Antifungal Activity of Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a spice commonly used in Indian curry. It has been used for many years as a flavoring in food and as a food coloring. It is also used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

Yeast Infections

• Curcumin, the primary chemical in turmeric, is a natural antifungal agent. It is especially useful in the treatment of candida, the fungus that causes yeast infections. It works by stopping candida cells from adhering to the human buccal epithelial cells, which are cells that line the inside of the oral cavity, according to ProHealth.

Food Preservative

• Ram Kumar Pundir and Pranay Jain from Kurukshetra University explain that spices such as turmeric have been used for food preservation for thousands of years. Turmeric extract works against fungus by inhibiting enzymes inside and outside of the fungus' cells, as well as by rupturing cellular walls.

Skin Fungus

• The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook indicates that turmeric oil is useful for treating fungal skin conditions, such as fungal toenail infections and athlete's foot. Mix one part turmeric oil with 2 parts water and apply it to the site with a clean towel or cotton ball.