All Natural Nail Fungus Remedy

When faced with the challenge of treating a stubborn nail fungus infection, many people favor an all natural nail fungus remedy. Though there are new prescription drugs available to treat the problem, they tend to be very expensive and come with some potential side effects that are unappealing. Traditional home remedies, on the other hand, can be anything but natural: typically they call for something like chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide, both of which come with dangers of their own. Fortunately, the alternative medicine profession has found some promising natural substances that can be as effective as the prescription drugs.

When searching for a product to heal nail fungus you probably can't do better than tea tree oil. This essential oil extracted from the tea tree, Melaleuca alternifolia, is showing great promise as an alternative to prescription medications for this common problem. Scientific research to date has shown that tea tree oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It has been used as an antiseptic for minor cuts and scrapes, as a topical treatment for acne, arthritis, insect bites, vaginal yeast infections, dandruff, athletes' foot, and as an all natural nail fungus remedy. Though it does not work in every case, it has rapidly become the alternative nail fungus treatment of choice.

Another all natural nail fungus remedy that has lots of anecdotal support but less scientific research to recommend is Pau d'Arco. Pau d’Arco products are made from the lining of the bark of the Tabebuia avellandae tree, a tree native to Brazil. Indigenous people of Brazil and even medical practitioners in Brazil have used Pau d'Arco for many years - bark tea, alcoholic extracts and glycerin extracts of the inner bark are now available from natural health stores. Advice to heal nail fungus includes both ingesting the tea and soaking the nail in the tea. Unfortunately, preparations of Pau d'Arco are not standardized and some are made from the wrong part of the tree, so it's difficult to be sure you're using the right thing. Pau d'Arco is also known as Lapacho, Taheebo, or Ipe Roxo.

To learn about any other all natural fungus remedy, research essential oils such as oregano oil, thyme oil, cinnamon oil or other oils of aromatic herbs. Apple cider vinegar, Vitamin E, and Saprox natural antifungal mud might also interest you. Keep in mind, however, that many of these approaches to heal nail fungus have not been scientifically studied - you have only the testimonials of other people who have used them to tell you whether they are likely to work.

As with any medical condition, have any suspected nail fungus infection properly diagnosed by a physician.