Staphylococcus bacteria, most often staphylococcus aureus, cause staph infections. Many people normally harbor staph bacteria on their skin or in their nose, but the bacteria cause no problems. If the bacteria enter an open wound, a skin infection develops. Staph infection can also infect the lung, urinary tract or heart, causing serious and sometimes life-threatening infection. Echinacea, which is an herb, may boost the immune system to fight staph. Talk with your doctor before taking echinacea to treat staph.
Types
Echinacea used for medicinal purposes is often made from three different types of echinacea species that use different parts of the plant. Echinacea can enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation, the University of Maryland Medical Center states. Echinacea is given in liquid drops, tablets and capsules or as an ointment to use to treat skin infections.
Benefits
A study conducted by the University of British Columbia and reported in the July 2010 issue of "Phytomedicine" found that echinacea had bactericidal properties against staphylococcus, including methicillin-resistant staph aureus, also known as MRSA. The bacteriocidal action against staph was not as effective as it was against streptococcal infections, but it did reverse the inflammatory effects of the bacteria.
Side Effects
Echinacea side effects include temporary numbness and tingling of the tongue when taken by mouth and possible allergic reactions, particularly in individuals who have asthma or allergies to plants in the daisy family. Allergy reactions such as rash, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, throat tightening, hives or faintness can occur. Seek medical attention immediately if severe allergy symptoms develop. At least one person developed erythema nodosa, a painful skin reaction, after taking echinacea to treat the flu, UMMC reports. Stomach upset, nausea or dizziness may also occur.
Caveats
People who take immunosuppressant medications, such as people who have had organ transplants or people undergoing cancer therapy, should not take echinacea, which may reduce the effectiveness of medication taken to suppress the immune system. People with autoimmune disorders or other diseases that interfere with the immune system, such as tuberculolosis or HIV, also should not take echinacea. People who take steroids along with echinacea may develop liver problems. Do not take this drug without discussing the side effects with your doctor. Buy echinacea only from established, well-known companies. A Consumer Lab study that tested 11 brands of echinacea found that 10 percent contained no echinacea at all, while 50 percent were mislabeled as to the type of echinacea the product contained. Only four actually contained the ingredients stated on the label.
