Posted on 02/14/2011 5:02:20 PM PST by decimon
Lavender oil could be used to combat the increasing incidence of antifungal-resistant infections, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology. The essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections.
Scientists from the University of Coimbra in Portugal distilled lavender oil from the Lavandula viridis L'Hér shrub that grows in southern Portugal. The oil was tested against a range of pathogenic fungi and was found to be lethal to a range of skin-pathogenic strains, known as dermatophytes, as well as various species of Candida.
Dermatophytes cause infections of the skin, hair and nails as they use the keratin within these tissues to obtain nutrients. They are responsible for conditions such as Athletes' foot, ringworm and can also lead to scalp and nail infections. Candida species coexist with most healthy individuals without causing problems but may cause mucocutaneous candidosis - or thrush - in some people. In immunocompromised patients, Candida species are able to cause serious infection if the fungal cells escape into the blood stream.
Currently, there are relatively few types of antifungal drugs to treat infections and those that are available often have side effects. Professor Lígia Salgueiro and Professor Eugénia Pinto who led this study explained why novel fungicides are urgently needed. "In the last few years there has been an increase in the incidence of fungal diseases, particularly among immunocompromised patients," they said. "Unfortunately there is also increasing resistance to antifungal drugs. Research by our group and others has shown that essential oils may be cheap, efficient alternatives that have minimal side effects."
Essential oils distilled from the Lavandula genus of lavender plants are already used widely, particularly in the food, perfume and cosmetic industries. Studies of the biological activities of these oils suggest Lavandula oils have sedative and antispasmodic properties as well being potent antimicrobials and antioxidants.
This group has demonstrated that these oils work by destroying fungal cells by damaging the cell membrane. They believe that further research into the mechanisms by which this essential oil works could have significant clinical benefits. "Lavandula oil shows wide-spectrum antifungal activity and is highly potent. This is a good starting point for developing this oil for clinical use to manage fungal infections. What is now required is clinical trials to evaluate how our in vitro work translates in vivo," said Professor Salgueiro.
Cologne ping.
Interesting. I believe oregano essential oil is useful as an antifungal and antibacterial as well.
Eucalyptus oil is also anti fungal. You can use vicks vapo rub on your athletes foot fungus and some people swear it helps nail fungus as well.
Most essential oils have antibacterial properties.
Quite interesting...lavendar jobs!!!
Yep. I have two planters on either side of the main door of my hangar. I grow marigolds in them in the summertime. Helps keep the ‘skeeters out of the hangar. I also will grab a blossom or two and stick them in my shirt pocket. That helps keep ‘em away, too. Neem oil is another great biological wonder for fungi and mold prevention when applied to plants. Keeps some bugs away, too.
nail fungus will yield to vicks vapo rub.
Don’t you just love it when scientists, usually using grants paid for by us, discover something that has been known for centuries? I’m sipping chamomile tea right now. I can’t wait until scientists discover it’s calming properties.
Kind of a gross topic, but vics vapo rub does work to beautify toes that have been polished for years!
BUMP
BUMP
My middle daughter suffered from a dreadful fungus on her scalp from putting her thick hair in a bun while wet. After fussing about that (and realizing I still had to get rid of my teen’s fungal scalp...) I sprayed a mixture of Lavender and water on her DRY (note: that part is very important) scalp every night while her hair was loose for sleep. Within two weeks the large flakes stuck in her hair was gone along with the “pimples” that plagued her. I had no idea that the pimple like blisters were a part of the fungus issue.
So glad I could fix this without the horrid side effects of antifungal oral meds.
Interesting I have some little bumps on my scalp from time to time but never thought of them as fungus. Where do you get lavender oil and do you dilute it or mix it with anything?
Most pharmacies will have or can get lavender essential oil. I mixed it with water, maybe 1/2 tsp to a spray bottle of water. Just enough to smell the oil (pleasant smelling!) pretty strong when you spray it on your hand.
Oil of Thyme does well. It is usually called “Thymol” on the ingredients list of common household products and OTC preparations.
I use tea-tree oil as a general anti-fungal and anti-biotic. None of the offpsring has had an ear infection since we started using it.
Yeah, I guess it is. My husband has had nail fungus since Vietnam, I kind of take it for granted. They used to call it, "jungle rot".
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