How do you get rid of Candida?

Candida is a vaginal and/or intestinal infection caused by an yeast-like  parasitic fungus also known as thrush. It can lower the body’s resistance and contribute to an on-going feeling of irritability. It causes an odorous discharge in the vagina, and if it infects the intestines, it can lead to greatly reduced digestive efficiency. 

Candida may be contagious through sexual intercourse, and there is the possibility that a lack of personal hygiene allows Candida bacteria to transfer from the anus to the vagina. Mouldy or damp living conditions may contribute to the problem. 

Major causes

The underlying problem of candida is that the immune system has degraded and has allowed the fungus to establish itself. Successful treatment would, therefore, involve building up the immune system. 

To do this, you have to take care of that old culprit – a faulty diet. It may take you some time to learn how much carbohydrate (sweets, cakes, chocolate etc.) your body can tolerate before it lowers the immune system to the point Candida raises it ugly head. Candida may also be complicated by the menstrual cycle, because of the varying hormonal levels, though a good diet will more than compensate for this. 

Some Candida patients are allergic to foods such as dairy products and glutenous grain products, and some could be diagnosed with coeliac intestinal disease  (gluten intolerance), which weakens the immune system and allows Candida to flourish. 

Candida thrives on sugar. This makes diabetics more susceptible because large amounts of sugar are deposited in their urine. 

Some contraceptives are likely to increase the incidence of Candida by greatly increasing the level of Glycogen in the vagina – again, a substance which encourages Candida growth. 

Plain water douching may upset the pH balance in the vagina. The normal mucus of the vagina resists infection. Douching and soaping washes away some of the natural mucus which lowers this resistance. 

Most antibiotics have the tendency of killing friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract. There is then an open door for unfriendly bacteria or fungi to take hold, including, of course, Candida. 

Helpful Hints

• Try a warm water bath with an added cupful of salt.
• A little acidophilus yogurt  applied in the vagina, once in the morning and on retiring is helpful in reducing the infection.
• Candida can be helped immensely by eating garlic and spring onion.

Things to avoid

• Douching, nylon panties, tight fitting panties, leggings, tight sacks and jeans, nylon tights, unbleached toilet paper, being too warm while sleeping. 
• All pastries, all sugar-sweetened products, milk, cheese, jelly sweets, coffee, ice-cream, beer and wine, peanuts, soya products, soy drink, soya sauce, sauces, pickles, chutneys. 
• All processed foods (especially meats); also sugar and puddings.
• Preservatives, additives, food colourings, and all chemicals in food. 
• Yeast and bread products containing yeast, food holds, fermented foods.
• All types of melon, mushroom, and grape.
• Excessive amounts of fruit juice.
• Keep away from damp, moody conditions. 

Essential Foods

Liquids:

TEAS: Chamomile, cornsilk, lemon grass, ginger, green tea.

WATER: 1 glass of filtered water every hour during daylight is a must.

Other remedies

Yogurt with acidophilus, lecithin, arrowroot, kelp, barley, millet, rice, ground flaxseed, chickpea flour, spirulina, liquid chlorophyll, flaxseed oil, olive oil.

Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs

VITAMINS: Beta carotene, B complex, C, Antioxidant immune boosters.

MINERALS: Calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, charcoal tablets.

HERBS: Slippery elm, ginger, mustard, parsley, echinacea, garlic.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: .Bromelain, papaya enzymes, lactobacillus acidophilus – bifidobacterium.