Clove essential oil is a potent oil known for its impressive anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Extracted from the clove tree called Syzygium Aromaticum, clove oil can be easily found across the world, especially South America and Southeast Asia.
Clove oil has a strong, cooling fragrance because of a compound called eugenol.
Typically used to flavor foods and teas, eugenol is also a medicinal agent that treats toothaches and fungal infections.
Other well-known compounds in clove essential oil include vanillin, caryophyllene, and methyl salicylate.
All of these compounds come together to make clove essential oil a powerful treatment against many diseases and ailments.
One such skin condition that clove oil can effectively treat and heal is toenail fungus.
Using clove oil for toenail fungus can do wonders to treat the underlying growth of yeast and bacteria in the affected area.
Toenail fungus can be annoying and painful. But it can also indicate other serious issues.
For example, if you have thin, brittle nails that break easily, the cracks can allow dampness to enter.
This becomes a breeding ground for fungal growth and leads to ugly white and greenish spots under your toenail bed.
The worrying bit about toenail fungus is that if you don’t treat it in time, it might even spread to other fingernails and the surrounding skin.
Initially, the fungus may seem harmless. However, over time, it can aggravate and severely damage your nail.
While nail discoloration is a common sign of toenail fungus, if your toenail becomes brown or black, you might end up losing it.
In severe cases, toenail fungus can cause the nail to come off from the nailbed, which can lead to a host of infections.
The point of the matter is that a toenail fungus must be treated seriously. The good news is that this ailment can easily and effectively be treated with clove essential oil.
Below are some known benefits that prove why you should consider clove oil for toenail fungus.
Benefits Of Clove Oil For Toenail Fungus
Before opting for anti-fungal medications or surgery, try essential oil therapy to get rid of the fungus. Here’s what makes clove oil so special.
1. Anti-Fungal Properties
Research proves that the compounds found in clove oil, especially eugenol, have immense anti-fungal properties that can effectively kill yeast and fungus.
The compound works by inhibiting fungus growth in the cell membranes.
When the cells were treated with concentrated solutions of clove oil, they showed remarkable recovery from the fungal infections.
Although further investigation is needed, we have surefire proof that clove oil is a wonderful anti-fungal that can remedy toenail fungus.
In another study, clove oil’s anti-fungal properties have been noted when a concentrated solution killed nearly 99.6% of the fungus growth.
The solution consisted of sugar and clove oil.
It remained in contact with a fungal infection for only 2 minutes and ended up being just as effective as standard disinfectants like chloroxylenol and povidone-iodine.
This certainly proves that no matter where the fungus is on your skin, clove oil might just be one of the best treatments to use.
2. Antimicrobial And Antibacterial Properties
Clove oil is a superstar spice due to its antimicrobial qualities.
Clove oil has the potential to destroy special groups of microbes and bacteria that can harm the human body.
This study confirms that clove oil can be used externally to kill bacteria.
This is wonderful news for skin infections that involve bacterial growth and inflammation.
Even when toenail fungus is primarily due to an overgrowth of candida, the ailment can also cause considerable redness and pain around the toenail.
Clove oil, therefore, is a multipurpose, all-in-one treatment that provides both antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties for your toenail.
Broken, brittle, and discolored toenails may be vulnerable to bacteria entering from external places.
However, treating your toenail with clove oil will ensure that the area remains clean and hygienic.
Hence, while treating the fungus, it will also prevent the bacteria and fungus from spreading to surrounding nail fingers and skin.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Powers
With such laudable properties, clove oil also possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties.
If the toenail breaks or you end up bumping it into a heavy object, the fungus can weaken your nail and lead to redness and pain.
Applying clove oil will ensure that the inflammation goes away fast.
The oil will help soothe the affected toenail and calm down any irritation that could otherwise make walking quite difficult.
The oil has cooling and calming properties that will provide instant relief to your toenail.
How To Use Clove Oil For Toenail Fungus
There are many ways to treat your toenail with clove oil. However, the oil needs to be diluted first.
This is because clove oil can be quite harsh when it is directly applied to the skin.
Since, the nail bed and the surrounding skin around the toenail is already affected by a fungal infection, applying raw clove oil can cause irritation and stinging.
Therefore, the best way to apply clove oil is by diluting it in a few drops of coconut oil or jojoba oil, which can actually amplify the treatment.
Apply the solution 3-4 times a day so that the fungus can be effectively killed and prevented.
If you don’t have clove oil, you can also crush the spice itself and apply the oil that’s released from it.
It’s better to follow this treatment consistently at least twice a day or more if your toenail fungus is causing you discomfort.
The oil will cool down the inflammation, fight the fungus, and strengthen your nail bed.
Conclusion
The benefits of clove oil simply can’t be appreciated enough.
The oil is just as effective as most disinfectants used in hospitals, which is a powerful testament to its anti-fungal properties.
Therefore, instead of opting for surgery or expensive anti-fungal drugs, use this wonderful oil to treat your toenail fungus!
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