Skip to content
Treat nail fungus naturally with home remedies

5 home remedies for nail fungus - how to treat the fungus naturally

Are there any natural home remedies for nail fungus? Nail fungus is a fungal infection that can affect both fingernails and toenails. A common symptom is that your nails lose their natural shine and become discolored. A brownish or yellowish discoloration of the nail tissue is also typical of the fungal infection. To prevent the fungus from spreading further, you definitely need to treat it.

If you now want to know how you can treat nail fungus naturally and which home remedies help, then you've come to the right place! Because in this article I would like to introduce you to five useful home remedies for nail fungus!

Here is a short Overview about this contribution:

  1. Vinegar
  2. Lemon
  3. Essential oils
  4. Turmeric
  5. Coconut oil
  6. Closing words

The best natural remedies for nail fungus

The nail fungus (or also called nail mycosis) is definitely a serious disease. Initially, often only the edge of the nail is affected and as the disease progresses, the fungus increasingly migrates to the entire nail plate. This must therefore be prevented. You have a chance of success with the following five home remedies.

1. the number 1 home remedy: vinegar!

Almost every list of natural remedies for nail fungus contains either Vinegar, Vinegar essence or apple cider vinegar can be found. The vinegar is the most mentioned home remedy for nail fungus treatment and very many people trust in its effect.

The acid in the vinegar is supposed to kill the nail fungus. Fungi can only survive in an alkaline to neutral environment and the acid makes the natural living environment of the fungus acidic. 

The vinegar is either mixed with water in a 1:1 ratio and applied directly to the nail fungus with a cotton bud or used as a foot bath (1:4 mixture with water). The foot bath should be carried out for a quarter of an hour. Please do not soak your feet for longer, as this will further irritate the fungus-damaged cuticles.

2. lemon as a home remedy for nail fungus

Lemon as a home remedy for nail fungus

Lemon is a real vitamin bomb and is known for its ability to boost Strengthens the immune system. It is rich in magnesium and vitamin C, which is why it is considered a tried and tested household remedy for colds. But it can do much more!

The juice of a lemon has a cleansing and also disinfecting effect. For this reason, lemon is often listed as a natural remedy for nail fungus. Similar to vinegar, it is hoped that the acid it contains will worsen the growth conditions of the fungus. The Citric acid is said to stabilize the pH value of the body and the acidity of the lemon is also said to have an antiseptic effect. It is also said to help against brittle nails, which is definitely a symptom of nail fungus.

When applying, the affected nail area is sprinkled with the juice of the lemon. A cotton ball or cotton bud can also be used for application. The treatment must be carried out over several weeks. It is important that the cuticle is intact during treatment, otherwise the acid can cause a burning sensation. 

3. essential oils as a natural remedy for nail fungus

Australian tea tree has been used as a home remedy by the indigenous people of Australia for a very long time. For hundreds of years, the plant has been used to cure skin problems. Tea tree essential oil has an antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal effect. The fungicidal properties of this oil also make it interesting for treating nail fungus. Nail fungus can be treated naturally with tea tree oil. The essential oil is said to stop the growth of the fungus and is therefore a popular home remedy for nail fungus. 

In addition to tea tree oil, sage oil can also be used. Sage generally has both an anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effect. For this reason, this spice is also a Component of natural medicine. The entire sage plant is used to extract sage oil. 

The application of the two natural remedies for nail fungus is similar. The respective tea tree or sage oil is applied to the fungus on the nail three to four times a day using a cotton bud. Alternatively, a foot bath with water and the essential oil can also be used. Care must be taken when applying directly to the nail! The concentrated oil must not come into contact with the skin, as this can cause skin irritation. I therefore only recommend using it on people with non-sensitive skin. 

4. treat nail fungus naturally with turmeric

Turmeric is widely used as a spice. Did you know that turmeric is responsible for the yellow color in curry? The rhizome of turmeric is used as a herbal remedy. Turmeric is a ginger plant and the rhizome is said to have numerous health-promoting effects. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is said to have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. In addition Vitamins, Antioxidants and Minerals are included. These can provide additional protection for the nail.

You must observe the following when using it: Mix the turmeric powder with oil and then apply to the nail fungus, preferably several times a day. However, whether the effect is sufficient to combat the fungus is controversial.

Here you can buy organic turmeric in powder form plastic-free*

5. coconut oil against nail fungus

Coconut oil has been a staple food in many countries for thousands of years. Coconut oil can not only be used for cooking, but is also used as a skin and hair care product. It is also a tried and tested natural remedy. It has an antibacterial and antifungal effect. This means that it is effective against fungi. For this reason, coconut oil is also popular as a natural remedy for nail fungus. Thanks to the fatty acids it contains, it is said to inhibit fungal growth and have a healing effect on infected nails. The coconut oil is applied to the infected nail twice a day! When buying the oil, make sure that it is organically grown. 

You can get a native organic coconut oil here at "Grüne Bude" plastic-free*

Home remedies for nail fungus are a useful addition to medication

How to treat nail fungus naturally?

As you can see, there are many natural remedies for nail fungus. Lemon and vinegar are said to stop the growth of the fungus due to the acid they contain and therefore support the treatment of nail fungus. The essential oils tea tree oil and sage oil are also among the most popular home remedies, as they are said to have both anti-inflammatory and fungicidal properties. The somewhat more exotic home remedies turmeric and coconut oil also have their raison d'être! Although many sufferers rave about the positive effects against the fungal infection, it is important to note that the Effectiveness of individual home remedies not clearly proven.

Nail fungus is a serious disease that requires medical treatment in most cases. The immune system is not able to fight off the fungus on its own. It is not advisable to carry the nail disease over, as it can lead to serious problems in its advanced stages. Home remedies can be used in addition to fungicidal medication, but the use of home remedies alone is only recommended to a limited extent.

Do you have any questions about the natural treatment of nail fungus? Then please write me a message.

Stay healthy,

Christoph from CareElite - Plastic-free living

PS.: Feel free to look further in the Blog for natural health at CareElite and learn, for example, why you need to Spend more time outdoors in nature should to stay healthy for a long time.

Coffee box Suggestions for improvement Newsletter

* Links with asterisks are so-called Affiliate linksIf you click on it and buy something, you automatically and actively support my work with CareElite.de, as I receive a small share of the proceeds - and of course nothing changes in the product price. Many thanks for your support and best regards, Christoph!

Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *