Print this page
Email a friend
Was this information helpful?
(0 votes)What do you think? Click "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
There is widespread concern about methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus, or MRSA. It can cause skin infections such as boils, or more deep-seated problems such as infections in the lungs or blood, and it is difficult to treat. Physicians prescribe powerful antibiotics such as gentamicin or kanamycin. Now research from Brazil suggests that an herbal extract may make these antibiotics more effective against MRSA. The herb, Turnera ulmifolia, grows like a weed in northern Brazil. By itself it has no impact on MRSA colonies, but it boosted the potency of gentamicin and kanamicin. It would be exciting if this plant extract could make MRSA less of a threat.
[BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2009]
Synergistic effects induced by herbs sounds wonderful. Understanding the mechanism of these effects is important -- Does the herb affect other side effect of gentamycin such as ototoxicity?
My husband has had mrsa for almost 2 years. Has had 4 and currently on his 5th IV med. First 2 were vancomycine and then 2 datomycine and now back to vanco. Do you think this herb would help rid him of this infection so he could finally get his hip replacement? Had his surgery in Aug 2007 and developed mrsa at the hospital and had some hardware replaced. Less than a year later mrsa was back and all hardware had to be removed.