A Harnessing Herbal Oils for Fungal Infections: From Superficial to Systemic Challenges

• Anand Singh Chouhan*

Abstract

Fungal infections, or mycoses, pose a significant global health challenge, ranging from superficial skin conditions to life-threatening systemic diseases. The increasing prevalence of these infections is driven by factors such as rising immunosuppressive conditions and environmental changes. Current antifungal treatments face limitations, including drug resistance and toxicity, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. This review explores fungal infections comprehensively, discussing their types, etiology, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and the challenges posed by antifungal resistance. Herbal oils, derived from plants such as neem, coconut, and lavender, hold promise as alternative or adjunct therapies due to their potent antifungal properties and mechanisms of action. However, integrating these oils into clinical practice is not without challenges, particularly in standardization and clinical validation. This review emphasizes the potential of combining traditional remedies with modern medicine to address fungal diseases effectively. Future directions include advancing research on herbal formulations and overcoming hurdles to develop innovative therapeutic strategies that mitigate the growing burden of fungal infections.

Keywords

Fungal infections, mycoses, antifungal resistance, herbal oils, neem, coconut, lavender, bioactive compounds, natural antifungal agents, integrative medicine.