A review of the antifungal properties of medicinal herbs

Abstract

Infectious diseases are the most common diseases in the world that have huge economic losses to the society. Herbal medicines have been used among the population and the physicians for a long time for the treatment of common diseases. These days, due to the increasing resistance of bacteria and fungi to antimicrobial compounds, as well as the side effects of chemical drugs, researchers focus on herbal extracts, essential oil and natural antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of infections. The aim of this review is to introduce antifungal effects of some essential oils or herbal extracts; perhaps by taking advantages of such medications, specialists be persuaded for the use of herbal medicines for the treatment of infectious diseases. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.