Tea Tree oil
(aka: Melaleuca) is an all natural essential oil that hails from Australia and
is sourced from the Melaleuca Alternifloria bush. It has been used as a natural
anti-fungal and anti-biotic agent for centuries.
The oil can
be used on its own, mixed with other essential oils and natural anti-fungal
ingredients and/or in a soak to treat toenail fungus and athlete’s foot.
In this
article, we will share 6 ways you can use Malaleuca oil to treat toenail
fungus. Read on to learn more.
1. Apply the
oil directly to infected toenails. Each night before bed, wash and dry your
feet thoroughly. Trim your nails and apply the oil directly to your toenails
using a cotton swab.
In the
morning, when you swing your feet over the side of the bed, take a few moments
to reapply the oil before putting on shoes or walking about. It’s a good idea
to put socks on to prevent the oil from staining your house slippers.
2. Create a
relaxing, therapeutic soak. Some people are sensitive to the full strength oil
applied directly to the skin. If this is the case for you, you can dilute the
oil at a rate of 12 drops per cup of warm water.
Soak for
about twenty minutes, then dry your feet thoroughly. If you wish, you can substitute
apple cider vinegar or white vinegar for 1/3 of the water. Vinegar is a natural
anti-fungal agent.
3.
Moisturize your feet and nails with a combination of Malaleuca oil and coconut
oil. You can create an all natural antifungal moisturizing product by adding 6
drops of this essential anti-fungal oil to an ounce of coconut oil.
Coconut oil
also has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties. Massage this into
your feet and toenails. Put on cotton socks to help the oil soak into your skin
and to protect your floors, bedding and footwear.
4. Combine
tea tree oil with other natural, anti-fungal essential oils. Malaleuca oil
sometimes produces a burning sensation.
You can
mitigate this by using it in combination with other anti-fungal oils such as
eucalyptus, thyme and lavender. Experiment with applying these directly and/or
mixing them into your foot bath and moisturizing treatment.
The rate of
12 drops per cup for a foot bath and 6 drops per ounce for an antifungal
moisturizing treatment is good for all of these oils.
Understand
that this is the combined amount for all oils used. You can combine the in
equal parts for a total of 12 drops of essential oil per cup of warm water
and/or 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of coconut oil.
5. Make your
own antifungal foot and body powder by combining a box of baking soda, a box of
cornstarch and a heaping tablespoon of ground cloves. Bicarbonate of soda and
cloves are antifungal. Cornstarch discourages dampness and helps prevent fungal
infection.
6. Tea tree
oil is excellent for treating other types of fungal infection such as athlete’s
foot and ringworm.
Combine 6
drops of tea tree oil and an ounce of hydrogen peroxide to apply directly to
these fungal outbreaks. This can also be used on toenail fungus.
How Long
Does It Take To Cure Toenail Fungus?
One thing
you should keep in mind is that if you have toenail fungus, athlete’s foot
and/or ringworm, it is an indication of a systemic fungal infection.
For this
reason, you will need to be very tenacious and persistent in treatment. You are
unlikely to actually “cure” toenail fungus with any treatment, be it natural or
pharmaceutical.
Develop the
good lifestyle and hygiene habits of washing your feet at least once a day and
allowing them to dry thoroughly. Some people even blow dry their feet.
Fungus grows
in damp places, so keeping your feet dry will help a great deal. Apply natural,
anti-fungal treatments to clean feet at bedtime and upon arising each day.
Always wear
clean, well fitted shoes and socks that allow for good air circulation around
your toes and feet. Natural fiber socks and canvas or natural leather shoes are
best, with good ventilation. Wear sandals whenever you can.
Plan on
using coconut oil, tea tree oil and other natural anti-fungal products on a
regular, ongoing basis.
Adding
coconut oil to your diet and your personal care routine will help you overcome
a systemic fungal infection.
Using tea tree oil and other anti-fungal essential oils as
part of your regular, daily self care routine will help you get your current
outbreak under control within a couple of weeks and keep fungal infections at
bay in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment