Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health Yeast Infections How to Cure Candida Naturally By Megan Nunn, PharmD Updated on July 14, 2023 Medically reviewed by Beth Thomas, PharmD Fact checked by Sarah Scott Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Candida? Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Recovery Frequently Asked Questions What Is Candida? Candida is a type of fungus called yeast. It's naturally present on the skin and the human body, especially in the following areas: MouthIntestinesVagina Candida can overgrow and cause an infection. This can be due to the following: A weakened immune systemAn imbalance in the body's bacteria and fungi The medical term for the infection is candidiasis. The leading cause of candidiasis is the species Candida albicans. However, other less common Candida species can have a similar reaction in the body. This article explains candidiasis and some natural methods that may help treat this common fungal infection. Photograph © Michael Francisco is used under a Creative Commons license. What Are the Symptoms of a Candida Infection? Candida infections are the most common fungal infections in humans. The symptoms of candidiasis vary by the location of the infection. Symptoms of oral candidiasis (oral thrush) include the following: White patches in the gums, cheeks, tongue, and throatPain when eatingRedness or soreness in the mouthReduced tasteA dry, cottony feeling in the mouth This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Oral candida. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND The main symptom of esophageal candidiasis is difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection) include the following: Vaginal itchingVaginal sorenessVaginal rednessPain or burning when urinatingVaginal discharge with a cottage cheese consistency This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Vulvovaginal candida. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND In severe cases, a Candida infection can disseminate. This means it spreads through the bloodstream to multiple major organs, including the following: HeartBrainEyesBones This is called invasive candidiasis, usually accompanied by fever and chills. What Causes Infection by Candida Albicans? The overgrowth of Candida is influenced by many different factors, such as: Changes in hormones during your period or pregnancy Medications that disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeasts in your body, including antibiotics, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or corticosteroids Uncontrolled diabetes Cancer Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Nutritional deficiencies Ill-fitting dentures Impaired immune function Additionally, some foods may fuel Candida's growth. Studies have shown the following may speed up Candida growth: Refined sugars, like glucose Some dairy products How Is Candida Albicans Diagnosed? Oral thrush is typically diagnosed by a healthcare provider looking inside the mouth. Esophageal infections are diagnosed by endoscopy. Vaginal yeast infections are diagnosed based on a vaginal lab culture. How Do I Get Rid of Candida Albicans? Antifungal drugs are commonly used as a first-line treatment. They are either topical (applied to the skin), oral (taken by mouth), or given intravenously (into a vein). The type of treatment will depend on the location of the infection. Some vaginal infections may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) topical medicines. However, all other Candida infections typically require prescription medications from a healthcare provider. Here are the recommended treatments for some common Candida infections: Oral thrush: For oral thrush, antifungal lozenges or suspensions are applied to the mouth. In more severe cases, an antifungal medicine called Diflucan (fluconazole) is taken by mouth daily for seven to 14 days. Vaginal yeast infections: For vaginal yeast infections, topical antifungals are applied to the vagina, usually for seven to 14 days. These topical medicines include the following: Clotrimazole Miconazole Nystatin Oral medicines for vaginal yeast infections include the following: A single dose of fluconazoleFluconazole every 72 hours, for two or three doses (in more severe cases) Are There Natural Treatments for Candida Albicans? The evidence supporting the use of natural remedies for candidiasis generally is weak. Lifestyle changes like the following may lower the risk of candidiasis, though they're unlikely to treat active infections: Diet: Restricting foods that can effectively fuel Candida growth, like refined sugars and dairy products, may be helpful. Sugar alcohols like xylitol may prohibit Candida growth. Smoking and alcohol cessation: Cigarette smoking appears to be linked to the overgrowth of Candida. Both tobacco and alcohol use are predictors of Candida infection and the spread of Candida to the esophagus. Stress management: Some research suggests stress is a major cause of vaginal yeast infections. Breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga or tai chi exercises may help reduce stress. Sleep hygiene: Candida may overgrow during sleep deprivation or chronic fatigue. To counter this, improve your sleep by creating a positive environment for bedtime, sticking to a routine, and avoiding things like alcohol or computer screen use before sleeping. What Supplements Can Help With Candida? Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. Whenever possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab.com, or NSF.org. Keep in mind that even if supplements are third-party tested, they are not necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and to ask about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications. None of the following remedies have proven to treat Candida on their own. However, they may help support over-the-counter or prescription antifungals your healthcare provider prescribes. They include the following: ProbioticsPrebioticsVitamin DMedium-chain triglyceridesOther supplements, such as garlic and tea tree oil Here's a quick rundown of the latest evidence. Probiotics Probiotics Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the "good" bacteria in your body. Probiotics include, but are not limited to, the following: Lactobacillus acidophilus, a probiotic bacteria thought to prevent Candida overgrowth. Bifidobacterium, another commonly used probiotic strain. Vaginal yeast infections: Probiotics lower the pH in the vagina and can act as a barrier to yeasts like Candida. According to a review, probiotics were added to conventional antifungal medicines. They increased the likelihood that a vaginal yeast infection would be cured and not recur within one month. Researchers confirmed that the quality of evidence for the trials they reviewed was low. In one study, only about 14% of females using a vaginal insert with two probiotic strains had a subsequent yeast infection during the first seven months of probiotic treatment. This was lower than the typical recurrence rate, around 50%. The long-term prognosis of probiotic supplementation for yeast infections has mixed reviews. Oral thrush in denture wearers: Probiotics may benefit people with oral thrush because they decrease the amount of Candida. People who wear dentures may see the most significant benefit from probiotic supplementation. A trial of people who wore dentures and harbored Candida determined that those supplemented with probiotics had decreased fungus levels and may be less likely to develop thrush. According to another study of denture wearers with candidiasis, a product made of three probiotics for five weeks lowered candidiasis to only 16%. This was compared to 92% of people who used a placebo. Taking probiotics along with the antifungal medicine nystatin has been shown to decrease the treatment time of oral thrush by up to a week. Preterm infants: Probiotics may prevent Candida from colonizing babies born prematurely. This may prevent fungal sepsis (a blood infection), but more clinical research is needed. One trial found that Lactobacillus was as effective as nystatin in preventing candidiasis in preterm infants. In addition to probiotic supplements, many yogurts also contain probiotics that could be helpful for candidiasis. Prebiotics Prebiotics are nutrients that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the body. By increasing "good" bacteria, prebiotics can better keep fungi like Candida under control. Prebiotics are found in asparagus, garlic, bananas, and honey. There are also prebiotic supplements, such as lactoferrin, that you can take by mouth. However, clinical evidence to support prebiotics for candidiasis is lacking. Vitamin D According to a clinical trial, doses of 300 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily may help prevent candidiasis in children with critical illnesses who are on antibiotics. Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) may be beneficial in preventing the growth of Candida in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of preterm infants. While Candida in healthy infants typically doesn't pose serious problems, preterm babies are more likely to have invasive fungal disease caused by Candida. This is due to their weakened immune systems. MCTs as prevention for candidiasis in these susceptible infants have only been studied in very small trials. More data is needed to validate these findings. Other Supplements Other supplements that have been studied for their use in candida include the following: Garlic Tea tree oil Thyme Grapefruit seed extract Cinnamon Ginger Oregano Peppermint Rosemary Human data is needed to determine what effect, if any, these supplements may have on Candida infections. How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better? Most Candida infections will resolve within a few days of starting antifungal medications. Contact your healthcare provider if you are still experiencing yeast infection symptoms a few days after finishing antifungals. Summary Candida overgrowth is typically treated with antifungal drugs. However, natural remedies may support the treatment of yeast infections and oral thrush. These include the following: Changes in dietStress managementUse of probiotics The evidence supporting supplements for Candida infections is weak. Relying on natural remedies alone to treat candidiasis is unlikely to resolve candidiasis. If a Candida infection is left untreated, it could spread throughout the body. Appropriate treatment must be started promptly. If you decide to try a supplement for candidiasis, it's best to take it in addition to antifungal medicine and only after consulting a healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions What is Candida? Candida is a fungus called yeast that is naturally present on the skin and in the human body. An overgrowth of Candida can cause infections like oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections. Can Candida be cured naturally and permanently? No. Antifungal medicines applied to the skin or taken by mouth are the standard of care for treating Candida infections. Although lifestyle changes and supplements, mainly probiotics, may benefit people with candidiasis, there isn't enough evidence to recommend them apart from antifungal medicines. Is candida a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? No, Candida is not an STI because you can get a Candida infection without having sex. That being said, yeast infections may be passed through sexual activity, and they are more common in people who are sexually active. 27 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candida infections of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Talattof Z, Azad A, Zahed M, Shahradnia N. Antifungal activity of xylitol against Candida albicans: An in vitro study. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2018;19(2):125-129. doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2225 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candidiasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaginal candidiasis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Invasive candidiasis. Xie HY, Feng D, Wei DM, et al. Probiotics for vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11(11):CD010496. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010496.pub2 Mundula T, Ricci F, Barbetta B, Baccini M, Amedei A. Effect of probiotics on oral candidiasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2449. doi:10.3390/nu11102449 Pappas PG, Kauffman CA, Andes DR, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the management of candidiasis: 2016 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2015;62(4). doi:10.1093/cid/civ933 Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Anil S. Clinical appearance of oral candida infection and therapeutic strategies. Front Microbiol. 2015;6:1391. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.01391 Sheth CC, Makda K, Dilmahomed Z, et al. Alcohol and tobacco consumption affect the oral carriage of Candida albicans and mutans streptococci. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2016;63(4):254-9. doi:10.1111/lam.12620 Ali H, Choi S, Jiang Y, et al. S3422 candida esophagitis and heavy alcohol consumption. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2020;115(1). doi:10.14309/01.ajg.0000715736.29799.a6 Meyer H, Goettlicher S, Mendling W. Stress as a cause of chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis and the effectiveness of the conventional antimycotic therapy. Mycoses. 2006;49(3):202-209. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0507.2006.01235.x Li Y, Hao Y, Fan F, Zhang B. The role of microbiome in insomnia, circadian disturbance and depression. Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:669. Published 2018 Dec 5. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00669 Superti F, De Seta F. Warding off recurrent yeast and bacterial vaginal infections: lactoferrin and lactobacilli. Microorganisms. 2020;8(1):130. doi:10.3390/microorganisms8010130 Murina F, Graziottin A, Vicariotto F, De Seta F. Can Lactobacillus fermentum LF10 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA02 in a slow-release vaginal product be useful for prevention of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis?: A clinical study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014;48 Suppl 1:S102-S105. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000000225 Miyazima TY, Ishikawa KH, Mayer M, Saad S, Nakamae A. Cheese supplemented with probiotics reduced the Candida levels in denture wearers-RCT. Oral Dis. 2017;23(7):919-925. doi:10.1111/odi.12669 Ishikawa KH, Mayer MP, Miyazima TY, et al. A multispecies probiotic reduces oral Candida colonization in denture wearers. J Prosthodont. 2015;24(3):194-199. doi:10.1111/jopr.12198 Hu L, Mao Q, Zhou P, Lv X, Hua H, Yan Z. Effects of Streptococcus salivarius K12 with nystatin on oral candidiasis-RCT. Oral Dis. 2019;25(6):1573-1580. doi:10.1111/odi.13142 Hu HJ, Zhang GQ, Zhang Q, Shakya S, Li ZY. Probiotics Prevent Candida Colonization and Invasive Fungal Sepsis in Preterm Neonates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pediatr Neonatol. 2017;58(2):103-110. doi:10.1016/j.pedneo.2016.06.001 Oncel MY, Arayici S, Sari FN, et al. Comparison of Lactobacillus reuteri and nystatin prophylaxis on Candida colonization and infection in very low birth weight infants. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2015;28(15):1790-1794. doi:10.3109/14767058.2014.968842 National Institutes of Health. Probiotics. Boahen A, Than LTL, Loke YL, Chew SY. The Antibiofilm Role of Biotics Family in Vaginal Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol. 2022 May 26;13:787119. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.787119 Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, et al. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019;8(3):92. Published 2019 Mar 9. doi:10.3390/foods8030092 Xie J, Zhu L, Zhu T, et al. Vitamin D-supplemented yogurt drink reduces Candida infections in a paediatric intensive care unit: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2019;32(4):512-517. doi:10.1111/jhn.12634 Arsenault AB, Gunsalus KTW, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, et al. Dietary Supplementation With Medium-Chain Triglycerides Reduces Candida Gastrointestinal Colonization in Preterm Infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2019;38(2):164-168. doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000002042 UpToDate. Vaginal yeast infections (beyond the basics). Office on Women's Health. Vaginal Yeast Infections. Additional Reading Lei L, Ou L, Yu X. The antioxidant effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. shoot in D-galactose induced mice aging model and in vitro. J Chin Med Assoc. 2016 Apr;79(4):205-11. doi:10.1016/j.jcma.2015.06.023 Oliveira VMC, Santos SSF, Silva, CRG, et al. Lactobacillus is able to alter the virulence and the sensitivity profile of Candida albicans. J. Appl. Microbiol. 2016;121(6):1737-1744. doi:10.1111/jam.13289 By Megan Nunn, PharmD Nunn is a community pharmacist in Tennessee with 12 years of experience in medication counseling and immunization. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit