DIY Anti-fungal Cream

It seems to be the long hot summer. Really, temps of 100 + degrees are normal where I live. I’m not happy about it, because it makes me tired and grouchy. But I’ve noticed that I get a lot more hits on my blog for DIY anti-fungal cream. I recently read a research paper showing that the essential oil of bitter orange has anti-fungal properties. I wanted to test it out — My husband is my guinea pig, because he has problem skin and a tendency to get those fungal problems that crop up in that down-under area. Men seem to have this much more than women, and it must be part of the equipment package. My husband has been completely converted to these anti-fungal creams. He no longer buys the over the counter stuff that doesn’t always work. And he likes to use it as a preventative. This is my newest anti-fungal cream, which has bitter orange essential oil. It helps tone down the smell of the tea tree essential oil. So if tea tree is too strong for you, this may be the ticket. So far, so good. It’s made with olive oil, shea butter, almond oil, beeswax, and coconut oil. And the two essential oils. Recipe follows or if you prefer to buy it directly from me, there is a link at the end of this article.

Scientific Properties of the Ingredients — (or why it works)

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-viral:  (Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 95, Issue 4, pages 853–860, October 2003:  Antifungal activity of the components of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil) Effective against Candida:  (J. Antimicrob. Chemother. (2004) 53 (6): 1081-1085. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkh243:  Antifungal effects of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and its components on Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Bitter Orange Essential Oil

Anti-fungal:  (Int J Dermatol. 1996 Jun;35(6):448-9: Oil of bitter orange: new topical antifungal agent) Anti-fungal:  (Mycoses, Volume 47, Issue 3-4, pages 87–92, April 2004: Herbal medicines for treatment of fungal infections: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials, Karen W. Martin andE. Ernst)

Almond Oil

Omega Fatty Acids:  Monounsaturated oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid), linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated omega-6 essential fatty acid),   (J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Jun 28;54(13):4705-14. Chemical composition of selected edible nut seeds.) Emollient:  Complementary Therapies In Clinical Practice: The uses and properties of almond oil: Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 Feb;16(1):10-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.06.015. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Olive Oil

Used in treating seborrheic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis:   (WoÅ‚osik, K.; KnaÅ›, M.; Zalewska, A.; Niczyporuk, M.; Przystupa, A. W. (2013). “The importance and perspective of plant-based squalene in cosmetology”. Journal of cosmetic science 64 (1): 59–66. ) Inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans:  (Al-Waili, N. S. (2005). “Mixture of Honey, Beeswax and Olive Oil Inhibits Growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans”. Archives of Medical Research 36 (1): 10–13.) Skin barrier:  (Danby, S. G.; Alenezi, T.; Sultan, A.; Lavender, T.; Chittock, J.; Brown, K.; Cork, M. J. (2013). “Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care”. Pediatric Dermatology 30 (1): 42–50.)

Coconut Oil

Moisturizer, skin barrier:  (A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial Comparing Extra Virgin Coconut Oil with Mineral Oil as a Moisturizer for Mild to Moderate Xerosis:  Dermatitis (formerly American Journal of Contact Dermatitis), Volume 15, Issue 03, September 2004, Pages 109-116)

Shea Butter

Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tumor (inhibits skin cancers)  (J Oleo Sci. 2010;59(6):273-80. Anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive effects of triterpene cinnamates and acetates from shea fat.)

 Beeswax

Inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans: (Al-Waili, N. S. (2005). “Mixture of Honey, Beeswax and Olive Oil Inhibits Growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans”. Archives of Medical Research 36 (1): 10–13.)

What you need to make this daily anti-fungal cream:

1 pint Mason jar saucepan 1/4 cup almond oil 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup beeswax 3/4 cup shea butter (get one that is not grainy) 40 drops tea tree essential oil 40 drops bitter orange essential oil

Instructions:

Measure all ingredients except the essential oils and place them in a 1 pint Mason jar. Place the jar in a saucepan of water. Heat the pan with the jar in it over the stove on a low to medium flame until all is melted. Remove the jar from the pan. Stir. Add the essential oils. Stir. Let cool on the counter for about 30 mins. Put on the lid and set it in the refrigerator. Shake it every 30 mins or so until it begins to thicken. Then let is chill until fully thick. Take out of the refrigerator and keep it in the bathroom to use every morning.