Infectious Diseases: The Herbs That Suppress Over Growth of Candida, Scientists Say

By Kyle J. Norton, Scholar, Master of Nutrition

Candida albicans are members of a large group of micro organism whose cells contain complex structures enclosed within the membranes, including yeast(2)(3), fungi(4)(5)(6), and mold(6) that live among the gut flora in the human mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

Non-albicans Candida (NAC) species cause 35-65% of all candidaemias in the general patient population(1).

According to joint study, in many cases, biofilm(microorganisms with cells stick to each other on a surface) formation(7) gene mutations(8) and overexpression of genes(9)(10) are often associated with increased candida resistance toward antifungal drugs.


Herbalism or phytotherapy is a traditional medicine used botany and plants for treatment of a variety of ailments. Today, it has become increasingly important for many scientists who intent to find the natural agents with the same effectiveness as conventional medicine without inducing serious side effects.

However, the finding of these whole food medication have been facing many obstacles including limited financial support, because, the discovery of such plants will provide no commercial benefit and patent right to producers.

According to Dr. Marjorie Murphy Cowan in the study of "Plant Products as Antimicrobial Agents" said, "While 25 to 50% of current pharmaceuticals are derived from plants, none are used as antimicrobials. Traditional healers have long used plants to prevent or cure infectious conditions" and " Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties"(a).

Western medicine is trying to duplicate herbal successes with the synthetic version for patent right without using the whole herb ingredients which have caused over expression of serious adverse effects.

ROS species have duo functions that are well documented for playing an important role in our body as both beneficial and deleterious molecules in expression of cytotoxicity against abnormal cells alternation and initiation of chronic ailments such as over growth of candida by causing imbalance of the ratio among antioxidants and free radicals, respectively.

In free radical over expression initiated over growth candida, certain herb-derived compounds exerted a strong antioxidant effect that target Candida and restore health and balance.

According to the Jamia Millia Islamia, diallyldisulphide (DADS), an important organosulphur compound found in garlic inhibited the over growth of candida through decreasing activity of all antioxidant enzymes except catalase in Candida species antioxidant system.

These result suggested that application of diallyldisulphide (DADS) caused increase of oxidative stress and damage to the fungal cells(b).

The Anti Over Growth of Candida Herbal Medicine
1. Berberis
Berberis is a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, belongings to the family Berberidaceae, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. Europe has a few species, and North America only two. The stem, root bark, and fruit of barberry containing alkaloids and berberine have been used in traditional medicine or dietary supplement, to treat fungal infections(270), candida albicans(270), yeast(271), parasites, and bacterial/viral infections(270).

Berberine may also enhance the immune system through its antioxidant activity(272) by preventing candida yeasts from producing lipase(273)(274), an enzyme used to help them in colonization(274) and induced infection(274).

2. Clover(Trifolium)
Clover used as a spice in cuisines all over the world, is the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the Syzygium, belongings to the family Myrtaceae, native to Indonesia. Tellimagrandin II, in clover oil exhibited significantly anti-herpesvirus(275) and anti-oxidant(275)(276) properties and antiseptic property through phytochemical eugenol(277) used in dentistry to relieve pain(277), prevent bacterial infection(278) and boost immune system(279).

3. Goldenseal((Hydrastis Canadensis)
Goldenseal is a perennial herb in the species of Hydrastis canadensis, belongings to the family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and northeastern United States, used widely in traditional medicine to treat functional disorders of gastrointestine(280), including atonic dyspepsia, chronic constipation, liver toxicity(281), etc.

Berberine, a compound found in goldenseal has demonstrated significant anti-fungal activity(282)(283)(284) by preventing candida yeasts from producing lipase, an enzyme involved in colonization.

4. Oregano(Origanum vulgare) Oil
Oregano is a common species of Origanum, belongings to the family Lamiaceae, native to warm-temperate western and southwestern Eurasia and the Mediterranean region.

Carvacrol, a monoterpenoid phenol phytochemical found in oregano oil inhibited the growth of several bacteria strains(285), including candida albicans due to its antimicrobial properties that disrupt the bacteria membrane(286).

5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of trees from the genus Cinnamomum, belongings to the family Lauraceae, used in traditional medicine to treat digestive system disorder(287)(289), insulin sensitive(288)(290) and enhance the immune system in regulated cells growth due to its antioxidant activity(290).

The cinnamon essential oil has antimicrobial properties(291)(292), which can prevent, limit or destroy the fungal overgrowth(293).

6. Allspice
Allspice also called Jamaica pepper is a spice of dried unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica, belongings to the family Myrtaceae, native to the southern Mexico and Central America. The herb has been used in folk medicine in relieving indigestion and gas(294) and as a deodorant.

Phenylpropene found in allspice volatile oils has shown to exhibit an antimicrobial property(295), including candida albicans(296)

7. Lavender(Lavandula angustifolia)
The lavender is a genus Lavandula of flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae, originated in Asia, used in herbal medicine to treat microbial infection(297) for the skin and reduce inflammation(298)(299).

Its essential oil components linalool and linalyl acetate showed both fungistatic and fungicidal activity(300)(301) against C. albicans strains in reducing fungal progression and the spread of infection in host tissue(301).

8. Chamomile
Chamomile is a common name for several daisy-like plants, genus Matricaria belongings to the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and western Asia used in traditional medicine to aid sleep(302), treat diarrhea(303) and reduce oxidative stress(304). Chamomile containing high amount of flavonoids is best known for its antioxidant(303), such as anti septic and anti biotic properties against virus bacteria invasion(305)(306(307)) including candida ablicans(308).

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Sources
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