Discolored and yellow nails look unsightly and can be a source of embarrassment. Often nails become yellow due to the application of inferior quality nail paint, staining due to chemicals, etc. However, the most common cause of discolored or yellow nails is nail fungus.
Often people look at fungal infections as an indication of poor hygiene and this may be true in some cases, but usually fungal infections occur when the body’s immune system is not functioning in full throttle. Nail fungal infections are quite common and difficult to treat, but fortunately there are some effective herbal remedies for yellow nails caused due to any reason.
Herbal Remedies For Yellow Nails
Lemon
Lemon is a natural bleaching agent and works to return the natural nail color of yellowed nails. Applying lemon juice to the nails is simple, as all you have to do is dip a toothbrush in lemon juice and brush your nails with it. Leave the lemon juice on for about 15 minutes and then wash your hands.
For better results you can make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and apply on the nails for half an hour. This will whiten the yellow nails, and is especially useful if the yellowing of the nails is not due to fungal infections. Even if the cause is a fungal infection, lemon juice will fight the infection and help the nail to heal faster. Hence lemon is one of the best herbal remedies for yellow nails.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is the essential oil made using the leaves of the tree and contains a natural anti microbial called terpinen-4-ol which acts on the nail fungus to eliminate it over a period of time.
Tea tree oil is used extensively for treatment of various skin infections and is also useful for treating nail fungus. This essential oil is very strong and can irritate the skin, hence you should always dilute it before using. Apart from this never consume this oil orally as it can be harmful.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most effective herbal remedies for yellow nails because it acts quite strongly on nail fungus and helps to destroy the infection.
A good way of using this wonder root is to mix garlic oil with equal amount of white vinegar and apply the mixture on the infected nail and around it. Cover it with a bandage leave overnight. Repeat the remedy for some time even after the infection is cured so that it doesn’t return.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is an essential oil and is used in aromatherapy to treat many disorders. It can also be used as a topical application as one of the herbal remedies for yellow nails because it is very effective in dealing with fungal infections.
Take equal amounts of lavender and tea tree oil and warm the mixture a little. Apply on the infected nail two to three times a day.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is really a cure all due to its excellent anti microbial properties. In laboratory tests oregano oil is known to have been successful in killing almost all types of fungi, bacteria, viruses etc.
