Due to the great responses I have heard from people on Part 1 and Part 2 of how to make essential oils work better, I wanted to discuss one of the most common reasons I use essential oils in my office…to treat difficult biofilms.

What Are Biofilms?

Biofilms are tiny communities of cells that grow on surfaces. Biofilm research and treatment is relatively new and we still don’t understand all the complexities of how they work, communicate and thrive but we know they are difficult to destroy!

There are many common diseases and conditions associated with biofilms. Researchers have found biofilms common in many chronic conditions and diseases.

Here is a short list of conditions often associated with biofilms:

• Arterial plaque
• Chronic sinus infections
• Chronic wounds
• Cystic fibrosis
• Inner ear infections
• Kidney stones
• Osteonecrosis
• Periodontal disease
• Urinatry tract infections
• Lyme disease
• Veterinary diseases

Difficult Biofilms

Biofilms are difficult to treat because they create a protective “fortress”.  That fortress is in charge of protecting bacteria inside. This so called fortress allows nutrients in that are needed and protects the bacteria from anything harmful from the outside. The organisms in biofilms communicate with each other and help to protect each other in a group effort to survive, thus making them difficult to deal with.

Biofilm Antibiotic Resistance

As biofilms grow and develop they can become resistant to your body’s own natural defense mechanisms. In fact, biofilms can essentially be completely resistant to antibiotics. Some biofilm colonies have been shown to be over 1000 times more resistant to drugs than typical bacteria.

Essential Oils for Biofilms

For a product to be used in my office, it must not only make sense clinically, it must be tested on the patient and it must be supported by research.

Dr. Michael Lebowitz, DC did extensive research and testing in the area of biofilms and has created a few products that I frequently use in office. The products are called BFB-1 and BFB-2 and are distributed through Supreme Nutrition.

While other treatments such as enzymes and chelation have been used to treat biofilms I choose essential oils for their multiple benefits. Dr. Lebowitz has found and I agree that one of the problems with typical anti-biofilm treatments is that it can break down the outer “fortress” but then the bacteria inside are released into the bodies’ circulation. As a result of the bacteria being released into the wild, many patients symptoms can worsen and they can even suffer serious complications.

The essential oil combinations provided by Supreme Nutrition are equally effective in breaking down biofilms as other methods, but also have the ability to kill a broad variety of microbes.  Due to the strength and concentration of essential oils, they are a great adjunct to other nutrition and treatments at the right time and right place.

Essential Oils and Bugs

To make life easier, I often refer to viruses, parasites and bacteria as “bugs”.  Essential oils are excellent bug killers.  Most bugs that I find and teat with essential oils are not the kind you would know about.  Most are actually subclinical, meaning they are chronic, low grade infections that the body hasn’t finished killing off from something before, or the body has more important things to worry about than to eliminate them.  Although the body doesn’t seem to be actively eliminating these bugs they are often wreaking havoc to one’s health.

I think it is important for the essential oil to be used for at least one week to really treat bugs.  Often times I see people using different essential oils every day, but although they do work quickly for some symptoms, for clinical purposes I see them needing to be used regularly and consistently for a week.