The relationship between the growth of undesirable yeasts in the human body and a host of health concerns such as fatigue, digestive distress, muscle aches and brain fog are well documented. (1)
Yeast killers have been developed by both pharmaceutical and herbal companies with little lasting success.
From the Ayurvedic perspective and a growing sentiment in the west, the proliferation of undesirable yeasts like Candida albicans is a result of the loss of good bacteria and good yeasts that naturally reside in the human body.
Stress, sterile foods and almost a century of killing bad bacteria with an overuse of medications has left the body with an irritated intestinal wall and a lack in the diversity and volume of good intestinal bugs.
Restoring balance to the gut wall starts by supporting the optimal health of the inner skin – the skin that lines the gut, the respiratory tract, the arteries and more. A balanced gut wall will nurture a healthy volume and diversity of good bugs.
One of my favorite herbs for supporting the inner skin is turmeric. Turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family, has been used for thousands of years to support the function of the liver, boost bile flow and maintain the optimal health of the inner skin.
In one study, turmeric was shown to significantly support the body’s natural defense against undesirable microbes and yeast. (2)
Perhaps the most exciting research being done regarding yeast balancing is with a yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii, which was originally sourced from the mangosteen and lychee fruits.
While it is known that certain probiotics have been shown to support the health and integrity of the gut wall and a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria and yeasts, (3) Saccharomyces seems to take the word “probiotic” to a new level. In fact, Saccharomyces boulardii has been given the name “immunobiotic,” indicating its ability to support a healthy immune response to undesirable microbes and yeasts in the gut. (2)