A medieval remedy for eye infections has accidentally been discovered as a killer of the drug-resistant superbug MRSA.
Dr. Christina Lee of Nottingham University, England, recreated the 10th century potion to see if it really worked as an anti-bacterial remedy for stys and other eye infections.
The salve comes from two species of Allium (garlic, onions or leeks), wine and oxgall (the bile from a cow’s stomach.) The substances are place din a brass vessel to brew, strained for purity and then left for nine days before used on the subjects.
The researchers were shocked to see the “medication” cured stys.
The researchers then decided to see if other diseases could be impacted by the salve and tested it on mice that had MRSA in wounds. The study showed 999 of 1000 MRSA cells were killed by the remedy.
Dr. Kendra Rumbaugh of Texas Tech University said the salve worked “as good, if not better than” drugs that are currently on the market.
The researchers are now seeking approvals to test the concoction on humans.