The staphylococcus aureus bacteria cause staph infections, which lives on the skin. When there is a break in the skin, bacteria invades the underlying tissue forming a pus-filled pocket. Some of the ailments caused by staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, are boils, folliculitis, cellulitis, abscesses and toxic shock. Herbal remedies may help protect against and resolve staph infections. Contact your health practitioner if you think you have a staph infection and would like to treat it with herbs.
Pau D'Arco
Pau D'Arco is an herbal remedy from South America that possesses medicinal qualities and has been used by native herbalists for thousands of years. It is reputed to have antimicrobial, antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal properties and it is used to relieve conditions ranging from candida to fibromyalgia as well as infection, according to Paudarco.org. According to the University of Colorado at Denver, anecdotal evidence points to its ability to treat staph infections and other bacterial infections due to its high levels of lapachol, which is a compound that is highly bioactive and capable of killing bacteria. It is best consumed as a tea, which is made by brewing the dried herb in boiling water. Consult an herbalist or your health practitioner for dosage guidelines. Doses larger than one cup of tea may cause stomach upsets and diarrhea. Pregnant and nursing women should not use this herb unless under supervision.
Hochu-Ekki-to
Hochu-ekki-to is a Japanese herbal tonic containing Panax ginseng as well as other herbs used in Eastern medical mixtures. "The Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy" reports that the tonic may be responsible for helping reduce asymptomatic MRSA infection over a 24-week period. Additional studies of ginseng, the primary herb in Hochu-ekki-to, are needed to substantiate the tonic's full effectiveness. You may be able to find this tonic in health food stores selling Asian products or you may purchase it from Chinese medicine practitioners. Consult your health practitioner for information on the appropriate dose.
Tea Tree Oil
Use tea tree oil to treat skin ailments. It may effectively resolve and prevent staph infections according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The oil, which is reputed to have antibiotic and antifungal properties, reduces inflammation. Tea tree oil may help alleviate staph infections that are secondary to fungal infections from ailments like athlete's foot. Some people are sensitive to tea tree oil and may develop a rash. This reaction might be preventable by mixing it first with almond or olive oil to weaken the strength of the tea tree oil. If the problem persists, stop using it and call your health practitioner.
References
- Go Ask Alice: What is a Staph Infection?
- Paudarco.org: Pau d'Arco Benefits
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Cellulitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: MRSA--Treatment
- University of Colorado at Denver: Pau D'Arco
- Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy PubMed.gov; Effect of Hochu-ekki-to on asymptomatic MRSA bacteriuria; S. Nisida; 2003
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