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Athlete's Foot and Other Fungus Infections

© Traute Klein, biogardener

Fungus infections are caused by insufficient airflow and moisture. Fungi thrive at certain pH levels. Fungus infections, whether in plants or people, are dependent on a certain level of pH to survive. The remedies are simple, because they only require a change of the pH level. It has to be raised or lowered. Either way will work, but they may not both offer the same level of comfort.

Plant Fungus

The most common plant fungus disease is powdery mildew. The spores are carried in the wind. They grow on plants under the right conditions of excess moisture and insufficient air circulation. The problem can be prevented by spraying the susceptible plants once every 2 weeks with either diluted vinegar or a weak baking soda solution. Either one should have some soap dissolved in it to help the liquid to adhere to the leaves. Try to spray when the plant is dry and there is no rain in the immediate weather forecast.

People Fungus

Fungus infections in people are also caused by insufficient air circulation and moisture. They develop in spots on the body which are covered by clothes and which tend to perspire. Sometimes these infections are misdiagnosed as a yeast intolerance and treated with expensive prescriptions when a dab of cider vinegar would do the trick. Athlete's foot is probably the best known. Another one is nail fungus. Both of them appear in men more frequently than in women, because men are more likely to wear closed shoes. Women are more likely to wear open sandals. I wear thongs all summer long which is just as good as being barefoot. That is the best way to prevent fungus diseases of the feet.

Remedies

Apple cider vinegar is probably the easiest remedy. I like to dab it on straight and let it dry rather than diluting it in a foot bath. For the toenail fungus, it can also be painted on with a watercolor paint brush when you do not have a chance to dip the whole toe in vinegar. Any vinegar will change the pH, but raw apple cider vinegar has the advantage of live enzymes which help to digest organisms. Homemade vinegars, of course, have the same advantage, provided that they have not been heated. White vinegar is produced by distillation, and all enzymes have been killed by the heat. Natural vitamin A from fish liver oil prevents or relieves infection. One application is usually sufficient. Repeat the application untul the symptoms subside. Vitamin A + D in an oil base can also be used. It is really concentrated fish liver oil. Straight cod liver oil can also be used, but it is not as strong and will not work quite as fast, so the application has to be repeated until the desired results are achieved.

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