Many people, especially women, have big problems with fungal infections. Fungus infections are are not only uncomfortable but can be hard to clear up. The subject of fungal infections in general and yeast infections in particular garners a lot of attention, and as fungal infections seem to be growing less and less responsive to conventional treatments. Thankfully, there are some very effective herbs and other natural treatments for fungal infections. Here are some of them.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful anti-fungal. For athlete’s foot, you can soak your feet in a diluted apple cider vinegar solution several times a day, and/or you can “paint” the affected area with a cotton ball or swab soaked in apple cider vinegar.

For internal infections, apple cider vinegar can be consumed several times a day. It can help especially with fighting Candida in the digestive tract, which is a common cause of bloating and pain. But remember that vinegar has a strong taste. Apple Cider Vinegar is naturally sweeter than normal vinegar, but you still will probably want to dilute it with water and maybe sweeten it with raw honey or Stevia. But avoid sweetening it with sugar since yeasts thrive on sugar.

Our sources also point out that diluted apple cider vinegar can also be used as a douche to cure vaginal yeast infections.

Be sure to look for raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar “with the mother” such as is sold by the Bragg company, as it has the most active constituents.

2. Garlic

Yet another possibly smelly remedy! Garlic may be odoriferous, but it is known to be to be great at fighting fungus infections. Taken internally, garlic can help cure yeast and fungal infections in the body. For vaginal yeast infections, some sources recommend that a peeled garlic clove be inserted into the vagina and left overnight, and the process repeated (with a fresh garlic clove) every night for about a week, or until symptoms subside.

Rub a cut garlic clove or swab garlic oil over athlete’s foot infections several times a day for topical treatment.

3. Echinacea

Good for much more than just helping to prevent colds and flu, Echinacea is a powerful anti-fungal. Taken internally, Echinacea also helps clear up yeast infections and prevents their recurrence, A German study showed.

4. Goldenseal

The yellow root of the Goldenseal plant contains berberine, which is not only an antibiotic but also an anti-fungal. A diluted tea made from the roots could be used as a douche for a vaginal yeast infection or as a foot-soak for athlete’s foot, and the diluted tincture could be used similarly. It can also be taken internally, but not for more than three weeks or so (after that, it might negatively affect the intestinal flora).

5. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

This somewhat controversial anti-fungal remedy is alleged to be quite potent. It is controversial because the active constituents have not been thoroughly identified, but it’s been shown to be quite effective at treating fungal infections, both topically and internally.