is caused by the ringworm infections Trichophyton rubrum; Trichophyton interdigitale; or Epidermophyton floccosum.
Essential Oils that research has shown to be effective against the Trichophyton species include:
Citrus limonum - lemon; Cymbopogon citratus - lemongrass; Foeniculum vulgare - fennel; Lavandula angustifolia (officinalis) - lavender; Melaleuca alternifolia - tea tree; Melissa officinalis - melissa; Ocimum basilicum - basil; Ocimum gratissimum - wild basil; Pelagonium graveolens - geranium; Rosmarinus officinalis - rosemary; Thymus vulgaris - thyme; Vetiveria zizanioides - vetiver.

Essential Oils that research has shown to be effective against the Epidermophyton species include: Citrus limonum - lemon; Cymbopogon citratus - lemongrass; Foeniculum vulgare - fennel; Melaleuca alternifolia - tea tree; Mentha spicata - spearmint.

Armed with this information it makes sense that one would first try essential oils. However, one must keep in mind that because of the tenaciousness of fungal infections as a whole, one must be prepared to continue the treatment over a period of time in order to see results. A minimum of a month is generally recommended and sometimes depending on the strain and the severity it might take up to a year to affect a change.

Using anti-fungal essential oils while bathing or showering is especially important because fungal infections thrive and try to grow in warm, moist environments. All of the oils mentioned above can easily be added to Epsons salts to combat fungal infections.

Pathogenic Fungi have a tendency to hibernate along the spinal cord and in the lymphatic system. The body can then hold them in a suspended state for long periods of time; hence the reason that these types of infections are so difficult to get rid of.

When the immune system becomes compromised from stress, fatigue or other factors, these pathogens can be released. Lymphatic drainage therapy can help remove dormant fungi.

Alkalizing the body will also make it easier for you to rid the body of disease of any kind.

Acidophilus cultures have also been shown to help combat fungus overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract.

Spring Is In The Air

Essential oils can play a very important part of welcoming spring into the home, office and personal life. The old lines about spring cleaning and the welcoming of new life will always play an important part of the human existence. So get ready to gracefully usher out the old, the stale, and the slightly dusty. Essential oils like geranium, bay laurel and lavender can help rejuvenate in a clear and simple manner while ravensara, thyme, and rosemary increase feelings of vitality. Adding several drops of tea tree and clary sage to the dryer will freshen and give an airy uplifting to sheets, pillows and drapes.

For those of you who may not have used Bay Laurel much let me explain that this beautiful oil is stimulating and uplifting. It can restore the adrenals and help lift the immune system. Bay Laurel is wonderful to use in the early spring because it can be a very useful tool in fighting tiny new insects especially those found around potted plants. Some feel that Bay Laurel has a somewhat masculine scent but balances beautifully with geranium or lavender.

So break out of the ordinary and spend some time getting to know essential oil of bay laurel as you "spring clean."