Jock itch

Also known as tinea cruris, jock itch is a growth of fungus in the warm, moist area of the groin.

Fungal infections are named for the affected part of the body. Cruris is derived from the Latin word for leg, hence Tinea cruris, for the fungal rash affecting the area where the leg joins the pelvis. Fungi seem to thrive in dark moist places.

Jock itch has been found most often in males, especially those who wear athletic equipment and frequently use public showers and locker rooms. It is also thought that some fungal infections may be spread by towels that may be inadequately cleansed between gym/spa users, but this has not been clearly documented.

Fungal infections can invade or spread to various other areas of the body, and are named for the affected body part. For example, Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the head, usually resulting in red, itchy areas that destroy the hair in the affected area.

A fungal infection of the skin on the arms, legs or chest is called Tinea corporis. Athlete’s foot or Tinea pedis is a fungal infection in the moist skin fold between the toes. Fungal infection affecting the toenails is called Tinea unguium, and causes thickened, crumbly toenails.

Causes and symptoms

The mode of transmission of fungal infections is not clear, but it seems that some individuals are more prone to development of the infection than others. An average of one in five people develops fungal infection at some point during their lifetime.

Fungal infection can also be carried by household pets, such as cats and dogs, or by farm animals. In animals, fungal infection manifests it-self as a missing area of fur.

In humans, as the fungus grows, it spreads to surrounding tissues in a circular fashion, with the skin in the middle returning to a normal appearance. The borders of the affected area may look red and scaly, and the individual may complain of intense itching and/or burning.

Because the borders develop a raised appearance, there may appear to be a worm beneath the skin and be referred to as ringworm. There is, however, no worm affecting the skin or underlying tissue in cases of fungal infections, including jock itch.

Diagnosis

Often a case of jock itch can be identified based on the characteristic description previously described. If assessed by a conventional doctor, the area of affected skin may be scraped onto a glass slide for definitive diagnosis under the microscope.

In order to determine the exact type of fungus present, a small piece of affected skin may be sent to a laboratory for further study or cultured via scrapings from the affected area.

Treatment

Topical treatments include poultices of peppermint, oregano, or lavender. Tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil of almond oil can be applied to the rash several times per day. Cedarwood and jasmine oils can relieve itching when applied in the same manner. Grapefruit seed extract can be taken as a strong solution of 15 drops in 1 oz of water.

Bupleurum, or Chinese thoroughwax, is an Asian plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Japanese Kampo formulations to treat jock itch and other fungal skin infections. Bupleurum contains compounds known as saikosaponins, which have anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects.

A good remedy for jock itch is to wash the groin area with the diluted juice of a freshly squeezed lemon, which can help dry up the rash. A hair dryer on the cool setting can also be used on the area after showering to dry it thoroughly.

A warm bath relieves itching in many patients. The affected area should kept clean and dry, and patients are advised to wear loose-fitting pure cotton underwear. Fabrics that contain polyester or nylon hold moisture against the body.

Allopathic treatment

Typical conventional treatment for jock itch involves the use of an antifungal cream, spray, or powder twice a day for about two weeks. Two commonly used over-the-counter antifungal preparations are clotrimazole (Lotrimin) and tolnaftate (Tinactin).

While the tendency to discontinue treatment once itching disappears is common, patients should use the antifungal preparation for a full two-week course in order to prevent recurrence of the infection. As of 2002, doctors recommend continuing the treatment for a full week following clinical clearance of the infection.

Expected results

Most tinea infections resolve without scarring or spread of infection below the skin’s surface. Inflammation, however, may require the use of a combination antifungal/steroid medication.

Prevention

Careful attention to skin hygiene, including the maintenance of clean, dry, and intact skin, is the most important step in preventing the development of fungal infection. Light clothing should be worn during warm weather to decrease perspiration and allow dissipation of body heat.

Clean and dry cotton underwear will wick perspiration away from the skin, and prevent jock itch from developing. Use baby powder to keep the area dry during exercise. Do not share towels at the gym. Dietary measures discussed under treatment will also prevent initial fungal infection and/or recurrence.

Read more »

Reishi mushroom

Reishi mushrooms are some of the most widely used medicinal mushrooms in the world. Their scientific name is Ganoderma lucidum.

In Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are known as ling zhi, which means spiritual plant as the Chinese believe the herb is healing for the spirit. Some Asians make good luck charms from the mushrooms in addition to using them as medicine.

The Latin name Ganoderma means shiny skin, which describes the reddish brown caps of the mushrooms. Reishi mushrooms are kidney-shaped and grow to 8 in (20 cm) or more in diameter.

They grow in moist and temperate forest areas of Asia, Europe, South America, and the United States. Reishi mushrooms typically attach themselves to trees, particularly oak and plum trees.

Reishi mushrooms have a long history. They have been used in China and Japan for nearly 4,000 years as a health tonic and as folk medicine for liver problems, heart conditions, asthma, cancer, high blood pressure, and arthritis.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are classified in a group of herbs known as Fu Zheng, which Chinese herbalists believe are the most powerful herbs for all-around strength, health, and longevity. Other Fu Zheng herbs include Korean ginseng and astragalus.

Reishi mushrooms have been rare and expensive for most of their history because they are difficult to cultivate and find in the wild. In the 1980s, a Japanese man named Shigeaki Mori developed an intricate and effective method of cultivating them, which has made them widely available and affordable.

Reishi mushrooms have been well researched and tested, mostly in China and Japan. Scientists have isolated several chemicals in them that have pharmacological (medicinal) effects on the body.

Reishi mushrooms contain compounds called polysaccharides, which have been shown to help the body fight cancerous tumors and also stimulate the immune system to combat infections and viruses.

In studies on mice, reishi mushrooms have shown very strong results against cancerous tumors. One Japanese study suggests that reishi mushrooms may serve as a chemopreventive against colon cancer.

Other substances called triterpenes have been found in reishi mushrooms and shown to lower blood pressure and improve circulation. Reishi mushrooms also contain sterols, which may influence the hormonal system; and natural antihistamines, which reduce allergic reactions and inflammation in the body.

More recently, reishi mushrooms have been identified as a source of antioxidants, which are enzymes or other organic compounds that counteract the damaging effects of oxidation on human tissue.

In Asia, numerous clinical studies with humans have documented reishi mushrooms’ healing properties. They have shown significant results in treating hepatitis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and heart disease.

Reishi mushrooms have also been shown to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, increase white blood cell count, reduce allergic reactions, and have a calming effect on the central nervous system when given to humans in observed studies.

General use

Reishi mushrooms are recommended as a general tonic for health, energy, and longevity. They are prescribed for diseases including coronary heart disease, cancer, and AIDS; and for such chronic infections as bronchitis, hepatitis, and mononucleosis.

Reishi mushrooms are also used to treat high blood pressure, asthma, nervous disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, and arthritis. In China, they are used by mountain climbers to combat altitude sickness and are given as an antidote to patients who have eaten poisonous mushrooms.

Preparations

Reishi mushrooms are available dried and as powder, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and syrup. Reishi products can be found in health food stores, herb stores, and Chinese markets. The recommended daily dosage varies with conditions.

For severe conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and chronic infections, 9–15 g daily in three equally divided dosages is recommended. For a general health tonic and for less severe conditions of asthma, high blood pressure, infections, and nervous disorders, 2–6 g can be taken daily, in three equal portions.

Tea can be made from dried mushrooms or powder, and the recommended ratio is 2–5 g of dried mushroom per liter of water. The mixture should be simmered on low heat for more than two hours, to extract all the active ingredients.

The tea can be drunk twice daily. For severe health conditions or for an antidote to mushroom poisoning, some herbalists recommend a strong reishi tea mixture, with up to 20 g of dried mushrooms per liter of water.

Precautions

People with allergies to molds or fungi should use care with reishi mushrooms, although allergic reactions to them are generally rare. Consumers should search for reishi products that are made by reputable manufacturers.

Some dried mushrooms have been sold as Reishi mushrooms when they were actually similar mushrooms by the scientific names of Ganoderma oregonense and Ganoderma tsugae. These resemble reishi mushrooms in appearance and taste and are in the same genus, but according to herbalists have different and less-effective healing properties.

Side effects

In clinical studies, reishi mushrooms have been shown to be nontoxic in high doses, and severe side effects have not been observed. Mild side effects may include stomach upset, dry mouth, diarrhea, and skin rash, and generally disappear after several days. Side effects can be alleviated by stopping use, or in the case of stomach upset and diarrhea, taking the supplement with meals.

Interactions

For treating severe conditions, large doses of vitamin C, from 1–10 g per day, may be prescribed in conjunction with reishi mushrooms. Prescribing vitamin C has been observed to reduce the side effect of diarrhea that may occur with patients who are given large doses of reishi mushrooms.

Reishi mushrooms have been reported to intensify the effects of blood-thinning (anticoagulant) drugs, including aspirin, dalteparin sodium, enoxaparin sodium, and warfarin. Patients taking these medications should not use tonics or other preparations containing reishi mushrooms without consulting their physicians.

Read more »

Usnea

Usnea is a unique species of herb because it is created through a symbiotic relationship between lichens and algae. Symbiosis refers to the living together of two different organisms.

In the case of lichens, both the alga and the fungus benefit from the relationship. Other names for usnea include lichen moss and old man’s beard. Usnea can be found in forests in northern North America and are also found in Europe.

Some usnea are able to keep growing even after being broken off from the parent organism. Usnea are very sensitive to the air quality and may be killed by absorbing pollutants. In fact, usnea are used as indicators of regional pollution levels.

When a fungus and an alga combine, the resulting organism does not resemble either component. The fungal component has the main influence over the appearance and is the determinant for the species name of each lichen.

The local environment also influences the appearance of the lichen. In general, usnea appear as long, hairy or fuzzy strings that hang from trees, rocks, and decomposing wood.

The fibers (branches) of usnea are round and contain a slender white cord at the core. During wet conditions, the white cord has elastic properties. Lichens are usually gray or green in color that varies depending upon the algal component. For instance, green lichens have a green algal component.

Some usnea are able to keep growing even after being broken off from the parent organism. Usnea are very sensitive to the air quality and may be killed by absorbing pollutants. In fact, usnea are used as indicators of regional pollution levels.

The primary active ingredient in usnea is usnic acid. Usnic acid protects the lichen from overexposure to light and its bitter taste prevents invertebrates (creatures that lack a spinal cord) from eating it. Usnic acid has antibacterial and antitumor activities.

Against certain bacteria, usnic acid is stronger than the antibiotic penicillin. Usnic acid is effective against gram-positive bacteria including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pneumococcus but, unlike many antibiotics, does not harm the gram-negative bacteria that live in the gut and vagina.

It is also effective against the bacterium that causes tuberculosis and may be effective against certain fungi and protozoans (simple, single-celled organisms such as trichomonas). It is believed that usnic acid works by disrupting the metabolism (the chemical and physical processes of an organism) of bacteria while leaving human cells unharmed.

Usnea contains mucilage, which can help ease coughing. It also has expectorant (brings up lung mucous) activity. Mucilage is a thick slimy substance produced by plants that has a soothing effect on mucous membranes. Herbalists consider usnea a muscle relaxant and an immune system stimulant.

Other constituents of usnea species may include barbatolic, evernic, lobaric, tartaric, thamnolic, stictinic, and usnaric acids.

General use

Usnea was historically used to treat indigestion because of its bitter taste and activity as a digestive system stimulant. The peoples of ancient China, Egypt, and Greece used usnea to treat infections. In the fourteenth century, it was believed that usnea could strengthen hair because of its hair-like appearance.

Usnea is used to treat abscesses, colds, cough, cystitis, fungal infections (such as athletes foot or ringworm), gastrointestinal (stomach and intestine) irritations, influenza, sore throats (including strep throat), respiratory infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.), skin ulcers, urinary tract infections, and vaginal infections.

Extracts of lichens have been used in deodorants and soaps. Usnea is also used to promote healthy teeth and gums and to treat oral infections. It is used by naturopathic physicians to treat mild cervical dysplasia (abnormal growth of cells on the cervix).

Usnea barbata is a homeopathic remedy for headaches and sunstroke. Usnea hirta is used as an antibiotic as is Usnea florida, which can also be an antituberculosis agent. Usnea longissima is used as an expectorant.

Because of the absorbent quality of usnea, it has been used in baby diapers, wound dressings, and feminine napkins (sanitary pads).

Preparations

Usnea is commercially available in bulk form or as a powder, capsule, or tincture.

The tincture should be diluted in water before ingesting or using externally. Usnea tincture may be taken every two hours to treat bacterial infections. Other sources recommend taking 3-4 ml of tincture three times daily.

A usnea tea can be prepared by steeping 2-3 tsp of dried lichen or 1-2 tsp of powdered lichen in 1 cup of boiling-hot water. The tea may be taken three times a day.

In the capsule form, the patient should take 100 mg of usnea three times a day.

Usnea is used externally to treat fungal infections and skin ulcers. It can also be used as a douche to treat cystitis, urinary tract infections, and vaginal infections.

Usnea is generally used as a vaginal suppository to treat mild cervical dysplasia. It is taken by mouth to treat colds, strep throat, influenza, sore throats, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Precautions

Usnea should not be used for more than three weeks in a row. Pregnant women should not use usnea because it may promote uterine contractions.

Side effects

Usnea may cause gastrointestinal disorders in some persons.

Interactions

As of 2004, there are no reports of interactions between usnea and other drugs or herbal medicines.

Read more »

Diagnosing Candida

Feeling A Little "Off" Lately?

Feeling a little fatigued or run down? Do you have a postnasal drip or possibly some nagging abdominal discomfort? Have you thought about candida albicans being the cause?

Candidiasis is a common complaint that is caused by the abnormal growth of a parasitic yeast-like fungus know as candida albicans. In a healthy people, it inhabits the intestine, mouth, esophagus, throat and genital tract, however under certain conditions the yeast will multiply it self and travel through the blood stream to other parts of the body.

The symptoms of candida are often vague, plus very diverse. For example, there might be gut related problems such as constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, bad breath, heartburn or colitis. Mood swings, depression or a foggy memory might be present.

There can also be strange tingling sensations, numbness in the face or extremities plus some severe and embarrassing itching in places like the genitals or rectal area . These are just of the signs of candida overgrowth.

How to Beat Candida and Thrush, Naturally: A holistic, drug free treatment guide

The Yeast Syndrome: How to Help Your Doctor Identify & Treat the Real Cause of Your Yeast-Related Illness

How Do You Know If You Have A Candida Problem?

With such diverse symptoms, how do you tell if you have the problem? Firstly, you can observe to see if you feel worse in damp or moldy places. Are the symptoms heightened after consumption of sugary foods or yeast containing foods? Have you recently been pregnant or taken antibiotics? If you answered yes to all this questions, then candida needs to be investigated as a cause of your ill health.

In my practice, I see many ladies who believe they have candida because of the presence of a white, cheese like vaginal discharge, but testing can reveal this is not the cause. At this point, further investigations and other possible causes (such as vaginitis) must be investigated.

We use an easy finger prick test that gives us a positive or negative result in 10 minutes, to determine if candida is present. A more expensive but thorough test, that also looks at other gut related problems, can also reveal the presence and extent of candida overgrowth.

Known as a Complete Digestive Stool Analysis, this test can reveal important information on which to base a sound drug-free healing program.

To achieve a good outcome, dietary restrictions are extremely important during this time. The idea is to "starve" the parasitic overgrowth of the fuel it needs to survive whilst delivering nutrients and gut friendly anti-parasitic productsArticle Search, to weaken the hold that the candida infection has on your body.

Read more »