Natural oils do what antibiotics can't

Exciting news, if it pans out:

Essential oils could kill the deadly MRSA hospital 'superbug', scientists have claimed.

University of Manchester researchers found three of the oils, usually used in aromatherapy, destroyed MRSA and E.coli bacteria in two minutes.

They suggest the oils could be blended into soaps and shampoos which could be used in hospitals to stop the spread of the superbug.

Hospital-acquired infections, such as MRSA, kill an estimated 5,000 a year.

That's in the UK, I presume. Worldwide, the number must be far greater -- though the lack of openness about the problem in Britain has been an ongoing scandal.

The team . . . tested 40 essential oils against 10 of the most infectious agents found in hospitals, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus).

Two of the oils were found to kill MRSA and E.coli almost instantly, while a third was found to act over a longer period of time.

However, the researchers say they are unable to reveal which oils carry benefits because of commercial sensitivities.

"Commercial sensitivities"? What is that supposed to mean? Any information so potentially lifesaving really ought to be released as soon as possible.

ADDENDUM: Here's an article summarizing other approaches to fighting MRSA. No mention of oils, but Manuka honey is cited.

Posted by David on October 20, 2007 12:07 PM