Aspergillosis natural treatments and home remedies

It is an infection that is caused by a type of mold. Usually, the respiratory system is affected by illnesses that result from aspergillosis infection, but the signs and symptoms vary a lot. You cannot avoid the aspergillus mold because it lives indoors and outdoors. Those people, who have a healthy immune system, usually do not have problems with exposure to this mold. But those people, who have a weakened immune system that is caused by immunosuppressant medications or illness, have fewer infection-fighting cells, which allows the aspergillus mold to invade their lungs. This condition is not contagious from one person to another.

There are some factors that can increase your risk of getting aspergilloses, such as long–term corticosteroid therapy, asthma or cystic fibrosis, lung cavities; low white blood cell levels; weakened immune system. If you leave the aspergillosis, then it can cause severe and sometimes fatal bleeding in your lungs.

Also, there are some cases when aspergillosis can spread to other parts of your body, especially the heart, brain, and kidneys. The invasive aspergillosis spreads rapidly, and it is often fatal in spite of early treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you suffer from aspergillosis before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for this condition.

16 Home remedies for aspergillosis

Coconut oil

This natural cure has caprylic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid and all of them have potent antifungal characteristics [1,2]. The regular intake of coconut oil also it is acting as a mild natural laxative that can kill and flush out the Aspergillus niger in the digestive system. The recommended fungal dose of coconut oil is three to six tablespoons per day of 45 – 90 ml which is integrated into your food as part of your daily diet.

Olive oil

This natural cure has a strong antifungal compound which is derived from olives, called oleuropein. This is a strong agent against fungi such as Aspergillus niger. Olives are antifungal agents which can kill this mold immediately, so the oleuropein first disrupts the reproductive ability of the fungus. This will quickly halt the spread of Aspergillus niger. This component cuts off the food supply of the fungus, especially the previously mentioned mold. You can take the olive oil in oral form by mixing it with your food, or you can apply it as a topical treatment on your skin wounds. It is safe to intake 25 – 40 mL per day.

Goldenseal

The root of this natural cure is commonly used as a wound disinfectant for minor cuts, but also it can be used as an effective antifungal agent. [3] You can take the golden seal orally to treat the Aspergillus niger, or you can apply it topically on the infected skin. Also, this natural cure enhances the antifungal effects of other antifungal agents, which are making it why it is considered an effective antifungal herbal remedy. Also, you can take golden seal in capsule form, usually is recommended to take one capsule two times per day. You can use it as a tincture for infected cuts and wounds on your skin.

Eat a balanced diet

It is very important to eat a balanced diet. Your body and immune system need optimum nutrition in order to function well. You should eat fresh foods, at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables on daily basis.

Avoid places where Aspergillus spores are abundant

You need to avoid those places in which Aspergillus spores are abundant, such as renovation areas, building construction, dead leaves, rotting vegetation, grain stores, damp bark or wood chippings, compost heaps,

Garlic

We know that raw garlic is an antifungal agent which can be used to kill Aspergillus niger. It has allicin which is a natural component that has strong antifungal properties, and it can kill a wide variety of fungi in which Aspergillus niger is also included. You should eat two to three raw garlic cloves per day because this is a very effective home remedy against aspergillosis.

Also, you can take garlic in capsule form if you do not like the smell of garlic. Take this capsule 3 times per day. Garlic has a fungicidal effect, which becomes apparent when the allicin is absorbed by the intestines and stomach and then into the bloodstream. Also, you can add garlic to your cooking. You can cut the garlic into chunks and then swallow these chunks as pills. [4,5]

Do not smoke

You should quit smoking because this can further weaken your immune system in your lungs and it is increasing your risk of aspergillosis.

Astragalus

This is a good general immune system booster, and you can use it as a natural treatment for aspergillosis. You should get a standardized product and follow the dosage on the label, or you can take 2 capsules two times per day. You can stay on this natural treatment indefinitely.

Change your pillow regularly

You need to change your pillow regularly because it is shown that pillows are harbourers of Aspergillus.

Bromelain

This is a digestive enzyme that comes from the stem and the fruit of the pineapple plant. This enzyme is suggested as a potential natural cure for aspergillosis, but a lot more studies need to be done in the future to approve or disapprove it. Talk with your doctor before you start using bromelain as your natural treatment for aspergillosis. You should avoid this natural cure if you are allergic to some member of the family Bromeliaceaefamily, such as pineapple, cypress pollen, fennel, celery, carrots, birch pollen, latex, venom, honeybee, etc.

If you have a history of liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, stomach ulcers, or bleeding disorders, then you should use bromelain with caution. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, then avoid bromelain as your natural treatment for aspergillosis. Also, if you are driving or operating machinery or if you are going to have a dental or surgical procedure, then use bromelain with caution. [6]

Make sure your home is cool and has low humidity

One of the best ways to lower the risk of aspergillosis is to create an environment in which this mold does not thrive, and this is very important if you have a compromised immune system. Your humidity should be relatively low, and you should be sure that your air conditioner is working well.

Zinc

There are some studies which are said that supplementation with zinc can reduce the incidence of lower respiratory infections. But also, there are other studies which are not supported the incidence of lower respiratory infections. These are conflicting studies, so lot more studies need to be done in the future to approve or disapprove it. This mineral is considered safe when it is taken in recommended dosage. Talk with your doctor if you can use zinc as your natural treatment for aspergillosis.

Washing hands

You should wash hands with soap, particularly after touching any objects that harbor Aspergillus spores. You need to maintain a good habit of washing your hands before meals before you touch your nose, mouth, lips, or eyes or any wounds on your skin.

Vitamin D3

There are some studies in which are found that people who suffer from cystic fibrosis, which is complicated by allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, were Vitamin D deficient. In some studies is said that people who are taking Vitamin D3 for a period of 6 months and who do not have any signs of Vitamin D toxicity or hypercalcemia have well tolerated the Vitamin D3 supplementation.

Oregano essential oil

There are many studies in which are said that the oregano essential oil has diverse types of terpenes, phenolics and aldehydes, and other antimicrobial compounds which can help effectively destroy several types of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. In one study was said that oregano essential oil is one of the best inhibitors of fungal pathogens. This essential oil has a phenolic compound known as carvacrol which is its main constituent, and it disrupts the fungal cell membranes. [7] If you suffer from aspergillosis, then it is best to take this essential oil for at least 90 consecutive days.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is needed for the body to form collagen in bones, blood vessels, muscle, and cartilage. Also, this vitamin can help to prevent aspergillosis. You need to talk with your doctor about the best dosage of Vitamin C that you should consume as your natural treatment for aspergillosis.

References:

[1] Elmore LK, Nance G, Singleton S, Lorenz L. Treatment of dermal infections with topical coconut oil: A review of efficacy and safety of Cocos nucifera L. in treating skin infections. Natural Medicine Journal. 2014;6(5).

[2] Rihakova Z, Filip V, Plockova M, et al. Inhibition of Aspergillus niger DMF 0801 by monoacylglycerols prepared from coconut oil. Czech Journal of Food Sciences – UZPI (Czech Republic). 2002.

[3] Ettefagh KA, Burns JT, Junio HA, et al. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) extracts synergistically enhance the antibacterial activity of berberine via efflux pump inhibition. Planta Medica. 2011;77(8):835-840.

[4] Shadkchan Y, Shemesh E, Mirelman D, et al. Efficacy of allicin, the reactive molecule of garlic, in inhibiting Aspergillus spp. in vitro, and in a murine model of disseminated aspergillosis. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2004;53(5):832-836.

[5] Abdallah EM. Potential antifungal activity of fresh garlic cloves (Allium sativum L.) from Sudan. Journal of Biotechnology Research. 2017;3(11):106-109.

[6] Rathnavelu V, Alitheen NB, Sohila S, et al. Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications. Biomedical Reports. 2016;5(3):283-288.

[7] Daouk RK, Dagher SM, Sattout EJ. Antifungal activity of the essential oil of Origanum syriacum L. Journal of Food Protection. 1994;58(10):1147-49.