Aromatherapy Science Update: Treating Mrsa With Essential Oils

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 bacteria has been such a challenge that a significant amount of research has been done investigating the efficacy of natural treatments. Browsing the research abstracts at Pubmed.gov, one will find a large number of papers investigating the use of essential oils, both in liquid and in vapor phases. Essential oils naturally present themselves in ways that can be of help: Because infections are found in the nasal cavities and respiratory system, as well as at wound (broken skin) sites, both inhalation and topical application of these natural antibiotics can be useful.

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 Polytoxinol(tm) 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.

Clearly essential oils hold excellent promise in treating MRSA infection, and by their nature, virtually all bacterial infections suffered by human beings. Acceptance of their use by mainstream medicine, particularly in the United States, has been exceedingly slow. This is likely due to the pharmaceutical-driven environment of our health institutions, where essential oils have no way into the system. Hopefully through the education of both doctors and patients, efficacious natural treatments such as essential oils will eventually be embraced, as given the scientific support, they certainly deserve to be.

by: Jessica Gibson

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