How to Heal from FUNGUS (Mold, candida, yeast)
How to Heal Fungal Overgrowth: Mold, Candida, and Yeast
Have you ever lived or worked in an environment with mold exposure, either recently or years
ago? Many people attempt mold detox protocols yet struggle to see the improvements they’re
hoping for. If this sounds familiar, keep reading—I’ll share some of the most important fungal
considerations that can make a real difference in recovery.
First, when I talk about fungus, I am referring to mold, candida, and yeast.
Fungal infections occur when these organisms grow in the body or on the skin. Overgrowth is more likely when the body’s internal environment is weakened by:
● Chronic stress and poor sleep
● High-sugar or refined carbohydrate intake
● Frequent antibiotic use
● Poor diet and nutrient deficiencies
● Hormone imbalances
● Environmental toxin exposure
● Impaired immune function
When these stressors compromise the body’s defenses, fungi such as candida, mold, and
yeast can thrive, leading to persistent health issues.
Symptoms of Fungal Overgrowth
Fungal overgrowth can manifest in many ways, affecting multiple systems:
Skin and hair: Acne, fungal acne, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris, ringworm, tinea versicolor
Respiratory and sinus issues: Chronic sinus infections, sinus congestion, tonsil stones
Systemic symptoms: Fatigue, brain fog, headaches, joint pain, night sweats, mood changes, anxiety, depression
Digestive and metabolic clues: Sugar cravings, vitamin deficiencies, white coating on the tongue, yeast infections, stubborn weight loss resistance
Organ stress: Liver, gallbladder, and kidney stress, histamine intolerance, MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome)
How to Test for Fungal Overgrowth?
Identifying fungal overgrowth can be challenging because symptoms often overlap with other
conditions, but testing provides clearer insight.
Comprehensive stool testing is one of the most effective tools, as it can reveal the presence of yeast, candida species, and markers of mold or fungal activity in the gut.
Organic Acids Testing (OAT) is another valuable option, as it measures fungal metabolites in the urine and can help detect hidden overgrowth that stool tests sometimes miss. In certain cases, bloodwork may also reveal indirect signs of fungal burden, such as elevated immune markers or nutrient deficiencies commonly linked to chronic overgrowth. Testing not only confirms whether fungus is present but also helps guide a targeted plan for restoring balance, rather than relying on guesswork.
If mold exposure in the home is a concern, an at-home mold testing kit is a practical first step. One option I suggest to all my patients before hiring an expensive air testing company is a simple At-Home DIY Mold Test that involves collecting dust samples from different areas of the home and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. This method is cost-effective, provides insight into harmful mold species and allergens that may be contributing to symptoms, and typically delivers results within three business days.
The Problem with Conventional Mold and Fungus Protocols
Many widely promoted fungal protocols rely heavily on binders. While binders help remove
circulating toxins, they do not address the active fungal infection. Without effective anti fungal
support, recovery is slow, incomplete, or short-lived. Many people invest months and thousands
of dollars into approaches that only deliver partial results.
With the right strategy, healing from fungal overgrowth can be simpler and more effective than most realize.
My Clinical Approach to Remediating Fungus:
An effective fungal protocol should address several key areas simultaneously. So what does
this involve?
First, adopting a targeted anti-fungal diet is essential to help “starve” the overgrowth—this includes removing high-sugar foods as well as mold-containing or fermented foods that can worsen symptoms (I will go into specifics on this portion later.)
Next, incorporating high-quality herbal antifungals is important to actively kill the infection. It’s also critical to address continued fungal exposure within the household or from a partner (candida can be passed orally).
Finally, the sinuses must not be overlooked, since mold and fungus can colonize in sinus tissue and perpetuate symptoms if left untreated.
Step 1: Implement the Anti-Fungal Diet:
To support fungal balance, it’s important to reduce or eliminate foods and substances that feed fungal
overgrowth or contribute to inflammation.
What to REMOVE:
● Added sugars: corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, rice syrup, brown rice syrup, and
similar sweeteners
● Fruit-based products: fruit juice and dried fruit
● Mold-fermented foods: vinegar (including apple cider vinegar), blue cheese, soy sauce,
tempeh
● Alcohol: particularly beer and wine
● Yeast-containing products: baker’s yeast, brewers yeast, nutritional yeast
● Fermented beverages: kombucha, which contains live fungus
● Common allergens or irritants: gluten and dairy
● Seed oils: canola, sunflower, soybean, and similar oils
● Nightshades: potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and spices containing peppers
(helpful for reducing inflammation)
● High-oxalate foods: spinach, chard, beets, and navy beans (can exacerbate fungal
stress in some cases)
What to INCLUDE:
● Protein: Beef, bison, elk, chicken, turkey, and unflavored protein powders (ALWAYS
choose organic/grass-fed whenever possible)
● Vegetables: Romaine lettuce, arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage,
bok choy, carrots, radishes, onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, scallions/green onions,
zucchini, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, green beans, peas, lentils,
chickpeas, cucumbers, celery, asparagus, artichokes, mushrooms
● Carbohydrates: Sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, Japanese sweet potatoes,
plantains, white rice
● Whole fruits: Apples, bananas, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mangoes, pineapples,
kiwi, papaya, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, cherries,
peaches, plums, pears, apricots, figs, grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew,
coconut, avocado, pomegranate, persimmon, passionfruit, lychee
● Healthy fats & oils: Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, tallow
● Herbs and flavorings: Basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, dill,
chives, bay leaf, tarragon, marjoram, lemongrass, lavender
● Beverages: Water, sparkling water, herbal teas, coconut milk
● Other: Stevia is an acceptable sweetener
Supplements and Ingredients to AVOID:
Some supplements can worsen fungal overgrowth or trigger histamine and immune reactions:
● Red yeast rice: A mycotoxin, often used for cholesterol support
● Synthetic B vitamins: May be derived from mold or fungus
● Fungus-derived digestive enzymes (anything ending in “-AYSE”)
● Citric acid: Often mold-derived
● Fulvic or humic acid: Can exacerbate MCAS or histamine issues
● Probiotics: Frequently recommended, but often create more issues than they solve
during active fungal overgrowth
Step 2: Herbal Protocol for Active Fungal Infections
Click the links to shop (you will have to create a free account first) — I recommend Supreme Nutrition herbs, which I’ve found to be unparalleled in quality and effectiveness.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I use or trust.
Step 1: Choose 1–2 antifungal herbs
I typically recommend using two herbs together for the best results.
● Morinda Supreme(my top choice, especially when paired with Golden Thread)
Step 2: Consider adding a binder
Binders help capture and remove fungal toxins, though they’re optional if tolerance is a
concern.
Step 3: Overall support
Step 4: Additional targeted supports
● Schisandra Supreme→ supports liver detoxification and glutathione production
● Uva-Ursi Supreme→ kidney and bladder support
● Glypho-X Supreme→ assists with glyphosate detoxification, which may
contribute to persistent candida issues
For Kids with Fungal Issues
● Scutellaria baicalensis tincture→ gentle antifungal support
● Acerola Supreme→ immune-boosting vitamin C source
Step 3: Consider Your Household and Intimate Partners
Fungal overgrowth isn’t just an individual issue—if you are infected, it is likely your spouse or
partner is infected as well as fungal organisms can be transmitted through saliva and other
bodily fluids. It’s important to address fungal overgrowth in your household simultaneously to
reduce the risk of re-exposure. One approach is for your partner to follow a similar protocol
alongside you. Alternatively, targeted antifungals such as Golden Thread (1 capsule 3x/day) can
be used in a simplified regimen, to help reduce fungal presence safely and effectively.
One Last Clinical Pearl:
Addressing Topical Fungal Issues (jock itch, ringworm, fungal acne, tinea versicolor,
athlete’s foot):
The most important step is to first address the internal fungal imbalance; otherwise, topical
infections are likely to keep recurring. Refer to the protocol and dietary recommendations above
for systemic support.
For topical care, I often recommend Morinda Supreme— I open the capsules, mix the powder
with a small amount of water, and apply it as a paste (full recipe available in My Essential Guide
to Supreme – free here).
For fungal acne specifically, my favorite topical combination is Morinda Supreme together with
Schisandra Supreme for enhanced results.
