Aromatherapy oils may kill superbugs

December 21, 2004

05:40 AEDT Wed Dec 22 2004

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=25035

Essential oils normally used in aromatherapy could be used to kill

deadly MRSA bacteria, scientists said.

In tests carried out at the University of Manchester, three

essential oils killed MRSA and e coli bacteria within two minutes of

contact.

Researchers believe the oils - chemical compounds found in aromatic

plants - could be blended into soaps and shampoos to eradicate the

spread of superbugs.

Warn, from the University's faculty of medicine, who worked on

the research, said the findings could help save lives.

He said: " We believe that our discovery could revolutionise the

fight to combat MRSA and other superbugs but we need to carry out a

trial and to do that we need a small amount of funding, around

STG30,000 ($A76,628).

" 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. "

The researchers tested 40 essential oils against ten of the most

deadly bacteria and fungi.

Two of the oils killed MRSA and e coli almost instantly, while a

third was found to act over a longer period of time.

This means that any soaps made by blending the three oils would be

effective through a course of treatment.

Jacqui Stringer, clinical leader of complementary therapies at

Christie Hospital in Manchester, instigated the oils research.

She said: " Our research shows a very practical application which

could be of enormous benefit to the NHS and its patients.

" The reason essential oils are so effective is because they are made

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

other superbug bacteria finds difficult to resist.

" The problem with current treatments is that they are made of single

compounds which MRSA relatively quickly becomes resistant to, so

treatment is only successful in around 50 per cent of cases. "

She added: " While a wide range of products currently exist to help

prevent the spread of MRSA these are often unpleasant for patients

as their application can cause skin irritation.

December 21, 2004

Always look at industry citing more uses their products!

Hell, even oil of oregano is a good antibacterial...but it is caustic.

Cavet Emptor!

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004, tigerpaw2c wrote:

> Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 23:10:07 -0000

> From: tigerpaw2c <tigerpaw2C@...>

> Reply-

>

> Subject: [] Aromatherapy oils may kill superbugs

>

> Aromatherapy oils may kill superbugs

> 05:40 AEDT Wed Dec 22 2004

> http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=25035

>

> Essential oils normally used in aromatherapy could be used to kill

> deadly MRSA bacteria, scientists said.

>

> In tests carried out at the University of Manchester, three

> essential oils killed MRSA and e coli bacteria within two minutes of

> contact.

>

> Researchers believe the oils - chemical compounds found in aromatic

> plants - could be blended into soaps and shampoos to eradicate the

> spread of superbugs.

>

> Warn, from the University's faculty of medicine, who worked on

> the research, said the findings could help save lives.

>

> He said: " We believe that our discovery could revolutionise the

> fight to combat MRSA and other superbugs but we need to carry out a

> trial and to do that we need a small amount of funding, around

> STG30,000 ($A76,628).

>

> " 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. "

>

> The researchers tested 40 essential oils against ten of the most

> deadly bacteria and fungi.

>

> Two of the oils killed MRSA and e coli almost instantly, while a

> third was found to act over a longer period of time.

>

> This means that any soaps made by blending the three oils would be

> effective through a course of treatment.

>

> Jacqui Stringer, clinical leader of complementary therapies at

> Christie Hospital in Manchester, instigated the oils research.

>

> She said: " Our research shows a very practical application which

> could be of enormous benefit to the NHS and its patients.

>

> " The reason essential oils are so effective is because they are made

> up of a complex mixture of chemical compounds which the MRSA and

> other superbug bacteria finds difficult to resist.

>

> " The problem with current treatments is that they are made of single

> compounds which MRSA relatively quickly becomes resistant to, so

> treatment is only successful in around 50 per cent of cases. "

>

> She added: " While a wide range of products currently exist to help

> prevent the spread of MRSA these are often unpleasant for patients

> as their application can cause skin irritation.

>

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December 21, 2004