Candida is correlated with the presence of toxic heavy metals in the body.  Many health experts believe that candida binds to heavy metals and prevent them from entering the bloodstream, in effect shielding and protecting the body from the toxicity of metals.   In other words, the presence of heavy metals may cause candida to overgrow.  That said, it is important to detoxify heavy metals in combination with eliminating candida overgrowth to avoid a flare in heavy metal toxicity symptoms.  Candida overgrowth can be triggered by the overuse of antibiotics or a diet of high in refined sugar, processed food or carbohydrates. It can also be triggered when the body becomes too acidic or is under an abundance of stress. Candida overgrowth can be associated with the leaky gut syndrome, a weakened immune system, brain fog, digestive upsets, food allergies, and hormonal imbalances.

Before starting to cleanse candida from your body, it is important to make sure your body can eliminate the released toxins as quickly as possible so they are not reabsorbed back into the body.  Essential oils can be topically applied to support the following drainage pathways. The Vitality Pack, with the cleanse and restore kit, is the way to go.doTERRA Lifelong Vitality Pack^®, Zendocrine^® Softgels, Zendocrine Complex, DigestZen TerraZyme^®, GX Assist^®, PB Assist^®+, DDR Prime^® Softgels, Lemon essential oil.  The doTERRA Essentials Booklet comes with it as well because it is an enrollment kit. The back page of the books has 30-day cleanse check off the sheet in the back.

The liver is the primary organ of detoxification. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile which helps us emulsify fat for digestion and carries toxins out of the body. Ideally, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine where it is then eliminated from the body in the stool. When we eliminate the bile, we eliminate toxins with it.  Unfortunately, stress, toxicity, hormones, or diets too low or too high in fat can make the bile thick, viscous, and stagnant which impedes its ability to flow both to the small intestine and out of the body. The kidneys play a vital role in detoxification, regulating the flow and balance of fluids in the body, filtering the blood, and helping remove waste from the body through urination. The lymphatic system removes toxins from every cell in the body. It works as the body’s septic system, removing the byproducts and wastes created from metabolizing nutrients. Unlike the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system does not have a central pump—it only moves as the muscles squeeze it along. So the lack of movement makes the lymphatic system stagnant, with waste accumulating and excessive toxins building up. The lungs are sponge-like organs located near the backbone on either side of the heart, that play a key role in detoxification.  Our skin is our largest organ and can be a powerful channel for sweating out toxins either in a sauna or an Epsom salt bath.

Essential Oils for Biofilms

Biofilms shield pathogens like candida and parasites, making them challenging to treat, even with powerful prescription antifungal drugs.  Fortunately, lemongrass and clove essential oils are especially effective at busting through the tough biofilm that Candida hides behind.

Lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosus

A favorite oil for massages, Lemongrass provides a pungent, smoky aroma, and offers to purify and toning benefits for the skin. When the essential oil is vaporized, it can be even more effective in altering the cellular structures and surfaces of Candida. Lemongrass oil has direct aromatic applications for Candida and oral thrush to improve digestive health. Lemongrass essential oil, a powerful antiseptic, antidiarrheal, antifungal, and antibacterial essential oil can break up Candida biofilm and alter its cellular structures.

Clove Eugenia caryophyllata

Known for its ability to cleanse teeth and gums, Clove essential oil is also a stimulating and energizing oil that produces a warm, woody aroma. Clove essential oil was able to obstruct Candida formation with its antifungal activity, reducing candida strains to near zero levels! Researchers recommended further investigation into the use of clove essential oil for the clinical treatment of fungal infection. It can be applied behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone, on the bottom of the foot or on any digestive reflexology points (my favorites are on the ankle (three finger widths above the inner ankle bone) and the webbing between the big and the second toes. Another good way can also be added to 1-2 teaspoons organic coconut oil and swished around in the mouth as part of an oil pulling routine to alleviate oral thrush.  Try to swish the oil for 15 – 20 minutes to help break down the candida biofilms and detox the mouth (including the tongue).

Another supportive essential oil is  Comprised of antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal properties, Melaleuca.

(Tea Tree) Melaleuca alternifolia

Melaleuca, or Tea Tree oil, is best known for its purifying qualities, which make it useful for cleansing the skin and home surfaces, purifying the air, or promoting healthy immune function.*

oil can be used as a gentle and safe topical applied ointment for candida infections and other fungal infections present on the skin including athlete’s foot, eczema, and acne.  It can be used to treat vaginal yeast infections when topically applied via a tampon soaked in highly diluted tea tree oil.