Moringa Seed Oil, Feet, and Toe Nail Fungus

Hi Kathryn,

I wonder if you can help me out with something.  I have been using the moringa oil as a supplement.  I began with 1/4 tsp and I’m up to 1/2.  I’ve also used it on my face and hands and I’ve been putting it on my toenails to help with fungus.  

One of my big toes in particular is most affected.  The nail was thick and white.  As soon as I put the Moringa on it, the nail changed to a yellowish pinkish colour.  It happened immediately.  Something is happening for sure.  

Then yesterday I put the oil on my toes after dinner instead of before breakfast or lunch, which I usually do and I applied it to my toes - I also rub it into my feet as well.  It’s so moisturizing.  

I didn’t notice anything until bed time, but my toes were red and peeling and there were a couple of puffy bumps on them.  I was guided to check in with you and ask if you thought I could be reacting to the Moringa.  I am, as you know, super sensitive.  It doesn’t make sense because I’ve put the Moringa on my hands and even my face and I’ve been fine.  Aren’t the feet the least reactive of the body?

I’m hoping it’s something else, but I do remember my toes getting red before when I applied the Moringa.  I did shower before I noticed the redness.  Is it possible that the water or heat could been a catalyst?

Anyway … I thought I’d reach out and see if you had any ideas.

© Fedecandoniphoto | Dreamstime.com 

Thanks for asking this question. 

One of the things that assures me that it is NOT an allergic reaction to the moringa oil, is that it is not happening everywhere that you have applied the oil on your body.  If it was a true allergy, it would create a reaction everywhere that was exposed to the oil.  

I am going to propose a possible explanation of what is going on, then offer a possible solution or two.  

First, I think it is important to know that this is happening on your feet/toes.  Because of gravity, the feet and toes tend to collect a lot of toxins in their tissues.  This inhibits circulation, and makes the skin and nails susceptible to things like fungal infections and rashes--even sores that do not heal.  

Many people use foot baths and detoxifying foot treatments to help remove those toxins.  Here is a foot bath link from a company that a Chiropractor I knew in Alaska used to use for her patients.  

http://www.fountainofhealth.com/ionfootbath.php

Since toxins build up in the feet, the circulation in the feet is often depleted.  When you put the Moringa oil on, it increases circulation in the area rapidly.  This is going to turn the tissue pinkish.  It is also going to give the body a boost to heal nail fungus, and other conditions.  However, when the blood begins to circulate more in these areas, it is naturally going to "wake up" the toxic accumulations in the tissue.  

If the body has enough help from the oil to initiate the healing process, it will immediately try to kick out the toxins.  The only way it has to do this, is to form rashes or blisters, or in some cases phlegm (pus), to move the toxins out to the surface.  The body must take the tissue involved into an acute stage before it reaches the stage where the tissue is healed and clear.  I have seen this many times, and I believe it is the source of the old expression, "It has to get worse before it gets better".  

Now what to do about it; stopping the oil application will take away the body's support to heal.  But applying it daily is taking it further into a cleansing reaction.  So my advice would be to cut back, but not discontinue, using the oil.  You may want to wait several days between applications, which will give the body time to settle down again between exposure.  

Obviously, if it is necessary to move through an acute stage process with this to clear something out, it is still going to happen.  But, with herbal cleansing,  sometimes it is possible to gradually work your way through it without experiencing intense symptoms, just by controlling the level of exposure to the cleansing herbs or oils.  It just requires patience to do so.

Another possibility might be to incorporate some detoxifying foot baths during this time, to lower the level of toxic accumulation.  There are many different types, including the Ionic foot bath, epsom salt foot baths, clay foot baths, and even essential oil foot baths. You may want to do some online searching to find out the pros and cons and to select the best form for you.  

Thank you for the question, and I would love to receive an update after a month or two...

Kathryn

Solution for Pouring Moringa Oil (and other viscous oils)

Hi Kathryn,

I received my oils and they are wondrous.  I’m just beginning to play with the Moringa.  I noticed it’s quite thick.  Does it need to be heated to use.  I’m trying to separate some of it out to give to family members but it’s too thick to transfer into small bottles as it is.  I always hesitate to heat oils - especially ones that are going to be consumed.  Any suggestions for how to work with it.

thanks!

Thanks for your inquiry.  

Working with the cold-pressed botanical oils is tricky, since we do not want to defeat the purpose of keeping the temperature low during production, by heating the oils to make them pour!  Yet they must be heated enough to make them flow.

I have found with the moringa that it works well to place the bottle that is containing the oil, into a cup or mug for hot drinks.  If your bottle is large (100ml or more) you can put it into a medium sized bowl.  Pour hot, but not boiling, water in the cup until it reaches about the midpoint of the bottle’s height. (You may lose your label doing this, so you will want to find another way to identify this bottle).

Let the oil sit for a few minutes and check it often.  Once it is truly liquified, use it quickly before it returns to its thickened state.  

Another great thing that I have found with the moringa, is that it stays a bit more liquified by adding other essential oils to it.  I am currently taking it with these oils added (see this recipe).  I am sure that the amount and kind of essential oils added will create a different effect, but this combination is keeping it thin enough to be used with a glass-dropper bottle.

The method of warming the oil with hot water can be used for CO2 extracts, and any viscous oils that  need to be poured.  

Kathryn