Essential Oils and MRSA

Natural preventative pet care isn't a new thing but it certainly isn't fully mainstream yet. One of the challenges is being able to re-educate the public to think outside of the box. For so many years we've been told over and over again by traditional care providers that our pets need yearly vaccinations, prevention medicines for heartworm, fleas, and ticks, and feeding premium kibble. We've been told these will all lead to ultimate wellness in our pets. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While we continue to struggle with conquering the mountain of "alternative care is for new age, crystal toting, chanting hippies", our pets are getting sicker rather than healthier. One of the most challenging problems on the rise is super resistant bacteria that are increasingly resistant to the traditional use of antibiotics. Most notably is the rise of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). This is a staph infection that the antibiotic methicillin can no longer kill. MRSA is passed from humans to pets and it is still mutating into strains in different species animals. Horses have developed their own strain and antibiotics are not the answer! In fact, the overuse of antibiotics is part of the main reason that these bacteria have mutated and evolved.

This staph infection is deadly and can and does kill humans and animals. In fact, this very thing happened to Jill Moss' most beloved white Samoyed, Bella. Jill lost Bella to this staph infection a little over a year ago. It prompted Jill to take serious action and bring the knowledge of this deadly strain of bacteria to the world so that other pet owners and people would not have to suffer the loss she has. Jill has instituted the Bella Moss Foundation (http://www.TheBellaMossFoundation.com ) and Pets-MRSA (http://www.Pets-MRSA.com ) to help bring not only knowledge about MRSA, but hope, help and healing.

Research has already begun on finding ways to stop these virulent bacteria. Scientists at the University of Manchester in England have found that three essential oils destroyed MRSA! Dr. Peter Warn, who was involved in the research, told the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) back in December of 2004 that when he tested the oils in the lab, "absolutely nothing grew. Rather than stimulating bacteria and fungi, the oils killed them off."

One diligent product formulator for a therapeutic essential oils company discovered that two of the oils used were Melaleuca alternafolia and geranium.

So why are essential oils proving so effective at killing even the most virulent bacteria such as MRSA? According to Jacqui Stringer, the Clinical Lead of Complementary Therapies at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, England which treats cancer patients, the reason that essential oils are so effective is because they are made up of a complex mixture of chemical compounds which super bugs such as MRSA find difficult to resist. I would add that because these compounds are naturally occurring and derived from plants ?the "blood" of plants ? no two oils are exactly alike ever, which is the perfect complex compound to combat a mutating super bug! Current treatments, according to Stringer, are made up of single compounds (like antibiotics) so the MRSA becomes resistant very quickly and leaving only 50% success in the cases of MRSA. Think about that: only a 50/50 chance of survival. Those are not good odds. The hope comes with this new alternative approach to battling these superbugs.

Another added benefit of using essential oils to combat and help prevent (prevention is the goal in stopping MRSA) the spread of MRSA is the application: inhaled either directly or by diffusing them. MRSA is often carried inside the nose so inhaling the essential oils is all that is needed to prevent patients being at risk. This makes them very easy to administer to both humans and pets.

The biggest deterrent to progressing further in the research with the essential oils and combating these superbugs has been funding. In January 2005, the Manchester researchers were having problems obtaining the £30,000 needed for their research to continue. Shortly after finding out about this, Jimmy Savile the former host of the British television program 'Jim'll Fix It", has donated £40,000 for the research to continue! The problem with the funding was that since essential oils are naturally occurring as I stated above, drug companies are really not interested in helping this type of work because they can't profit from a product that is naturally occurring since they can't be patented.

This is really reprehensible since this kind of research could potentially help save thousands of lives and completely stamp out MRSA.

I for one am very excited to see more and more research being done in bringing healing and hope to many, using what God created for us to use in the first place!

News article references:

http://www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=6820
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4116053.stm
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/medizin_gesundheit/bericht-38150.html
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=6975
http://nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=56962&n=dh357&c=GICenlwpeazyefa
http://tahilla.typepad.com/mrsawatch/mrsa_wounds_essential_oils/
http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/news/news-ng.asp?n=56957-essential-oils-in
http://www.media52.net/archives/000199.html
http://www.courant.com/classified/custom/pets/petworld/hc-cl-pets-0608,0,3927853.story
http://quikonnex.com/channel/item/14556

About the Author:

Kim Bloomer is a natural pet care educator helping pet owners learn alternative and natural ways to care for their pets. To learn more about the essential oils visit her pet care & supply website at Aspenbloom Pet Care. Visit her dog's blog to learn more about caring for pets naturally from a canine perspective at A Dog's View

Kim is now a USA Representative for the Bella Moss Foundation.

---

What Type of Cat Food is Really Best For Your Cat?

Which cat food should you feed your cat to be... Read More

Attacking the Pit Bull Problem in Los Angeles-MuttShack Animal Rescue Launches Grassroots Campaign

Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More

Keeping Your Cat Healthy

Cats need only be provided with decent shelter, food and... Read More

Online Guide For Training A Dog

Guide for training a dogSo you can use a guide... Read More

Clown Loaches

Scientific Name: Botia macracanthus Other Scientific Name(s): Cobitis macracanthus, Botia... Read More

New Book Helps Worried Owners Of A Pregnant Cat

'Help, my cat is pregnant and I don't know what... Read More

Pet Ear Infections

Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do... Read More

Pet Peeve: Dogs Doing Business Where Not Wanted

We've recently moved into a new apartment complex that really... Read More

Breeding Tetra Fish Successfully

If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More

The Truth About Dog Food

These days, it's hard to know what decisions are the... Read More

Bark Collars: Stop Unwanted Dog Barking

Bark CollarsMany pet owners become lost as to what to... Read More

Westie Pups - How to Prepare for Your Westie Puppy

Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More

Mabeke: Gorilla Teacher

Mabeke is a young gorilla who was born in captivity... Read More

Tips on Easy House Breaking Your Puppy

If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More

What You Need to Know Before Adopting an Older Dog

Newer doesn't always mean better.Adopting an older dog may be... Read More

Can Cats And Dogs Live Together As Friends?

Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at... Read More

What Type Of Food Should You Really Feed Your Cat?

What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More

Do You Know What You Are REALLY Feeding Your Pet?

When looking for the best dog food - consider Life's... Read More

Are You Really Ready For a Boxer Dog?

The answer is "no" if you are the type who... Read More

A Guide to Bird Cages for Sale

As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More

A New Nutritional Approach for Both Pet Allergies and Allergies to Pets

A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to... Read More

How To Set Up A Quarantine Tank For Tropical Fish

Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More

The Artful Dog Shopper

I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More

The Myth of 100% Complete Processed Pet Foods

Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More

Your Kids Want a Pet, You Dont Want To Pet Anything

"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn't heard that... Read More

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

What is Separation Anxiety?When you leave the house, it is... Read More

Training Your Dog To Jump The Rope Trick: Simple and Fun Dog Trick

To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand... Read More

Stop Cat Scratching Today!

Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves... Read More

The Demand for Luxury Dog Beds

A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More

Crate Training Dogs: The Right Way and the Wrong Way - Part One

Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More

Your Dogs Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her... Read More

Dog Flea Control Management: How To Prevent, Treat, And Kill Dog Fleas

Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More

What You Should Never Feed Your Dog

Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More