Groundbreaking Research from Young Living Scientist
Sue Chao, director of Young Living’s Quality Control Laboratory, has been working with Gary Young for more than a decade studying the chemical compositions of essential oils. I recently listened to her lecture about one of her latest experiments studying the effects of essential oils on methicillin-resistant staphylococcus, or MRSA.
MRSA is an infection caused by a bacteria often referred to as “staff.” Most MRSA infections occur in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. This general type of bacteria is resistant to many antibiotics and can be fatal to those with weakened immune symptoms.
Sue’s explained that there are many types of MRSA bacteria, and her study focused on Staphylococcus aureus. During her study, Sue grew these bacteria in dozens of Petri dishes. Once the bacteria were visible in the dish, Sue placed a few drops of oil on a piece of paper and placed the diffuser in the middle of the culture. Sue repeated this experiment with 91 single essential oils and 64 Young Living blends.
Of the 91 single essential oils, 78 killed the bacteria all at varying degrees. Sue said lemongrass, lemon myrtle, mountain savory, cinnamon, and melissa essential oils had the highest levels of inhibition. Of the 64 Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ blends that were tested, 52 proved effected against the bacteria with R.C.™, Motivation™, and Longevity™ having the highest level of inhibition.
With so many types of MRSA bacteria and so many means of essential oil delivery (taken orally, diffusion, topical, etc.), Sue was quick to mention that her research is only the beginning in discovering what effects essential oils have on MRSA. Sue also added that this research was conducted on a specific strand of MRSA in a controlled environment; the effects on other MRSA strains are not known.
Interested in reading more? Sue’s article on essential oils and MRSA is published in volume 23 of the Flavour and Fragrance Journal (2008, pages 444–449).
—Toby Palmer
Product Manager, Essential Oils
Tags: Longevity, Motivation, MRSA, R.C., Sue Chao, Young Living research
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Learning about this research was one of the most exciting things for me, as a Registered Nurse, in my 12 years with Young Living!
My clinical experience has been in the Intensive Care Unit where MRSA was a huge issue (now it is rampid in health care facilities) – and in my private practice and consultation work I have many clients come to me with this concern – and to know that we, in Young Living, have something that can address this problem – is monumental! I always reference Sue Chow’s research too.
I can actually remember sitting in convention a few years ago when Sue presented this on stage – and my mouth literally dropped open – I thought “this is so big! I really wonder if others see how huge this is” and I looked around the room looking and praying that folks were really getting how big this is – I know now so many us appreciate the extreme value that we have in our Young Living oils against these Super Bugs like MRSA – we are going to save soooo many lives!
July 5th, 2009 at 5:16 AM
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) has now become CMRSA or Community based MRSA. Although spread is not restricted to children (I know of a paramedic who was hospitalized with a particularly virulent form after contact with a patient during transport) parents and school personnel need to become more aware of the problem. Evidence has shown that with many cases of CMRSA the person has recently been in a medical setting such as a physician’s office.
Emphasis for prevention of spread of MRSA has been primarily on the importance of handwashing. Not enough emphasis is placed upon not sharing towels used to dry hands after handwashing; use separate towels or paper towels, properly disposed of. Adequate washing of linens and clothing is important; I add a capful of Thieves cleaner to each tub of laundry.
Public places and items that are touched by many people (think sink faucets, door knobs, railings, telephones, computer keyboards, etc.) are common sources of spread.
Gyms, public or school, are particularly a common source for spread of MRSA. Think contact of any body part, not just hands. Proper cleaning of all exercise equipment, including mats used for wrestling, before and after use, can go a long way to prevent spread. Wiping down equipment using Thieves cleaner, in your own spray bottle, or Thieves wipes, is a great intervention. Although hand sanitizers are restricted in some schools (primarily Elementary; the concern is with ingestion), I recommend that Thieves hand sanitizer be carried and used.
It is most important for people to know that MRSA is spread not only by direct contact but can become aerolized, spread through the air and therefore found on any surface as well as in the air you breathe. I always carry RC with me. Use frequently when in public places.
Also think AC systems. Although you may have no direct control over the AC in public places (protect yourself with RC), change AC filters in your home monthly. I also sprinkle Purification on my filter. After reading about Sue Chow’s experiments I now know there are several other oils that might be used.
Staph Aureus is also VRSA (Vancomycin-resistant Staphlococcus Aureus). There are other organisms, such as C. dif and Pseudomonas, that are now commonly found in hospital and nursing home settings that have become antibiotic resistant as well.
To prevent spread of MRSA and other organisms, it is not just personnel in the medical field that need to be educated regarding prevention and spread. The public needs to be better informed as well.
Knowledge is power and the Young Living family has the power and, thanks to Gary Young, an arsenal of powerful oils to help in dealing with these antibiotic resistant organisms.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:08 AM
This is a very informative article & I too am glad to see it. I suffer with reoccurring staff infection on my shin. I have used the R.C. and at times an Oregano blend. This has worked wonderfully. I cannot take antibiotics because of having Ulcerative Colitus, so these oils were a life saver for me. Thank you very much for these oils.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:30 AM
This is So important to me and I’m thankful to Sue and Gary! my child has cystic fibrosis, and gets staph alot! Even off his own skin(we all carrie some to a degree on our skin) but for him its more serious. I’ve used lemon oil every day for him to try and control it. But WOW theres other oils out there I can use on him for this.these oils are truly a gift from God. And thank you Sue and Gary:)
God Bless you both
July 13th, 2009 at 4:37 PM
My brother in law who was hospitalized recently contracted MRSA while in the hospital and all who visited him had to wear protective outerwear. The care center allowed visitation by pets, and my dog being very close to my brother in law, visited him, and sat on the bed while Tom pet him. I was a little concerned that the MRSA might be transmitted by the dog, so I used Thieves as a protection for myself as well as the dog. The family liked the smell so well, they all made it a practice to use the oil while visiting. We wore Thieves oil like perfume and sprayed it on our hands and the dog. No one contracted MRSA from their visits even when protective clothing was not worn. Thieves is a marvelous oil, which I hope will included in future studies.
July 15th, 2009 at 10:22 PM
A friend had MRSA for 3 years and the doctors said they had done all they could. When I met her she had boils all over her body and she was in terrible pain and VERY ill. She started using Thieves, R.C. and Lavender. A year or so later she was free of MRSA! She put Thieves and Lavender on the boils and made tea with the R.C.
She is now on Ningxia Red-hopefully this will increase her wellness and boost her immune system.
THANK YOU GARY for providing us with these BLESSED essential oils!