The Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils

[Guest guest]

From The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

 

http://tinyurl.com/2p9umv

 

 

The Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils

Discussion Group Secretary Michael Jagger reports from a lecture of

nice smells, oils and the treatment of infection. Forthcoming meetings

of the Manchester Bacteriology Discussion Group are published in

Biomedical Scientist and at http://www.ibms.org/events

 

Dr Valerie Edwards-Jones, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan

University gave a talk entitled " The Antimicrobial Effects of

Essential Oils " .

 

Dr Edwards-Jones first outlined the early history of the search for

antimicrobial substances starting with plant extracts, arsenic

compounds, dyes, then sulphonamides developed from research by Gerhard

Gomagk on azo dyes and streptomycin discovered by an American soil

scientist, Selman A. Waksman in 1943.

 

In view of the proliferation of resistant micro-organisms, Dr

Edwards-Jones emphasised the importance of investigating novel

treatments for infections such as papaya fruit, honey, tea tree oil

and cationic peptides.

 

Essential oils can be defined as " volatile organic constituents of

fragrant plant matter " . They are extracted from plants by steam

distillation, cold pressing or by using organic solvents. Such oils

were originally called essential because they were thought to

represent the very essence of odour and flavour. Essential oils are

concentrated in various parts of the plant, for example, cinnamon oil

in bark, garlic oil in bulbs, peppermint oil in leaves, fennel oil in

seeds etc.

 

The function of the essential oil in a plant is not well understood.

Odours of flowers probably aid in natural selection by acting as

attractants for certain insects. Leaf oils, wood oils, and root oils

may serve to protect against plant parasites or insects. Exudates that

appear when the trunk of a tree is injured prevent loss of sap and act

as a protective seal against parasites and disease organisms. Few

essential oils are involved in plant metabolism. Some investigators

maintain that many of these materials are simply waste products of

plant biosynthesis.

 

Essential oils are secondary metabolites. They have related chemical

structures. The various chemical structures of essential oils were

described. Some are hydrocarbons, frequently terpenes. Others are

oxygenated compounds such as alcohols, ketones, esters etc.

 

Terpenes in essential oils are usually monoterpenes consisting of two

isoprene units or, less commonly, sequiterpenes consisting of three

isoprene units.

 

Tea tree oil is an example of an essential oil with known

antimicrobial properties. It is obtained by steam distillation of the

leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree which is a member of the

family Myrtaceae which is native to Australia. It is known to be

antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti- inflammatory and

analgesic.

 

The major antimicrobial components in tea tree oil have been

determined. These include terpinen-4-ol, a monoterpenoid alcohol, á-

and ã-terpinenes and various other compounds. The interactions of the

various antimicrobial components in tea tree oil have been studied by

Cox et al (J. Applied Microbiol 91: 492-497). Terpinen-4-ol has been

found to be more active in its pure form than in tea tree oil. It is

more active against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative.

 

Dr Edwards-Jones outlined the mode of action of tea tree oil. The main

mode of action is disruption of the cell membrane which causes leakage

of potassium ions. Other actions include inhibition of respiration in

E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans. There are numerous other examples

of essential oils which have been shown to have antimicrobial

activity.

 

There is much to learn about essential oils before they can be used to

treat infections. There is some knowledge of absorption rates of

different components through the skin. The terms " top, middle and low

note " are used by aromatherapists to describe essential oils that are

absorbed quickly or otherwise. Little is known about their toxicity. A

number of deaths have been documented which have been due to

accidental ingestion. Rosemary oil contains camphor which is dangerous

in pregnancy. Skin sensitisation is a major problem with essential

oils. Surprisingly in view of this, they are sold in most countries

without hazard warnings.

 

Dr Edwards-Jones outlined the tremendous cost of MRSA infection to the

Health Service. In view of this, it was argued, novel methods of

treatment should be given serious consideration.

 

Lastly some other uses of essential oils were described such as in the

preservation of food, as a treatment for head lice and to protect

crops from aphids.

 

Comments from the audience included the opinion that the investigation

of antimicrobial action should start with the investigation of pure

constituents of essential oils, not the oils themselves. This is

historically the way that antimicrobial substances have been

investigated and there is no reason why essential oils should be

investigated differently. Another point raised was the variation in

the amount of antimicrobial substances in essential oils. Constituents

can vary depending on the age of the plant and even the time of day at

which the plant is harvested prior to extraction of essential oils.

 

We were grateful to the Society for Applied Microbiology for

sponsoring the meeting

 

Copyright Note from web page.

 

All material contained in this website (unless otherwise indicated) is

the property of the IBMS and copyright is held by IBMS. You are

welcome to use any material (unless copyright is stated as not

belonging to the IBMS) for personal, educational or non-commercial use

so long as credit to the IBMS is acknowledged.

[Guest guest]

Looks like someone trying to reinvent the wheel. There is nothing new

here. I have thousands of references on the anti and none

antimicrobial actions of essential oils going back over 60 years.

Problem is nowadays unless modern scientists can't find such info on

the internet they think it does not exist. Universities now forget to

teach students about something called paper publications which have

been published for around 100 years by the real essential oils trade!

 

This particular scientist also does not seem very well educated on the

safety aspects of essential oils.

 

Martin Watt

http://www.aromamedical.com

 

ATFE2 , Liz <liztams wrote:

>

> From The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

>

> http://tinyurl.com/2p9umv

>

>

> The Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils

> Discussion Group Secretary Michael Jagger reports from a lecture of

> nice smells, oils and the treatment of infection. Forthcoming meetings

> of the Manchester Bacteriology Discussion Group are published in

> Biomedical Scientist and at http://www.ibms.org/events

>

> Dr Valerie Edwards-Jones, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan

> University gave a talk entitled " The Antimicrobial Effects of

> Essential Oils " .

>

> Dr Edwards-Jones first outlined the early history of the search for

> antimicrobial substances starting with plant extracts, arsenic

> compounds, dyes, then sulphonamides developed from research by Gerhard

> Gomagk on azo dyes and streptomycin discovered by an American soil

> scientist, Selman A. Waksman in 1943.

>

> In view of the proliferation of resistant micro-organisms, Dr

> Edwards-Jones emphasised the importance of investigating novel

> treatments for infections such as papaya fruit, honey, tea tree oil

> and cationic peptides.

>

[Guest guest]

> This particular scientist also does not seem very well educated on the

> safety aspects of essential oils.

 

Hi Martin. I'm not surprised that this scientist isn't well-educated

on the safety of essential oils. Safety-consciousness seems to be in

the minority, especially considering how little most in science or

even in 'AT' seem to know about the oils to begin with. I think that

if we all keep plugging along like we have been we'll eventually tip

the scales the other way.

 

Ta,

Stacey who is going to the ballet today!

[Guest guest]

Point being Martin, it's not the knowledge - or otherwise - of the

author. Its the fact that EO's are attracting the attention of the

scientific community.

Manchester Uni is also the University that collaborated with

Wythenshawe hospital on research into MRSA & EO's.

Manchester is also where I live ;-)

LLx

 

 

On 09/03/2008, Martin Watt <aromamedical wrote:

> Looks like someone trying to reinvent the wheel. There is nothing new

> here. I have thousands of references on the anti and none

> antimicrobial actions of essential oils going back over 60 years.

> Problem is nowadays unless modern scientists can't find such info on

> the internet they think it does not exist. Universities now forget to

> teach students about something called paper publications which have

> been published for around 100 years by the real essential oils trade!

>

> This particular scientist also does not seem very well educated on the

> safety aspects of essential oils.

>

> Martin Watt

> http://www.aromamedical.com

>

> ATFE2 , Liz <liztams wrote:

> >

> > From The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

> >

> > http://tinyurl.com/2p9umv

> >

> >

> > The Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils

> > Discussion Group Secretary Michael Jagger reports from a lecture of

> > nice smells, oils and the treatment of infection. Forthcoming meetings

> > of the Manchester Bacteriology Discussion Group are published in

> > Biomedical Scientist and at http://www.ibms.org/events

> >

> > Dr Valerie Edwards-Jones, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan

> > University gave a talk entitled " The Antimicrobial Effects of

> > Essential Oils " .

> >

> > Dr Edwards-Jones first outlined the early history of the search for

> > antimicrobial substances starting with plant extracts, arsenic

> > compounds, dyes, then sulphonamides developed from research by Gerhard

> > Gomagk on azo dyes and streptomycin discovered by an American soil

> > scientist, Selman A. Waksman in 1943.

> >

> > In view of the proliferation of resistant micro-organisms, Dr

> > Edwards-Jones emphasised the importance of investigating novel

> > treatments for infections such as papaya fruit, honey, tea tree oil

> > and cationic peptides.

>

[Guest guest]

>Point being Martin, it's not the knowledge - or otherwise - of the

>author. Its the fact that EO's are attracting the attention of the

>scientific community.

 

Let me explain by what I mean with " reinventing the wheel " over this

research in Manchester.

 

I am very happy to see more research to prove how effective essential

oils can be for infections. However, out of the thousands of

references I have on anti microbial oils from worldwide research, many

of the authors suggest that essential oils should be used in routine

medical treatments. After all these years they still are not, and in

my opinion never will be used other than for a few local trials.

 

The problem is most modern scientists are educated along the 'single

substance' principle as was raised in this researchers questions. All

they want to do is find an 'active principle' which can be patented

and turned into a pharmaceutical drug. They have absolutely no

concept of the synergy principles with the hundreds of chemicals in

most essential oils. In the past, essential oils have constantly been

rejected as therapeutic agents because of their huge chemical

variations batch to batch. Maria Liz Balchin proved that with her

extensive research on essential oils. They also tend to think only

the major chemicals are 'active' and that is plain nuts.

 

I am afraid very few modern researchers are thinkers, most are

University educated clones who do not know how to consider other

aspects of a problem. The greatest discoveries in science have mostly

come from people who thought outside the box.

 

In addition to all this, we have to consider that there have been

quiet a number of local trials in hospitals of essential oils. I

myself was involved in one in Scotland many moons ago. We achieved

fantastic results at healing ulcers, but as soon as the nurse involved

retired it all came to nothing. My guess is in a couple of years this

research in Manchester will also come to nothing as far as its wider

use in the NHS is concerned.

 

Martin Watt

http://www.aromamedical.com

 

- In ATFE2 , Liz <liztams wrote:

>

> Point being Martin, it's not the knowledge - or otherwise - of the

> author. Its the fact that EO's are attracting the attention of the

> scientific community.

> Manchester Uni is also the University that collaborated with

> Wythenshawe hospital on research into MRSA & EO's.

> Manchester is also where I live ;-)

> LLx

>

[Guest guest]

The difference in the Manchester research is that the University work

in collaboration with Wythenshawe Hospital, were lab results are

continued into clinical trials.

 

" Wythenshawe Hospital is the main NHS site for clinical trials of

innovations arising from the University laboratories, taking basic

science through to clinical applications. "

(from http://tinyurl.com/yssg73 )

 

One of the join research trials resulted in a 90% reduction in MRSA

infection on the Wythenshawe burns & plastics unit (by vaporisation)

http://tinyurl.com/3asaoc

I'm actually at Wythenshawe burns and plastics unit in 3 weeks so will

ask where they are up to with it and whether it has been continued

since the excellent results of 2007....

 

Your Aromatherapy Correspondent,

Liz,

Reporting from Wythenshawe Hospital (soon) direct to ATFE2! (LOL).

 

 

 

On 10/03/2008, Martin Watt <aromamedical wrote:

> >Point being Martin, it's not the knowledge - or otherwise - of the

> >author. Its the fact that EO's are attracting the attention of the

> >scientific community.

>

> Let me explain by what I mean with " reinventing the wheel " over this

> research in Manchester.

>

> I am very happy to see more research to prove how effective essential

> oils can be for infections. However, out of the thousands of

> references I have on anti microbial oils from worldwide research, many

> of the authors suggest that essential oils should be used in routine

> medical treatments. After all these years they still are not, and in

> my opinion never will be used other than for a few local trials.

>

> The problem is most modern scientists are educated along the 'single

> substance' principle as was raised in this researchers questions. All

> they want to do is find an 'active principle' which can be patented

> and turned into a pharmaceutical drug. They have absolutely no

> concept of the synergy principles with the hundreds of chemicals in

> most essential oils. In the past, essential oils have constantly been

> rejected as therapeutic agents because of their huge chemical

> variations batch to batch. Maria Liz Balchin proved that with her

> extensive research on essential oils. They also tend to think only

> the major chemicals are 'active' and that is plain nuts.

>

> I am afraid very few modern researchers are thinkers, most are

> University educated clones who do not know how to consider other

> aspects of a problem. The greatest discoveries in science have mostly

> come from people who thought outside the box.

>

> In addition to all this, we have to consider that there have been

> quiet a number of local trials in hospitals of essential oils. I

> myself was involved in one in Scotland many moons ago. We achieved

> fantastic results at healing ulcers, but as soon as the nurse involved

> retired it all came to nothing. My guess is in a couple of years this

> research in Manchester will also come to nothing as far as its wider

> use in the NHS is concerned.

>

> Martin Watt

> http://www.aromamedical.com

>

> - In ATFE2 , Liz <liztams wrote:

> >

> > Point being Martin, it's not the knowledge - or otherwise - of the

> > author. Its the fact that EO's are attracting the attention of the

> > scientific community.

> > Manchester Uni is also the University that collaborated with

> > Wythenshawe hospital on research into MRSA & EO's.

> > Manchester is also where I live ;-)

> > LLx

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

At 02:26 AM 3/11/2008, you wrote:

>In addition to all this, we have to consider that there have been

>quiet a number of local trials in hospitals of essential oils. I

>myself was involved in one in Scotland many moons ago. We achieved

>fantastic results at healing ulcers, but as soon as the nurse involved

>retired it all came to nothing. My guess is in a couple of years this

>research in Manchester will also come to nothing as far as its wider

>use in the NHS is concerned.

 

I have seen a slew of case studies almost all of which are worthy of

funding for further exploration/testing. There was a study done in an

elementary school, one classroom used a base of aloe gel with ravensara

added three times a day (as a 'hand lotion')... the absentee rate plummeted

in that single classroom..far lower than the school as a whole. They

applied for funding to continue the research using the whole school.

funding denied.

We are currently involved in a major oncology project, using the oils to

treat post radiation burns. And then there's the 'anxiety'

study... testing two oils to see if they will reduce pretest anxiety in a

specific population. NOT oils that are known to reduce

anxiety...sigh. The point is that small scale research IS being

done. Funding is difficult, and publicity non-existant.

 

(I'm hoping for wonderful results on the oncology study, and THAT may get

some good press.)

 

 

Over 12 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals

Website: http://www.naturesgift.com

Blog: http://naturesgiftaromatherapy.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

At 02:26 AM 3/11/2008, you wrote:

>One of the join research trials resulted in a 90% reduction in MRSA

>infection on the Wythenshawe burns & plastics unit (by vaporisation)

>http://tinyurl.com/3asaoc

>I'm actually at Wythenshawe burns and plastics unit in 3 weeks so will

>ask where they are up to with it and whether it has been continued

>since the excellent results of 2007....

 

That would be wonderful...

 

the MRSA blend that was tested out so successfully in the lab, and in

anecdotal evidence, never went on for the in vivo testing we were hoping

for. Again, funding was denied.

 

 

 

 

 

Over 12 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals

Website: http://www.naturesgift.com

Blog: http://naturesgiftaromatherapy.blogspot.com/

[Guest guest]

Hi Marge

I'm wondering if it would be worth reapplying for funding citing the

Wythenshawe research findings? These results were on the wards not

just in the lab.....

LLx

 

On 11/03/2008, Marge Clark <marge wrote:

> At 02:26 AM 3/11/2008, you wrote:

> >One of the join research trials resulted in a 90% reduction in MRSA

> >infection on the Wythenshawe burns & plastics unit (by vaporisation)

> >http://tinyurl.com/3asaoc

> >I'm actually at Wythenshawe burns and plastics unit in 3 weeks so will

> >ask where they are up to with it and whether it has been continued

> >since the excellent results of 2007....

>

> That would be wonderful...

>

> the MRSA blend that was tested out so successfully in the lab, and in

> anecdotal evidence, never went on for the in vivo testing we were hoping

> for. Again, funding was denied.

>

>

>

>

>

> Over 12 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals

> Website: http://www.naturesgift.com

> Blog: http://naturesgiftaromatherapy.blogspot.com/

>

>

>

>

>

>