Antimicrobial Activity of Some Herbs on Staphylococcus Aureus
Chapter One
INTRODUCTION
Herbal medicines tend to look primitive and unscientific when compared to synthetic (conventional) drugs, which are thought to be more reliable than those made from plants. Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75-80% of the world population, mainly in the developing countries for primary health care (Kamboj, 2000). This is primarily because of the general belief that herbal drugs are without any side effects, besides being cheap and locally available. The use of plants for healing purposes predates human history and forms the origin of much modern medicine. Many synthetic drugs originated from plant sources: a century ago, most of the few effective drugs were plant-based. Examples include: Aspirin (which is a chemical copy of the analgesic chemical in the bark of willow trees), digoxin (from fox glove), guanine (from the bark of various cinchona tree species which was used in the treatment of malaria) and morphine (from the opium poppy) (Vicker and Zollman, 1999).
The metabolites found in spices and herbs have been a fertile ground for investigation and for moving the frontiers of biochemical knowledge forward particularly as dietary components with considerable impact on human health. Nearly 75% of all orthodox medicines are of herbal origin.
Staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized as one of the most important bacteria that cause disease in humans. It is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Although most staph infections are not serious, Staphylococcus aureus can cause serious infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or bone and joint infections. Anyone can get a staphylococcus aureus skin infection. You are more likely to get one if you have a cut or scratch, or have contact with a person or surface that has staph bacteria. The best way to prevent staph is to keep hands and wounds clean. Most staph skin infections are easily
INTRODUCTION
Herbal medicines tend to look primitive and unscientific when compared to synthetic (conventional) drugs, which are thought to be more reliable than those made from plants. Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75-80% of the world population, mainly in the developing countries for primary health care (Kamboj, 2000). This is primarily because of the general belief that herbal drugs are without any side effects, besides being cheap and locally available. The use of plants for healing purposes predates human history and forms the origin of much modern medicine. Many synthetic drugs originated from plant sources: a century ago, most of the few effective drugs were plant-based. Examples include: Aspirin (which is a chemical copy of the analgesic chemical in the bark of willow trees), digoxin (from fox glove), guanine (from the bark of various cinchona tree species which was used in the treatment of malaria) and morphine (from the opium poppy) (Vicker and Zollman, 1999).
The metabolites found in spices and herbs have been a fertile ground for investigation and for moving the frontiers of biochemical knowledge forward particularly as dietary components with considerable impact on human health. Nearly 75% of all orthodox medicines are of herbal origin.
Staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized as one of the most important bacteria that cause disease in humans. It is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses (boils), furuncles, and cellulitis. Although most staph infections are not serious, Staphylococcus aureus can cause serious infections such as bloodstream infections, pneumonia, or bone and joint infections. Anyone can get a staphylococcus aureus skin infection. You are more likely to get one if you have a cut or scratch, or have contact with a person or surface that has staph bacteria. The best way to prevent staph is to keep hands and wounds clean. Most staph skin infections are easily