In a recent and significant laboratory study on the efficacy of Essential Oils entitled: "Inhibition by the essential oils of peppermint and spearmint of the growth of pathogenic bacteria"*** done by Imai H, Osawa K, Yasuda H, Hamashima H, Arai T, Sasatsu M. from the Functional Foods Section, Central Laboratory, Lotte Company Ltd, Urawa, Saitama, Japan and reported in 2001 they looked at the effects of the major constituents of the essential oils of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), spearmint Mentha spicata L.) and Japanese mint (Mentha, arvensis L. on the profilferation of the following bacteria: Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive Staphylococccus aureus (MSSA) Helicobacter pylori has been implicated as one of the common causes of stomach ulcers in the last several years and which has been treated with antibiotics. Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7 are bacteria normally and commonly associated with gastroenteritis or commonly known as "stomach flu". Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive Staphylococccus aureus (MSSA) are common antibiotic resistant strains that are challenging the current armametarium of antibiotics that can lead to potentially more drug resistance. Their results showed: "The essential oils and the various constituents inhibited the proliferation of each strain in liquid culture in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, they exhibited bactericidal activity in phosphate-buffered saline. The antibacterial activities varied among the bacterial species tested but were almost the same against antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-sensitive strains of Helicobacter pylori and S. aureus" Their final conclusions were as follows: "The essential oils and their constituents may be useful as potential antibacterial agents for inhibition of the growth of pathogens." This is intself is, in my view a dramatic finding which holds promise in the management and possible treatment of common and antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria that are a significant threat to individuals around the world. Reference: *** Imai H, Osawa K, Yasuda H, Hamashima H, Arai T, Sasatsu M. , Microbios. 2001;106 Suppl 1:31-9. |
