9 Effective Natural Remedies for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus (onychomycosis) can be frustrating to deal with. You can likely recognize the signs of this common infection: 

• Thickened toenails

• Yellow or brown discoloration

• Nail cracking or splitting

One of the reasons toenail fungus is so frustrating is that it’s hard to treat. There are many different prescription treatments for toenail fungus.

But what if you’re looking for something more natural? Do these natural remedies actually work? 

There’s promising research that different natural remedies can help treat toenail fungus. But it’s hard to say how effective these treatments will be in humans. That’s because much of the research is in early stages — in lab trials or small groups of people.

Let’s dive into natural and holistic treatments for toenail fungus, and what research shows about how effective they are.  

1. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree. People typically use tea tree oil on the skin as an antiseptic. An antiseptic is something that can destroy or stop the growth of microorganisms, like bacteria.

Now scientists are studying whether tea tree oil can work against fungi, too. But they haven’t done enough studies on these potential antifungal properties for people yet. So it’s too early to say for sure whether tea tree oil can effectively treat toenail fungal infections in humans.

If you’re thinking of trying tea tree oil to treat a fungal nail infection, keep in mind that a small percentage of people may experience skin irritation from it. Also consider combining it with vitamin E, oregano, and lime essential oils. In a small study, using this combination over 12 months resulted in a cure in almost all 20 participants. 

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You can use a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of tea tree oil to your nail twice daily. 

2. Vicks VapoRub

Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant that you put directly on the skin (topically). It contains the active ingredients camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol.

Lab studies and one small human study have shown that Vicks VapoRub can work to treat toenail fungus in some people when applied to the nail. Most people were happy with the results and experienced no side effects.

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Try Vicks VapoRub for toenail fungus by applying a layer to your nails once daily. You may find that doing this at night and putting on cotton socks afterward helps to keep the ointment in place. 

3. Ozonized sunflower oil

Ozonized oil is created when ozone reacts with sunflower oil. Lab studies show that it has antifungal and antibacterial actions. 

One study showed that ozonized sunflower oil worked better than ketoconazole (a conventional antifungal medication) to treat toenail fungus. And no one using ozonized sunflower oil experienced side effects.

Sunflower oil can be applied with a cotton swab twice per day. 

4. Natural coniferous resin

Natural coniferous resin comes from a specific type of spruce tree. For hundreds of years people have mixed it with butter or fat to treat skin cuts and infections. Lab studies also show that this type of resin has antifungal properties.

Two small studies looked at whether natural coniferous resin worked for people with toenail fungus. Some people who used it once a day reported an improvement. But the results weren’t as good when compared to fluconazole, an antifungal pill.

Natural coniferous resin comes as a lacquer in a bottle (similar to nail polish) and can be applied to the nail twice per week. 

5. Ageratina pichinchensis

The Ageratina pichinchensis (A. pichinchensis) plant has a long history of use in Mexico for treating skin infections and injuries. Lab studies have also shown that this plant has antifungal properties. There’s some evidence that A. pichinchensis extract can treat skin fungal infections like athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). 

A. pichinchensis (applied as a lacquer) works for toenail fungus. One study showed it was less effective than ciclopirox, a prescription lacquer. But in another study, it worked just as well. It’s possible that stronger concentrations of A. pichinchensis lacquer may work better than weaker ones, and with no reported side effects. 

You can find OTC A. pichinchensis as a lacquer that you paint on nails 3 times daily. 

6. Propolis extract

Propolis extract is a resin that honeybees make. Lab studies show that it has antifungal properties. In humans, a small case report and clinical study showed that propolis extract worked to treat toenail fungus in most people without any side effects.  

You can apply 1 to 2 drops of propolis extract directly to the nail and rub it in twice daily. 

7. Spirulina (Arthrospira mazima)

Spirulina (Arthrospira mazima or A. mazima) is a cyanobacteria that’s rich in nutrients like amino acids, minerals, and fatty acids. Some people use it as a supplement.

Lab studies have shown that it helps fight the fungi that cause toenail fungus. Two small clinical studies also showed that a lotion with A. mazima successfully treated toenail fungus in their participants. But this lotion isn’t available in the U.S. There are liquid formulations that can be applied directly to the nail daily. 

8. Garlic

Garlic has known antifungal properties. In one study, fresh garlic made it more difficult for fungus to grow in a culture. Another study found that applying a garlic extract to the nail can be helpful in combination with other antifungal treatments. 

You can try to use garlic by making a paste from crushed garlic cloves, applying the paste to your nails, and leaving it for 30 minutes per day. Or look for a garlic extract as an oil to rub into the nail. 

9. Apple cider vinegar

There’s a lot of interest in using apple cider vinegar to help with everything from digestion and weight loss to skin conditions. There isn’t much evidence to support drinking apple cider vinegar when it comes to toenail fungus. But soaking your feet in a mix of apple cider vinegar and water may help treat toenail fungus when used with other topical treatments. 

Try mixing equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water, and then soaking your feet for up to 30 minutes. Dry your toes thoroughly before applying a topical toenail fungus treatment. 

Other proven treatments for toenail fungus

Although natural remedies may work for some people, they haven’t been studied as well as prescription treatments. This means they may not work as well. And they can take much longer to work. 

There are several prescription medications that work for toenail fungus. Which treatment you use depends on a few things, like how severe your infection is, what other treatments you’ve tried in the past, and your personal preferences.

Here are some popular treatment options for toenail fungus:

• Topical medications (creams and solutions): For less serious infections, topical treatment options include ciclopirox, tavaborole, and efinaconazole.

• Oral medications (pills): For more serious infections, pills like terbinafine and itraconazole are good options. Posaconazole (Noxafil) is a new medication that’s being used off label to treat toenail fungus.

• Laser treatment: Some lasers are safe and effective at treating toenail fungus.

• Nail removal: If treatments don’t work, a healthcare professional may recommend removing a part or all of your nail.

Preventing toenail fungus

Once you’ve cleared toenail fungus, you may wonder what you can do to prevent it from coming back. To help prevent toenail fungus, you can:

• Keep your feet clean and dry.

• Use an antifungal power or spray in your socks and shoes. 

• Keep your toenails short. 

• Sanitize nail clippers after use.

• Wear flip-flops or sandals when using a public or shared shower. 

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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