**This post has been entered in Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist and Herbal Medicine Chest at The Woodwife’s Journal!**
I think many of you will like the recipe I have for you today. Ben (my husband) has struggled with athlete’s foot and other fungal infections for years. We tried everything to cure them, too. Before we discovered natural health, we bought every anti-fungal out there. He was even put on antibiotics for awhile. Nothing helped. It did turn out that eating coconut oil a lot and staying away from grains/dairy improved the situation, but still didn’t cure it (though I’d recommend that in stubborn cases). It was important to work on it topically, too.
I created this cream and now, after about 4 or 5 weeks, the infection is almost gone. Yes, we’ve been on the GAPS diet and that’s helped. But this cream was the last important factor that really helped it go away for good. It’s simple to make, too, with only three ingredients. I chose these for their natural anti-fungal (and anti-viral, anti-bacterial!) properties.
Ingredients:
- 7 tbsp. extra virgin organic coconut oil (not refined)
- 40 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
- 1/2 tsp. tea tree oil
- 4 oz. glass jar
Directions:
In a double boiler over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Add the GSE and TTO and stir together to combine. Pour the mixture into the glass jar and let it cool completely. Apply as needed to skin suffering from any type of fungal infection, including yeast infection (please don’t apply directly to any internal parts; if you have yeast-like rashes on your arms or legs though, apply there!).
Simple! Could not be easier. This stuff is powerful, too. Like I said — it’s taken out a years-old infection in a matter of weeks!
This will be a great recipe to keep handy. I always have the coconut oil. I will have to order in some GS extract. Sounds simple enough. Thanks!
You are a wealth of information – thank you. I don't get athlete's foot but I do get yeast flare ups on my arms. Much appreciated!
Monique
Don't you just love herbal remedies!? Please consider joining me at The Woodwife's Journal for our Herbal Medicine Chest Blog Hop. I'd love to include your recipe. Thanks for posting.
Is there anything else you can substitute for the grapefruit seed extract? If not, do you think the other two ingredients might be somewhat effective on their own?
Would this recipe be safe for my 8 month-old? I believe he has ringworm. We've tried apple cidervinegar, but wonder if this recipe would work better!
As far as I can tell (google), since it's used in diaper rash creams it should be safe. Good luck!
This looks like a recipe that I'll need to try for myself. I've had athlete's foot for years and years, ever since I was a little tyke. I know that you mentioned using it as needed. Would you recommend once a day while needed, or twice a day?
Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com
Interesting homemade remedy. Have you done anything to stop the fungal infection, first, so you don't need the cream?
Just sounds like maybe that would be a better approach to explore see whats causing it in the first place.
I will keep the information handy. and thank you for sharing
Julieanne,
Probably twice a day, or more if you notice itching that is problematic. As it heals you probably won't need it more than once a day, and then even less often.
Tim,
Yes, I agree that exploring what is causing the problem is important. As I mention in the post, we're currently following the GAPS diet to treat the underlying problem, but are also attacking it topically with this. A two-part approach has been most helpful for us so far. And I would encourage others to do the same, in evaluating symptoms and choosing dietary changes that may prove helpful as well.
Thank you for sharing. I agree that exploring diet is most important yet relief must also come first. A two part approach is probably the best way to "attack" until everything balances out. I love exploring the root cause and take it from there