Fungal infections, such as vaginal thrush or yeast infection, foot fungus, and onychomycosis (also known as nail fungus or fungal nail), are common conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. These infections are often caused by overgrowth of fungi such as Candida albicans – for vaginal infections – and dermatophytes – for foot fungus and nail fungus. Traditional treatments can be effective, but side effects such as skin irritation or resistance to treatment makes natural alternatives attractive.
Cannabis is increasingly being researched for its antifungal potential, especially through cannabinoids and terpenes. In this blog, I will discuss three recent studies that highlight these properties and how products such as Happy Hemp Yoni and Happy Hemp Skin can help treat these infections.
What are fungi?
Fungi are unicellular or multicellular organisms that are found everywhere in nature and can sometimes cause infections. Candida albicans is a yeast that usually lives on the skin, in the mouth, the digestive system, and the vagina. When overgrown, it can cause vaginal candidiasis (Candida albicans), a common infection in women with symptoms such as itching, burning, and a white, clumpy discharge. According to statistics, vaginal candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections, often triggered by antibiotics, hormonal changes or a weakened immune system.
Foot fungus, such as athlete's foot (caused by dermatophytes), often affects the feet and leads to itching, redness and scaling. Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is an infection that affects the nails, causing them to become thick, discoloured and brittle. It is often caused by the same dermatophytes that cause foot fungus and can be persistent because of the slow growth of nails. Nail fungus often starts as a small white or yellow spot under the nail edge and can spread, leading to thickening, discolouration, and brittleness. It occurs more frequently in toenails than in fingernails and can be contagious.
Antifungal effects of cannabis
Three recent studies offer insights into the antifungal properties of cannabis and its components, particularly against Candida albicans and dermatophytes.
A 2024 study examined extracts of five cannabis varieties and their antifungal and antibacterial activities. All extracts showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum. Importantly, the activity was not solely dependent on THC or CBD levels, but also on terpenes such as β-myrcene, β-caryophyllene, α- and β-pinene, p-cymene and limonene, supporting the entourage effect. This is relevant for both vaginal and fungal foot infections, as C. albicans is a major causative agent of vaginal candidiasis and dermatophytes may have similar mechanisms in nail fungus infections (1).
Another review, published in the journal Antibiotics, provides an assessment of research on the antimicrobial properties of cannabinoids. It highlights that CBD, CBG and CBC show antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Although the focus of this publication is on bacteria, antifungal activity against yeasts is also discussed. The study also suggests that terpenes contribute to antimicrobial activity, supporting its potential for topical applications, such as for foot fungus and nail fungus (2).
A third publication focuses on less common (secondary) terpenes in cannabis, such as borneol, camphene and linalool. These terpenes exhibit antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Specifically, β-caryophyllene is mentioned as a terpene with antifungal effects, binding to CB2 receptors and inhibiting fungal growth. Terpenes such as limonene and α-pinene are also cited for their antifungal potential against fungi such as Candida albicans and dermatophytes, which are applicable to nail fungus and athlete's foot (3).
Role of Happy Hemp Yoni and Happy Hemp Skin
Happy Hemp has developed two products that make use of the antifungal properties of cannabis:
- Happy Hemp Yoni: Designed for vaginal fungal infections, such as vaginal thrush or yeast infection. This product contains cannabis extracts rich in terpenes such as limonene and α-pinene, which according to studies show antifungal effects against Candida albicans. It is applied topically, providing immediate relief from symptoms such as itching and burning.
- Happy Hemp Skin: Targets skin conditions but also fungal foot infections such as athlete's foot and fungal nail infections (onychomycosis). Applied to the skin and nails, it targets dermatophytes through terpenes such as α- and β-caryophyllene which have antifungal properties. For nail fungus, the product can be applied to the affected nails and surrounding skin, and treatment should be repeated regularly until the nail has fully grown out.
Made with high-quality cannabis extracts, Happy Hemp aims to provide a natural, effective solution for fungal infections. By applying the product locally, users can directly target affected areas. This natural approach can offer hope to many who struggle with these common infections.
References
- Vozza Berardo ME, Mendieta JR, Villamonte MD, Colman SL, Nercessian D. Antifungal and antibacterial activities of Cannabis sativa L. resins. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Jan 10;318(Pt A):116839. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116839. Epub 2023 Jul 1. PMID: 37400009.
- Karas JA, Wong LJM, Paulin OKA, Mazeh AC, Hussein MH, Li J, Velkov T. The Antimicrobial Activity of Cannabinoids. Antibiotics (Basel). 2020 Jul 13;9(7):406. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics9070406. PMID: 32668669; PMCID: PMC7400265.
- Chacon FT, Raup-Konsavage WM, Vrana KE, Kellogg JJ. Secondary Terpenes in Cannabis sativa L.: Synthesis and Synergy. Biomedicines. 2022 Dec 6;10(12):3142. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10123142. PMID: 36551898; PMCID: PMC9775512.
