Thrush

Description

Thrush is an infection in the mouth or throat caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. It is normal to have small amounts of fungus in the mouth, but a change can take place in the body that lets the fungus spread out of control.

A naturopathic doctor, with a rather unique background in veterinary medicine, is J. D. Wallach, DVM., ND.

Dr. Wallach considers "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" to be a form of candidiasis, resulting from a yeast overgrowth i.e. the yeast overgrow the GI tract and spill over into the blood. This may be countered by restoring a proper balance of acidophilus and he also recognises herbal approaches, notably: Germanium.

Causes

Antibiotics are the leading cause of thrush as they kill the bacteria which normally suppress the fungus.

Other causes include: lowered resistance to infection due to illness, diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency, anemia, drug abuse, radiation and chemotherapy, and drugs which suppress the immune system, such as those given after organ transplants.

The alkaline nature of menstrual fluid combines with the acidic vaginal environment, balancing the chemistry (pH) of the vagina with normal, healthy flora. This balance may be disturbed by the use of tampons, for example, which may also cause injury to the vaginal walls, inviting infection e.g. HPV.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms include: white, slightly raised patches in the mouth or throat; ulcer in the mouth and throat where the patches of fungus have been scraped off; and painful burning sensation in the mouth and throat.

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function: Intestinal Health

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General Supplements
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L-acidophilus*        
Beta carotene                 50,000 i.u.
Betaine HCl*        
Magnesium (glycinate)        600 mg
Proanthocyanidins        100 mg.
Vitamin A                         10,000 i.u.
Vitamin C                         1,000 mg t.i.d.
Vitamin E                         400 i.u.
Zinc (picolinate)                15 - 20 mg

Frequent outbreaks indicate a need to undertake extensive changes in diet. Examples of the so-called: “candida diet” are common in bookstores; perhaps the most popular is authored by Dr. William Crook: “The Yeast Connection”. Vitamin and mineral supplementation as well as herbs may be added by the supervising physician.

Supplementing beneficial microflora is standard practice. At one time this featured acidophilus. Bifidus was added and now there is increased recognition of the importance of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).

To help remove the yeast overgrowth, without antibiotics, caprylic acid is popular.

Dietary Considerations

Anti-Candida Diet

Homeopathic Remedy

Candidiasis

1. Candida albicans tinct. - 30X
2. Raphanus - 15C
3. Torula cerevisiae - 15C

Vaginal thrush

1. Mercurius iodatus.

Advanced, by symptoms:

1. Itchy, milky discharge - Calcarea carbonica

2. Itchy, possible ulcers, odorous - Sepia.

3. Burning pain - Sulphur.

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency

Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.


References

Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Black horehound
Garlic plant
Geranium
Pau d'arco
Tea tree oil
White Dead Nettle flower (German Commission E)

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

References:

Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Geranium Essence,	Lemon Essence,
Rose Essence,	Sage Essence,
Tea Tree Essence.

Related Health Conditions

Anemia
Candida
Diabetes mellitus
Infection

Abstracts

References

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Hamilton, H.K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. Pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.

Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House Pub, New York. 832 pp.

Matee MI et al., Association between carriage of oral yeasts and malnutrition among Tanzanian infants aged 6-24 months. Oral Dis, 1995 Mar, 1:1, 37-42.

Scheutz F et al., Association between carriage of oral yeasts, malnutrition and HIV-1 infection among Tanzanian children aged 18 months to 5 years. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 1997 Jun, 25:3, 193-8.

Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.

Ticklay IM et al., HIV infection in malnourished children in Harare, Zimbabwe. East Afr Med J, 1997 Apr, 74:4, 217-20.

Van Amerongen, C. The Way Things Work; Book Of The Body. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1979.

Wallach, J. D. DVM., ND.: Let's Play Doctor. 1994. Double Happiness Publishing Co. Bonita, CA.