MRSA, Staph, Staff, Mersa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Symptoms & Treatment

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 �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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 �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.

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).

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.