Penny Slimmon Herbalist

Candida/Yeast Overgrowth

Imagine the following scenario

A patient enters a doctor’s office and complains of various symptoms from which she has been suffering, all of which seem to have no real connection. She’s had increasing joint pain, digestive upset, bloating and irregular bowel movements, fatigue, failing memory and an occational rash.

The doctor asks a variety of questions, and proceeds to do a series of tests, all of which come back “normal”. At a loss for what’s causing these symptoms, he tells his patient to simply “give it some time-they’ll probably clear up on their own. “ Unfortunately, they don’t clear up, and some of them worsen in their severity.

The Candida /Yeast Conundrum

Every year, thousands of people have an experience similar to that just described. They have a few or several seemingly unconnected symptoms that can’t be explained by conventional medicine. But there is a possible explanation-Candida albicans. Candida is a family of fungi that are virtually everywhere in our environment, on our skin and in our intestines. Present in moderate levels, it is normal and does not negatively affect the body. However, if allowed to grow uncontrolled, it can wreak havoc within the body.

In healthy people the immune system prevents candida from overgrowing. But compromised immune function can allow candida to proliferate, resulting in a condition called cadidiasis. A weakened immune system can be caused by various factors, including the following:

  • Birth control pills
  • Antibiotic therapy
  • Cortisone/prednisone
  • Chemotherapy
  • Excessive sugar in the diet
  • Stress
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer

When candida overgrows, it can infect every organ and tissue in the body and cause virtually every known symptom ranging from thrush, and anal itching to poor memory, joint pain and dry skin (see questionnaire for complete listing). Unfortunately, there is no easy or convincing diagnostic test that will definitively tell you whether you have candida overgrowth. And antifungal drugs are notoriously inadequate in controlling candidiasis.

For those who appear to have canidiasis, the safest, simple natural approach is to follow the 7-Step Candida Solution:

  1. Eat a diet that “starves” the yeast. Avoid sugar and artificial foolds and additives. Eat a low carbohydrate diet.
  2. Keep an acid-alkaline balance. The human body should normally be slightly alkaline. However, many experts feel that the common Western diet contribues to an acidic state in the body. Regulating the body’s pH balance can help control candidiasis.
  3. Use Probiotics. Probiotics are friendly intestinal bacteria that can fight candida, contribute to a healthy pH and assist immune function.
  4. Support your immune system. Lifestyle habits can help enhance immune function and keep candida at bay. These include getting enough sleep, maintaining a positive attitude and enjoying the detoxification benefits of a sauna.
  5. Clear out the yeast as it dies off.
  6. Repair “leaky gut”.
    Read More
  7. Supplement with herbs and other nutrients know to help:
  • Pau D’arco
  • Caprylic acid
  • Elecampane root
  • Black walnut hulls
  • Red raspberry leaf
  • Echinacea
  • Garlic
  • Oregano
  • Zinc
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin D

Do you Have Candida?

The following 2-part questionnaire can help you determine if candida overgrowth is contributing to your health problems.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. /* FIELDS STYLES */ .nf-form-content .nf-field-container #nf-field-220-wrap { display:inline; }
var formDisplay=1;var nfForms=nfForms||[];var form=[];form.id='18';form.settings={"objectType":"Form Setting","editActive":true,"title":"Do you have Candida?","show_title":0,"clear_complete":1,"hide_complete":1,"default_label_pos":"above","wrapper_class":"","element_class":"","key":"","add_submit":0,"currency":"","unique_field_error":"A form with this value has already been submitted.","logged_in":false,"not_logged_in_msg":"","sub_limit_msg":"The form has reached its submission limit.","calculations":[{"errors":[],"max_options":0,"order":0,"new":false,"options":[],"name":"candida-quiz-score1","eq":"{field:have_you_taken_tetracycline_or_other_antibiotics_for_acne_for_one_month_or_longer_1527273257472}+{field:have_you_at_any_time_in_your_life_taken_other_broad-spectrum_antibiotics_for_respiratory_urinary_or_other_infections_for_2_months_or_longer_or_in_short_courses_4_or_more_times_in_a_1-year_period_1527273420869}+{field:have_you_ever_taken_a_broad-spectrum_antibiotic_even_a_single_course_1527273449351}+{field:have_you_at_any_time_in_your_life_been_bothered_by_persistent_prostatitis_vaginitis_or_other_problems_affecting_our_reproductive_organs_1527273456747}+{field:have_you_been_pregnant_1527515898556}+{field:have_you_taken_birth-control_pills_1527515895373}+{field:have_you_taken_prednisone_or_other_cortisone-type_drugs_1527515868182}+{field:does_exposure_to_perfumes_insecticides_fabric_shop_odors_and_other_chemicals_provoke_mild_symptoms_or_moderate_to_severe_symptoms_1527515966237}+{field:have_you_had_athlete_s_feet_ringworm_jock_itch_excema_or_other_chronic_infections_of_the_skin_or_nails_1527519495796}+{field:do_you_crave_sugar_1527273550563}+{field:do_you_crave_breads_1527273558099}+{field:do_you_crave_alcoholic_beverages_1527273570872}+{field:do_you_crave_cheese_or_mushrooms_1527273577902}","dec":"2","settingModel":{"settings":false,"hide_merge_tags":false,"error":false,"name":"calculations","type":"option-repeater","label":" Add New","width":"full","group":"primary","tmpl_row":"tmpl-nf-edit-setting-calculation-repeater-row","columns":{"name":{"header":"Variable Name","default":""},"eq":{"header":"Equation","default":""},"dec":{"header":"Precision","default":"2"}},"use_merge_tags":{"exclude":["user","system","post"]}}},{"errors":[],"max_options":0,"order":1,"new":false,"options":[],"name":"candida-quiz-score2","eq":"{field:cramps_and_or_other_menstrual_irregularities_1527522873169}+{field:urinary_urgency_or_frequency_1527518048436}+{field:cough_1527518037606}+{field:wheezing_or_shortness_of_breath_1527518043284}+{field:hemorrhoids_1527518013276}+{field:mucus_in_stools_1527518007523}+{field:belching_and_intestinal_gas_1527518001772}+{field:indigestion_1527517995653}+{field:itching_or_other_rashes_1527517919332}+{field:athlete_s_foot_1527517878333}+{field:jock_itch_1527517872341}+{field:impotence_1527517841526}+{field:prostatitis_1527517831966}+{field:persistant_vaginal_itch_or_burning_1527517821324}+{field:bloating_1527517813876}+{field:abdominal_pain_1527517798023}+{field:pain_and_or_swelling_in_joints_1527517792151}+{field:muscle_aches_1527517784901}+{field:numbness_burning_or_tingling_1527517778043}+{field:depression_1527517771671}+{field:fatigue_or_lethargy_1527517640279}+{field:poor_memory_1527517713943} + {field:inability_to_concentrate_1527517726918}+{field:frequent_moods_swings_1527517753837}+{field:feeling_spacey_or_unreal_1527517759932}+{field:postnasal_drip_1527518020487}+{field:coated_tongue_1527517957694}+{field:abdominal_pain_1527517798023}+{field:impotence_1527517841526}+{field:loss_of_sexual_desire_1527517885670}+{field:endometriosis_1527517913755}+{field:burning_on_urination_1527518054451}","dec":"2","settingModel":{"settings":false,"hide_merge_tags":false,"error":false,"name":"calculations","type":"option-repeater","label":" Add New","width":"full","group":"primary","tmpl_row":"tmpl-nf-edit-setting-calculation-repeater-row","columns":{"name":{"header":"Variable Name","default":""},"eq":{"header":"Equation","default":""},"dec":{"header":"Precision","default":"2"}},"use_merge_tags":{"exclude":["user","system","post"]}}},{"errors":[],"max_options":0,"order":2,"new":false,"options":[],"name":"candida-quiz-total","eq":"{calc:candida-quiz-score1}+{calc:candida-quiz-score2}","dec":"2","settingModel":{"settings":false,"hide_merge_tags":false,"error":false,"name":"calculations","type":"option-repeater","label":" Add New","width":"full","group":"primary","tmpl_row":"tmpl-nf-edit-setting-calculation-repeater-row","columns":{"name":{"header":"Variable Name","default":""},"eq":{"header":"Equation","default":""},"dec":{"header":"Precision","default":"2"}},"use_merge_tags":{"exclude":["user","system","post"]}}}],"container_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"title_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"row_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"row-odd_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"success-msg_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"error_msg_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"formContentData":[{"order":1,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["html_1527517561302"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":2,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_taken_tetracycline_or_other_antibiotics_for_acne_for_one_month_or_longer_1527273257472"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":3,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_at_any_time_in_your_life_taken_other_broad-spectrum_antibiotics_for_respiratory_urinary_or_other_infections_for_2_months_or_longer_or_in_short_courses_4_or_more_times_in_a_1-year_period_1527273420869"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":4,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_ever_taken_a_broad-spectrum_antibiotic_even_a_single_course_1527273449351"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":5,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_at_any_time_in_your_life_been_bothered_by_persistent_prostatitis_vaginitis_or_other_problems_affecting_our_reproductive_organs_1527273456747"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":6,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_been_pregnant_1527515898556"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":7,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_taken_birth-control_pills_1527515895373"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":8,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_taken_prednisone_or_other_cortisone-type_drugs_1527515868182"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":9,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["does_exposure_to_perfumes_insecticides_fabric_shop_odors_and_other_chemicals_provoke_mild_symptoms_or_moderate_to_severe_symptoms_1527515966237"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":10,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["have_you_had_athlete_s_feet_ringworm_jock_itch_excema_or_other_chronic_infections_of_the_skin_or_nails_1527519495796"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":11,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["do_you_crave_sugar_1527273550563"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":12,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["do_you_crave_breads_1527273558099"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":13,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["do_you_crave_alcoholic_beverages_1527273570872"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":14,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["do_you_crave_cheese_or_mushrooms_1527273577902"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":15,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["html_1527273615844"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":16,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["html_1527517594818"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":17,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["fatigue_or_lethargy_1527517640279"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":18,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["poor_memory_1527517713943"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":19,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["inability_to_concentrate_1527517726918"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":20,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["frequent_moods_swings_1527517753837"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":21,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["feeling_spacey_or_unreal_1527517759932"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":22,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["depression_1527517771671"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":23,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["numbness_burning_or_tingling_1527517778043"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":24,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["muscle_aches_1527517784901"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":25,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["pain_and_or_swelling_in_joints_1527517792151"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":26,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["abdominal_pain_1527517798023"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":27,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["bloating_1527517813876"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":28,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["persistant_vaginal_itch_or_burning_1527517821324"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":29,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["prostatitis_1527517831966"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":30,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["impotence_1527517841526"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":31,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["jock_itch_1527517872341"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":32,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["athlete_s_foot_1527517878333"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":33,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["loss_of_sexual_desire_1527517885670"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":34,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["endometriosis_1527517913755"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":35,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["itching_or_other_rashes_1527517919332"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":36,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["coated_tongue_1527517957694"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":37,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["thrush_in_mouth_or_throat_1527517963679"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":38,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["heartburn_1527517977702"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":39,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["indigestion_1527517995653"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":40,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["belching_and_intestinal_gas_1527518001772"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":41,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["mucus_in_stools_1527518007523"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":42,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["hemorrhoids_1527518013276"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":43,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["postnasal_drip_1527518020487"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":44,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["cough_1527518037606"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":45,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["wheezing_or_shortness_of_breath_1527518043284"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":46,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["urinary_urgency_or_frequency_1527518048436"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":47,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["burning_on_urination_1527518054451"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":48,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["cramps_and_or_other_menstrual_irregularities_1527522873169"],"width":"100"}]},{"order":49,"cells":[{"order":0,"fields":["html_1527518199801"],"width":"100"}]}],"drawerDisabled":false,"allow_public_link":0,"embed_form":"","form_title_heading_level":"3","ninjaForms":"Ninja Forms","changeEmailErrorMsg":"Please enter a valid email address!","changeDateErrorMsg":"Please enter a valid date!","confirmFieldErrorMsg":"These fields must match!","fieldNumberNumMinError":"Number Min Error","fieldNumberNumMaxError":"Number Max Error","fieldNumberIncrementBy":"Please increment by ","fieldTextareaRTEInsertLink":"Insert Link","fieldTextareaRTEInsertMedia":"Insert Media","fieldTextareaRTESelectAFile":"Select a file","formErrorsCorrectErrors":"Please correct errors before submitting this form.","formHoneypot":"If you are a human seeing this field, please leave it empty.","validateRequiredField":"This is a required field.","honeypotHoneypotError":"Honeypot Error","fileUploadOldCodeFileUploadInProgress":"File Upload in Progress.","fileUploadOldCodeFileUpload":"FILE UPLOAD","currencySymbol":"$","fieldsMarkedRequired":"Fields marked with an * are required","thousands_sep":",","decimal_point":".","siteLocale":"en_US","dateFormat":"m\/d\/Y","startOfWeek":"1","of":"of","previousMonth":"Previous Month","nextMonth":"Next Month","months":["January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"],"monthsShort":["Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug","Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec"],"weekdays":["Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday"],"weekdaysShort":["Sun","Mon","Tue","Wed","Thu","Fri","Sat"],"weekdaysMin":["Su","Mo","Tu","We","Th","Fr","Sa"],"recaptchaConsentMissing":"reCaptcha validation couldn't load.","recaptchaMissingCookie":"reCaptcha v3 validation couldn't load the cookie needed to submit the form.","recaptchaConsentEvent":"Accept reCaptcha cookies before sending the form.","currency_symbol":"","beforeForm":"","beforeFields":"","afterFields":"","afterForm":""};form.fields=[{"objectType":"Field","objectDomain":"fields","editActive":false,"order":1,"idAttribute":"id","type":"html","label":"","default":"

History","container_class":"","element_class":"","wrap_styles_background-color":"","wrap_styles_border":"","wrap_styles_border-style":"","wrap_styles_border-color":"","wrap_styles_width":"","wrap_styles_margin":"","wrap_styles_padding":"","wrap_styles_display":"","wrap_styles_float":"","wrap_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"wrap_styles_advanced":"","label_styles_background-color":"","label_styles_border":"","label_styles_border-style":"","label_styles_border-color":"","label_styles_color":"","label_styles_width":"","label_styles_font-size":"","label_styles_margin":"","label_styles_padding":"","label_styles_display":"","label_styles_float":"","label_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"label_styles_advanced":"","element_styles_background-color":"","element_styles_border":"","element_styles_border-style":"","element_styles_border-color":"","element_styles_color":"","element_styles_width":"","element_styles_font-size":"","element_styles_margin":"","element_styles_padding":"","element_styles_display":"","element_styles_float":"","element_styles_show_advanced_css":0,"element_styles_advanced":"","cellcid":"c3741","key":"html_1527517561302","drawerDisabled":false,"id":191,"beforeField":"","afterField":"","value":"

History","label_pos":"above","parentType":"html","element_templates":["html","input"],"old_classname":"","wrap_template":"wrap"},{"objectType":"Field","objectDomain":"fields","editActive":false,"order":2,"idAttribute":"id","type":"listradio","label":"Have you taken tetracycline or other antibiotics for acne for one month or longer? ","key":"have_you_taken_tetracycline_or_other_antibiotics_for_acne_for_one_month_or_longer_1527273257472","label_pos":"above","required":0,"options":[{"errors":[],"max_options":0,"order":1,"new":false,"options":[],"label":"No","value":"No","calc":"0","selected":0,"settingModel":{"settings":false,"hide_merge_tags":false,"error":false,"name":"options","type":"option-repeater","label":"Options Add New