Originally published March 2 2013
Lavender kills antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria
by Willow Tohi
(NaturalNews) Lavender, the plant and its oil, has been used continuously for thousands of years. It is native to the Mediterranean with several varieties that grow at different altitudes. Among the most versatile of oils, lavender is very effective at soothing, calming, balancing (both mind and body), and revitalizing. It is used through inhalation, massage, bath or shower, humidifier or vaporizer, or added to skin and personal care products.
Lavender essential oil has many wonderful uses. One of the best known healing oils, lavender oil has a chemically complex structure with over 150 active constituents, which explains its effectiveness at helping with everything from insect bites to rheumatism. The botanical name, Lavandula, comes from Latin, lavare, which means "to wash," probably for its history of use cleansing wounds, as well as washing linens and in personal bathing. It is a known anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, analgesic, calmative, detoxifier, hypotensive, and sedative.
Science supports use of lavender to kill bacteria and fungus
Recently, studies have confirmed the effectiveness of lavender essential oil against different strains of bacteria and types of fungus. Several varieties were tested by direct contact and each showed effectiveness. Of particular significance is a study by scientists in the UK. They found the antimicrobial activity of lavender oil to consistently inhibit the growth of methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA). MRSA is one of the reasons it is so dangerous to go to the hospital. Created by western medicine, it is responsible for thousands of deaths every year. They have no cure for it, as it was created by overuse of their antibiotics; it is completely resistant to them.
Another shortcoming of western medicine is its inability to treat fungal, yeast, and mold infections. Often brought on by over-consumption of GMO gluten or use of antibiotics, western medicine has no effective treatment of these conditions, and hardly recognizes their existence. They don't know how to diagnose or treat them, meaning that by the time they are identified, they are often very advanced. These conditions can become dangerous to overall health very quickly.
Natural medicine has many effective treatments for such conditions, including essential oils like lavender. Drink lavender tea to clear yeast, apply diluted lavender oil externally to bacteria infected wounds or nail fungus, place a drop of (organic) oil under the tongue to clear stuffy sinuses, diffuse or vaporize into the air to kill germs and aid respiratory ailments, inhale to oxygenate the blood.
Additional uses and considerations
Lavender oil has a well documented history of effectively treating burns and scalds as well. Its pain relieving properties, combined with its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it an effective wound treatment that stimulates the cells of a wound to regenerate more quickly, and prevent scarring. It is also useful for treating headaches, insomnia, fever blisters, acne, disrupted digestion, anxiety, stress, and depression. Follow the links below to learn even more about lavender oil and its uses.
Use care with essential oils. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Always store oils tightly closed in a cool, dark place as they are sensitive to heat and light. If they are in dark glass bottles, they should keep for a long time if stored properly. Do not use in conjunction with flower essences or homeopathy without guidance. Too much can be toxic to any system, so obey your nose and avoid it if you don't care for the smell.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.greenmedinfo.com
http://www.naturalnews.com
Fischer-Rizzi, Susanne. Complete Aromatherapy Handbook. Sterling Publishing Co, New York 1990. p. 110-117
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19249919
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