 Center photo by Pixabay from Pexels.com The following is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE and is intended for educational purposes only - to illustrate the science behind essential oils, how they might be applied in the real world, and to offer a foundation from which to speak to your doctor.
Consult your primary healthcare provider before using essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts and SHOULD NOT be handled by anyone unaware of the RISKS and DANGERS they pose. Introduction: Jock itch and athlete's foot are caused by tinea, a type of fungus, and is often characterized by itching and irritation around the groin, buttocks, inner thighs and toes. Common in athletes, the condition is often called jock itch or athlete's foot, depending on where it appears, but it can affect anyone who sweats for extended periods of time. Investing in moisture wicking socks and underwear may help, but so might creating an environment on the body that would make it difficult for the tinea fungus to survive, which is where essential oils might be able to help. Recommended Essential Oils: Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) - 1 drop Origanum vulgare (oregano) - 1 drop Thymus vulgaris (thyme) - 2 drop Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) - 2 drops Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) - 2 drops Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender) - 2 drops Recommended Carrier Oil: Cocos nucifera (coconut oil, virgin) - 1 American Tablespoon Blending Instructions In a small, clean mixing glass, combine essential oils and carrier oil. Gently warming the coconut oil will make incorporation of the essential oils much easier, as unrefined coconut oil remains solid below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Store in a dark amber glass balm jar or appropriate substitution. This formula would slightly overfill a 15 mL balm jar. Application Recommendation: Using the tip of a finger, rub a thin layer of this formula over areas where jock itch occurs, Apply before activity where you expect to sweat or when you notice signs of irritation related to jock itch. Unless the skin is broken, you may apply this formula directly to the jock itch / athlete's foot. If the skin is broken, consult your primary care physician before use. This would be done no more than once per day for 10 days, before COMPLETELY discontinuing use for at least 10 days. Consult with your primary care physician if there is no improvement after the first 10 days, and continue this cycle for as long as your physician deems safe. Formulaic Reasoning: Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Shin and Lam published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, a journal published on behalf of the UK's Society for Applied Microbiology. This study describes Eucalyptus globulus and Cymbopogon citratus as "potent inhibitors" of several fungal species known to cause jock itch (Source #1). Inclusion of Origanum vulgare (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Inouye, Uchida, Nishiyama, Hasumi, Yamaguchi, and Abe published in the Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology, a journal published by the Japanese Society for Medical Mycology. This study describes Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris as "fungicidal" (when combined with heat and salt in a foot bath), against the type of fungus that causes athlete's foot and jock itch (Source #2). Inclusion of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Satchell, Saurajen, Bell, and Barnetson published in the Australasion Journal of Dermatology, official journal of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the New Zealand Dermatological Society. This study shows Melaleuca alternifolia has potential to treat athlete's foot, which is caused by the same fungus as jock itch (Source #3). Inclusion of Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Silva et al., published in the Annals of Brazilian Academy of Sciences, official journal of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. This study shows Lavandula angustifolia to be an effective analgesic (pain reliever) in animal testing (Source #4). Inclusion of Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender) in this formula is also supported by research conducted by Hajhashemi, Ghannadi, and Sharif published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, official publication of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology. This study shows Lavandula angustifolia displays analgesic (pain relieving) properties in tests conducted on mice (Source #5). Inclusion of Cocos nucifera (coconut oil) in this formula is supported by research conducted by Gunsalus, Tornberg-Belanger, Matthan, Lichtenstein, and Kumamoto published in mSphere, the open access journal published by the American Society for Microbiology. This study shows Cocos nucifera to be antifungal against some types of fungus, but this study did not investigate the antifungal effect of the specific fungus known to cause jock itch (Source #6). Inclusion of Cocos nucifera (coconut oil) in this formula is also supported by research conducted by Ogbolu, Oni, Daini, and Oloko published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, an official journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition. This study shows several types of fungus to be susceptible to Cocos nucifera, but this study did not study effects against the specific fungus known to cause jock itch (Source #7). Source #1: Shin, S., & Lim, S. (2004). Antifungal effects of herbal essential oils alone and in combination with ketoconazole against Trichophyton spp. Journal of applied microbiology, 97(6), 1289-1296. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02417.x Source #2: Inouye, S., Uchida, K., Nishiyama, Y., Hasumi, Y., Yamaguchi, H., & Abe, S. (2007). Combined effect of heat, essential oils and salt on the fungicidal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes in foot bath. Nippon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi, 48(1), 27-36. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17287720 Source #3: Satchell, A. C., Saurajen, A., Bell, C., & Barnetson, R. S. (2002). Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: a randomized, placebo‐controlled, blinded study. Australasian journal of dermatology, 43(3), 175-178. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12121393 Source #4: Silva, G. L., Luft, C., Lunardelli, A., Amaral, R. H., Melo, D. A., Donadio, M. V., ... & Oliveira, J. R. (2015). Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 87, 1397-1408. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26247152# Source #5: Hajhashemi, V., Ghannadi, A., & Sharif, B. (2003). Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the leaf extracts and essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 89(1), 67-71. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874103002344 Source #6: Gunsalus, K. T., Tornberg-Belanger, S. N., Matthan, N. R., Lichtenstein, A. H., & Kumamoto, C. A. (2016). Manipulation of host diet to reduce gastrointestinal colonization by the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. MSphere, 1(1), e00020-15. https://msphere.asm.org/content/1/1/e00020-15 Source #7: Ogbolu, D. O., Oni, A. A., Daini, O. A., & Oloko, A. P. (2007). In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of medicinal food, 10(2), 384-387. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17651080 ******** Warnings: ******** All formula proportions would assume use by a physically mature and healthy adult and are NOT recommended for children. If approved by your physician to use the above blend, you are reminded:
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