MRSA could be wiped out with... OREGANO OIL, say British scientist

By Daily Mail Reporter
24th November 2008

The MRSA super-bug could be wiped out using natural oil from oregano, scientists revealed today. Researchers have discovered that the herb, commonly used in cooking, could eradicate the deadly infection from hospital wards.

Tiny quantities of carvacrol, a naturally occurring compound in oregano, were found to be a more effective antimicrobial agent than 18 pharmaceutical drugs, investigators found. University of the West of England researchers, working with partners in India, said carvacrol, which contains potent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, has a range of medicinal uses.

It can sterilize septic water, kill giardia, treat fungal infections such as candida and rivals pharmaceutical antibiotics such as streptomycin and penicillin in its ability to eliminate microbes. Preliminary research into the oil found that tiny doses are capable of wiping out fungi and bacteria, including MRSA.

Researchers found that the oil still works at boiling temperature, meaning it could be used for disinfecting hospital sheets. Its vapor is equally effective and could be turned into an antibacterial spray.

Mr Heron, whose firm Biolaya led the research in northern India, said: ‘Himalayan oregano oil kills MRSA at dilution’s of less than one to 1,000 and the antimicrobial properties, unlike most conventional anti-bacterial agents, are not affected by heat treatment.

‘Once we have completed our research and published a paper, we aim to find additional partners to work together with to manufacture hand soaps, multi-purpose anti-bacterial wipes and other products for use in hospitals as a preventative against MRSA.

‘In this way we to hope to create a direct link between oregano collectors in the Himalayan foothills and users of the oil in a partnership that benefits everyone involved. ‘Not only will this provide income to herb collectors, it will reduce pressure on endangered medicinal herbs and provide an effective natural treatment against MRSA in hospitals.’

Last week Bioloaya, which encourage sustainable methods of farming in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, was presented with the UN-funded Seed Award 2008 for entrepreneurship in sustainable development.

The Seed Initiative will work with Biolaya to publish its research in a scientific journal and find partners to develop oregano oil-based soaps and sprays.

After initial tests by the leading SGS laboratory in Delhi showed crop killed MRSA more effectively than all 18 antibiotics it was compared against, Biolaya made links with the microbiology department at the University of the West of England in Bristo.

Researchers there confirmed the high anti-microbial potency.

The average NHS hospital deals with 26 cases of MRSA each year, with more than 4,000 cases reported in Britain in 2007.

Mr Heron revealed he became interested in combating MRSA after his father was taken into hospital. He said: ‘I was really shocked at the amount of hand-washing, disposable aprons and gloves the nurses were having to use to try to prevent infection. Anybody who has been into an NHS hospital in the last few years will be aware to some extent of the problem. ‘I started looking on the internet and found out there was some research that suggested oregano oil could be used to combat MRSA but no one had conducted the proper studies. ‘I was already working in India promoting organic farming and sustainable land management practices that benefit people and the environment. We were already looking at sustainable ways to harvest oregano. ‘I was stunned to find out how powerful oregano could be in the fight against MRSA.’

The University of the West of England has integrated research into oregano oil as part of a pilot MSc project.
It had previously been discovered that oregano had the ability to kill off bacteria, but researchers have now proved the Himalayan variety could be slightly more effective than the Mediterranean type used more commonly in Europe. The variety is known as ‘bekaar ghaas,’ meaning useless grass in Hindi as even their cows, goats and sheep refuse to eat the herb.

It is thought the high altitude gives the oregano higher than normal percentage of carvacrol, ranging from 78per cent in July to 71per cent.
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