Top 5 Essential Oils for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungal infections are one of the most common infections that plague humans today. If the infection is not dealt with properly it can quickly spread and affect all of your toes.

Most people consider nail fungal infections as harmless but they can lead to the following:

  • Lower self-esteem
  • Missing out on events and activities like pools and spas
  • Depression
  • Pain and swelling in toes and feet
  • Aversion to wearing open-toed shoes
  • Severe itching and cracked skin

Luckily, with dietary changes, supplements, and specific essential oils, you can eliminate the root cause of the nail fungi.

What this article is going to do is show you the exact steps to take on how to get rid of toenail fungus quickly and for good.

After suffering from toenail fungus for 2+ years, going to doctors and podiatrists, my mom had enough and decided to make a change. She actually got toenail fungus from sharing a shower with my dad, who had toenail fungus as well.

She decided she wanted to try an all-natural treatment for her infection on her toes. A combination of essential oils, supplementation, and diet was used to get rid of her fungi for good.

Below are some of the exact oils and supplements used for successfully treating her fungus.

1. Tea Tree Oil

One of the most popular essential oils used in anti-fungal products is tea tree oil or also called melaleuca. Tea tree oil has been used in Australia for over 100 years to treat various skin infections including fungus, bacteria, and viruses. Tea tree oils potency has been documented in numerous studies for its antiseptic properties which is why it is one of the most commonly used essential oils.

One reason for tea tree oil’s popularity is due to it’s naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. A study done in 1994 showed that tea tree oil applied directly on the nail is as effective at treating toenail fungus with a commonly prescribed over-the-counter cream called clotrimazole [1].

Another remarkable study published in 1999 tested tea tree oil’s effectiveness on nail fungus by combining an anti-fungal cream with tea tree oil. Researchers found adding this combination cream of tea tree oil resulted in an 80% cure rate in participants at the end of 16 weeks [2].

These two studies explain a little bit why tea tree oil has become such a popular essential oil used for more than just fungal infections but also in cosmetics, skincare, and aromatherapy.

View Top Rated Tea Tree Oil on Amazon

 

2. Oregano Oil

The next essential oil on the list for getting rid of fungus on your feet and toes is oregano oil. Oregano oil contains an important compound called carvacrol which has been studied intensively. In fact, carvacrol has been the focus of over 800 studies referenced in PubMed, the world’s #1 database for scientific literature.

Oregano oil is a potent, plant-derived essential oil that has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties [3].  Oregano oil contains two powerful compounds called thymol and carvacrol which have been heavily studied for their antifungal and antibacterial properties.

A study done on 20 patients has shown that oregano oil and other essential oils, when applied to the infected nail, have a 78.5% cure rate with no side effects [4]. This is amazing considering the study documented no real side effects in any of the patients with such a high cure rate.

If you are like me and suffered from both toenail fungus and athlete’s foot then I have good news for you. Oregano oil is also effective against fungi that cause athlete’s foot. A study found that a combination of heat, salts, and essential oils had inhibitory effects on the main bacterias that cause athlete’s foot. On top of that, out of all 11 of the essential oils that were tested, oregano oil proved to be the strongest [5].

The range of abilities that oregano oil harnesses are one of the reasons it has become such a popular essential oil.

View Top Rated Oregano Oil on Amazon

 

3. Clove Essential Oil

The third best essential oil for toenail fungus is clove essential oil. Clove oil is derived from clove trees and contains a compound called eugenol which has diverse health benefits. Some of the benefits of clove oil include the following:

  • Antimicrobial (kills bacteria)
  • For digestive problems
  • Antifungal properties
  • Kills candida
  • Can be used for toothaches and pain relief

But for the purpose of this article, you want to know how this essential oil works for nail fungus. In a 2017 study, researchers looked at multiple essential oils and their ability to kill fungi. The study found that clove oil was the best at stopping the growth of a range of fungi with environmental origins [6].

Another study on the compound called eugenol (found in clove oil), showed that this substance can kill the yeast called Candida Albicans which is commonly attributed to foot fungus, oral thrush, and vaginal yeast infections [7].

View Top Rated Clove Oil on Amazon

 

4. Thyme Essential Oil

Next is thyme oil which is derived from a distillation process of the leaves and flowers of Thymus vulgaris. Like a lot of other essential oils we’ve talked about this one also contains powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Thymol’s benefits have been so well recognized that it is one of the primary ingredients in the popular Vicks VapoRub. In fact, a study tested the ingredients of Vick’s VapoRub and out of the seven ingredients, thymol was the best at inhibiting the growth of dermatophytes that cause nail fungus [8].

Just like clove oil, thyme essential oil has been studied to show that it kills one of the leading causes of nail fungus called Candida Albicans. This study showed that thyme essential oil attacked the cell membranes of candida ultimately destroying this pathogen [9].

View Top Rated Thyme Oil on Amazon

 

5. Manuka Essential Oil

A lesser-known essential oil called manuka oil has also begun making waves due to its amazing benefits. One of the main reasons it has gained more recognition is because users claim that it is non-irritant on sensitive skin. Like all the aforementioned essential oils, manuka oil is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal.

But what really sets it apart from the others? What makes this oil better? Well, one of the reasons is it is a lot more powerful than the other essential oils. According to Manuka Biotic, manuka oil is actually 30x times stronger than tea tree oil in terms of its antibacterial and antifungal properties [10].

Under this theory, manuka oil would prove to be one of the best essential oils for nail fungus and athlete’s foot.

View Top Rated Manuka Oil on Amazon

 

Do Essential Oils Work for Fungus?

Yes, studies done by the Discipline of Microbiology show that essential oils such as tea tree oil have antifungal properties to fight or prevent fungal infections like candida, toenail fungus, and jock itch [11].

Best Blend of Essential Oils

If you plan on using essential oils to treat your nail fungus then you might consider blending a couple of different ones together to increase the potency. To create your own thieves oil blend mix the following:

  • 40 drops of clove bud essential oil
  • 35 drops lemon essential oil
  • 20 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
  • 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 10 drops of rosemary essential oil

You can always change the recipe and substitute or add essential oils of your choice. For example, instead of lemon essential oils, you can substitute it for orange or bergamot essential oils.

Mix all of these oils together and then store in a dark glass bottle to maintain potency. You can use this blend like other essential oils but always remember to use a carrier oil. Don’t eat or drink any essential oils and always consult with your healthcare provider before trying anything in this article.

How to Use

Essential oils can be used for toenail fungus by directly applying the oil onto the infected nail with an eyedropper or used in a foot soak.

For the foot soak, add 5 drops of an essential oil mentioned in this article to a half-ounce of carrier oil and then mix that with a tub of warm water for your feet. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then thoroughly dry your feet.

If you have sensitive skin, it is advised to use a carrier oil before directly applying the essential oil onto your infected nail since it can cause drying of the surrounding skin.

What You MUST Know About Essential Oils 

If you plan on using essential oils like me after I decided a lot of conventional treatments weren’t working for me then there is something you must know.

While essential oils are natural and have very few side effects (comparatively), I did notice something that you should consider. Essential oils are natural but potent. If you have sensitive skin like myself then I would recommend using a different approach to nail fungus or try essential oils to see how your skin reacts.

After a few weeks of using a potent essential oil blend being directly applied to my nails, I realized what it was doing. Yes, it was getting rid of my fungus but the surrounding skin was super dry and unattractive to look at.

Luckily, I did find some solutions to this problem. One of them is to use a carrier oil for your essential oil blend. Popular carrier oils include:

  • Coconut oil
  • Almond oil
  • Arnica oil
  • Jojoba oil
  • Avocado oil
  • Argan oil
  • Olive oil
  • Rosehip oil

Using a carrier oil also allows you to use less of the essential oil you are using for your fungal infection because it allows it to spread more. My personal favorite was jojoba oil and coconut oil.

How to Use Carrier Oils for Essential Oils

To use carrier oils, add a few drops of essential oil like tea tree oil to your carrier oil so you are able to dilute the potency of the oil and allow it to spread more easily.

Benefits of Essential Oils?

Essential oils have been used for centuries but just now are beginning to be rediscovered by health and cosmetic professionals. We see them in anything from soaps, shampoos, face washes, lotions, and more.

The reason why we see such a surge in the use of essential oils is that they yield a tremendous amount of benefits. Some of these include:

  • Cheaper than some conventional treatments
  • No chemical additives
  • Relaxes your body and soothe sore muscles
  • Alleviate pain
  • Balance hormones and improve digestion
  • Heal skin conditions

These are just some of the many uses of essential oils in the human body. They can provide a solution if you feel like you have tried everything. 

Diet and Nail Fungus 

The body is all interconnected which means if one part of your body is straining itself, it affects all the other parts as well. One major component to eradicating fungus on your toenails that is often overlooked by medical experts is addressing your diet.

This is one of the best natural ways to treat your toenail fungus and other fungal infections. A holistic approach that promotes the healthy growth of nails while also eliminating candida and fungus within the body.

Dietary Guidelines for Reducing Yeast Overgrowth

1. Cutting out the sugars that supply the yeast and candida.

2. Implement healthy foods and supplements that assist in replacing good bacteria in the gut.

3. Introduce more fiber, healthy sources of proteins, and good fats into your diet.

I actually am writing a more in-depth guide for an anti-fungal diet which will be easy to incorporate into any diet.

Essential oils are not the only way you can treat your foot fungus. Other ways to get results would be following a holistic regiment, and other natural products. I chronicle my personal story with toe fungus on my blog which shows some products I tried and tested.