Ever feel bloated, foggy-brained, or just off after indulging in your favorite foods? I used to think it was just part of getting older or maybe a “vacation hangover.” Turns out, my gut had other plans.

My Candida Wake-Up Call

Every time I went home to Idaho, I went hard on the bread. I mean, who can resist? But without fail, I’d come back to Miami Beach feeling like garbage for weeks—tired, puffy, and just… off. Finally, a friend of mine (who happens to be a Chinese medicine practitioner) asked me to send her a picture of my tongue. Weird? Yes. But I was desperate. After a few more questions, she hit me with the verdict: Candida overgrowth. Basically, I had a yeast problem running wild in my body.

She told me to clean up my diet (grab my Candida Diet Basics here) and do a serious gut reset. I’ve been cleansing ever since, and now, with dōTERRA’s gentle Cleanse & Restore program, I do a Holistic Health Reset twice a year—no more bread hangovers for me!

What Is Candida Anyway?

Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in our gut, skin, and mouth. In small amounts, it’s fine. But give it too much sugar, stress, or antibiotics, and it turns into a gut-destroying monster that can mess with everything from digestion to brain function.

How Do You Know If Candida Is Taking Over?

It can show up in sneaky ways, like:

• Bloating & digestive drama (gas, constipation, diarrhea—you name it)
• Crazy sugar cravings (because Candida LOVES sugar & I had never had a sweet tooth)
• Brain fog & exhaustion (that ‘why can’t I think straight’ feeling)
• Skin breakouts & weird rashes
• Frequent colds & sinus issues
• Tinnitus (yep, ringing in the ears!)—this was a new one for me, but Candida’s toxic byproducts can actually mess with the nervous system and inner ear.

How Did This Happen?

Candida overgrowth doesn’t just happen overnight—it’s usually a slow build-up. Some big contributors include:

• Too much sugar & refined carbs (Candida’s favorite food)
• Antibiotics (they kill the good bacteria that keep Candida in check)
• Chronic stress (hello, weakened immune system!)
• Toxin overload (processed foods, chemicals, you name it)
• A leaky gut (which lets Candida escape and wreak havoc elsewhere)

The Gut-Brain Connection: Why Candida Messes With Your Mind

Your gut and brain are besties, constantly communicating via the vagus nerve. When your gut is out of whack, your brain feels it too. Candida overgrowth can produce toxins that cross into your bloodstream, leading to inflammation, anxiety, mood swings, and that ‘why do I feel so off?’ feeling. Oh, and if you’ve ever dealt with tinnitus, Candida could be a sneaky culprit.

How I Kicked Candida to the Curb (and How You Can Too!)

The good news? You’re not stuck with it. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Cut Out the Candida Feast

• Ditch (or at least cut back drastically) on sugar, refined carbs, and processed junk.
• Load up on leafy greens, fiber, and healthy fats.
• Add fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut for extra probiotics.

2. Support Your Body’s Detox System

• Drink ALL the water to flush out toxins.
• Support your liver with foods like garlic, beets, and dandelion tea.
• Use essential oils like Lemon and Zendocrine to help clear things out.

3. Rebuild Your Gut Army

• Take high-quality probiotics to repopulate the good bacteria. (PB Restore)
• Use digestive enzymes to help break down food and reduce bloating. (Terrazyme)

4. Fight Candida Naturally

• Oregano Oil: A natural antifungal powerhouse.
• Tea Tree & Clove: Great for keeping yeast in check.
• Lavender & Frankincense: Help calm inflammation and support the nervous system.

5. Reduce Stress & Support the Vagus Nerve

• Get into yoga, breathwork, or meditation (trust me, it helps!).
• Use essential oils like Peppermint or Copaiba for nervous system support.
• Prioritize sleep and downtime—your gut will thank you.

Your Gut, Your Rules

Candida overgrowth doesn’t have to run your life. If you’re tired of feeling sluggish, bloated, or just off, it’s time to listen to your gut (literally). Making a few simple shifts can bring you back into balance, boost your energy, and get you feeling like yourself again.

Ready for a reset? With a combination of dōTERRA’s Cleanse & Restore program, daily self-care habits, a team of wellness professionals, and community support, this is by far the best and most gentle program out there. We offer this group reset each quarter, focusing on seasonal foods and self-care habits. Let’s do this!

To learn more and get the next group dates, email me at Kim@KimHessYoga.com

Disclaimer: For optimal results and safety, it’s crucial to use only Certified Pure Tested Grade (CPTG) essential oils. Not all essential oils are created equal, and many on the market may contain impurities or fillers that can be harmful, especially when ingested. dōTERRA’s CPTG certification ensures that their oils are pure, potent, and free from contaminants. Therefore, I recommend ingesting only dōTERRA essential oils that are specifically labeled for internal use. Always read labels carefully and do your own research.