Nail Fungus / Onychomycosis

One thing to consider is that you are not just "killing" the existing topical fungus (nails, skin, vagina, mouth etc.), your goal is to inhibit growth of the fungus in tissue that has grown that day during treatment. The growing cells must incorporate some of what is being applied, right into the cell, so that particular cell will no longer be susceptible to the fungus. The natural shedding of old cells and the growing of new, unaffected cells will take place only if you consistently apply treatment twice daily (morning and night). Typically the dead cells will darken to black or dark brown and may look unsightly as this process takes place.

If a single application is missed, any tissue that grew that day will be susceptible, and the treatment may have to start all over. Resources say that it takes 4 weeks to replace your skin, so if you stop treatment of any skin fungus before 6 weeks, the problem may recur. It may take 6 months to grow a new toe nail, so if the treatment is stopped less than a month after the nail looks normal, the problem will likely recur. Fungi abhors an acid environment. The normal colon contents are very acid which is what normally protects us from having Candida issues. 

So, keep in mind that the toenail will have to grow the infected nail off the body. If treatment is missed for even one single time, the nail that grew that day may not be resistant to the fungus, and the fungus can infect the new growth. You must inhibit it from attaching itself to the new growth. Likely, the treatment time starts all over when you miss a treatment. 

The protocol for Nail fungus:
Apply a couple of drops of essential oil at the growing base of the affected nail every morning and night, and within a few months, a normal nail should begin to show at the base of the nail. Apply morning and evening consistently until the fungus is eradicated and perhaps for some time afterward to avoid re-occurrence. As noted above, the dead cells (toenails) may darken as this is being resolved. We cannot offer a refund if you are not happy with the discoloration.

For more information about fungus, Candida and an anti-fungal diet, please see our Candida detail page.

In his Complete Skin Care Series, Robert Tisserand noted that nail-bed fungus is very difficult to eradicate. He suggests a 3% dilution of Lavender (20 drops), Tea Tree oil (16 drops), Manuka (10 drops), Oregano (5 drops). He suggested 36mL Virgin Coconut oil, 12 mL Sesame oil and 12 mL Jojoba as the carrier. (Tisserand Skin Care Series, 2014). See Hopewell's Home Run blend.

In this same series, Tisserand notes in a discussion about athlete's feet that a 25% dilution of Tea Tree was effective. There was only a marginal gain with 50% dilution.

In Tisserand's Master Safety Class (2023), he stated that "nail fungus is very stubborn and takes a long time to treat." He thinks that one might need a higher concentration, such as a 20% essential oil blend. His research found that nails are porous to essential oils.

Fungal infections — In a study published in the International Journal of
Health Sciences, researchers studied the cytoprotective effect of black seed oil in male rats. Results show that the group of rats treated with the oil showed reduced effects of AFB1 (aflatoxin-B1), a toxin produced by the Aspergillus flavus group of fungi.
Study of Protective Effect of Date and Nigella Sativa on Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity
PubChem Profile of Aflatoxin-B1

Worwood's Nail Infection Essential Oil Blend (2.5% dilution ratio)
10 drops Tea Tree
10 drops Manuka
5 drops Eucalyptus radiata
Blend together and add 2 TB (30 mL) tamanu oil or gotu kola oil.
Apply around the nail bed three times daily. Massage in well.

Carrier? Consider choosing a carrier that also has anti-fungal properties such as:
Black Cumin oil has antifungal properties (slight peppery aroma)
Emu soothes itching and inflammation
Jojoba has regenerative properties
Neem CO2 has antifungal properties (strong aroma)
Tamanu has antifungal properties (nutty aroma)

Testimonies

1. I took Cleansing internally for other fungus issues, and my nail fungus cleared up as well.

2. I used Oregano, Cinnamon Bark and Helichrysum Substitute Blend in rotation on my nail fungus with great results.

3. My brother had a fungus under one of his big toenails for 25 years. I gave him a bottle of Frankincense, and he put a drop at the base of his toenail every morning and evening. The toenail grew out healthy from the root, and the infected part is almost gone. One thing I've heard and stress to him is that you can't miss even one application or you allow the fungus to start over. Consistency is key.

4. I run a massage clinic and have several clients who have good success by using Clove and Cleansing on ugly nails. These oils are also nice when blended with a massage oil and rubbed on the bottoms of their feet to alleviate itching that is related to athlete's feet, which is also a fungal issue. The thing that needs to be stressed is for the person to be consistent, and to continue treatment for a while after the symptoms disappear.

5. My sister had to have her big toenail removed twice because of a nasty fungus. I suggested that she try Clove oil, and after 30 years of this plague, she was free of the beastly fungus.

6. I have used Cleansing for infections before, but it dawned on me that I should use the oils to attack an advanced stage of toenail fungus I'd been battling for over 10 years. I used Cleansing, Lemongrass and just Tea Tree morning and evening on the four badly infected toes. They were itchy and very uncomfortable because ? of the nail had partially dislocated from the nail bed. The fungus stopped in its tracks as did the itchy sensation. By the time the nail grew out, the fungus is totally gone - not a sign if it.

7. I killed the nail fungus! I used Tea Tree with grapefruit seed extract in a base of 70% fractionated coconut oil. I added 70 drops Tea Tree and 30 drops of GSE to a 1oz bottle, and topped it off with fractionated coconut oil. I used a rubber bulb/glass pipette to apply to the affected area. I felt was imperative to trim away as much of the infected nail as possible. I scraped out as much of the dead skin and infected nail bed as tolerable. I also disinfected my stockings, socks and shoes - anything that comes in contact with the fungus. I used a toothpick to gently work the oil blend under the nail into hard to reach areas. I followed the suggestion above and applied this every morning and evening without fail! I kept it up until there was not a sign of the infected nail, and then I kept it up a while just to be sure. I’d put too much into it to have it come back! - Judy

8. The nail fungus essential oil treatment is amazing! I used Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Clove, Lavender and Tamanu, and I am already seeing healthy nail growth. I even passed on your site information to my dad and brother, as both have the same kind of thing going on. My husband even likes the smell of the oils as opposed to an OTC nail lacquer treatment. I am glad I stumbled onto your website! - Jessie
[HEO's Comment: This blend should be diluted at 3% to avoid skin irritation. See Hopewell's Home Run blend.]

9. My husband's toe fungus is getting better every day. He's been consistently putting a blend of Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Clove, Lavender and Tamanu on twice a day. - Patti
[HEO's Comment: This blend should be diluted at 3% to avoid skin irritation. See Hopewell's Home Run blend.]

10. Just wanted to let you know that my daughter just told me that the nail fungus blend of Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Clove, Lavender and Tamanu is the only thing she has ever used that even begins to clear this up for her. :-) - Faith
[HEO's Comment: This blend should be diluted at 3% to avoid skin irritation. See Hopewell's Home Run blend.]

11. A lot of men seem to struggle with foot fungus. My husband did NOT have any toenails! We started putting Tea Tree oil on the nails and under the toes morning and night for 2 years straight. We are so very thankful to report that he has nails again and his skin is so much healthier and happier! Many have said that foot fungus can't be treated, but with patience and persistence, it sure can happen! - Susan

12. I had a nasty case of athlete’s foot that I couldn’t get rid of. I put 1 drop of Contender on it and it went away and never came back. It’s a strong antifungal. - Sarah

13. I had a fungus on my fingernails that was hard to get rid of. I tried Tea Tree with no success, but when I switched to using Top Gun, it started to heal. I put 1 diluted drop on the nails 2-3 times daily. I did it more often if I had my hands in water a lot. - Mary

14. I wanted to send you a testimony regarding toe fungus and diluted tea tree oil. It has WORKED for my son!  He is very persistent. He has been using a few drops twice a day for TWO years!  We just used a glass bottle with a glass pipette to dilute Tea Tree oil with grape seed oil.  One time we diluted it with extra virgin olive oil. The doctor says to keep treating, because he still sees a little fungus, but to me the nails look normal. Praise God!  We saw new, healthy pink growth after 2 months.  Some times the nail looked 1/4 inch thick, there were so many layers on top.  A few times we soaked his feet and cut off as much as possible of the infected, yellow, thick nail. We even used a Dremel tool on it.  That made a big difference!   I wish we had done that sooner.  We are so happy with the results. Even his friends have commented that his nails look normal.  Only his 2 big toes were affected. Warm hugs to you and thank you again for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and making high quality oils available so reasonably! - Maria

References
Tisserand, Robert, Complete Skin Care Series.
Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, 2016, page 419.