Tea tree oil a natural cure for nail fungus
Do you or possibly someone you know suffer from embarrassing yellowish toenail fungus and your not even sure how to deal with it? A yellowish and thick toenail is usually a sign of a fungal infection in the toe or toes, but just what can you use to take care of this embarrassing problem? Have you ever heard of an essential oil called Tea tree oil?
People use Tea tree oil in many different applications, but before we discuss one of it’s main uses, we need to know just what tea tree oil is, and where it originate from?
Tea tree oil originates from Australia and usually has a clear to yellowish tint. Tea tree oil is also known by another name called Melaleuca oil. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, which has several common names and among these common names are the Narrow-leaved Tea-tree and also the Narrow-leaved Paperbark. This tree is common to the New South Wales part of Australia.
Some of the uses of Tea tree oil when applied as a topical solution include as an Antiseptic and as an Antiviral, but the use that we are going to focus on is as a Fungal Treatment. Tea tree oil is one of the very few natural nail fungus treatments that has been recommended by doctors, over prescription drug remedies and has even been recommended by the Mayo Clinic as a therapeutic remedy.
Tea tree oil at 100% strength, should be applied to the infected nail surfaces and also to the effected tissue surrounding the nail. It may also be of benefit to purchase a shampoo or soap also with tea tree oil in them. It is important to wash the infected fungal areas several times a day, and make sure that the infected area(s) have been thoroughly dried before applying tea tree oil directly to the infected areas.
One of the things that should be pointed out is that it does take some time and some patience on the part of the person who actually has to administer the treatment. The treatment’s duration itself can take upwards of six months before the end result is attained.
Just how effective the tea tree oil treatment is, depends on just how severe a person’s degree of nail fungus actually is and the type of fungi involved, so just remember when it comes to the use of tea tree oil and nail fungus, patience is a virtue.
Balanced diet
Eat a healthy, balanced diet and stay active
The key to a healthy balanced diet is not to ban or omit any foods or food groups but to balance what you eat by consuming a variety of foods from each food group in the right proportions for good health.
The five food groups on the eatwell plate are:
Fruit and vegetables
These should make up about a third of your daily diet and can be eaten as part of every meal, as well as being the first choice for a snack.
You should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Research suggests this can help to protect against cancer, obesity and various chronic diseases such as heart disease. This is because of the unique package of nutrients and plant compounds they contain
Bread, rice, potatoes and pasta
This food group should also make up about a third of your diet and contains the starchy carbohydrates that are the body’s main source of energy.
When selecting products from this food group, choose unrefined carbohydrates over those that have been refined, as they will contain the whole of the grain. Wholegrain foods are rich in fibre and other nutrients that have many health benefits, and people who consume wholegrains seem to have a reduced risk of certain cancers, diabetes and coronary heart disease.
The final third of the eatwell plate is made up of three groups containing foods that need to be consumed in smaller proportions than the other two principal categories. These food groups also contain nutrients essential to our diet, so it’s important not to leave them out altogether.
Milk and dairy foods
These should be eaten in moderation because of their high saturated fat content, but they’re an important source of calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Choose low-fat or reduced-fat versions.
Meat, fish, eggs and beans
This food group includes both animal and plant sources of protein, which is a major functional and structural component of all cells. Protein provides the body with between 10 and 15 per cent of its dietary energy, and is needed for growth and repair.
Healthy living
The balance diet and its benefit are really important for herbalife family foundation as they enhances the health and tell food is there to enjoy, which is often forgotten amid all the media hype surrounding various food items. Just remember to keep a check on portion size and energy density.
Food habits change slowly, but
- try new foods
- join a local cookery club to boost your culinary confidence
- have a positive attitude about food – it’s one of life’s pleasures
Exercise helps to maintain your body weight by balancing your energy intake (food eaten) with energy output (exercise).
Take small steps if you’re new to exercise – use the stairs instead of the lift at work, get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way, or try to exercise with a friend.
Fruit and vegetables
Five a day
Due to their nutritional and health benefits, it’s recommended that fruit and vegetables form the basis of your diet, with a minimum intake of five portions each day – about a third of your daily food consumption. Currently the UK averages two to three portions a day, so we’re falling well short of the benefits they can provide.
Fruit and vegetables should be incorporated into every meal, as well as being the first choice for a snack. Population studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease and some cancers. Health benefits can be gained from fresh, tinned (in natural juice), frozen, cooked, juiced or dried versions. Potatoes don’t count though, as they’re a starchy food.
How much is a portion?
- One piece of medium-sized fruit, such as an apple, peach, banana or orange
- One slice of fruit, such as melon, mango or pineapple
- One handful of grapes or two handfuls of cherries or berry fruits
- One tablespoon of dried fruit
- A glass (roughly 100ml) of fruit or vegetable juice
- A small tin (roughly 200g) of fruit
- 3 tablespoons of fruit salad or stewed fruit
- A side salad
- A serving (roughly 80g) of vegetables, such as frozen or mushy peas, boiled carrots or stir-fried broccoli
- Cooked dishes that contain significant amounts of vegetables may also count
So how do you ensure an intake of five portions a day? Here’s a typical plan:
- Glass of fresh orange juice or smoothie for breakfast = one portion
- Small pack of dried apricots for mid-morning snack = one portion
- Side salad with lunch = one portion
- Sugar snap peas and broccoli, served with main meal = one portion
- Strawberries as dessert = one portion
Do remember that some fruits contain many of their nutrients just under the skin, so eating them with the skin on can provide greater nutritional benefits and the maximum amount of fibre compared with just drinking the juice of the same fruit.