Thrush is an infection caused by the yeast fungus Candida albicans. Normally, a small population of the Candida fungus live on the skin around the mouth and vaginal areas. These populations are harmless when under control. The body’s immune system, along with the various harmless bacteria that live on the skin usually keep the Candida from growing and thriving. When conditions are right, however, Candida numbers can multiply and may begin to invade the area of the mouth and/or vagina and cause symptoms.
Candida albicans particularly like warm, moist areas of the body that don’t tend to get the benefit of air circulation, such as the goin, the mouth, and diaper-covered bottoms in the case of babies.
Tea Tree Oil for Thrush of the mouth, or Oral Thrush
What is Oral Thrush?
Oral thrush is where there is an infection by the yeast fungus Candida albicans, in the mucous membrane areas of the mouth. Most commonly, oral thrush is a temporary infection from candida in the mouths of babies, but can also occur in the mouths and throats of adults. In these cases, it is known as candidiasis or moniliasis.
Tea Tree Oil and Thrush
You can use tea tree oil and thrush will usually be relieved fairly quickly. Tea tree oil for thrush has been proven effective in laboratory studies. Published studies have demonstrated how effective tea tree oil for thrush can be. A concentration as little as 25% killed 90% of Candida albicans fungus grown in laboratory petri dishes. Researchers recommend using tea tree oil for thrush in a concentration of 20 drops tea tree oil to every 100ml of filtered water. Swirl this around in your mouth or gargle three times per day. (Just be sure not to swallow the rinse - See Tea Tree Oil Side Effects). You can also use tea tree oil for thrush by simply making up a 50% dilution of tea tree oil and a carrier oil and swabbing the affected area with a cotton swab twice a day for three days.
Tea Tree Oil for Thrush of the Vagina, or Vaginal Thrush:
What are the symptoms of Vaginal thrush?
Along with bacterial vaginosis, thrush is the most common cause of vaginal discharge. The discharge that signals thrush is a creamy white, thick discharge, though it can sometimes be watery as well. Vaginal thrush can cause redness and itching, as well as pain around the outside of the vagina. This discharge is usually odorless. Some women report pain or discomfort while having sex or when urinating when they have thrush.
Oftentimes the symptoms of vaginal thrush are minor and can clear up on their own. Other times the symptoms will not clear on their own without some type of treatment. Thrush does not harm the vagina, does not damage the uterus and will not harm the baby if your are pregnant.
There are several ways to use tea tree oil for thrush vaginally. A very simple method is to add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to your bath in cases of thrush. If you tend to get thrush on an ongoing basis, you can take these baths even during times when you don’t have an active thrush outbreak to prevent thrush from re-occurring.
You can also soak a tampon in a tea tree oil for thrush solution. To make the solution, add 20 drops of pure tea tree oil to 100 ml of purified water. Soak a tampon in this solution and insert into the vagina. This should be changed every 24 hours.
It is also possible to buy tea tree oil for thrush suppositories. Suppositories are solid, bullet-shaped preparations of vegetable oil and medicine or essential oils designed to be inserted easily into the vagina. The tea tree oil will gradually be released into the vagina as the suppository melts at body temperature.