Fungal infection can be unpleasant and downright embarrassing. Fungi live in moist environments around your home, pool, gym and backyard. But not all fungi is harmful. In fact, there are approximately 1.5 million different species of fungi on Earth, but only about 300 of those are known to make people sick (1). (Updated Mar 11, 2024)
While most people opt for expensive and invasive anti-fungal cream, there are more natural, better ways to heal your body.
Common Infections
Onychomycosis, candidiasis, ringworm, jock itch, nail fungus and athlete’s foot are the most common fungal infections (2). They can cause skin peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and sores. They often occur on the feet, groin and armpits, which tend to be humid and warm enough to host the fungi.
5 Home Remedies To Bust Fungi For Good
Before applying any of these to your infection, test a bit of the substance on your arm to make sure you aren’t allergic to it. Also, make sure to keep the skin affected by the fungus as clean and dry as possible to stop the spread of the infection.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut soothes dry, flaky, itchy skin. It contains medium-chain fatty acids which kill bacteria, fungi and viruses (3). It even works on most candida species (4).
To use, dab coconut oil on the affected area 2-3 times a day until your infection clears up. It’s best to do it on dry clean skin.
2. ACV
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar acts as an anti-fungal and antimicrobial substance (5). It can be used both internally for oral and digestive infection and topically for skin infection.
To drink, dilute 1 tablespoon of ACV in a glass of warm water once a day.
For use on the skin, mix equal parts ACV and water, apply on the site of infection for 30 minutes and pat dry. It may sting a little, so you can apply coconut oil after the treatment to soothe your skin.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is often used to treat nail fungus and scalp infection (6). In laboratory studies, it was tested against 54 species of yeasts, among them 32 strains of Candida albicans (7).
To use, dab oil with a clean q-tip after washing and drying the affected area. Repeat twice daily.
4. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that work against infections of the digestive and urinary tract (8). It’s often used to treat yeast infection and UTIs.
It’s important to use organic, unsweetened juice, as sugar will only feed fungi and bad bacteria. You can safely drink it multiple times a day, using a stainless steel straw to protect your teeth.
5. Tea
Black and green tea contains tannins, astringent, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory compounds (9,10). Tea also soothes sore skin and relieves swelling, burning and irritation.
To use, soak a few tea bags in water for 10 minutes or so. Remove and place in a plate, making sure not to remove excess water and keep in the refrigerator for half and hour or so. Place the chilled bags over affected area three times a day until the skin is healed.
You can also use tea in your bath water to heal large-surface infection or by placing 5 tea bags in a small basin filled with 4 cups of warm water to soak infected feet. Soak for at least 30 minutes, twice a day until symptoms subside.