| Aromatherapy – the therapeutic use of essential | | | | soaps, handwashes and shampoos, which could be |
| oils (highly concentrated natural plant products) – | | | | used in hospital hygiene regimens to prevent the |
| has been used traditionally to help combat many | | | | spread of such infections. Funding for further research |
| disorders, ranging from mild skin complaints (e.g. insect | | | | is now being sought. |
| bites, mild burns) to more complex conditions such | | | | |
| hypertension as stress. Evidence for the efficacy of | | | | Although the essential oils identified in this study (2) |
| essential oils in these conditions has, however, tended | | | | have not yet been named, other research has been |
| to be largely anecdotal, but medical research is now | | | | published which identifies a number of essential oils that |
| beginning to show that some essential oils may indeed | | | | may be effective against MRSA. |
| have properties that could be useful medically. Recent | | | | Tea tree essential oil, in particular, appears a promising |
| studies suggest that one area in which essential oils | | | | candidate, either alone or in combination with other |
| could possibly have a role is in the fight against MRSA | | | | essential oils. Two controlled studies have shown that |
| (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). | | | | use of tea tree oil in nasal ointments, body washes |
| MRSA - Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a | | | | and creams was as effective as routine care in the |
| bacterium that can be found as part of the normal | | | | elimination of MRSA.(3,4) In another study, |
| flora of bacteria on some peoples skin and in their | | | | combinations of patchouli, tea tree, geranium, lavender |
| noses, where it seems to cause no major problems. | | | | essential oils and grapefruit seed extract were found |
| However, if it gets inside the body, for instance under | | | | to be effective against MRSA,(5) and the same group |
| the skin or into the lungs, it can cause infections. Such | | | | of researchers have also developed a blend of |
| infections are usually treated using antibiotics. MRSA, | | | | essential oils, which includes tea tree oil, encased in a |
| however, is a type of S. aureus that has become | | | | shell of dead yeast cells, which attacks and kills |
| resistant to antibiotics, and can therefore give rise to | | | | MRSA. Clinical trials of this new treatment, which can |
| infections that are much harder to treat. | | | | be included in wound dressings, are about to start on |
| MRSA appears to be spread mainly through direct, | | | | 40 burns patients who have been diagnosed as having |
| skin-to-skin contact, largely by healthcare workers | | | | MRSA on their skin.(6) |
| failing to clean their hands effectively before and after | | | | |
| contact with an MRSA-positive patient and/or the | | | | Lavender is another essential oil that has been shown |
| contaminated environment. Therefore, one of the | | | | to have efficacy against MRSA.(7) Activity was also |
| priorities for preventing the spread of the organism is | | | | shown against another bacterium that is resistant to |
| improved hygiene. | | | | antibiotics – vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus |
| One study has shown that something as simple as | | | | faecium.(7) |
| hand-washing with an alcohol-based disinfectant | | | | Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing medical |
| among carers can effectively reduce the spread of | | | | problem, fuelled by years of overuse and misuse of |
| MRSA.(1) | | | | these agents by healthcare providers. Alternative |
| Those infected with MRSA can also take hygiene | | | | interventions with proven efficacy that would enable |
| precautions to reduce their risk of spreading the | | | | the use of antibiotics to be reduced can only be |
| infection, such as daily baths or showers with an | | | | regarded positively. These studies suggesting a role for |
| antiseptic body wash, use of a disinfectant dusting | | | | essential oils in the fight against MRSA are still under |
| powder after bathing and drying, and washing hair | | | | investigation, but results to date are promising. Further |
| twice weekly with an antiseptic shampoo. As MRSA | | | | developments are eagerly awaited. |
| can live in the nose, nasal ointments containing the | | | | References |
| antibiotic, mupirocin, are also available. However, some | | | | |
| strains of MRSA now appear to have developed | | | | 1. Pittet D et al. Effectiveness of a hospital-wide |
| resistance to this agent. | | | | programme to improve compliance with hand hygiene. |
| Despite improvements in hygiene, however, MRSA | | | | Infection Control Programme. Lancet 2000;356:1307-12. |
| continues to pose a threat to patients in hospital and in | | | | 2. [ |
| the community (particularly those who are already ill, | | | | 3. [ |
| the elderly and those in long-term care), and new | | | | 4. Dryden MS et al. A randomized, controlled trial of |
| ways are constantly being sought to reduce the | | | | tea tree topical preparations versus a standard topical |
| spread of MRSA. | | | | regimen for the clearance of MRSA colonization. J |
| A number of recent studies appear to suggest that | | | | Hospital Infect 2004;56:283-286. |
| certain essential oils may be effective in preventing the | | | | 5. Edwards-Jones V et al. The effect of essential oils |
| spread of the organism. In a recent report, researchers | | | | on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using a |
| at the University of Manchester found that the use of | | | | dressing model. Burns 2004;30:772-7. |
| three essential oils killed MRSA rapidly and effectively | | | | 6. |
| in the laboratory.(2) The oils were also effective | | | | 7. Nelson RR. In-vitro activities of five plant essential oils |
| against other infectious agents commonly found in | | | | against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and |
| hospitals, including E. coli (Escherichia coli). The | | | | vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. J |
| researchers suggest that the oils could be blended into | | | | Antimicrob Chemother 1997;40:305-6. |