The term "superbug", referring to MRSA or "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus" bacteria, is in the common speech these days. We're aware there are bacteria that are the cause of serious illness and death, that have become resistant to modern medicine's most potent antibiotics. MRSA infection is especially common in hospitals, where patient's immune systems are already run down. Too often it happens that one enters the hospital with one illness, and later requires treatment for this troublesome infectious illness.
The search for an antidote to this deadly bacteria has been a prominent area of research in the last several years -- and several essential oils have been found to be highly effective in eradicating the bug. Infections occur in the nasal passages and respiratory system, as well as in open wounds (including areas such as catheter insertions). Clearly an effective treatment should be available in both vapor phase (for inhalation) and in liquid for topical application. Essential oils meet both these requirements, and have been successfully tested in both conditions.
In a study performed by the Metropolitan University of Manchester, a vaporized essential oil blend containing lemongrass and geranium was tested against several strains of bacteria. The blend was found to reduce the spread of bacteria (including MRSA) on agar plates (with in a laboratory setting) as well as reduce the overall bacteria count in an office environment. The overall reduction of bacteria in the air was a staggering 89% with the diffuser running continually for 15 hours.
While a number of studies have evaluated the efficacy of tea tree essential oil, as it has historically been a highly effective and well-tolerated antiseptic, it is clear that tea tree is not the most effective oil for this purpose. For example, in a "dressing model" study (where preparations were made using wound dressings), the most effective formulas were either a blend of tea tree AND geranium, or of geranium and grapefruit seed extract. Several other studies have found blends of essential oils to be more effective than any single oil alone.
With this synergy of essential oils in mind, a company in the UK called "Benchmark Oils" has developed a new strain of thyme with unique chemical characteristics. In effect, this new strain of thyme produces an essential oil that chemically appears like a mixture of tea tree and thyme essential oils. This single oil alone was found to quickly eradicate MRSA, and at the same time its application at 100% strength did not cause skin irritation (as is possible with some "spice" essential oils such as cinnamon and clove). Maggie Tisserand, company director, noted: "What is interesting is that the thyme oil we use is food grade and, in preliminary company trials, shows no adverse effects on intact skin."
In actual human subjects, an essential oil blend called PolytoxinolTM eradicated MRSA infections from traumatic injury sites. This blend is formulated with eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, clove and lemongrass essential oils diluted in ethanol. The blend completely eradicated MRSA infections where no supplemental antibiotics were used. This same formula treated chronic MRSA osteomyelitis (bone infection) that was unresponsive to antibiotics for two years.
This is only a small selection of the available data, yet the vast majority of results confirm that essential oils can be effective at eradicating MRSA bacteria. What is wonderful about these results is that essential oils are readily available, inexpensive, and virtually non-toxic. Treatment of such infections with essential oils should clearly be done with the guidance of a qualified medical professional, as the illness can be deadly. Individuals with weak immune systems, and those exposed regularly to MRSA or other bacterial pathogens can protect themselves with a nebulizing aromatherapy diffuser. One can make a simple blend of lemongrass, geranium and thyme essential oils and regularly diffuse this in their space for such support.
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For more, visit The Ananda Apothecary here , or organic herbs here .
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