Spending time in nature helps us in so many ways, especially today when we are under so much stress, but even that is not all, and it’s just one small aspect of it all. Everyone knows that most plants we can all find in nature have some feature that can be helpful regarding our overall health. Regardless of whether we talk about their nectar or leaf, they all have certain health benefits, and even though people know some of the most famous plants used in various procedures and treatments, some plants still surprise people when they learn about their usage in alternative medicine. Of course, there are many ways to treat many illnesses, conditions, and even infections, and today, we’ll focus on some remedies for toenail fungus.
Oregano is not just for pizza
One of those “surprising” plants is definitely oregano, as when someone mentions it, our mind instantly links it with spice and usually with pizza, but yes, oregano can be great for other things as well. The biggest reason why using oregano to treat toenail fungus is something you can often read about is its oil. Of course, the substance called thymol is the one responsible for all that, as modern researchers have found that this substance is exceptional in treating bacterial infections, fungus included.
As for how to use it, the process is pretty simple, and since the oil is the one responsible for that, make sure to pick the best one, as there are many brands available on the market. The dosage is yet another thing, as you don’t want to overtreat the area affected, which is why applying it twice a day will do the trick. Understandably, it needs some time to react and to see the results, and another thing to keep in mind is that if your skin is a sensitive one, it’s preferable to mix it with tea tree oil, as otherwise, it might cause an allergic reaction since oregano oil is highly potent.
Baking soda
It is funny how most of the ingredients on this list are something we often use in our daily lives, mostly in the kitchen, regardless of whether it is spices, vinegar, or, in this case, baking soda. Now, there are two aspects to consider in order to understand how this works. The first aspect is about what baking soda is good for, which is absorbing moisture, and the second one is about fungus and how it adores moist areas. Things got much easier now, right? Well, yeah, as in basics, this is why baking soda is great for treating toenail fungus. On the other hand, we must add that there is no scientific proof behind this statement, and even though using baking soda for this purpose has shown great results in practice, it still lacks scientific approval. Overall, spread it over the affected nails a few times a day so that it absorbs the sweat, and you’ll see whether it would be helpful or not, but it surely cannot harm you in any way.
Vinegar
The ingredient that every kitchen has is definitely vinegar, as it is used almost daily for many different dishes, but not all people are familiar with many other purposes it has. Besides giving our salads a great sour taste, vinegar can also be used when we want to lose some weight or clean annoying stains in the kitchen without using chemicals. Some research shows that apple cider vinegar has antifungal properties, and the fact it is used as food makes it a safe treatment to try without side effects. The usage is simple, and what is important, it is pleasant and relaxing, so many people choose this treatment before any other. All you need to do is to make a combination of two parts of warm water and one part vinegar, soak your feet in and relax for about twenty minutes a day.
Garlic
Garlic is a well-known used remedy in alternative medicine, and it can be used to cure many conditions. It has a strong smell, and many people avoid using it, but it is one of the irreplaceable ingredients in many tinctures thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, so its daily usage can enhance our immune system, lower blood pressure, and improve our overall health. It is effective in the fight against toenail fungus, and the simplest way to use it is to chop or crush the cloves, put them on the feet and wait for a half hour. Repeating it every day should show the results pretty soon, and there is no need to be worried about the smell as it will disappear after a few minutes. If you cannot stand the smell that garlic has, there is always an option to buy capsules or oil with garlic extract and use them instead of fresh garlic.
Essential oils
Essential oils can be found in almost every home, thanks to their wide usage. They can give our homes a fresh and pleasant smell, we can use them in various hair and skin tinctures to make our skin and hair look healthy, and they can also be used as a cure for various conditions. Some of them are perfect for high blood pressure, some can lower our blood sugar level, and some can help us get rid of toenails fungus. Their usage is, in most cases, safe, but sometimes our skin can be too sensitive to some of them, and they can cause allergies. Because of that, it is necessary to inform yourself before their usage, try some of them on a small area of skin, and wait for a reaction. If you want to learn more about their usage and need more information, read this article.
To summarize
Many natural remedies can be helpful in the fight against toenail fungus, but proper self-care is crucial if you want to prevent their appearance. Always keep your nails short and dry your feet before putting the socks on, which should be made of cotton and changed daily. Another important factor is shoes, so try to wear only breathable ones to avoid feet sweating, as a moisture environment is perfect for toenail fungus. If the infection has already appeared, never use the same nail clipper for infected nails and the rest of them, as it will help it spread.