Bacterial infections due to antibiotic-resistant species, such as Staphylococcus aureus, the causative agent of boils, are major health concerns worldwide. Eucalyptus oil, and many other essential oils, initially used by the Australian Aborigines for medicinal purposes, have revealed potential efficacy against numerous bacterial infections and has been successfully treated multiresistant strains.
Eucalyptus Oil as a Medicinal
Eucalyptus oil, Eucalyptus globulus, and its biologically active component, 1,8-cineole, have documented antibacterial effects on pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. Interestingly, there are also stimulatory effects of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic benefits ascribed to this essential oil. While other oils may be more microbiologically active, the safety of eucalyptus oil and its antimicrobial action make it a viable alternative to pharmaceutical medications.
The Causitive Agent of Boils
A boil, or furuncle, is a deep infection typically of the hair follicles, virtually always caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The infection usually results in a swollen, red and warm area on the skin through an accumulation of pus and dead tissue. Complications of Staphylococcus infections include scarring and abscesses of the skin, spinal cord, brain, kidneys or other organs. Typically, the infections are limited to a particular area of the skin, but the bacteria has the ability to spread to other areas, causing cellulitis, folliculitis or impetigo. It can systematically spread throughout the bloodstream, causing a condition called sepsis, which can be fatal.
Conventional Antibiotic Treatment
The use of antibiotics is the treatment of choice for most physicians to treat boils; however, strains of Staphylococcus aureus have the ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance, where the bacteria will not respond to treatment, making management of the infection difficult. Prior knowledge of the drug-resistant tendencies of S. aureus is important in the selection of treatment by antibiotics and antimicrobials.
Current Research on Treating Infections with Eucalyptus Oil
A June 1999 article published in "Die Pharmazie" compared the antibacterial activity of the various medicinally and commercially important essential oils. They analyzed and identified several chemical components and tested them against various bacteria. The results of the experiment demonstrated a very good antimicrobial efficacy of 1,8-cineole against various antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus species. A November 2006 article appearing in "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine," documents a study which evaluated the antibacterial activity of 21 essential oils against six bacterial species. The selected oils were screened against Staphylococcus aureus and other species of bacteria at four different concentrations. Most of the essential oils tested showed antibacterial activity against one or more strains; however, eucalyptus oil was one of the least active against the tested bacteria, but it was effective in treating an infection of Staphylococcus. In an October 2009 article appearing in the "Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery," researchers investigated several common and hospital-acquired bacteria and tested for their susceptibility to several oils, including eucalyptus. Most oils showed considerable efficacy and almost all demonstrated efficacy against the tested strains. They concluded that essential oils are an inexpensive and effective antiseptic topical treatment option even for antibiotic-resistant strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus.
References
- "Die Pharmazie"; Comparative Study on the In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Australian Tea Tree Oil, Cajuput Oil, Niaouli Oil, Manuka Oil, Kanuka Oil, and Eucalyptus Oil; M. Harkenthal, et al; June 1999
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Some Plant Essential Oils; S. Prabuseenivasan; November 2006
- "Journal of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery"; The Battle Against Multi-Resistant Strains: Renaissance of Antimicrobial Essential Oils as a Promising Force to Fight Hospital-Acquired Infections; P. Warnke, et al; October 2009
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