Candidate for Yeast Infections: Does it Really Work?

Updated 1/2/2021

Medically reviewed by Dr. Atmika Paudel, PhD - Written by Dan Jackowiak Nc, HHP and Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD

Dr. Atmika Paudel says... The information provided about these specific herbs in Candidate for yeast and possible side effects is medically correct.

Candidate is a natural herbal supplement for combating yeast infections. It contains the active ingredients Lapachol and Beta-lapachone, which are also known as naphthaquinones and are proven fungi killers. These extracts come from the Pau d'arco tree grown in South America. In spite of growing in the rain forest, fungi never grow on its bark, proving its anti-fungal abilities. Laboratory tests have demonstrated that both Lapachol and Beta-lapachone have anti-fungal properties as potent as common anti-fungal drugs that are used to balance yeast levels in the body.

The native Indians of South America commonly used the bark and extracts to treat fungal infections, venereal diseases, tumors, cysts, eczema, herpes, and ulcers.

Candidate also contains lemon grass or Cymbopogon citratus and has been traditionally used for ringworm, lice, athlete's foot, arthritis, and scabies.

According to a study done by Microbiologists Adukwu et al, from two Universities in the UK, lemon grass inhibits Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromonas veronii, Enterococcus faecalis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Serratia marcescens, Staphlycoccus aureus, and Proteus mirabilis. These findings were published in the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology in 2016,

Another Algerian study published in the Libyan Journal of Medicine revealed that lemon grass also had anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger. It was found to reduce inflammation when taken orally and reduced infections and inflammation when applied to skin infections.

Calendula Officinalis, also known as pot marigold, has been added and has been found to help detoxify the body and promote tissue repair, which minimizes die-off symptoms. It is also a very good antiseptic for skin infections.

Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD says...

The all-natural herbal product Candidate has a list of benefits, owing to its plant based anti-microbial composition. This supplement revitalizes all the good microflora by combating dysbiosis-or imbalance of the intestinal microbial levels. Using this remedy clears the body of excess toxins in the form of bad gut microbes such as Candida overgrowth. It also maintains a healthy pH in the body by stabilizing the alkaline and acidic environments of the system. Pau D'Arco tree bark, Calendula, and Lemongrass, together form Candidate. The naphthoquinone Lapachol, which is in itself a weak anti-protozoan substance, originates from Bignoniaceae family (Known as Pau D’Arco in Brazil). It is strengthened and enhanced with synthetic substitutes like Beta-lapachone, which is an ortho-naphthoquinone (1). Many patents have also been filed based on the anti-cancer effects of the lapachone, beta-lapachone, and alpha-lapachone-derived quinone compounds (2).

Another ingredient of Candidate, which is the Calendula flower, comprises of flavonoids, triterpenoids, essential oil and polysaccharides, and has reported anti-inflammatory activity, and phagocytosis-inducing properties (3). It has been frequently chosen for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and as a local ointment/lotion for treating skin rashes or injuries. In elderly, calendula derived aromatherapeutic oils have been applied for the slow healing wounds or skin ulcers (4). Finally, Cymbopogan flexuosus, or lemon grass, is also an active ingredient of Candidate. In the form of essential oil, or as tea, it has an anxiety-suppressing and anti-oxidant, anti-malarial, anti-filarial, and sleep-inducing effect on people (5, 6). It even has a cholesterol lowering role when given in a dose-dependent manner. Studies also show the benefits of this herbal ingredient in reducing the symptoms of fungal thrush, and maintaining a healthy oral (dental) microbial flora. A hematological study has also showed that the packed cell volume and hemoglobin levels were enhanced in patients after consumption of lemon grass tea for 30 days and more (7).

1. de Almeida, Preclinical and Clinical Studies of Lapachol and Beta-Lapachone, The Open Natural Products Journal , 2009, 2: 42-47
2. Hussain H, Green IR. Lapachol and lapachone analogs: a journey of two decades of patent research(1997-2016). Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2017 Oct;27(10):1111-1121. doi: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1339792. Epub 2017 Jun 14. Erratum in: Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2017 Oct;27(10 ):1173. PMID: 28586252. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28586252/
3. Evans WC, revised with assistance of Evans D, Chapter 21 - Phenols and phenolic glycosides in Trease and Evans' Pharmacognosy (Sixteenth Edition), 2009. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702029332000216
4. Buckle J, Chapter 12- Care of the Elderly, Clinical Aromatherapy (Third Edition); Essential Oils in Healthcare. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702054402000127
5. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/lemongrass
6. Shah G, Shri R, Panchal V, Sharma N, Singh B, Mann AS. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass). J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2011;2(1):3-8. doi:10.4103/2231-4040.79796. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217679/
7. Ekpenyong CE, Daniel NE, Antai AB. Bioactive natural constituents from lemongrass tea and erythropoiesis boosting effects: potential use in prevention and treatment of anemia. J Med Food. 2015 Jan;18(1):118-27. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.0184. PMID: 25162916. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25162916/

Possible Side Effects of Candidate for Yeast

At low doses Lapachol and Beta-lapachone are generally recognized as safe. At high doses they can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and urine discoloration. It has a blood thinning effect so people on blood thinners should consult with their doctor or pharmacist before taking.

Lemon Grass has no known drug interactions but can cause increased amylase and bilirubin in the blood. Like any herb, people can be allergic to it.

The only known side effect of Calendula Officinalis is possible allergies.

Note: I would not give any product that contained Pau d'arco to pregnant women, infants and toddlers.

Dr. Vibhuti Rana, PhD says...

The above section has aptly discussed possible side effects of Candidate consumption. If you are allergic to either of the ingredients of Candidate, it is likely that this herbal treatment may not work for you. Lapachol and its derivatives, when used in high concentrations for anti-cancer role, may be toxic to the host cells (1). Overdoses of lemon grass or calendula may induce skin rashes, dizziness, or nausea. You must consult your doctor for any possible drug interactions that might occur if you take anything beyond the standard recommended dose.

1. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julio_Nepomuceno/publication/268378689_Lapachol_and_its_derivatives_as_potential_drugs_for_cancer_treatment/links/5469c8640cf20dedafd103e1/Lapachol-and-its-derivatives-as-potential-drugs-for-cancer-treatment.pd

Medical Review by Dr. Atmika Paudel, PhD

Lapachol and beta-lapachone both have been reported as antifungal and anticancer agents against various cell lines [1-3]. Beta-lapachone has antifungal, anti-biofilm and anti-virulence activities against drug-resistant Candida albicans [4]. It has a property to selectively kill cancer cells [5] and has been evaluated as anticancer agent in clinical trial [6]. However, severe toxicity such as anemia, fatigue, hypoxia, nausea, and vomiting were observed , and lapachol was lethal to embryo [7].

The lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus, has indeed been reported to have the effects mentioned in the article above, recent studies have also proven its antibiofilm activities along with the antifungal activity against Candida tropicalis [8], C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei [9]. In addition, it has also been shown to have effects against prostate and glioblastoma cell lines[10], and no severe toxicity was observed in one study when essential oil from C. citratus was used topically in mice and rabbit [11].

The pharmacological activities of the pot marigold, Calendula officinalis, has been reviewed in a paper published in Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. The report mentions the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immune stimulant and wound healing properties of C. officinalis [12]. In addition, antibacterial activities against several periodontal bacteria, and antifungal activities against several fungi including C. albicans, C.

dubliniensis, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, and C. krusei have been reported [12].

1. Hussain H, Green IR. Lapachol and lapachone analogs: a journey of two decades of patent research(1997-2016). Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents 2017; 27:1111-21.
2. Zu X, Xie X, Zhang Y, et al. Lapachol is a novel ribosomal protein S6 kinase 2 inhibitor that suppresses growth and induces intrinsic apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. Phytotherapy Research 2019; 33:2337-46.
3. Hussain H, Krohn K, Ahmad VU, Miana GA, Green IR. Lapachol: an overview. Archieve for organic chemistry 2007:145-71.
4. Moraes DC, Curvelo JAR, Anjos CA, et al. β-lapachone and α-nor-lapachone modulate Candida albicans viability and virulence factors. Journal de Mycologie Médicale 2018; 28:314-9.
5. Li Y, Sun X, LaMont JT, Pardee AB, Li CJ. Selective killing of cancer cells by β-lapachone: Direct checkpoint activation as a strategy against cancer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2003; 100:2674-8.
6. Beg MS, Boothman D, Khosama L, et al. 708PA phase I/Ib, multi-center trial of ARQ-761 (Beta-Lapachone) with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Annals of Oncology 2019; 30.
7. Maganha J, Rocha EdS, Brandão MAF, Peters VM, Guerra MdO. Embryo development alteration in rats treated with lapachol. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology 2006; 49:927-34.
8. Sahal G, Woerdenbag HJ, Hinrichs WLJ, et al. Antifungal and biofilm inhibitory effect of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) essential oil on biofilm forming by Candida tropicalis isolates; an in vitro study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2020; 246:112188.
9. Córdoba S, Vivot W, Szusz W, Albo G. Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils Against Candida Species Isolated from Clinical Samples. Mycopathologia 2019; 184:615-23.
10. Bayala B, Bassole IHN, Maqdasy S, Baron S, Simpore J, Lobaccaro J-MA. Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon giganteus essential oils have cytotoxic effects on tumor cell cultures. Identification of citral as a new putative anti-proliferative molecule. Biochimie 2018; 153:162-70.
11. Lulekal E, Tesfaye S, Gebrechristos S, et al. Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of skin irritation, acute and sub-acute toxicity of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in mice and rabbits. Toxicology Reports 2019; 6:1289-94.
12. Muley B, Khadabadi S, Banarase N. Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Calendula officinalis Linn (Asteraceae): a review. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2009; 8.

Candidate for Yeast Testimonials

Hi Dan,

"Just wanted to let you know that I finally got the Candidate (took 2 weeks to get to Canada) and I have been taking it for 5 days and it is really working! Tons of yeast is coming out of me, Finally! The die off is intense, fluid is coming out of my ears every night and is insanely itchy, and I feel like a truck ran over me and today my bowel movement was completely covered in white yeast.

Thanks Dan, your site is the best one on the Internet for valuable information."

Regards, Daniel

“I have been up and down to so many doctors for recurring thrush infections. Each time I was successfully treated but each time it came back again. I also had a lot of wind and burping after my food which was very embarrassing and I used to become anxious whenever I had to eat in public... Since I have taken a course of Candidate I have not been to the doctor once with thrush and I no longer burp the way I did. This is the best natural treatment for vaginal thrush. I can truly say that this product has changed my life!”

Hazel

“I can definitely recommend Candidate to anyone who has these symptoms... Please excuse my English (I am Italian) but I really had to let you know how well it worked for me. My life is different, not tired all the time, no more thrush (terrible!) and going to the doctor."

Carla

Candidate for yeast infections is an excellent product and I highly recommend it for intestinal yeast and yeast infections on the skin. If you experience die-off reactions when taking it just drop the dose some so you can stand it and as the die-off gets better raise the dose back up.

Candidate is available here.

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