Natural Remedies for Nail Fungus: Home Treatments

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sbs3915 (Louisiana) on 03/28/2016
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

Hi, I've had toenail fungus for the last six years. It bothers me aesthetically, but also causes concern that I have fungus in the rest of my body causing aflatoxins.

I've tried Listerine, Vicks, Potassium Iodide, Oregano Oil, and pretty much every other common OTC "cure" including methylene blue topically and orally.

The only time my nails mostly healed I was drinking a gallon of milk a day and heavily supplementing zinc. This led to other problems such as IBS and lower libido so I stopped that regimen.

The other sensitive "cause" is once I start supplementing selenomethionine or even eating more Brazil nuts, the nails start getting more yellow and brittle.

Just looking for any other advice? Or does anyone have luck with internal pharmaceutical antifungals?

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Suzy (Indiana) on 03/29/2016

I sure understand your frustration with toe nail fungus. I suffered from it for years. Raised, discolored thick and painful nails that nothing would fix until I started taking apple cider vinegar daily, a decent size shot in water in the morning and another at night. I did it for weight loss and my nails grew out beautiful. I wasn't expecting it and I wasn't taking the ACV for that reason. I had no idea it would clear up the fungus but it makes sense when you think about it. I kept the bad part of my nails cut short because they hurt if I hit my toe on something. When I realized they were growing out clean and pink, I kept them well trimmed as They grew out new. They reattached to the nail bed. I can't tell you how happy I am with this. It's the absolute only thing that worked. They are still as pretty as can be. Thank God. I hope you give it a try and stick with it. They take awhile to grow. Trash your old shoes too.

UV Light

Posted by John (California) on 03/25/2016

I have been thinking about this idea for sometime now. I'm glad someone did it before I order the lights.

UV Light

Posted by Claudia Yeager (West Virginia) on 08/11/2017

Where do you get or order the nail lights? Thanks.

Ozonated Olive Oil

Posted by Tassi (Berkeley, California) on 05/09/2015
0 out of 5 stars

I read many impressive things about ozonated olive oil as a cure, so (having tried just about every other remedy for nail fungus and candida) I finally ordered some online from what seems a reputable source. I used it sparingly, applying with a toothpick to just one or two fingernails at first, then after a couple of days I applied it sparingly to all my fingernails, as they are all infested with fungus. From the first application, I was distressed by the intense smell but I think this is just how it is "supposed to smell." After the second day of applying to all my fingers, still very sparingly, my face swelled up. A liquid formed under my skin, a bag formed under one eye, then I watched my face sag down over the next few weeks and now, a couple months later, I am left with having aged in appearance about 5 years. I can't recommend this to anybody who has sensitivities. Note that I never touched my face with the stuff, or anyplace else other than around all the edges of my fingernails.

Ozonated Olive Oil

Posted by Tassi (Berkeley, California) on 05/23/2015

Well, thanks for that idea, and I am very intrigued that you have had such success with vitamin c and skin cancers (! ). But I do not see any tissue loss on my face, just an added fold of baggy, slightly puffy skin at the naso-labial crease. That I would like to lose!

Ozonated Olive Oil

Posted by Tassi (Berkeley, California) on 05/23/2015

Azoxystrobin Fungicide

Posted by Catherine (Oregon, US) on 09/29/2014
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

Hey there!

I've written before but no one got back to me. I hope I have better luck this time.

Been taking the Borax but it's not working anymore and I need a new anti-fungal as this seems to be main prob.

I'm trying to find Azoxystrobin without added chemicals but have not been able to locate any by web searching. It was mentioned by some ppl on your site but I could only find some huge $500 gal sources and again not sure if there were other ingredients with it.

Can you help me with this or at least respond this time?

Thank you!

Azoxystrobin Fungicide

Posted by Timh (KY) on 09/30/2014 2042 posts

Catherine: It would be good if you provided a little more detail on what you have tried that didn't work. Anyway, there really isn't any short answers and magic bullets when it comes to fungal infections simply because most times, especially w/ Candida, it's only a manifestation of an underlying immune problem which is sometimes greatly helped by detoxing and a parasite cleanse.

Here is a link to the E.C. Candida page for your perusal https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/candida.html

Have you read Bill's Killing So Sweetly book advertised here on E.C.??

Azoxystrobin Fungicide

Posted by Prioris (Fl, US) on 09/30/2014

I saw this. not sure if this is what you want.

Azoxystrobin

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/361014750800?lpid=82

http://www.amazon.com/Heritage-Granular-Fungicide-Pound-Bag/dp/B003ORY7IM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1412060311&sr=8-3&keywords=azoxystrobin

Bleach

Posted by Vera (Ireland ) on 08/14/2017

I have fungus since I was in my teens now in my four toes. I have tried tablets and lamisil which this cream spread the fungus to all my toe nails by using it ...if I was to bleach my feet what bleach would I use here in Ireland plz

White Vinegar

Posted by Suzanne (Norman Ok) on 03/17/2014
★★★★★

This is what worked for me regarding nail fungus. I had a fungus which ate away almost my entire fingernail until I discovered soaking it in white vinegar killed it in two days. I would soak for 15 minutes in undiluted white vinegar. I also had fungus affecting both big toenails. I had been soaking my toes in undiluted white vinegar for 15 minutes, then applying a mixture of coconut oil, OTC athlete's foot cream and vapor rub to my toes. That was slowly working but when I added a monostat cream to the mix the fungus was gone within a week. My toenails are clear for the first time in 10 years. Good luck to all!

Hydrogen Peroxide, Iodine

Posted by Lon (Martinez, Georgia) on 12/14/2021

Has anyone else had success with this method?

Ted's Remedies

Posted by John (Bangkok, Thailand) on 12/18/2013
0 out of 5 stars

I am sorry to hear about Ted fm Bangkok. I live in Bangkok and the authorities and the Thai version of the AMA here does not like competition.

I have a fungus problem that seemingly went the wrong direction while being cured but I would appreciate some advice/input if anyone has an idea on the matter.

I developed what seemed to be large tinea corporis rash (doctor advised) on my backside about 6 months ago. I did not notice it for quite sometime so it may have been there for some while before that. About 10 weeks ago I saw a doctor here and they gave me the usual anti-fungal cremes. Over several weeks there was no improvement. In fact, the fungus migrated to my hand and fingers and later the elbows and ankles. They then felt it was internal now and gave me Sporanox and Lamisil tablets etc. No change except to increase intensity of the rash symptoms. Not much itching however, only rash and some rash spreading. I tried various other methods and but not much happened. I had systemic candida 15 years ago and beat it with diet and Mycostatin, etc and it was nothing like that.

Forward to 01 December 2013. I started on what I had read from Ted from Bangkok. I began the regimen of Sodium bicarbonate 1/4 teaspoon and water, 3 x per day and 1/4 teaspoon of Borax in 1 liter water. The borax I started at 50 ml per day. After several days a small reaction began what I assumed was Herx effect. The body trying to get the toxins out quickly. Skin on the rash became very dry and flaking off. But then it stopped. So from what I read, if one had a severe fungal case then increase the dosage to about 100 ml per day. This I did with a 5 day on / 2 day off program. Soon the Monday of the second week the dosage was increased to 100 ml per day. By Thursday a real noticeable effect appeared, the skin was dying off the rashes almost everywhere but the rashes were spreading. I put this down to the increased Herx effect. I stopped for the 2 days on Saturday however, the rashes increased.

Dramatically. They started to appear all over. Now they are also around my eyes and lips and under the arms and even the back of my neck. Face feels like it is puffing up from sunburn a bit as a result. They are very dry and itchy and sometimes small lesions develop on the finger joints (though I put this down to the fact they are so dry that it is cracking).

That was Saturday and this is Wednesday. It is quite debilitating and irritating and since it has gone to the eyelids, nose corners, lips, etc etc it is a bit worrisome. I have not done anymore borax since last Friday feeling it was just a increased Herx effect. So that would be 5 days now with no borax use. I still maintain the sodium bicarbonate regimen as before and drinking a lot of water , etc..

These particular effects started after the borax use, nothing like this happened prior. It seems to be increasing daily. I get good sleep, food and exercise, etc.. Any input is appreciated.

Is it the Herx and I just need to wait it out or is it something else. Go back on the borax. ???

Sincerely, John Bkk

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 12/18/2013

At this point I think you can assume it is not fungal and maybe try treating it like a viral infection. You can use vit C, oil of oregano, lysine, colloidal silver, etc.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 12/19/2013

Hi John...Your problem seems to be a bit of a mystery but I think it can at least be partially explained.

For fungal problems, Ted recommends drinking the Borax Water at 1/4 tsp borax in a liter of water throughout the day. That's one liter bottle a day. A 1/4 tspn of borax is equivalent to 1000 mgs borax per day.

Your borax water therefore contains 1000 mgs borax dissolved in 1000mls of water. But your own effective per diem dosage is only 50 mls or 100mls per day -- equivalent to 50 mgs or 100mgs per day -- well below Ted's recommended 1000mgs in water per day.

What I'm saying is that the borax dose that your taking -- 50mgs or 100mgs -- is about 5% or 10% respectively of the per diem dose recommended by Ted.

Since borax is a great detoxer of fluoride from the body -- I'm also wondering if you might have high concentrations of fluoride in your body. If you did then the borax would also chelate out any fluoride from your cells and put it into the blood -- which can accumulate in excess and give rise to a form of fluoroderma or skin problems as a detox effect when fluoride is in excess in the blood.

I therefore think that it might greatly benefit you if you were to have a simple hair analysis (not expensive) -- this will tell you exactly what minerals and vitamins you are lacking in your diet and will also tell you what poisons, heavy metals and halides you have in excess in your body. If you have any excess fluoride or other poisons -- it will show up in the results.

You also mentioned that the doctor said that the tinea corporis has gone internal. I find this extremely surprising and hard to believe because tinea corporis is a dermatophyte -- a fungus that can only exist topically on the skin. Much more likely, perhaps, that the doctor meant that you had candida, a well known internal problem. And since you had candida before I think that your problems might also be related to this.

When I had systemic candida, I also had many fungal type skin problems -- including psoriasis(which is apparently incurable), athletes foot(for over 20 years), eczma and tinea cruris. When I eventually got rid of my candida, all these skin problems -- including the psoriasis -- just disappeared.

The anti-candida protocol is shown at this link. This protocol is mainly based on Ted's approach to internal fungal problems.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Jillery (North America) on 12/19/2013 84 posts

I was wondering how long it was going to take before I read about using urine for rosacea!! I'm not adverse to the idea... I actually find it kind of funny!

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Om (Hope Bc Canada) on 12/19/2013

Well, yes, Jillery, you are welcome. That's what I have been doing and people are wondering about my good skin. I ingest it and do my hair with it. It will grow a good mop of hair, too. It is good for many things provided no alcohol, meat or drugs. Regards, Om

Epsom Salt, Colloidal Silver

Posted by Frank Knows (Usa) on 08/11/2013
★★★★★

I'm shocked that no person has recommended epsom salt for Nail Fungus. Soak your feet as directed every other day for 3-5 days, also colloidal silver. One drop on each nail. Take a break in between treatments, one day , Don't treat each nail if not needed, just the infected one with colloidal and the ES should take care of the rest.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Tassi (Calif.) on 09/22/2014
★☆☆☆☆

I bought an expensive pure wild oregano oil oreganoworld very strong smell, 87.6% min. carvacrol, and it did nothing but SPREAD the fungus from 2 fingernails to all five nails on the same hand. I was also putting it in capsules and taking it internally. I eat no sugar & min. carbs, wear flipflops only, keep all nails dry as possible, also tried remedies: Vicks; ACV; baking soda, borax, iodine (internal & external, all 3); coconut oil; colloidal silver; garlic (burned heck out of toe); GSE ("max strength"); Listerine; Olive leaf extract (internal), I am allergic to rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil and neem oil. I have candida and nothing has worked on that -- food grade H2O2 when reaching treatment dose levels made my ankles swell (edema began so I had to quit H2O2 as edema kept getting worse), I tried niacin and my knees swelled up and became unstable. The candida has me under control, it seems. Cannot drink ACV or I get oral herpes outbreak.

What DOES kind of work for the nail funguses is hydrogen peroxide soaks and dipping or dripping it on multiple times a day. If I get the dose right it keeps the fungus sort of under control, at least the nails do not get maximally weird, although the fingernails are eaten away, & need to be clipped halfway down the nailbed, which is quite painful. I always bleach the clipper in between each nail.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 09/23/2014

I would try Manuka Honey that has at least a MKO rating of at least 400 on nail fungus. That is therapeutic dose. MKO rating measures the amount of active ingredient. Even hospitals use it. Castor oil is something else. I would buy the hand held $20 infrared (infrarex ST-302) on amazon to help it absorb quickly. Your case is interesting because you tried so many things. Have you ever tested to see what kind of fungus it is.

Sunlight

Posted by Feethurt (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 07/04/2013
★★★★☆

I've had a persistent problem with Toenail Fungus that made my nails get thick and turn inward like claws. I had read an article in Dr. Mercola's website that had a paragraph in it saying to expose feet to sunlight. I was living in the SF Bay Area (cool and foggy) so it wasn't practical but now I've moved to a climate that is more sunny (Albuquerque) and I started wearing sandals in April. My toenails aren't so curved in any more and they don't hurt so much when I trim them.

This is the link to his article. Scroll down to the paragraph titled "Using Sunlight to Treat Chronic Toenail Fungus Infections"

EC: Interestingly, the Mercola article also references Blue Light and Sunlight for antibiotic-resistant infections. Earth Clinic happens to have a Remedies page on this, created years ago! Click the link above to check it out!

Oxine AH

Posted by Christina (Winnemucca, Nevada) on 06/06/2013

Very interesting!! I'm going to look into it.

Oxine AH

Posted by Trudyg (Waynesboro, Va, Usa) on 06/06/2013

I just made a comment under the jock itch comment, gave a link to the page listing what Oxine it kills. Google it. http://www.prohealthmicrobials.com/Oxine103S.jpg

Listerine

Posted by Andrea C (Cardiff, Wales) on 04/15/2013

Listerine has got 'TRICLOSAN' in it. Go Google Triclosan.

Listerine

Posted by Andre (Petaluma, Ca) on 07/21/2013

I used a Swedish mouthwash called Vademecum with great success. I applied it on the nail twice a day for a month and it completely disappeared? I ordered it online through Amazon.com. I had tried all prescription medications before with no results. Nice to know that Listerine works too.

Listerine

Posted by Lajaun (Seattle, Wa) on 03/24/2014

How much Listerine did you use.

Listerine

Posted by Dolores (New Jersey) on 06/30/2014

Listerine is also great for dandruff...I have used this remedy for dandruff in the past (about 15 years ago) when the only Listerine available was when it was sold in the brown bag like cover. Tingles but worth the try.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Lesley (Nanaimo, Bc, Canada) on 02/28/2013

Fungus under Toenails... I was reading a number of messages about the use of food grade hydrogen peroxide. My question is, would this be a good external as well as internal treatment for the fungus? What solution for the external? Thanks.

Black Cumin

Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 11/01/2012

Where would I buy this in nova scotia, Canada?

Black Cumin

Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 11/01/2012

What he or she refers is Nigella Sativa -The other name is Kalonji- you can easily get it in Indian Grocery Store, Pakistani, Afghanistan stores. Kalonji Oil is also available in these stores.

Black Cumin

Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 11/01/2012

sorry... My fault for not being clear, I appreciate your comment reply... But I was hoping someone from nova scotia would reply, that maybe they had found it here.

Black Cumin

Posted by Longbow_Texas (San Antonio, TX) on 09/23/2022

For toenail fungus, how much, how often, and for how long each time, for how many days?

Sugar-Free Diet

Posted by Alaskan (Palmer, Alaska) on 09/25/2012

Thank you for this information. I have been battling toe nail fungus for years. I have used Tea Tree Oil to keep it under control. But, I have always known that sugar is not a good thing for me. I am willing to cut it out and see if it clears this up!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Kate (Pegram, Tennessee, Usa) on 09/22/2012

I am new to Earthclinic... I sent TED and email but have not received any answer as of yet.

I have never dealt with toenail fungus until June 22, 2012. I have checked both with comments here at Earth Clinic and all over the web looking for someone who has experienced a severe fungal toenail that is detaching from the nail bed... I have been to two podiatrists. The second one cut down the loose part of the fungal nail and told me to keep using my routine which has been apple cider vinegar. He said removing the nail was not a good idea because I don't have great circulation in my foot and there's a big possibilility that the toe would not heal and would get gangrenous.

So I have done as he said... I am to visit his office every two months.

I noticed the fungus growing out from under the base of what's left of the old nail as well as on the left side of nail. It seemed loose so I pulled the fungus away which detached the old toenail from the bottom. I already had space behind the old toenail where the fungus had died (I guess). I noticed liguid white discharge on my skin where podiatrist had trimmed toenail.... And also under my now almost detached toenail. I very carefully scooped it out and off with a sterilized toenail clipper (the file part) I was afraid to use anything else for fear of bacterial infection.

Now the area is still filled but the white discharge has turned brown. The fungus has attached my skin so severely that I do not put vinegar on everyday. I do soak my foot in plain water for about 20 mins, then dry thoroughly. I wear opened toe slides constantly so toes get plenty of air. I cover my bad toes with a thin sterilized, clean cotton handkerchief material. I don't want any bacteria to get into my toe.

So far before going to podiatrist, I have used Vick's, hydrogen peroxide and water, and vinegar from the grocery store. I read about DMSO, pharmacy grade . I am going to mix it with 50 % distilled water and apply it to toenail area after I have applied coconut oil. I don't think my skin can take anything stronger right now. My skin is still red, some swelling, sore and very, very tender... I could not wear shoes with toes in if I had to.

My question... after my nail was cut a clear water discharge came out from behind my nail, then after a week or so and vinegar soak the clear went to a white milky looking discharge which has now turned brown and seems to be serving as a scab of sorts, it's brown so I assume that it's fungus growing still.

Since there seems to be no real cure... I am desperately wanting to just eliminate the tender soreness and swelling. I hope this DMSO if used properly does not make my toe worse. I had blood work done. The fungal infection is not in my bloodstream... The podiatrist side it was a skin fungal infection. For now he did not want to remove nail as I said... For fear it will not heal. I do not have diabetes. I control blood sugar with my diet.

Does anyone have any comments?? I am worried, my mother lost her leg from a caregiver cutting a toenail too short.... so I know how easily this can become life threatening. All comments or help appreciated.

Thanks, Kate

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Jay Mango (Germantown, Ohio, USA) on 09/23/2012

tea tree oil will kill toenail fungus you can buy it at walmart for pretty reasonable or at a health food store. Good luck

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Kate (Raleigh, Nc, United States) on 09/23/2012 6 posts

Kate: If the tea tree oil remedy that was offered by Jay doesn't work, you may want to try a borax solution. I dissolve one teaspoon of borax in 3oz of hot tap water and pour it into a 3oz spray bottle that I purchased from [a] Beauty Supply [shop]. I spray my feet with this borax solution and rub it in. So far, it seems to help the small patch of athlete's foot fungus on my left foot. It may help your toenail fungus. I've been doing this for about ten days as of 09/23/12. I think it takes a while to completely heal. You may want to read the entries for the borax remedy on EarthClinic. Good luck. Your condition sounds very distressing.

Emu Oil

Posted by Sean (Portland, Or) on 09/07/2012
★★★★★

Put pure emu oil on your nails for a month. Tougher cases may take longer. My fungus was cured. Hope yours responds in the same way.

NAET

Posted by Selena (Port Coquitlam, Bc, Canada) on 07/11/2012
★★★★★

I had a case of very stubborn toe nail fungus, nothing would work. I had it for about 10 years. I found an NAET practitioner and she cleared the systemic fungus with acupressure on the spine -- one treatment and my nails grew out pink and beautiful!

Ted's Remedies

Posted by Cjizzle (Raleigh, Nc) on 05/25/2012
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Hi Guys. I would definitely not use Clorox on my bare hands. Clorox is unsafe to use on bare skin or to inhale. I would try monistat or the Vicks and ACV method before Clorox. I posted a link for you all to see the very adverse affects Clorox can have. Everybody be safe!

http://www.ehow.com/about_6602332_dangers-breathing-clorox_.html

Sunlight

Posted by Jwmci (Boulder, Co) on 04/06/2012
★★★★★

My son has been running barefoot for various reasons. An interesting sidelight is that his toenail fungus disappeared, leading him to believe that sunlight is the key. It would be interesting to try an artificial sun light.

Ted's Remedies

Posted by George (Mississauga, Ontario) on 03/21/2012

I am unclear on how to apply Ted's Remedies for toe nails only. I have very bad fungus that has taken the left protion of my large to nail and it is not growing. I have stopped it with Vicks but it still seems to be there and the nail is not growing (maybe it will take a while)

Back to your remedy, do I also use the clorox bleach the vasaline and tree oil on my foot as you state for finger nails?

Distilled Vinegar

Posted by Daryl (Tok, Ak.) on 02/06/2012
★★★★★

I've been useing white vinegar and water and it works great. Mix it 1cup of vinegar to 4 cups of water you can triple that or what ever it takes to cover the infected area, Soak for half hour once a day.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Lisa (Jacksonville, Fl) on 01/29/2012

Thank you for this post; I have enjoyed reading. I have struggled with candida for the past (nearly) 3 years. After 18 months on a diet free of yeast, sugar, cheese, white flour and fruit, I have made a tremendous recovery. I suffered from taking antifungals - 4 months of colitis. You are right -we invest in so much junk, but not our health!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Stephanie (Hari Hari, New Zealand) on 02/04/2012

Hi, I used straight/neat good quality tea tree oil and massaged affected nails over 3 days. Nails now growing normal again and no recurrence or spread to other nails.