Nail Fungus Essential Oil Blend Recipe to Treat Your Toenail

This nail fungus essential oil blend recipe is so amazing and effective that I share it with family and friends as much as I can. If you have ever had nail fungus, you know how much of a hassle it is. Fungal infections are unsightly, persistent, and very uncomfortable, so treating them promptly is a must.

Fortunately, you can treat nail fungus easily and effectively using natural solutions like essential oils. No need to buy expensive creams and ointments that contain harsh chemicals!

I’m excited to share with you my DIY nail fungus essential oil blend recipe, but let’s cover some basics first – let’s go over the signs and symptoms of nail fungus, the benefits of treating it with essential oils, the best anti-fungal essential oils, and some safety considerations. Let’s begin!

Signs and Symptoms of Nail Fungus

Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a common fungal infection that typically affects the toenails and fingernails. The infection begins when fungi penetrate the nail bed through small cuts or separations between the skin and the nail. The nail may become thickened, brittle, and discolored. In more severe cases, It may lift from the nail bed, emit a foul odor, and spread to other nails.

Various organisms cause nail fungus and other nail infections, the most common of which are fungi called dermatophytes. Bacteria, molds, and yeast also cause nail fungus. These fungal organisms are typically found in dark, warm, and moist places like swimming pools, locker rooms, shower stalls, and even in your own home.

Other signs and symptoms of nail fungus include:

• Nail discoloration that ranges from white, yellow, brown, or black
• Nail crumbling or brittleness
• Distortion or thickening of the nail’s shape
• Formation of debris or buildup under the nail
• Pain or discomfort in the infected nail or surrounding skin
• Unpleasant smell from the affected nail

Early detection and prompt nail fungus treatment are essential to prevent further complications. Thankfully, natural remedies are available to effectively treat the condition and prevent it from coming back.

Benefits of Treating Nail Fungus with Essential Oils

Essential oils are a huge part of our household. When I’m fatigued, I use a few drops of my homemade blend for pain and inflammation in my bath. Whenever I need to relax, I simply turn on my diffuser. During cold and flu season, I always have my essential oils for flu ready for my kids.

Pure essential oils have been used to treat various human ailments since ancient times. According to the Handbook of Essential Oils, aromatic oils were first recorded in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine around 2000 BC, listing over 700 substances, including cinnamon, ginger, myrrh, and sandalwood, as being the most effective essential oils for healing.

Plant-based oils have powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties that make them effective at healing various health conditions, including nail fungus. While there are plenty of OTC (over-the-counter) antifungal medications and other treatment options, they typically cause side effects such as itching or burning, redness, rashes, abdominal pain, and more.

On the other hand, using essential oils to treat nail fungus has plenty of advantages, which include:

• Natural treatment. Because they are derived from plants, essential oils have natural anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a better alternative to chemical-based antifungal drugs.
• Safe. Essential oils are generally safe and easy to use, but it’s still important to observe safety precautions.
• Versatile. Essential oils can treat a wide range of fungal infections, which include athlete’s foot, candida, ringworm, and many more.
• Aromatic. Aside from effective treatment, essential oils have a pleasant fragrance that helps promote calmness and relaxation.

Note: Before treating any conditions using essential oils, I recommend reaching out to a licensed aromatherapist or holistic medical professional first, as they can properly address any concerns or questions you may have. Always consider your individual circumstances and prioritize your safety by seeking proper guidance from qualified professionals.

Best Anti-Fungal Essential Oils

From the versatile tea tree to the fragrant rose geranium, these are the best essential oils out there for nail fungus. Better keep them in stock if you’re prone to fungal infections!

Tea Tree

With its powerful antifungal and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil is one of the most popular essential oils for treating fungal infections and skin-related conditions. It is rich in a substance called terpinen-4-ol which was proven to help combat fungal diseases like nail fungus, athlete’s foot, and jock itch. Whether applied topically or added to a foot soak, tea tree essential oil not only heals nail fungus fast, but also promotes healthy skin and nail growth.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon essential oil is rich in healing compounds called eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, both of which have strong antifungal properties. This makes cinnamon a potent antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory agent which has been shown to prevent the growth of various fungi strains. Cinnamon oil can be applied topically on the infected area or used in a diffuser to help inhibit the spread of fungal infections.

Clove

Also rich in eugenol, clove essential oil is a natural anti-fungal agent. It helps inhibit the growth and spread of fungi to other nails. Additionally, clove oil has natural analgesic properties which help with easing discomfort and relieving pain associated with nail fungus. 

Peppermint

Peppermint is another essential oil with anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. Its active ingredient, menthol, helps promote blood circulation and increase oxygen supply to the infected nail, protecting it against infection. Peppermint oil is also a potent pain reliever – it provides a cooling effect that soothes the burning and itchiness caused by nail fungus.

Oregano

Oregano oil is a strong and natural antibiotic, with antifungal and antiviral properties. Its active ingredients, carvacrol and thymol, effectively fight and protect against fungus and bacteria that cause nail and skin infections.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is one of my personal favorites because of its pleasant fragrance that is both calming and relaxing. It is an effective anti-fungal because of its high content of linalool, an anti-fungal compound known to prevent the growth of various types of fungi, including dermatophytes that cause nail fungus. Lavender oil is also known to promote wound healing caused by skin infections.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass essential oil is not only effective at treating nail fungus but is great at preventing it. It is loaded with antioxidants with strong antibacterial properties that help remove impurities leading to fungal infections. Lemongrass oil dries the infected nail, creating an environment where fungi can’t thrive. After eliminating the fungus, the cooling effect of lemongrass promotes the healing of the wound.

Thyme

Next on the list is thyme, an essential oil that also has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help clear fungus and bacteria completely. With regular use, thyme oil effectively repairs damaged skin and nails caused by fungi without leaving any marks. 

Sandalwood

The active ingredient in Sandalwood is alpha-santalolal, which is known to target infection-causing fungi and prevent their growth. 

According to scientists who conducted a 2019 study at the University of the Witwatersrand and Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, “Santalum (sandalwood) essential oils are a commendable option to use against the dermatophyte (pathogenic fungus) and further studies are recommended as this is a species that clearly demonstrates the potential for further development into antifungal preparations.”

Rose Geranium

High in power anti-fungal compounds citronellol and geraniol, rose geranium essential oil helps combat nail fungus while helping restore nail health. It also has mild astringent properties that help strengthen nails and reduce the risk of future fungal growth.

Each essential on this list can effectively combat nail fungus on its own, but you can also mix each with other essential oils and carrier oils for added benefits. 

How to Make an Effective Nail Fungus Essential Oil Blend Recipe

My DIY nail fungus essential oil blend recipe is quick and easy – all you need are four essential oils! This is my go-to recipe whenever friends or family get a toenail infection and it worked wonders every time.

Tools

• 1 10 mL amber glass essential oil bottle
• 1 mini funnel
• 1 teaspoon
• 4 glass droppers, if needed

Materials

• 1 drop of tea tree essential oil
• 1 drop of oregano essential oil
• 1 drop of clove essential oil
• 1 drop of lemongrass essential oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of a carrier oil of your choice

If you’re wondering why you need a carrier oil, it’s important to understand that essential oils are very concentrated and potent, and may cause burning when applied directly on the skin. Carrier oils, which are usually unscented, help dilute essential oils and “carry” them gently to your skin. 

Don’t worry – carrier oils do not interfere with the essential oils’ therapeutic and healing benefits. In fact, they even help moisturize and nourish the skin, as well as maintain healthy nails.

Step-By-Step Guide

1. To start making your nail fungus essential oil blend recipe, gently remove the dropper cap from a clean, empty amber glass essential oil bottle.
2. Measure 1 1/2 teaspoons of any carrier oil you like such as almond or olive oil and use a funnel to pour the oil into the amber glass bottle.
3. Put 1 drop each of tea tree, oregano, clove, and lemongrass essential oils into the amber bottle. If your essential oil bottles do not come with their own dropper, use a separate dropper for each of the essential oils. Swirl the bottle gently after each addition so that the essential oils combine well.
4. Replace the amber bottle’s dropper top and secure the lid. Shake vigorously to combine the ingredients well.

How to Use the Nail Fungus Essential Oil Blend Recipe

1. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly before applying the nail fungus essential oil blend mixture.
2. Apply a few drops of the mixture to the affected area at least twice a day.

Nail fungus can take weeks to months to heal, so just be patient and consistent. Don’t skip applications so that it heals properly and completely, reducing the risk of re-infection in the future. Just make more of the recipe as needed! Feel free to double batch, if desired.

Safety Considerations

It’s important to prioritize safety when using essential oils to treat nail fungus. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Only buy high-quality, organically certified, and therapeutic-grade essential oils for medicinal purposes to avoid “fake” and diluted products that potentially contain harmful chemicals.
• Always use a high-quality carrier oil to dilute essential oils properly to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions. I recommend that you perform a patch test on a non-affected area of the skin and wait 24 hours to check for sensitivity and to confirm that no allergic reaction occurs.
• If any discomfort or irritation occurs after using the nail fungus essential oil blend recipe, discontinue use right away and consult your doctor about it.
• Pregnant or nursing women, young children, and individuals with certain medical conditions should talk to their doctor first before using essential oils to treat nail fungus.

Wrapping Up

The key to combating nasty nail fungus is prompt and consistent treatment. It’s best to have a bottle of the DIY nail fungus essential oil blend recipe above ready – you don’t know when it might come in handy! 

If you’re prone to fungal infections, bookmark this post, then return to it whenever you need to. It would mean a lot if you shared this post with anyone who might find this recipe useful!