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Remedy for Pathogen Overgrowth, Candida and Yeast Infections

Updated · 48 Comments

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Remedy for Pathogen Overgrowth, Candida and Yeast Infections utilizes diet, herbs and a protocol that breaks through the biofilm of pathogens.

Read Best Home Remedy for Vaginal YEAST INFECTIONS if you specifically need to address the healing of vaginal yeast infections, thrush or other topics not covered in this post.

This article addresses internal overgrowth, that can also manifest itself externally.

3-step Remedy for Pathogen Overgrowth and Candida

If you need to conquer internal (or external skin) pathogen overgrowth, three components are necessary for success:

  1. A grain-free, refined-sugar-free diet.
  2. An herbal regimen, which is rotated to prevent pathogens from morphing.
  3. Biofilm disruptors.

Let’s discuss these components.

1. DIET FOR YEAST OVERGROWTH

Both the GAPS Diet and the AIP Diet are good options.

If you are having vaginal or anal (or other areas on the outer skin) outbreaks as well as internal overgrowth, eliminate the following foods that can feed fungi: mushrooms, all cheese, carrots and beets, all starchy veggies like potatoes (which already are not allowed on GAPS), all fruit, vinegar, alcohol (except those in herbal tinctures) and honey.

It is assumed that other sweeteners like maple syrup and coconut sugar have already been eliminated.

Which diet to choose is based on your body’s unique response to food.

For instance, I can not eat starches like arrowroot or sweet potatoes. If I do, I feel horrible. I am a classic GAPS patient. My body thrives on bone broth, eggs, lots of fat and cholesterol, protein and lots of soup. It also loves watermelon, living juices, sprouted nuts and aged cheese.

However, several of my clients feel energized by sweet potatoes, for instance, and may not do well with eggs, the histamines in broth or with nuts.

Every patient scenario is slightly different. We are each intricate. By reading what each of the diet’s espouse for healing, you may easily be able to recognize which diet will benefit your body more.

But if you choose AIP, remember that you may need to temporarily cut out the starchy vegetables and fruit that the diet includes, if you have a flare-up yeast infection.

images of sugar and supplements with article title in the center about getting rid of candida with a 3 step remedy

2. HERBAL ROTATION Remedy for Pathogen Overgrowth and Candida

Many herbs may be used to kill pathogens. I name several, but you only need to choose four.

My practitioner had me take the prescribed dosage of the first herb for 4 days. The patient then stops and begins the protocol for the second herb, again, for 4 days. Repeat: take each herb for 4 days, then begin the next.

Keep the rotation going for a minimum of 2 weeks. (The following recommendations should be queried with your practitioner. They are recommendations for adult dosages.)

  • Berberine– Found effective with SIBO, 2 capsules twice daily with meals is suggested, once in the morning and once in the evening.
  • Oregano Oil– Use oregano oil for up to 10 days; then cease use. It is very strong and can kill even good flora. It’s one to use in more serious cases of overgrowth, because it’s effective, but only short-term. 1 capsule morning and night, with meals.
  • Pau D’arco– Tea, too, can be made of pau d’arco. 4 capsules, 3 times daily, with meals.
  • Kolorex– Derived from New Zealand RedLeaf Horopito, an evergreen shrub, this lesser-known  pathogen killer is very strong and highly effective. If it causes irritation (burning) to one’s leaky gut, use the other options instead. Dosage is one pill daily.
  • Black Walnut– Tried and true, this tincture can be used 3 to 4 times daily, between meals, 40 drops each time.
  • Olive Leaf– One capsule daily, with a meal.

If you wish to use these herbs and supplements synergistically, this can be done with good results.  (Oregano oil can be taken in the morning and berberine at night, the same day, for instance.)

3. BIOFILM DISRUPTOR Remedy for Pathogen Overgrowth and Candida

Biofilm disruptors contains enzymes that break down the various layers of the pathogen. Otherwise, the pathogen can essentially produce a sheath of protection against the herbal regimen. Choose only one biofilm disruptor.

  • Interface Plus ~ “Designed to disrupt the biofilm matrix,” the enzymes in this product improve the effectiveness of herbal antibiotics by also degrading the yeast and bacterial cell walls. I started with 2 of these capsules and worked up to 8, 2 to 3 times daily, shortly before taking an anti-fungal.
  • N-Acetyl L-Cysteine ~ In addition to breaking down pathogen biofilms, this compound can be used as a cough remedy, as it thins and breaks up mucus. It is also antiviral against the flu. Only one capsule daily is the prescribed dosage.
  • Lauricidin ~ Containing monolaurin from coconut oil, this product has both anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, as well as being able to break through the biofilms that pathogens produce. I took one scoop of these pellets 15 minutes before a dose of pathogen-killing herbs. (Do not chew these; you swallow them whole with water, as per the instructions.)

Timing can be tricky when trying to fit in all of the components. It helps to create a daily schedule.

Alternate pathogen killers and probiotics, so they are taken at different times. And: Don’t fret if you can’t fit it all in; just do your best to create a schedule that works.

herbal bottles and tinctures

 

For topical rashes, read Cool Mint Listerine for Rashes and Skin Pathogens.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    Wow Megan, this is great. Thank you for sharing this with us. I had no idea about most of this and really appreciate your knowledge. So interesting because I’m just learning more about biofilm now and then saw your post and learned more. Always love your posts!

    Reply

  2. Dr. Karen Lee says

    Great post Megan! Cutting out all sugar from the diet – including fruits and starchy veggies – really helped Candida issue for my family. I also gave them Candibactin from Metagenics to aid their detox. But more importantly, after they healed their leaky gut, Candida issue went away. So going back to the basics of healing your gut will control the yeast overgrowth.

    Reply

  3. Jennifer Modisette says

    I found this super interesting-Especially the herbal rotation-I take olive leaf on occasion but didn’t realize I need to rotate if I’m taking it for a prolonged amount of time! Thanks!!!

    Reply

      • Megan says

        Hi Nancy, I have rotated it during the rotation stage, but it’s also considered gentle enough to be one can than be used after the rotation stage for a longer stretch to ensure wellness and the right balance is maintained.

        Reply

  4. Pamela Fulcher Awad says

    All of this is excellent advice. I am not familiar with biofilm attack…but I AM familiar with food grade diatomaceous earth…(not dirt, but the skeletons of ancient diatoms…) While not the most pleasant substance to deal with, and a hazard for dry contact with mucus membranes (eyes, lungs) it is VERY handy to have around…mixed with the liquid of your choice, a tablespoon of this, twice a day can work wonders in many areas…in as little as four days hair is strengthened, acne is remediated, body odor is virtually eliminated, any fungal infections, viruses, etc in the body are attacked most vigorously… Good to supplement 2 hours after with some type of probiotic and enzyme…since extended use will unbalance the intestinal environment…BUT an extremely effective tool. Also handy to kill fleas on pets, kill pests on plants, and absorb odors in shoes… 🙂

    Reply

    • Marla says

      I took Monolaurin 3,000mg 2x a day for 6 yrs and worked great then started getting viruses that my husband brot home from work and one UTI. Thot my system was getting used to Monolaurin so switched to ARMRA for 4 months. It did not work and still got infections. So switched to food grade Diatomaceous. Worked well but only up to 1.5 tsp a day. Afraid of constipation with more. So far no infections but not sure how long to take because heard you must take a break. Any suggestions?

      Reply

      • Megan says

        Hi Marla, yes. I do agree that taking these supplements long term is not ideal, and it would be great to think about the root cause of why you need these so long term to keep overgrowth at bay. The answer may very well be copper. Pathogens love it. It would be good to look closely at your diet, water pipes and other sources of copper, and consider a low copper diet and possibly even lifestyle choices. There are many sources of copper in our modern lives, even including plastic water bottles and supplements we thought were good for us. Can you check your supplements? If any of them contain copper, I’d seriously reconsider. The only way to detox copper, which is a heavy metal, is to take in less, and then oftentimes to gently increase zinc and molybdenum (low dose); you can ask your doctor more about dosage. Here’s an article that shares all high copper sources, including foods: https://eatbeautiful.net/why-copper-is-estrogenic-free-printable-pdf/ Obviously, also, you want to make sure you’re eating very low to no sugar etc. Re DE, it is gentle and probably a good option to be using while you consider and address cause.

        Reply

  8. Amy D says

    Megan, Not sure I understand about altenating the herbs with the probiotics. Do you mean take a probiotic at night and pathogen killer in the morning or do you mean don’t take probiotics until you complete the pathogen killer rotation? Thank you. Love your book.

    Reply

    • Megan Stevens says

      Hi Amy! You alternate, the former example you gave. But I alternate twice like this: pathogen killer near breakfast time, probiotics near lunch time, pathogen killer in afternoon, probiotics a final time near dinner or bedtime. Hope this helps! SO glad you love the book!! 🙂

      Reply

    • Megan Stevens says

      Look under #3 and it gives the dosage for each, that I took/take. It varies, depending which of the three you choose. 🙂

      Reply

  10. Rebecca says

    Hi Megan, I just found your site, thank you for so much useful information! From reviews of the monolaurin it seems people take this continuously. I was assuming that at some point you are supposed to stop the herbal rotation, and the biofilm disrupters. Or is this a maintenance program as well?

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Megan Stevens says

      Hi Rebecca, you’re welcome. It depends on the individual. If someone has chronic pathogen overgrowth then continuing a lower dose herbal rotation is a good idea prophylactically, with a biofilm disruptor. In this situation, the biofilm disruptor can have added benefits. For instance, Acetyl L-Cysteine is anti-inflammatory, excellent for lung health and has many other healing/wellness properties. For someone who has just had short-term pathogen issues, this ongoing treatment is no longer necessary.

      Reply

  11. Laura Aulenbacher says

    Hi Megan, a lot of what you are going through seems to be the same albeit different foods as me. I also believe mine has been caused by stress, antibiotics overuse, excess sugar, no breast feeding as a baby. I have IBS-C mostly, and probably leaky gut, SIBO?, as well as numerous food intolerances. I have done SCD and felt much better as well as dropping 40-50 much needed to be dropped pounds in four months. Then I messed up and started a little coffee latte and I was back where I started. That was 3 years ago. They (med. profession) has learned much more since then, but I don’t go to the doctors anymore. I believe that our doctors do a great job on isolated injuries, but don’t know a thing about the whole body. It is not taught in med school—-at least those financed by Rockefeller’s dynasty. And unfortunately that is what my insurance pays for. I can not justify going to someone, a DO or naturopath that is not covered under our govt. insurance. If I could have the 300-400 a month that my company pays for govt. insurance for my choice of medicine, then I could go to a naturopath. Sorry for the rant. What I am asking is how you came to know the order with which you are doing things? I understand the diet—-you chose GAPS, but you don’t recommend antifungals early on and you take and isolate some supplements, like NAC and Lauricidin, but not others like L-Glutamine, and that confuses me. I am interested as you seem to have had a 75% improvement, I am gone 12 hours a day with work and commuting, cooking is not a big priority and unfortunately due to stress, finances are much lower as I shifted from being a school teacher to a TA. I have 3 years and I can retire and maybe develop an interest in cooking. I burn things a lot, probably because I don’t have an interest in food when I should have. Thanks for listening and i hope you share your scheduling over the years (you said 5?) of trying to treat this.

    Reply

    • Megan Stevens says

      Hi Laura, I would say that at this point I am 95% well. I didn’t start with anti-fungals because just eliminating sugar alone caused extreme die-off in the beginning. If a patient has already removed grains and sugar and isn’t dealing with die-off from diet alone, it would probably (each patient is different) be a fine time, in my experience and opinion, to start killing pathogens with herbs and biofilm disruptors. L-glutamine may be fine for some folks; but because we don’t know who it’s going to cause anxiety and other symptoms in, I think it much better to get that amino acid from bone broth or gelatin, instead of taking it in supplement form. NAC and Lauricidin are both biofilm disruptors, and it’s time to choose one of those when the pathogen killing herbs begin. Blessings as you progress and make choices for your healing!

      Reply

  12. kp says

    Hello,

    I read through the comments and call me dense, I am still confused about the rotation. Probably because I have also heard to rotate the pathogen killers…take oregano for one week then stop and take berberine for one week then stop…then take xyz…etc.

    Is that what you also are saying? I cannot figure out how to fit things in and then also take a probiotic without something disrupting the probiotic.

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Yes, that’s right. 4 days of oregano oil, for example; then 4 days of berberine etc. Probiotics just go at a different time of day, separated by 2 hours minimum. It IS hard to fit it all in, for sure! But even dead probiotics benefit our GI tracts! Dr. Natasha in her GAPS book discusses this. Main thing is kill back the pathogens; do your best to get the probiotics in there; and you can always spend years reinoculating your tract with probiotics after you’ve killed off the candida.

      Reply

  13. Kp says

    Man, years to repopulate! We had been hoping to have more children but I feel like it wouldn’t be a good idea anytime soon.. and that’s even if all of the supplements and dietary changes will even help! So discouraging!

    Reply

    • Nancy in Alberta says

      Take heart! “Years to repopulate” simply means we never stop feeding our good gut bugs, whereas the candida is hopefully conquered after this regime.

      Reply

  14. Melanie Padovani says

    Hello

    Thank you very much for your post it’s amazing and very interesting
    I didn’t see the dosage for the food grade diatomaceous earth
    Could you tell me please, should I use it in the rotation herbs killer, please?

    Many thanks,
    Melanie

    Reply

  15. Samantha Vinson says

    What would you suggest for probiotics? And should I be taking them at the same time I take the hers and the biofilm disrupters?

    Reply

  16. Alex says

    Hello Megan,

    Thank you for this post. It is very detailed and informative.

    What can be used for systemic candidiasis while on VAD? I believe oregano oil is not compatible with VAD, but I am not sure about the other yeast killers and NAC?
    On a related topic, do you know if schisandra, bromelaine, undecylenic acid and Chinese skullcap are ok on VAD? I have used them successfully in the past for various pathogens, but do not want to subotage all the hard work with VAD.

    Thanks.
    Alex

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Alex, A combination of high dose colloidal silver and NAC might be worth a try. Short term NAC did not bother me while on VAD, but I used it after 2 years on the diet, so it may not be ideal, may slow down the process. You could also consider Interface Plus: https://amzn.to/38mXJMc Again, I don’t know its interactions on the diet, and it’s only for short term use because it depletes minerals (must be taken away from meals, 2 hours after dinner, 2 pills) and can be hard on the kidneys, but can be very effective short term when other options aren’t. I haven’t looked at each of the other remedies you mention on the diet, so you’d need to look at each carefully and use your intuition about trying them. If it were me, I’d probably try the IP and colloidal silver combination for 2 weeks to see how it works. I’d love to hear how it goes.

      Reply

  18. Bisi De Oliveira says

    Hi,

    The diet you recommend excludes all the vegetables and non meat products rich in iron, if not all, than most of them and providing only iron from meat does not seem to be sustainable.

    How do you deal with candida overgrowth if you also have anaemia and low ferritin?

    Thank you
    Bisi

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Bisi, in my experience the diet that works best to correct all of these imbalances long term is a low vitamin A diet, which is different than what most of us have read about, and then using a supplement of lactoferrin to correct the liver imbalance that allows ferritin levels to correct themselves. This is a big lifestyle and paradigm shift, but you can read more about it here if you’re interested: https://eatbeautiful.net/vitamin-a-detox-diet-free-printable-food-lists-avoid-eat-toxicity/ The doctor who helps patients navigate this diet is Dr. Smith, who is talked about in the article, and he sells the lactoferrin brand that I buy and use. It is what helped my husband correct his iron issues. You can look on his website for additional information.

      Reply

  19. Krysta MacGray says

    Hi Megan, thanks for the great information. What about binders? I have Lyme and co-infections (although not an active case, just tested positive) and because of this, I’ve been told when I address SIBO or pathogenic growth I’ll need binders to ensure the Lyme doesn’t go places I don’t want it to go, since I’ll be disrupting biofilms. I know I need to work a practitioner, but I’m just wondering everybody needs to be careful when disrupting biofilms like this, or only Lyme people?

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Including a binder is a great idea for anyone. Activated charcoal is a good option, with breakfast. I did not do this myself at the time, but I do it now. With any kind of detox, overcoming of infection or killing off of pathogens, it’s a great thing to include and can really reduce symptoms, too. Great question! I only take one capsule myself, so it doesn’t slow down bowel movements. But some individuals may find it’s helpful to take a second dose at another time in the day as well.

      Reply

  20. Alan says

    Hi Megan

    Questions on Candida Protocol.

    (1) Did you just do a 2 week kill phase or did you have to go longer?
    (2) When did you take Diatamaceous Earth? How much and what time of day.
    (3) Did you take any probiotics during the kill phase but at different times and which brand of probiotics did you take?

    Thanks
    ALAN

    Reply

  21. Michelle says

    Thank you for sharing your story! I have been suffering from candida for years. I feel that heavy metals is the underlying cause for me as my symptoms all point towards mercury toxicity but have never been tested. Wanting to start taking DE as it may help with the candida, any parasites I may have and the heavy metal detox

    Reply

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