How to use bay leaf essential oil for mycosis? For which mycoses is it effective? What synergies based on the bay leaf do we recommend? And finally what other essential oils we can use against different mycoses?
I. What are the different mycoses?
A mycosis can be defined as an infection by a microscopic fungus or a fungal infection.
It should be noted that mycosis is one of the most common skin diseases. There are several types of fungal infections, which we will explain to you in the following lines.
1. Nail fungus
Affecting 6 to 9% of the population, nail fungus, also known as “onychomycosis”, is generally a disease suffered by adults.
It affects them, especially at the level of the feet. Onychomycosis is a medical term for nail fungus.
To avoid spreading to other parts of the body such as the thighs and buttocks or to the spaces between the toes, they must be treated quickly.
With dermatophytes, transmission is mainly human-to-human.
2. Foot fungus
Caused by a skin champion, foot fungus, also called “athlete’s foot”, generally appears on the nails, between the toes, or under the soles of the feet.
They are caused by a fungus called dermatophyte.
3. Digestive Fungus
Intestinal candidiasis or digestive mycosis are infections caused by the presence of pathogenic fungi called “candida albicans” in the digestive tract.
These pathogenic champions can be found at all levels of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.
4. Cutaneous mycosis
Cutaneous mycosis is very common, as it is estimated that it affects 15 to 30% of the population.
It is generally caused by well-known fungi: dermatophytes and certain yeasts.
5. Mycosis of the mouth
Oral fungus is not really aesthetic and is most of the time not only painful but also embarrassing during meals.
It is mainly caused by Candida-type champions. Let’s discuss now how to use the essential oil of the noble laurel against mycosis.
II. How to use bay leaf essential oil for mycosis?
1. How does bay leaf essential oil help with mycosis?
The essential oil of bay leaf (laurel) is recognized in aromatherapy as an oil that has many benefits. Thanks to the molecule 1.8 cineole present at about 40%, this essential oil is antifungal.
Thus, the essential oil of bay leaf fights effectively against yeasts, Candida albicans which, in general, are responsible for mycosis.
Let us recall that antifungals or fungicides are a set of drugs that allow treating the mycoses, in other words, infections caused by yeasts and microscopic champions.
It should be noted that there are several products, apart from the essential oil of bay leaves, with antifungal properties such as oral amphotericin B, nystatin, etc.
2. How do I use bay leaf essential oil for nail fungus?
Before discussing how to use the essential oil of bay leaves against nail fungus, we will show you how to make a recipe based on the essential oil of bay leaves.
For the realization of this recipe, it will bring together the following ingredients: 3 ml of vegetable oil of Calophylla, 3 ml of EO of tea tree, 4 ml of EO of lavender, and 4 ml of EO of bay leaves.
As for the preparation, make the mixture of all these oils in a previously disinfected bottle. Your oil is ready.
Regarding the use, it is recommended to pour, 2 to 3 times a day, 1 drop of essential oil laurel on the affected area, especially the nails.
Make it until the total cure. However, it is not recommended to do it for 3 consecutive weeks. You must then, before starting again, make a pause of one week.
3. How to Use bay leaf essential oil for the mycosis of the skin
Here are the oils that you must gather to make a recipe that you will use against skin mycosis:
40 drops of lavender aspic EO, 40 drops of noble laurel EO, 70 drops of rose geranium EO, 70 drops of tea tree EO, and 100 drops of palmarosa EO.
For the realization of the recipe, mix the whole of its essential oils in a bottle that was beforehand disinfected on the one hand, and thereafter pour 2 drops of the mixture in 1 spoon with coffee of vegetable oil of calophylle inophylle on the other hand.
To use, massage well all the affected parts of the body 3 times a day for 15 days maximum.
Remember that before using any essential oil on the skin, you must first do a 24-hour test on a part of the body (usually the elbow or the inside of the elbow) to find out if you are allergic to this oil.
4. Tea tree and bay leaf synergy
It is possible to make a synergy tea tree and laurel against mycosis. To be able to concoct this synergy you have:
30 drops of Palmarosa essential oil, 30 drops of Geranium Rosat essential oil, 50 drops of essential oil of Noble Laurel, and 50 drops of essential oil of Tea Tree.
It should be noted that this synergy is reserved for children over 6 years. You must use 3 to 4 drops of the mixture in local application, 3 times a day for 3 weeks.
5. Can bay leaf essential oil be used to treat oral thrush?
Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth caused by the growth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast.
Its symptoms include white patches on the tongue, inside the cheeks, and roof of the mouth, as well as redness and pain.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that while bay leaf essential oil has antifungal properties, there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness in treating oral thrush.
That being said, bay leaf essential oil can be used as a complementary therapy for oral thrush.
To use bay leaf essential oil for oral thrush, it is recommended that you dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, and apply it to the affected area.
Otherwise, you can add a few drops of bay leaf essential oil to warm the water and use it as a mouthwash.
6. Can bay leaf essential oil be used to treat jock itch?
Jock itch, also known as tinea cruris, is a fungal infection of the groin area.
It is caused by the same types of fungi that cause athlete’s foot and ringworm. Symptoms include itching, redness, and a rash in the affected area.
Indeed, bay leaf essential oil can be used as a complementary therapy to treat marginal eczema (Jock itch).
As with all other uses, it is advisable to dilute the essential oil in carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil before applying it to the affected area.
7. Is bay leaf essential oil safe for use during pregnancy?
Pregnant women should be especially cautious when using any type of natural remedy, as some herbs and essential oils may be harmful to the developing fetus.
Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid using essential oils, including bay leaf essential oil, except under the direction of a qualified health care professional.
8. What is the recommended dosage of bay leaf essential oil for mycosis?
The recommended dilution rate for topical use of essential oils is generally very low, ranging from 0.5% to 5% dilution in a carrier oil.
Assuming you are using jojoba oil as a carrier oil to dilute laurel essential oil, a general rule of thumb is to add 1 to 2 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of jojoba oil for a dilution of 0.5% to 1%. For a dilution of 2% to 3%, add 4 to 6 drops of essential oil to 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vegetable oil.
Please note, that the appropriate dilution rate may vary depending on the specific needs of the individual, as well as the intended use and method of application.
9. Can bay leaf essential oil be used to treat athlete’s foot?
An athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, toes, and sometimes even the nails.
Symptoms of an athlete’s foot include itching, burning, cracking, and peeling of the skin. The disease is contagious and can be spread by contact with infected surfaces or skin.
Bay leaf essential oil is derived from the leaves of the bay tree and is known for its medicinal properties.
It contains compounds such as eucalyptol, linalool, and alpha-terpineol that have antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. These properties may make it a useful treatment for an athlete’s foot.
10. Is bay leaf essential oil safe for use on the skin?
Bay leaf essential oil has many potential benefits for the skin, it is essential to use it correctly and safely. Always purchase pure, high-quality essential oil from a trusted source.
Essential oils, like bay leaf, are highly concentrated, and using them undiluted can cause skin irritation or even chemical burns.
A general rule of thumb is to use no more than 1 to 2 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil, such as coconut oil or almond oil.
It is always advisable to perform a skin test before using an essential oil on a larger area of the skin.
Apply a small amount of diluted oil to a small patch of skin and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse effects.
If you experience redness, itching, or swelling, it is best to avoid its use.
Certain populations, such as pregnant women, children, and people with sensitive skin, should avoid using bay leaf essential oil altogether.
Pregnant women should avoid using all essential oils as much as possible during the first trimester, and children under the age of six should not use them without the advice of a healthcare professional.
11. How long does it take for bay leaf essential oil to work?
The question of how long it takes bay leaf essential oil to treat fungus is a complex one, as it can depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the infection and the individual’s overall health.
First, it is important to use the oil properly and regularly, with the understanding that the frequency of application may vary depending on the severity of the infection, but it is generally recommended to apply the oil daily until the infection is cleared.
Secondly, the effectiveness of bay leaf essential oil in treating a yeast infection can also depend on the type of yeast infection being treated.
For example, some fungal infections, such as nail infections, may take longer to treat than others, such as skin infections.
It is essential to be patient and persistent in treating fungal infections with bay leaf essential oil.
In general, the effects of using bay leaf essential oil to treat fungal infections can be seen within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the infection.
And in the case of nail fungus, you should plan to wait several months, up to a year or more.
III. Other essential oils against mycosis
Apart from the essential oil of laurel, there are other essential oils such as palmarosa and tea tree that can fight against fungal infections.
Palmarosa essential oil is basically known for its antibacterial properties and many other secrets.
Thanks to the geraniol molecules that compose it and give it an anti-infectious property, the essential oil of palmarosa is a powerful antimycotic.
It should be noted that it fights effectively against the mycoses of the nail and of cutaneous origin.
As an illustration, you can use it the cutaneous mycosis by pouring, until total cure, 1 drop of essential oil of palmarosa on the affected zone 2 to 3 times per day.
The tea tree also called tea tree, should not be confused with the tea that we usually consume, which comes from the tea plant.
It should be noted that all the richness of the essential oil of the tea tree comes from the leaves of the tree.
Thanks to the molecules of alcohols and monoterpenic carbons that it closes, this essential oil of tea tree is antifungal and thus fights in an excellent way against the mycoses of the nail, cutaneous and oral.
It is strongly recommended that you do not use these essential oils for three consecutive weeks. The ideal would be to make a pause for one week before starting again.
Useful Links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9518919/