Is Lavender Oil a Natural Anti-Fungal?

Is lavender oil a natural anti-fungal remedy? According to a new study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, lavender oil may help keep fungi that infect the skin and nails at bay.

Lavender Oil Benefits: A Natural Fungus Treatment?

Researchers at the University of Coimbra in Portugal tested the ability of lavender oil to kill a number of fungi that cause skin and hair infections, including the common fungus Candida that's responsible for yeast infections and oral thrush. Other fungi they tested were those that cause nail infections, athlete's foot and ringworm - to name a few. Lavender oil was effective at stopping the growth of these common, infection-causing fungi.

Where do the natural anti-fungal benefits of lavender oil come from? Some component of lavender oil damages the cell membrane of fungal cells, which keeps them from growing and replicating - and, ultimately, surviving.

This isn't the first time lavender oil has been recognized as a natural fungus treatment. Dr. Oz recommends using lavender oil as a drug-free way to treat nail fungus. Lavender oil may prove to be a natural anti-fungal treatment with fewer side-effects than commonly used prescription drugs. Plus, fungi that cause disease are becoming increasingly resistant to the commonly used anti-fungal prescription medications doctors prescribe.

Lavender Oil Benefits and Side-Effects

Lavender oil has also been cited for its ability to promote sleep, as a treatment for head lice, as a digestive aid, and for better circulation. None of these benefits are proven - and there could be risks to using lavender oil.

Lavender oil contains compounds that mimic the female sex hormone estrogen. There have been cases of boys developing enlarged breasts after using lavender oil. Some of it can be absorbed into the circulation even when it's applied it to the skin. Women who have had breast cancer should avoid using lavender oil because of its estrogen-like properties.

Lavender Oil as a Natural Anti-Fungal: The Bottom Line?

Lavender oil shows promising for treating skin and nail fungal infections, but use it with caution since it contains compounds that mimic estrogen. Talk to your doctor first, especially if you have a history of breast cancer.

References:

Dr. Oz website. "Lavender Oil for Fungus and Green Tea for Bad Breath"

N Engl J Med. 2007; 356: 479-485.

Eurekalert.org. "Lavender Oil Has Potent Antifungal Effect"