Does apple cider vinegar kill ringworm? (3 natural remedies)

In this article, we are going to answer the question “Does apple cider vinegar kill ringworm?” and discuss what makes apple cider a good remedy against ringworm, how to use apple cider to treat ringworm and what are the other possible natural remedies to treat ringworm.

Ringworm, also called tinea, is a fungal infection that can manifest in different parts of the body, such as the scalp, arms and hands by itching and red, swollen alterations on the skin (1).

Does apple cider vinegar kill ringworm?

Yes, apple cider vinegar can kill ringworm and other ailments due to its antifungal properties (2). Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Acetic acid is produced by the conversion of fermentable sugars in the apples by yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to ethanol and further the conversion of ethanol to acetic acid by the action of Acetobacter species, a bacteria.

What makes apple cider vinegar a good remedy against ringworm?

The presence of acetic acid in apple cider vinegar makes it a good remedy against ringworm. Acetic acid acts by facilitating the diffusion through the cell membrane of the microorganisms, which may increase their vulnerability (2).

In addition to acetic acid, apple cider vinegar also contains flavonols, polyphenols and vitamins. Flavnolols and polyphenols, have antioxidant properties and may favour the immune system (2).

Some of the compounds that act in the immune system, protecting cells by their antioxidant activities and are found in apple cider vinegar are epicatechin, benzoic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, vanillin and ferulic acid (2).

How to use apple cider vinegar to treat ringworm?

To use apple cider vinegar to treat ringworm, you should dilute the product first. Add a half tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 8 ounces of filtered water (3). Do not use pure apple cider vinegar, it can cause skin burns.

You can increase the amount of apple cider vinegar gradually if no adverse effects appear as a consequence of the application. The application can be done daily (4).

Interrupt the application if you notice any allergic reactions or skin irritation and try to keep your skin moisturised as much as possible (4).

What are other natural remedies to treat ringworm?

Other natural remedies that can be used to treat ringworm are lemongrass oil and licorice.

Lemongrass oil to treat ringworm

Lemongrass oil can be used to treat infectious skin diseases due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Plant essential oils have been used to treat infections, as they contain compounds such as terpenes and monoterpenes (5).

The composition of lemongrass oil has citral as the major component, present at levels of, approximately, 65-85%. Citral is the mixture of two monoterpene aldehydes, namely geranial and neral, in addition to other minor compounds, such as geranyl acetate and monoterpene olefins (5).

Licorice to treat ringworm

Licorice is a medicinal plant of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years for various purposes. It is the herb called Glycyrrhiza uralens (6).

Due to its composition, which contains more than 20 triterpenoid and 300 flavonoid compounds, it is used to treat and prevent infections and diseases. Licorice has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects (6).

How to prevent ringworm?

The best way to prevent ringworm is to have healthy eating habits and practice exercises (1). Individuals who are affected by ringworm and other fungal infections usually have a vulnerable immune system, which is easily susceptible to fungal attack.

Fungi are opportunistic microorganisms and infection by fungi can be prevented by an improved immune system.

To favour your immune system, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E and a healthy gut microbiota is recommended (7). The ingestion of probiotic bacteria can create a healthy gut microbiota, which favours the immune system.

A healthy lifestyle with the practice of physical exercises and low stress levels can also improve the immune system and help prevent fungal diseases, such as ringworm (1, 7).

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Does apple cider vinegar kill ringworm?” and discussed what makes apple cider vinegar a good remedy against ringworm, how to use apple cider vinegar to treat ringworm and what are the other possible natural remedies to treat ringworm.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

References

1.-

Antony R. NATURAL MANAGEMENT OF RINGWORM (TINEA) INFECTION. Pharma Science Monitor. 2017 Oct 1;8(4).

3.-

Is apple cider vinegar good for your skin and hair? [Internet]. Unl.edu. [cited 2023 Oct 3]. Available from: https://health.unl.edu/apple-cider-vinegar-good-your-skin-and-hair

4.-

Bansal M, Budhiraja U, Bansal H. Contemporary pursuits of vinegar from scullery to dermatology. International Journal of Research. 2020 Sep;6(5):708.

5.-

Silva CD, Guterres SS, Weisheimer V, Schapoval EE. Antifungal activity of the lemongrass oil and citral against Candida spp. Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2008;12:63-6.

6.-

Wang L, Yang R, Yuan B, Liu Y, Liu C. The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb. Acta pharmaceutica sinica B. 2015 Jul 1;5(4):310-5.

7.-

Jawhara S. Healthy Diet and Lifestyle Improve the Gut Microbiota and Help Combat Fungal Infection. Microorganisms [Internet] 2023;11(6):1556. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061556