★★★★★
I am going to try to give a good synopsis of what I have learned from infectious disease doctors (several), and many naturalists. At the FIRST sign of a boil (yes even a painful pimple), I would start with the following:
Wash thoroughly twice a day for at least 10 days (or longer if you still have the boil) with either:
a) enough good quality(dr bronners baby unscented is great) liquid soap to wash you entire body to which you add approx 5 drops of good quality 100% pure Tea Tree Oil, for each washing. or
b) A chlorhexidine solution available over the counter under the brand name Hibiclens (this is the western medicine option)
Ok, this is the most important step! Don't skip it, you will regret it when you have a relapse.
Take a small clean glass jar and mix about 2-3ml (think thimble full or less) of KY jelly or equivalent with 1-2 drops of 100% pure Tea tree oil. Cap jar and shake to mix completely. Take a cotton swab (q-tip) and dip it in the solution and apply it to the inside of your nostrils, one clean swab full per nostril (it will sting a bit at first but you'll get used to it fast). Once you have it in both nostrils pinch your nose closed and squish your nose around to spread it out inside your nose. Do this twice a day religiously until 10 days after you are boil free. Then do it 2-3 times per week for a month. This step is super important because MRSA will usually hang on in your nose even after all infection appears gone just to rear its ugly head again when conditions are right. (an antibiotic like mupriocin would be used by a western doctor worth his salt)
Supplements:
Zinc 50mg-90mg daily (never more than 100mg)
Vitamin A (one softgel) daily,
Turmeric 1tsp (or two 00 caps) 3 times daily (thanks Earth Clinic!),
Neem (1 capsule) twice daily.
I currently consider this the holy grail of knowledge on natural MRSA treatment. I hope to post an update with more details soon. Good Luck!"
8/5/2006: Shawn adds more to his earlier post: "Apply 1 drop of 100% pure Tea Tree oil directly to the boil and cover with Band-Aid (or a telfa (nonstick) pad with tape for large boils) 2-3 times daily.
Avoid using plain gauze, it tends to make the boil dry out or scab over. You want to keep it moist.
I suggest using a moist compress as hot as you can stand it (i use a tea kettle), apply tea tree and/ lavender oil to maximize effect. Do this several times per day (inconvenient, but so are boils!)
And, of course, NEVER SQUEEZE A BOIL! it can spread the infection very quickly to the surrounding tissue.
If you see red spider web like lines around the boil, see a doctor immediately. This can be a sign of the infection spreading to the blood, which is very dangerous.
Once a boil has a white tip or has opened, it should be kept covered and treated liberally with tea tree directly into the wound if possible.
Notes on Tea Tree Oil : Has been shown very effective against MRSA, nearly as effective as the best antibiotics.
To test for sensitivity to tea tree oil: apply a drop on inner arm and cover with a Band-Aid. Wait 1-2hrs and remove Band-Aid if redness or swelling occurs you should not use tea tree.
