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Nature’s Antiseptics:
Both Tee Tree and Garlic Are Useful!
by Braddock Ray
For thousands of years, humans have turned to plants
to prevent and treat infections. Given the increase
of antibiotic resistance today, plant-based antiseptics
make promising alternatives to drugs. Here are two that
fight a variety of bacteria and fungi.
Tea Tree
Melaleuca alternifolia grows to 25 feet in Australia
where natives used its leaves as an antiseptic long
before Captain Cook and his followers learned to treat
burns, cuts, and insect bites with this plant. Even
in low concentrations (0.5 percent), tea tree fights
E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus pathogens on the skin.
While not as effective as oral antibiotics in all cases,
this herb is beneficial for the following conditions:
Acne. One clinical study shows that
5 percent tea tree oil gel is as useful as 5 percent
benzoyl peroxide for acne—but without the adverse
effects of prescription medications. Another double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial finds 5 percent tea tree oil
gel effective for mild to moderate acne.
Dandruff. Tea tree oil in shampoo
helps halt dandruff. While the mechanism of action is
unknown, researchers suspect the oil inhibits fungal
damage.
Fungal infections. Double-blind research
suggests that tea tree oil is effective against athlete’s
foot as well as fungal infections of nails and skin.
Recent research suggests that washing your feet after
exposure to the contagious fungus responsible for athlete’s
foot and then using a powder containing tea tree oil
and other herbs (basil, clove, and sage) stops microbial
proliferation for eight hours.
Insects. Tea tree essential oil is
effective against both dust mites, which cause allergies,
and head lice, the bane of school-age children and their
families.
Yeast infections. Tea tree fights
32 different strains of Candida albicans.
Popular in both deodorants and oral care products,
tea tree should not be ingested. Gargle with this herb,
in other words, but don’t swallow. Used topically,
the oil may cause allergic reactions in some individuals,
though freshly opened oil produces the fewest problems.
Always use caution when applying to broken skin and
rashes.
Garlic
Perhaps best known for its role in fighting cardiovascular
disease and cancer, Allium sativum is a pungent
and popular culinary herb with a long, proud history
as an anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiviral. Recent
animal studies suggest components of garlic help protect
against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA),
a growing and dangerous problem. While garlic enhances
the infection-fighting potential of antibiotic drugs,
it is also worth trying—on its own—for the
following conditions:
Ear infections. Applied directly
to the ear canal, garlic oil is a traditional earache
remedy, especially important today now that far fewer
healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics for this
painful condition.
Fungal infections. Garlic halts growth of fungi, like
aspergillus, linked to inflammation of the ear.
Peptic ulcers. Research finds that
this herb inhibits growth of the bacterium, Helicobacter
pylori, implicated in the growth of ulcers in the digestive
tract.
Yeast infections. Garlic not only
slows the growth of candida yeasts but has also proven
effective against recurrent yeast infections.
Available in pill form and as an oil, garlic can also
be used generously in cooking. Oral supplements are
not recommended for anyone taking blood-thinning drugs
like warfarin (Coumadin). Women who are breastfeeding
may want to limit garlic as it has been linked to colic
in some babies. TFL
SELECTED SOURCES
– “Allergy to Tea Tree Oil. . .” by
T. Rutherford et al., Australas J Dermatol, 5/07
–“The Effect of Simulated Gastric Environments
on the Anti-Helicobacter Activity of Garlic Oil”
by E. A. O’Gara et al., J Appl Microbiol, 11/20/07
–“The Efficacy of 5 Percent Topical Tea
Tree Oil Gel in Mild to Moderate Acne vulgaris: A Randomized,
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study” by S.
Enshaieh et al., Indian J. Dermatol Venereol Leprol,
1-2/07
– The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James
A. Duke, PhD ($6.99, St. Martin’s, 2000)
–“An Investigation and Comparison of the
Bioactivity of Selected Essential Oils on Human Lice
and House Dust Mites” by E. M. Williamson et al.,
Fitoterapia, 12/07
–“A Novel Aromatic Oil Compound Inhibits
Microbial Overgrowth on Feet: A Case Study” by
B. D. Misner, J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 7/07
– Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A.
Balch, CNC ($23.95, Penguin Group/Avery, 2002)
–“Synergistic Antiyeast Activity of Garlic
Oil. . .” by I. Chung et al., J Food Sci, 11/07
–“Two Diallyl Sulphides Derived from Garlic
Inhibit Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Infection. . .” by S. M. Tsao et al., J Med Microbiol,
6/07
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