Aromatherapy could help fight MRSA 'superbug'

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 23 Dec 2004 - 11:00 PDT


Aromatherapy oils could be an effective weapon in the fight against MRSA, according to new research.

Tests conducted at the University of Manchester found that three essential oils could kill MRSA, E coli bacteria and other bacteria and fungi within two minutes of contact.

The oils are easily blended and researchers believe they could be mixed into hygiene and cleaning products used by hospital staff and patients.

"We believe that our discovery could revolutionise the fight to combat MRSA and other 'superbugs'," said Peter Warn, a researcher at the university's Faculty of Medicine.

The faculty is now seeking £30,000 in funding to conduct trials relating to their discovery, but is finding it difficult to raise the funds.

"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," claims Mr Warn.

Infections such as MRSA kill an estimated 5,000 people each year and hospital-acquired infections cost the NHS around £1 billion a year.
http://www.hda-online.org.uk/html/about/phnews.asp?ItemID=6107003

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