Thrush is a fungal infection which affects the mouth and throat. It is caused by Candida albicans. The occurrence of white patches (plaque) in the mouth, unpleasant taste or a loss of taste in the mouth, the development of the cracks at the corners of the mouth, a painful burning sensation affecting the mouth, and the redness inside the throat and mouth are some of the common symptoms of thrush. It can affect both males and females. However, following some home remedies for thrush can help you obtain relief from its discomforts. Scroll down to find them.
Here are 7 home remedies which can help you relieve of the thrush
- Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil helps in treating oral thrush, as coconut oil possesses an anti-fungal property which helps eliminate the overgrowth of candida from your mouth. Also, the antioxidant content of coconut oil helps in expelling toxins from your body.
All you need to do is take a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it every morning on an empty stomach. Do it for 10 to 15 minutes and then spit it out. You can also apply coconut oil on your thrush affected areas.
- Baking Soda:
Baking soda is quite effective in killing the fungus which causes discomforting thrush in the mouth. Baking soda is also called sodium bicarbonate. It even helps in neutralizing the acids and restoring the pH balance and eliminating the yeast which causes thrush.
Take one cup of warm water, add a half teaspoon of baking soda to it, and dissolve it. Rinsing your mouth at least twice a day with it.
- Lemon:
Lemon possesses anti-fungal properties which help to fight against the fungus which causes thrush. Also, lemon is acidic and helps eliminate the fungus which is responsible for oral thrush.
Take a glass filled with warm water, dilute fresh juice of half a lemon in it, and rinse your mouth with the solution at least twice a day.
- Unsweetened Yogurt:
Yogurt increases the production of probiotics in our body. It helps in the production of healthy bacteria in the mouth.
So, make sure to apply yogurt on the thrush affected area, let it remain for 5 minutes, and then rinse it or eat it at least thrice a day.
- Salt:
Salt has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties which are beneficial in treating many oral problems.
All you need to do is add a half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with it at least thrice a day to obtain a relief from the symptoms.
- Garlic:
Garlic helps in reducing the thrush infection. It has an anti-fungal property which kills the yeast in your mouth. The consumption of garlic also improves your immunity. Besides these, garlic is a powerful and natural antibacterial and anti-fungal agent.
Chewing 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic every day will not only help in reducing the amount of thrush in your mouth but also help to speed up the healing process.
- Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties. Drinking it daily in the right proportion will help you combat the fungal infection which is responsible for oral thrush and its discomforting symptoms.
Dilute a half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with it.
All these seven home remedies for thrush are easy to follow and quite effective. Also, following these home remedies do not cause any side-effects. So, if you happen to suffer from oral thrush any time, make sure you follow them to obtain relief from it.
- Written by Dr. Benao, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah
