How to Use Essential Oils for Athletes Foot and Other Fungus

Fungus can infect the skin, causing reddish round patterns called ringworm (tinea). Ringworm can occur on the body, scalp (tinea capitis), groin (tinea cruris or jock itch), or feet (tinea pedis or athlete's foot).

If you want to use essential oils for athletes foot and other fungus, tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a top choice. A simple technique is to blend a few drops tea tree with a little carrier oil and apply to areas with the fungus.

Important: Always wash your hands well after touching fungus to avoid spreading it to other areas of your body.

In addition to tea tree, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy suggests the following essential oils for foot fungus:

• Bergamot
• Coriander
• Cypress
• Eucalyptus lemon
• Eucalyptus radiata
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Manuka
• Palmarosa

Tip: Keep your feet as cool and dry as possible to create an unfriendly environment for fungus

Blends of Essential Oils for Athletes Foot

If fungus is well-established, tea tree alone may not be enough. Try one of the following stronger blends.

Nail Fungus Treatment

• 30 drops lavender essential oil
• 25 drop tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops thyme essential oil, linalool chemotype
• 10 drops sage essential oil
• 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 5 drops clove essential oil
• 1/2 cup jojoba oil
  

Blend all oils in a dark bottle. Shake well. Let set in a cool, dry place for 24 hours before using.

To use: Shake. Apply to a few drops to dry feet. Apply to both feet even if only one has fungus. Be sure to massage some of the oil between toes and on toenails. Let your skin absorb the oil for a few minutes before putting on socks or hosiery.

Source: Hands-On Healing Remedies

Blend of Essential Oils for Foot Fungus

• 10 drops thyme essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Use a carrier oil or cream to dilute a few drops of the essential oil blend. Apply to affected area.

Source: Complete Aromatherapy Handbook: Essential Oils for Radiant Health

Very Strong Foot Fungus Blend 

• 80 drops thyme essential oil, thymol chemotype
• 40 drops oregano essential oil
• 40 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Blend the oils in a dark bottle. Apply a few drops to fungus two times a day for 14 days. If you don't see visible improvement after 14 days, stop using this blend.

Source: Advanced Aromatherapy

Athlete's Foot Soak

For an athlete's foot soak, blend the following essential oils in 1/2 teaspoon carrier oil:

• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
  
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops rosemary or sage essential oil

Stir the blend into a basin of comfortably hot water. Soak your feet for 15 minutes or longer.

Athlete's Foot Powders With Essential Oils

To make a foot powder, use one of the following recipes. Place the ingredients (starting with the dry ones) into a resealable plastic bag. Close the bag and mix well with your fingers (through the outside of the bag). Apply as needed to your feet.

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 25 drops tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops clove essential oil
• 8 drops sage essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil

Source: Essential Oils & Aromatherapy for Dummies

or

• 1 tablespoon goldenseal root powder
• 1/4 cup bentonite clay
• 12 drops each: clove, geranium, and tea tree essential oils

Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

or

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 3 drops each: lavender, patchouli, and tea tree essential oils
• 1 drop pine essential oil

Source: Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home

Other ways to use essential oils for your feet.

Essential Oils for Ringworm

The essential oils for skin fungus relief are mostly the same as those for athlete's foot. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy suggests using one undiluted drop of tea tree, manuka, or palmarosa essential oil on the affected area three times a day until the fungus clears (no more than ten days).

Important: Make sure you are not sensitive to these oils first—do a small patch test.

Afterward, use this ringworm blend for several weeks to prevent a reoccurrence:

• 10 drops palmarosa essential oil
• 6 drops geranium essential oil
• 5 drops oregano essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil
• 3 drops thyme linalol essential oil
• 2 tablespoons tamanu oil

Combine the essential oils. Blend them into the tamanu oil.

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Photo Credit: Wes Washington/Wikimedia Commons [CC-BY-SA-3.0]