The medicinal oil that works on MRSA JoAnn Guest

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The medicinal oil that works on MRSA

JoAnn Guest

Sep 01, 2006 17:31 PDT

 

 

The medicinal oil that works on MRSA

Link: Times Online.

http://tahilla.typepad.com/mrsawatch/mrsa_wounds_essentia/index.html

 

A randomised control trial of tea tree topical oil

preparations

comparing it with the standard regime was carried out at the Royal

Hampshire County Hospital. The trial measured the relative ability

of

the two regimes to clear MRSA (the antibiotic resistant bacteria

found

in hospitals) colonisation from various sites. The tea tree oil

compared

favourably to modern pharmaceutical skin preparations. The oil was

slightly less effective in clearing noses and throats, appreciably

more

effective in clearing armpits, groins and perhaps surprisingly skin

sores of the potentially lethal Staphylococcus aureus. The results

were

published in the Journal of Hospital Infection.

 

Sunday, 16 April 2006 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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(Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal

Properties

Link: Clinical Microbiology Reviews

 

Complementary and alternative medicines such as tea tree

(melaleuca) oil have become increasingly popular in recent decades.

This

essential oil has been used for almost 100 years in Australia but is

now

available worldwide both as neat oil and as an active component in

an

array of products. The primary uses of tea tree oil have

historically

capitalized on the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions of the

oil.

This review summarizes recent developments in our understanding of

the

antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of the oil and its

components, as well as clinical efficacy. Specific mechanisms of

antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action are reviewed, and the

toxicity of the oil is briefly discussed.

 

Thursday, 19 January 2006 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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Grapefruit seed and MRSA remedies

Link: The Daily Record

 

Grapefruit seed extract has been used to combat bird flu in the past

and

scientific studies have shown it is also effective against MRSA.

Anna,

who lives with support worker husband Michael, can ' t believe its

healing properties are not more widely known. She sells it to owners

of

racing pigeons to help fight infection and says it is also

beneficial

for humans,who use it for conditions ranging from athlete' s foot to

mouth ulcers and eczema. There have been a number of scientific

studies

showing it kills bacteria. But unlike synthetic antibiotics it

doesn ' t

take out friendly bacteria. And it covers a broad spectrum of

ailments

rather than traditional antibiotics that tend to work on specific

areas.

" So many people have comeback to me to say how much grapefruit seed

extract has helped them, " she says.

 

Tuesday, 15 November 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Link: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

 

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts

including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs),

neutrophils,

peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4 , CD8 and CD16 lymphocytes,

CD4 /CD8 ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum

interferon-{gamma} and interleukin-6, salivary secretory

immunoglobulin

A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State–Trait Anxiety

Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale

(SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and

aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil,

cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed

a

significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy

and

carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control

massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to

control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or

hematocrit.

However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P > 0.05)

increase

in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8 and CD16 lymphocytes,

which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01).

Consequently, the CD4 /CD8 ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01).

The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests

that

aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that

require

augmentation of CD8 lymphocytes. While this study identifies the

immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to

validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

 

Monday, 25 July 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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MRSA kills 5000 every year but Euro red tape halts cheap 'cure'

Link: Evening Times.

 

MRSA kills 5000 every year but Euro red tape halts cheap 'cure'

RED tape is stopping vital research into common oils that could

destroy

the killer MRSA hospital superbug. More than 5000 people - including

an

estimated 400 Scots - die every year from the bug. A study funded by

£40,000 from veteran DJ Sir Jimmy Savile found a mixture of

aromatherapy

oils could kill MRSA and other infections. However, the researchers

today said they couldn't start clinical trials because of Euro

legislation. The doctors and nurses at Manchester University found

the

three common oils were more effective than existing treatments

because

they had a complex mix of chemical compounds.

 

Friday, 27 May 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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(0)

Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Link: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

 

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts

including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs),

neutrophils,

peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4 , CD8 and CD16 lymphocytes,

CD4 /CD8 ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum

interferon-{gamma} and interleukin-6, salivary secretory

immunoglobulin

A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State-Trait Anxiety

Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale

(SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and

aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil,

cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed

a

significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy

and

carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control

massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to

control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or

hematocrit.

However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P < 0.05)

increase

in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8 and CD16 lymphocytes,

which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01).

Consequently, the CD4 /CD8 ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01).

The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests

that

aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that

require

augmentation of CD8 lymphocytes. While this study identifies the

immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to

validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

 

Tuesday, 10 May 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

Comments

(1)

Is tea tree oil effective at eradicating MRSA colonization?

Link: Is tea tree oil effective at eradicating MRSA colonization? A

review..

 

In vitro studies show that tea tree oil is capable of killing

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a laboratory

setting. This review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was

undertaken to find out whether it is effective at eradicating MRSA

colonization compared to standard mupirocin-based regimens in

colonized

patients. A wide range of databases and internet sources were

searched

to identify published and unpublished studies. Two RCTs were found

that

researched the effectiveness of tea tree oil preparations against

MRSA.

One small RCT (n = 30) showed a large but non-significant

improvement at

eradicating MRSA compared to traditional treatment, whereas a larger

study (n = 224) demonstrated little difference in rates of

eradication

overall (41% for tea tree and 49% for mupirocin, p = 0.286).

However,

the larger study found that those with nasal colonization receiving

a

tea tree regimen were more likely to remain colonized with MRSA in

the

nose (absolute risk increase 31%, p<0.001). Currently there is

insufficient evidence to support the routine use of tea tree oil in

clinical practice for eradication of MRSA colonization.

 

Thursday, 14 April 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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Back to nature in fight against killer superbug

Link: Scotland on Sunday.

 

THE rarefied world of aromatherapy could hold the key to winning the

battle against deadly superbugs that kill thousands of people every

year. Some of the essential oils used by aromatherapists are

believed to

be more effective in eradicating MRSA from hospital wards that the

man-made chemical concoctions currently used. Initial research shows

that the natural strength and complexity of oils such as eucalyptus,

lavender and tea tree makes them more deadly to superbugs than

artificial alternatives. The Department of Health has confirmed

plans to

fund research into the use of aromatherapy oils to combat MRSA.

Around

& #65533;3m has already been set aside for research into the

hospital-acquired infections that have rocked confidence in the

health

service's ability to protect patients from disease. The move could

pave

the way for patients at greatest risk of infection to be treated

with

the oils - chemical compounds found in aromatic plants - rather than

conventional antiseptics throughout their stay in hospital, either

through inhalation or on dressings placed in direct contact with

wounds.

 

Monday, 28 March 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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(0)

Laboratory Tests on essential oils

Link: Laboratory Tests - fighting back against MRSA.

 

Armed with successful in-vitro test results, I then sent the same

selection of essential oils to a different kind of laboratory for

GLC

testing. GLC (Gas Liquid Chromatography) is able to analyse the

chemical

make-up of one essential oil at a time. GLC test results of each of

the

essential oils sent to the lab were then examined by me to determine

if

there was a common denominator – and here I had my second surprise –

because there wasn't one. I was not able to pinpoint one particular

chemical (or even chemical group) and say `this is responsible for

the

successful lab tests'. With the detailed GLC analyses, I was then

able

to check each chemical constituent against the EU regulations which

govern and restrict the usage of certain essential oils or their

chemical constituents and, as my objective was to formulate a

product

based solely on essential oils that were non-toxic and non-irritant,

this narrowed down my choices.

 

Monday, 21 March 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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(2)

Could common scents snuff out the superbug?

Link: icWales - Could common scents snuff out the superbug?.

 

RESEARCH conducted at the University of Manchester has found that

three

oils usually used in aromatherapy destroyed MRSA and E.coli bacteria

in

two minutes flat. Scientists are now suggesting that the oils could

be

blended into soaps and shampoo which could be used in hospitals to

stop

the spread of the superbug or MRSA. Jacqui Stringer, complemen-tary

medicine clinical leader at Christie Cancer Hospital, who instigated

the

research, believes essential oils are so effective because they are

made

up of a complex mixture of chemical compounds which MRSA and other

superbug bacteria find difficult to resist. She is not alone in this

belief. I believe this research could lead to a very practical

application which would be of enormous benefit to the NHS and its

patients.

 

Monday, 28 February 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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Nature's Way to fight MRSA

Link: dailyrecord

 

NATURAL remedies, such as tea tree oil and honey, may be effective

against MRSA. Two studies, one in America and one at the University

of

East London, showed that tea tree oil could treat antibiotic-

resistant

bacterial infections more effectively than conventional antiseptic

skin

preparations. Microbiologist Giles Elsom from the University of East

London says: 'We've found tea tree oil to be safe and effective in

cases

where conventional, more toxic, anti-microbial treatments have

failed.'

And a recent study in New Zealand concluded that the anti-bacterial

potency of honey was well in excess of that required to stop the

growth

of MRSA. Active Manuka Honey is the only honey available for sale

which

is tested for anti-bacterial activity.

 

Wednesday, 23 February 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

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Jim fixes it for superbug study

Link: BBC NEWS

 

Veteran disc jockey Sir Jimmy Saville has " fixed it " for researchers

trying to combat the hospital bug MRSA. Sir Jimmy has donated

£40,000 to

the team from the University of Manchester who are investigating how

aromatherapy can kill the deadly bacteria. They claim three

essential

oils can kill MRSA as well as the E.coli bug, but money is needed

for

trials. Sir Jimmy made the donation after reading about the possible

breakthrough on the BBC News website.

 

Thursday, 13 January 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

Comments (1)

Tea Tree Oil Alarm

Link: News.

 

The oil, which is derived from the Australian melaleuca tree and has

been a traditional remedy among Australian Aboriginals for

centuries, is

famous for its antiseptic properties. Used by Australian troops for

battlefield injuries in the First World War, it is now in shower

gels,

toothpastes, mouthwash and face cleansers, to cure skin complaints,

to

treat cuts and burns, as an insect and lice repellent, and has even

been

cited as a possible treatment for the MRSA superbug. But now the

Scientific Committee on Consumer Products, which officially advises

the

EU on whether products can be sold, has said it has serious

concerns. In

an unusually blunt official opinion released last week, the

committee

stated: " The sparse data available suggest undiluted oil as a

commercial

product is not safe. " Its major concern was that toxic and risky

chemicals become even more potent - up to three times as strong - if

stored at room temperature, and exposed to light and air.

 

Sunday, 09 January 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

Comments (1)

Essential oils have been found to kill the deadly MRSA bacteria

Link: News Medical Net.

 

Essential oils usually used in aromatherapy have been found to kill

the

deadly MRSA bacteria according to research carried out at The

University

of Manchester. Tests revealed that three essential oils killed MRSA

and

E. coli as well as many other bacteria and fungi within just two

minutes

of contact. The oils can easily be blended and made into soaps and

shampoos which could be used by hospital staff, doctors and patients

in

a bid to eradicate the spread of these deadly `super bugs'.

Researchers

are now desperately looking for funding to develop their work and

carry

out a clinical trial. Peter Warn from the University's Faculty of

Medicine who worked on the research said: 'We believe that our

discovery

could revolutionise the fight to combat MRSA and other `super bugs',

but

we need to carry out a trial and to do that we need a small amount

of

funding ' around & #65533;30,000. 'We are having problems finding this

funding because essential oils cannot be patented as they are

naturally

occurring, so few drug companies are interested in our work as they

do

not see it as commercially viable. Obviously, we find this very

frustrating as we believe our findings could help to stamp out MRSA

and

save lives,' added Peter, who is based at Hope Hospital.

 

Wednesday, 05 January 2005 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

Comments (1)

Essential oils tested on MRSA wounds

Link: HighWire Press -- Medline Abstract.

 

Patchouli, tea tree, geranium, lavender essential oils and

Citricidaltrade mark (grapefruit seed extract) were used singly and

in

combination to assess their anti-bacterial activity against three

strains of Staphylococcus aureus: Oxford S. aureus NCTC 6571 (Oxford

strain), Epidemic methicillin-resistant S. aureus (EMRSA 15) and

MRSA

(untypable).

 

Wednesday, 01 December 2004 in Wounds & Essential Oils | Permalink |

Comments (0)

Yeast and tea tree oil kill MRSA superbug

News Medical Net

Manchester Metropolitan University is working with a cutting edge

technology firm to find a treatment for the hospital superbug MRSA

which

kills 5,000 patients each year. MMU scientists and North West

company

Micap have spent two years researching antimicrobial agents to

tackle

the infection, known as a " superbug " for its resistance to

antibiotics.

The outcome is a blend of yeast and essential oils, including tea

tree

oil, which attacks and kills the bug.

Clinical trials of the new treatment are about to start on 40 burns

patients at Wythenshawe Hospital, who have been diagnosed as having

MRSA

on their skin.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets