The war on mold. Plus 3 naturopathic weapons to help you fight back.
I currently live in a one-bedroom unit underneath my parent's house, on a large, shady mountain, next to the beach in tropical Queensland. Believe me when I say I understand your frustration in the war against mold from the deepest part of my being. It’s maddening when you’re spending your time, money, and energy wiping down furniture and walls every fortnight, constantly vacuuming your house and car, buying and refilling those little wardrobe humidifiers, replacing soft furnishings like couches or fabric beds, and washing EVERY SINGLE ITEM in your wardrobe, kitchen cupboards, or your kid’s toy box every time it rains. The list could go on, but you get the point.
Doing these things regularly started to consume my life and mental space, which was already stretched thin juggling the schedules and responsibilities of two toddlers, an overly anxious rescue dog, normal household duties, working out, maintaining a presence on social media, podcasting, and studying naturopathy at university. On top of all this, I had that nagging feeling in the back of my mind warning me about the dangers of mold to mine and my children’s health—especially impossible to ignore when you spend most of your days learning about how to achieve optimal health. Yet, here I was, dealing with a persistent six-month-old cough that was starting to resemble mild asthma.
From my research, I found that the limited studies on the health effects of mold exposure in the home consistently show strong links to increased respiratory infections, worsened upper respiratory and asthmatic symptoms, a rise in allergies and eczema in younger populations, and even more subtle links like decreased ability to concentrate or recover from illness in immunocompromised individuals (Bush et al., 2006; Mendell et al., 2011). This is a bit of a scary rabbit hole for a mother of two boys, and the health anxiety can distort the perception of your beautiful beachside, cheap rent, mountain-paradise, as something to run from.
So, I found ways to be more resourceful in combatting the mold problem.
Here are three naturopathic solutions to help you win your own battle against mold without breaking the bank or making your respiratory issues worse.
1. Clove Oil
As mentioned earlier, I’ve tried several methods in the past, including vinegar, bleaching my ceilings (which ruined my clothes, triggered a horrific coughing fit, and burned my eyes), and the most effective of all: clove oil. Traditionally, clove oil has been used to treat a range of health issues, from tooth infections and inflammation to acne. What caught my attention was its anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-fungal properties (Zubair et al., 2023).
This little powerhouse is cost-effective—only about $8 for a small bottle of clove essential oil from the chemist—and safe to use around little ones. It’s versatile, too, as it can be diluted with water and sprayed on most surfaces, including fabrics, speakers, mattresses, walls, floors, and car interiors. I found that a mix of 5-10 drops of clove oil in 250-300 ml of water gave me the longest-lasting results between treatments. The only downside is that it makes your house smell like old clove cigarettes when it dries, so make sure to open those windows and let the sunshine in (which, by the way, also helps fight the mold).
Warning: Do not ingest or apply clove oil topically without thorough research, as it may have adverse effects on pregnant individuals, diabetics, and those with low blood pressure (Zubair et al., 2023).
2. Electric Dehumidifier
An electric dehumidifier is like those little moisture-wicking balls in wardrobes, but on steroids. These machines plug into the wall and, depending on the model, either cycle the room air over ice-cold metal coils, or through a desiccant wheel to capture moisture. The collected moisture is stored in a reservoir that needs to be emptied daily or drained externally via a hose, then dry air is pushed back into the room, lowering the overall humidity (Ausclimate, 2025).
I cannot express enough my love for my dehumidifier. These bad boys go for $70 on facebook marketplace, and are a method to immediately get results. Within days of purchase, my chest cough has evolved from wet to dry, the air became physically lighter to breathe in, and my towels, spills and wet floors dried within the hour, rather than 2-7 business days. Enough said.
3. Echinacea
While this remedy doesn’t directly address mold in the home, it’s a tool to help your immune system recover from its effects. Echinacea is the poster herb for Western natural medicine due to its ability to detox the body, fight viral and bacterial infections, and treat respiratory issues like colds, coughs, and flu (Schapowal, Klein & Johnston, 2015; Chevallier, 2023, p. 96).
Andrew Chevallier recommends this simple remedy to boost your immune system and help with your cough: Take ½ tbsp of Echinacea tincture, available at your local health store, with water 2-3 times daily, and eat two garlic cloves (Chevallier, 2023, p. 320). It’s a beginner-friendly, cost-effective way to start strengthening your immune system.
Word of caution: Always do your own research before using herbal remedies to ensure they’re safe for you. Some herbs can interact with medications or pre-existing health conditions. Watch for allergic reactions such as hives, rashes, or swelling. If your symptoms worsen or don’t improve, seek professional help from a qualified GP, naturopath, or visit the emergency room.
References:
Chevallier, A. (2023) Encyclopedia of herbal medicine; 560 herbs & remedies for common ailments (4th edition). Dorling Kindersley Limited
AusClimate. (n.d.). Medium 20L dehumidifier. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://ausclimate.com.au/products/medium-20l-dehumidifier
Bush, R. K., Portnoy, J. M., Saxon, A., Terr, A. I., & Wood, R. A. (2006). The medical effects of mold exposure. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 117(2), 326–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2005.11.049
Mendell, M. J., Mirer, A. G., Cheung, K., Tong, M., & Douwes, J. (2011). Respiratory and allergic health effects of dampness, mold, and dampness-related agents: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. Environmental Health Perspectives, 119(6), 748–756. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1002410
Schapowal, A., Klein, P., & Johnston, S. L. (2015). Echinacea reduces the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and complications: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Advances in Therapy, 32(2), 187–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-015-0194-4
Zubair, S., Sharif, A., Altaf, H. A., Karim, F., & Raees, H. (2023). Eugenia aromatic (clove) in focus: A scientific review of its pharmacological applications and therapeutic benefits. International Journal of Trends in Food Science and Technologies, 1, 29–37. https://ijtfst.elysiansciences.com/index.php/ijtfst/article/view/4/23
