MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics in the penicillin family, including methicillin. MRSA may cause a wide range of infections and, because it is resistant to most antibiotics, it can spread if left untreated, becoming quite serious. Certain natural remedies may help control MRSA; however, some of these may produce side effects. Those wishing to use natural remedies for MRSA should first consult a health practitioner.
Pau D'Arco
Pau d' arco is a South American herb used for a multitude of ailments. It is reputed to boost the immune system and relieve symptoms of diseases ranging from fibromyalgia, candida and other infections, notes the Paudarco.org website. It may have antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties which act to rid the body of these diseases, including bacterial infections such as MRSA, adds the Huntington College of Health Sciences, although the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that the dosages that could be required to quell bacterial infections in humans might also be toxic. A tea can be made from pau d'arco leaves by brewing the leaves in boiling water, straining and drinking throughout the day. The tea leaves are available in health food stores. A professional herbalist should be consulted before using pau d'arco for the treatment of MRSA.
Hochu-ekki-to
Hochu-ekki-to is a Japanese herbal tonic, which contains panax ginseng as well as other herbs used in Eastern medicine. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, reports that after 10 weeks of using hochu-ekki-to, cases of MRSA in the urinary tract are reported to have been reduced. They add that more studies of ginseng are necessary to support these claims. Hochu-ekki-to may produce side effects depending on what herbs are included in the tonic. The tonic may be available in health food stores or in herbal shops specializing in Eastern medicines. An herbalist or doctor of Oriental medicine should be consulted for directions and before using this remedy for MRSA.
Echinacea
The herb echinacea has been used for hundreds of years in both Eastern and Western medicine as a blood cleanser and to build the immune system , according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Traditionally, echinacea was used to treat infections and wounds; and other bacterial-based diseases such as syphillis, blood poisoning and diptheria, adds UMMC. Although echinacea is used today mostly to treat acute illnesses such as colds and flu, the anecdotal evidence points to the healing properties of echinacea that may make it useful in the treatment of MRSA.
Echinacea can be used as an extract in juice, in capsules or made into tea. In addition, UMMC writes that echinacea may be used topically as a gel or cream in a 15 percent solution to fight skin infections such boils and other inflammatory lesions that develop into cellulitis and are caused by MRSA.
The recommended and oral dose is 500mg to 1,000mg, three times a day; however, because MRSA can produce serious infections, treatment with echinacea should only be administered under the supervision of a health practitioner familiar with this disease. Echinacea is generally considered safe, but may produce an allergic reaction. In addition, people on immunosupressive drugs should not take echinacea. A health practitioner should be consulted before using echinacea to treat a MRSA infection.
Antibiotics
Although MRSA infections have become increasingly resistant to most antibiotics, a few may still be effective in treating the disease, according to UMMC; however, certain strains of the bacteria may not fully respond to antibiotic treatment and there may be a relapse calling for additional treatment. The antibiotics that may still be helpful include clindamycin, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, linezolid, daptomycin, Bactrim and vancomycin. Antibiotics are only available by prescription and a doctor should be consulted in the event an individual thinks he may have a MRSA infection.
