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Natural Remedies for C. Diff Infection

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Medically Reviewed by Sarah Daglis, ND, MS

Published July 10, 2024
Last Updated July 10, 2024

Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is the bacteria behind about half a million infections in the United States every year. C. diff infections cause stomach pain, diarrhea, dehydration, appetite loss, and inflammation of the colon (colitis).¹ Although the bacteria are minuscule,² the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider C. diff infections an urgent and growing threat.

At one time, C. diff was primarily a concern for older adults in nursing homes or those recently hospitalized. However, infections are increasingly affecting younger adults and children, particularly those who have recently taken antibiotics. As antibiotics eliminate infection-causing bacteria, they also kill beneficial bacteria, disrupting gut health. Although antibiotic therapy is the standard treatment for C. diff in conventional medicine,¹ it is possible to heal the infection naturally.

C. Diff Risk Factors

Petri dish of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

The biggest risk factor for C. diff infection is antibiotic use. People are 7 to 10 times more likely to get C. diff while taking antibiotics and up to one month after.¹

Oral antibiotics are the biggest threat and the most common treatment for C. diff infection. Our gut microbiomes house a diverse ecosystem of millions of microorganisms, including 500 to 1,000 different species of bacteria.³ Like any community, there are good actors and bad actors that balance each other out. The heavy-handed action of antibiotics leaves fewer good bacteria to keep harmful bacteria in check.

C. diff often emerges near the end of, or shortly after, a course of antibiotics, when bad bacteria grow faster and quickly outnumber good bacteria. People taking antibiotics for more than a week are at particularly high risk of C. diff.¹

Disrupting the microbiome isn’t the only danger of antibiotics where C. diff is concerned. Bacteria have very short lives, so they can quickly adapt to changes. For decades, scientists have been sounding the alarm on antibiotic resistance (when bacteria evolve so much that antibiotics are no longer effective). People and infectious microorganisms have been at war since the discovery of antibiotics. But there’s no question who’s winning. Bacteria are shape-shifting faster than the development of antibiotics to fight them. With every new antibiotic, there’s a chance for bacteria to grow even smarter, evading the latest attempt to eradicate them.

Several other factors increase the risk of C. diff¹,⁴:

Age (65 and older): One in eleven people over 65 with a healthcare-associated C. diff infection die within one month.
Location: Living in a nursing home or staying in a hospital.
Immunity: A weakened immune system (e.g., patients taking immunosuppressive drugs or people with HIV/AIDS or cancer).
Previous infection: About one in six patients infected with C. diff will get it again within two to eight weeks.
Gastrointestinal disorders: People with inflammatory bowel disease are at higher risk.
Certain medications: Prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors increases the chance of C. diff infection.

Natural Treatments for C. Diff Infection

Antibiotics aren’t the only way to stop C. diff in its tracks. There are many ways to prevent and naturally treat the infection.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

The word biotic refers to living organisms. Antibiotics kill life forms, but probiotics are life forms that boost healthy bacteria populations and improve microbial diversity in the gut. Probiotics crowd out harmful bacteria, like C. diff, improving intestinal fortitude and immunity. Think of probiotics as troops marching onto the battlefield to seize the enemy.

Prebiotics are not life forms, but they help good bacteria grow faster. Probiotics eat prebiotics for the same reasons we eat food—for strength, energy, and overall function. Prebiotics ferment in the intestine, creating substances like short-chain fatty acids that guard the intestines and immune system and help the body fight pathogens. Prebiotics can also prevent C. diff and other bacteria from attaching to the intestines.

When used together, prebiotics and probiotics form an effective C. diff–fighting team. Research shows this potent duo may help the body prevent bacterial invaders from setting up shop in the gut. In one study, probiotics eliminated more than 80 percent of C. diff bacteria, with Lactobacillus and S. boulardii strains identified as the most effective. Prebiotics have been shown to reduce gut pathogens by 30 to 80 percent.³

Plant Medicine

Humans have coexisted with “opportunistic” bacteria for centuries. Traditional and herbal medicine have long included plants to help fight such invaders. Many medicinal plants are natural antibiotics; they weaken or kill bacteria by reducing toxins and helping cells heal bacterial damage.

Thymol (in thyme) and geraniol (in wild bergamot) break down C. diff’s cell structure. Cinnamaldehyde (in cinnamon) and carvacrol (from herbs like thyme and oregano) do the same, forcing C. diff to make fewer toxins.⁵ One study showed that carvacrol significantly reduced diarrhea in mice while supporting the growth of good bacteria.⁶

Allicin (garlic) and onion bulb extract inhibit the production of C. diff toxins, while zingerone (from ginger) protects cells against toxin damage and alleviates diarrhea. Berberine (in European barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric) prevents C. diff recurrence and is an effective anti-diarrheal, curing up to 92 percent of cases. Virgin coconut oil, rich in antimicrobial fatty acids, is also effective against C. diff, with lauric acid notably reducing its growth.⁵

Combining Natural Therapies

Combining natural therapies might be even more effective in treating C. diff, especially with children. In one study, a naturopathic doctor treated a two-year-old who developed an infection after a hospital stay, using black seed oil, bentonite clay, and Lactobacillus probiotics. The toddler was previously treated with three different antibiotics. After 14 days, stool tests detected no C. diff, and a three-month follow-up showed no additional signs of infection.⁴

Black seed oil (Nigella sativa) is an ancient remedy known for its antibiotic-like protection against C. diff. Bentonite clay is another centuries-old therapy that neutralizes and binds toxins produced by C. diff so they can quickly exit the body. It is also helpful for treating diarrhea. Probiotics, which reduce the risk of C. diff–induced diarrhea by 60 percent when taken with antibiotics, restore balance to the gut microbiome.⁴

Eating Probiotic- and Prebiotic-Rich Foods for a Healthy Gut

Probiotic-rich fermented foods, such as miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, and yogurt, generate good bacteria that help maintain a healthy digestive system by supporting the body’s natural defenses.

Enhanced nutrient absorption: Fermentation makes it easier for the body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals. For example, fermentation can increase levels of B vitamins, vitamin K, and certain amino acids.

Improved digestion: Fermentation breaks down food into more digestible forms, which can reduce bloating, gas, and constipation.

Strengthened immune system: Eating fermented foods can enhance the gut barrier function and support immunity, potentially reducing inflammation and infection.

Beneficial compounds: Fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids, which promote colon health and reduce inflammation.

Fewer pathogenic bacteria: The acidic environment created through fermentation can inhibit bacterial growth in the gut, protecting against infection and pathogenic bacteria overgrowth.

Asparagus, onions, leeks, lentils, flaxseeds, and chicory root are good sources of prebiotics.³

Easing Digestion with Diet Modifications

It may be helpful to temporarily reduce or avoid eating beans, cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts), and raw veggies, as they can be hard to digest. Spicy, greasy, fried, and high-fat food (like mayonnaise) can irritate the intestines. Some people may want to avoid caffeine, dairy, and gluten.

Cooked beets, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and celery are easy for the body to digest. Try fruits and vegetables blended in soups or smoothies, which break down digestive fibers. Eggs, chicken, and turkey are highly digestible proteins. Drinking plenty of water is also essential, especially with bouts of diarrhea.

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Preventing C. Diff Infection

Some people with C. diff bacteria in their intestines never get sick, but an infection is highly contagious. Taking preventive measures can help avoid exposure to C. diff in the first place.

Be Cautious With Antibiotic Use

Antibiotics are sometimes needed to cure an infection, but other treatment options may be available. Only use antibiotics when necessary and as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Take the entire course prescribed, typically 10 to 14 days.

Maintain a Clean Environment

C. diff often spreads through feces. Closing the toilet lid when flushing helps prevent stool particles from settling in the bathroom or on skin. Wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, but don’t use antibacterial soap, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Regular cleaning is especially important because C. diff takes on a spore form when outside the body. These spores have a protective coating that allows them to survive for months (and even years) in soil and on surfaces. If they enter the body and reach the intestines, there is a risk of infection.¹

While antibiotics used to treat C. diff infection can disrupt the microbiome and cause gastrointestinal upset, naturopathic treatments often have fewer side effects and a lower risk of secondary infections.⁴

Footnotes

1
About C. diff (Clostridioides difficile). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published May 6, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/c-diff/about/index.html
2
Preventing C. diff. (Clostridioides difficile). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published April 23, 2024. Accessed June 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/c-diff/prevention/index.html
3
Rahman MN, Barua N, Tin MCF, Dharmaratne P, Wong SH, Ip M. The use of probiotics and prebiotics in decolonizing pathogenic bacteria from the gut; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes. Gut Microbes. 2024;16(1):2356279. doi:10.1080/19490976.2024.2356279
4
Littman E, Winningham N, Carson TB, Hidalgo IM. Black seed oil, bentonite clay, and probiotics: a comprehensive holistic cure for clostridium difficile infection in a 2-year-old female child. Case Rep Infect Dis. 2022;2022:2002488. doi:10.1155/2022/2002488
5
Qassadi FI, Zhu Z, Monaghan TM. Plant-derived products with therapeutic potential against gastrointestinal bacteria. Pathogens. 2023;12(2):333. doi:10.3390/pathogens12020333
6
Mooyottu S, Flock G, Upadhyay A, Upadhyaya I, Maas K, Venkitanarayanan K. Protective effect of carvacrol against gut dysbiosis and clostridium difficile associated disease in a mouse model. Front Microbiol. 2017;8:625. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.00625

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