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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA? | Lilith's Apothecary Herbal...

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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA?


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(h p://lilithsapothecary.les.wordpress.com/2009/12/holy_basil.jpg) Holy Basil Yes, but let me tell you how. MRSA (h p://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/)(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a bacterial infection that is highly resistant to some antibiotics. Staph infections cause redness, inammation, tenderness, sometimes oozing pus, possible skin abscess, and fever. MRSA has appeared o1en in the news recently because of a signicant increase in the numbers of MRSA infections. Because severe MRSA infections can even lead to death, its very important to take MRSA infections seriously and to use whatever antibiotics are available. That said, stubborn MRSA infections may need the addition of helpful herbs to do several things: 1) potentiate (increase the ecacy of) the conventional antibiotics, 2) concurrently ght infection by immune system stimulation or antibiotic action, and 3) preventing the formation of biolms. In a nutshell, all organisms have ways of eliminating toxins. For bacteria and cancer cells, cellular eux pumps help reduce cellular concentrations of antibiotics, chemotherapeutic agents, or environmental poisons. Some eux pumps are known as multiple drug resistant (MDR) pumps, which reduce cellular concentrations of the very medicines we use to ght them (by way of chemo or antibiotics), and thus reduce their ecacy. Bacteria can learn resistance, which can be passed down to later generations, and resistant bacteria include MRSA, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and others. (Thank you, David Winston (h p://www.herbaltherapeutics.net/)). In recent history, most MRSA infections have been transmi ed via healthcare se ings, but recently this trend appears to be changing. For one thing, the prophylactic and over-use of antibiotics contributes to the development of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains, as does the common practice of patients not completing a full cycle of antibiotics, allowing bacteria the ability to mutate, change, and become resistant to many

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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA? | Lilith's Apothecary Herbal...

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conventional antibiotics. Earlier I referred to biolms. Biolms are another survival strategy that help some (Persister) bacteria survive toxic medications. In this case, the resistance traits are not passed on to further generations, but persisters create bacterial colonies that produce biolms, or slimy lms that form a protective barrier against toxins. A few studies have demonstrated that some herbs, such as catnip, have the ability to break down biolms, thus allowing the antibiotics to work be er against the infection. Honey (h p://lilithsapothecary.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/natural-remedies-tip-2-honey-mask-foroily-blemished-skin/) and clay (h p://lilithsapothecary.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/natural-remediestip-1-heal-skin-rash-with-clay/), as mentioned in earlier posts, have a long history of topical use for skin infections. French green clay has been shown to have specic activity against MRSA (Williams 2007), and Manuka honey from New Zealand has been found to be an eective topical remedy for MRSA (AP, 2007). There are many herbs that can be used against MRSA, and I have chosen a selection of those herbs for this post. If you have questions about where to nd extracts or how to create a formula, please let me know! As for the herbal remedies, it is important to note that some herbs A) inhibit the MDR pumps, discussed above, some B) inhibit or kill MRSA and other antibiotic resistant bacteria, and some C) enhance antibiotic activity in one way or another. It would be wise, therefore, to create a formula drawing from these three dierent groups, so as to best supplement conventional antibiotics. Even be er would be to consult with a trained herbalist who can take into consideration the full spectrum of your health, potential for drug interactions or contraindications, depending on what pharmaceutical drugs you may be on or additional health conditions you may have. One can additionally create topical salves with antibiotic, vulnerary herbs and essential oils to further treat a skin infection, and these generally have no containdications except for allergic reactions (albeit rarely). Category A: herbs that appear to inhibit MDR pumps Barberry Root & leaf (berberis spp.), Coptis Root (coptis chinensis), Goldenseal Root (hydrastis canadensis), and Oregon Grape Root (mahonia aquifolium, M. repens) ~ berberine containing herbs can work together with berberine extract to both reduce biolms, inhibit MRSA, and inhibit MDR pumps. It does appear that a standardized berberine extract should be used along with alcohol extract of the whole herb, and both are less eective when used alone. (Stermitz, et al, 2000) Thyme (thymus vulgaris): baicalein (also see Baical scullcap, below), a avone found in the leaves of this herb, is believed to inhibit several dierent MDR pumps as well as possibly damage the integrity of bacterial cell walls. When used with antibiotics, this avonoid increased the ecacy of the drugs needed to kill MRSA (Stavri et al 2007). Thymes essential oils are also considered antibiotic, and thymol, in particular, is a well-known disinfectant, antibacterial, antibiotic, and antiviral agent that makes thyme oil a wonderful addition to topical salves used to treat MRSA. Garlic bulb (allium sativum) ~ ah yes, beloved garlic; creates inhibitory synergy with antibiotics; eective (in-vitro) for many resistant bacterial infections. (Abascal & Yarnell, 2002) Category B: Inhibit or kill MRSA and other resistant bacteria Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata ): in vitro research indicates that water extracts (infusion/decoction) have signicant inhibitory activity towards MRSA. Traditionally used in Chinese

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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA? | Lilith's Apothecary Herbal...

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(h p://lilithsapothecary.les.wordpress.com/2009/12/garlic.jpg) Garlic and Ayurvedic medical systems for treating viral and bacterial infections, this herb has a long track record of use against us and bacterial infections. Catnip (nepata cataria): this common mint inhibited MRSA and reduced bacterial adherence by helping prevent the formation of biolm in studies (Nostro, A. et al 2001) Elecampane root (inula helenium): in vitro studies indicate that elecampane strongly inhibits over 300 strains of S. aureus, including MRSA (OShea 2007). I learn from David Winston, master herbalist, that the eclectics (nineteenth century Western herbalists) used Inula to treat tuberculosis, along with Echinacea, and it has been eective in treating antibiotic resistant pneumonia and viral or bacterial bronchitis. Holy Basil/ Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): an aromatic adaptogen that has shown signcant in-vitro inhibitatory activity against three strains of MRSA (Aqil, et al, 2005). Long used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antibacterial essential oils to treat bacterial and viral diseases. Microbial endocrinology also

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shows us that reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels can also help prevent and resolve illness, as well. Tulsi is an amazing herb that will be highlighted in an upcoming post my readers simply have to know more about this herb! St. Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum): long noted for its antidepressant eects, SJWs powerful antibacterial activity is o1en overlooked. The alcohol extract of fresh owering tops can be used internally to treat viral and bacterial conditions, and in this case, has shown activity against MRSA (Abascal & Yarnell 2002). Additionally, an infused oil is used topically for painful infections and nerve pain. Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia ) essential oil: this powerful essential oil, used to treat all manner of skin conditions, has also shown to inhibit MRSA (LaPlante 2007) and was superior to chlorhexidine or silver sulfadiazine at clearing topical MRSA infections (Dryden et al 2004). Tea tree is already widely used for treating topical infections, burns, boils, etc, and makes a fabulous addition to handmade medicinal salves. Category C: Enhance activity of conventional antibiotic medicines Baical Scullcap/ Huang Qin (h p://lilithsapothecary.les.wordpress.com/2009/12/skullcap.jpg) Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriora) root (scutellaria baicalensis) or other scutellaria species, including S. lateriora and S. galericulata: appears to assist antibiotics in their ecacy by enhancing bacteriocidal activity. This herb is commonly used in Chinese medicine for damp/heat infections such as infectious hepatitis, dysentery, tonsilitis, and bacterial infections with high fevers, and thus has a long use (Huang Qin) of use against such infectious conditions. Studies have shown it improves activity of 4 dierent antibiotics against 4 dierent strains of MRSA (Yang et al, 2005) Sage (Salvia ocinalis): sage extracts strongly potentiate gentamicin and other aminoglycosides in treating resistant strains (Horluchi et al 2007). Sage tea is eective for treating sore throats and is used for gastric ulcers. Turmeric root (curcuma longa ): extracts of turmeric have demonstrated ability to decrease MRSA eectiveness, acts as an antibacterial agent, and enhanced the eectiveness of beta-lactam antibiotics against MRSA (Kim et al 2005). Curcumin extracted from Turmeric strongly inhibits virulence factors, including biolm production (Rudrappa & Bais 2008). Turmeric is used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating gastric conditions, infectious hepatitis, and topically for infected lacerations. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inammatory and quite possibly one of the top 25 herbs that no herbalist should be without. Because I live in an urban environment and cant grow my own, I have fresh turmeric shipped to me from an organic farm in Oregon, Pacic Botanicals (h p://www.pacicbotanicals.com), so I can make my own alcohol tinctured extracts.

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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA? | Lilith's Apothecary Herbal...

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Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) : corilagin, a polyphenol isolated from uva ursi, has had signicant ability to enhance antibiotics by reducing the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of beta-lactam antibiotics needed to treat MRSA (Shiota et al 2004). This is a herb frequently used for urinary tract issues and should not be taken continuously for long-term use, but is perfectly safe when taken in 2 week intervals. Keep in mind that the above represents just a few choice herbs and that a larger range of herbs have been studied for eectiveness against drug resistant bacterium. These herbs, however, are readily available and commonly used for similar conditions, so they should be easy to nd. A reputable source, and my rst choice, for alcohol extracts is Herbalist & Alchemist (h p://www.herbalistalchemist.com) ( www.herbalist-alchemist.com (h p://www.herbalist-alchemist.com)), the company connected to herbalist David Winston (h p://www.herbaltherapeutics.net/), from whom I learned about most of these important studies. References (full refs available upon request): AP, 2007 Abascal & Yarnell, 2002 Dryden et al 2004 Horluchi et al 2007 Kim et al 2005 LaPlante 2007 Nostro, A. et al 2001 OShea 2007 Shiota et al 2004 Stermitz, et al 2000 Stavri et al 2007 Williams, 2007 Yang, et al 2005 Extremely Remote-Control Cars http://bit.ly Copied To Clipboard /15yBWVZ Extremely Remote-Control Cars http://bit.ly/15yBWVZ Paste Into Newsfeed Log Into Facebook Feedback

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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA? | Lilith's Apothecary Herbal...

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5 Responses to Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA?


Sarah O. says: December 7, 2009 at 3:22 am Thank you so much! The subject of MRSA has come up so much lately. It is so helpful to have this information to reference. Reply marcus simonds says: May 11, 2010 at 8:15 am Hi Lilith Im very very interested in herbal remedies for mrsa, having suered from it for over 25 years. It was fantastic to read your article on the various herbs which ca be used to combat the bacteria. I was astounded!!!!, being quite familiar with homegrown herbal research. Many many thanx!!!! I would like to develop my own tincture, using a formula with barberry, catnip, curcumin, elecampane, thyme, and the chinese herb, also tulsi, and st johns wort. Any ideas on a tincture formula, perhaps using gin as a base??? Perhaps its best to make up 2 formulas, sicne there are quite a few herbs you mentioned. I was not familiar with the chinese one, but knew of the others. Sincerely Marcus Simonds, North Fremantle, Western Australia Reply lilithsapothecary says: May 12, 2010 at 2:56 am Marcus, Hi there! Theres actually even more that I couldnt include there are lots and lots of remedies! I would say that the best thing is to make individual tinctures with each herb and then combine them in a formula once theyve steeped for 6 weeks. Formula making is a complicated task, in certain respects, because its helpful to take into consideration any other issues you might be having, including any potential drug interactions if you are any pharma. medicines right now. You also dont need to take ALL the herbs listed, but rather the BEST herbs for your own situation, though sometimes we are limited to what we actually have access to. Consulting with an herbalist would be the recommended thing, though there are also many naturopaths trained to use herbs too. Do you have any local resources of this kind? That said, using herbs like barberry or goldenseal, catnip, elecampane, thyme, tulsi, and SJW are pre y straight forward. SJW, however, can certainly interact with some anti-depressants and potentiate others. Theres lots of research availabe on SJW. FYI: David Winston has a great short reference guide that can provide alot of this pertinent info. h p://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/shop/?shop=1& itemid=1192 David is one of the founders of the American Herbalists Guild and has been a

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Are herbal medicines useful against MRSA? | Lilith's Apothecary Herbal...

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clinical herbalist for over 30 years now. Its denitely a good idea to get a reference or two that you can refer to as you proceed with the use of herbs. That said, good for you for starting down this road! There are so many benets from the world around us. Here are some resources on making your own folk method tinctures, which is the easiest way, from very well respected herbalists here in the States: h p://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/May04/healingwise.htm h p://www.sagemountain.com/the-formulary/making-tinctures.html Vodka is the usual choice but if you are using any FRESH herbs, I highly recommend using 95% grain alcohol as the water content in the plants will bring the level to about 50%, or the usual level. In any case you must use *at least* 100proof (50%) vodka or brandy for the fresh herb tinctures. With dry herbs, you should still use 100 proof if you can, but you can get away with 80 proof. Thanks for your kind note! Best, Sarah Reply Brian says: February 21, 2011 at 6:42 am Re: full refs available upon request. Yes, please. Thank you! Reply The answers to all sorts of problems says: July 8, 2012 at 6:41 pm [...] MRSA (the hospital bug which has everyone so freaked out, take a look at this: Lilithsapothecary h p://lilithsapothecary.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/are-herbal-medicines-usefulagainst-mrsa/ Includes turmeric, thyme and garlic. As I indicated before, we should actually be eating other [...] Reply

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