Skin Infection

• A staph infection on the skin can manifest as impetigo with crusting of the skin or folliculitus, an inflammation of the underlying connective tissue. You can apply antimicrobial essential oils, including tea tree, oil of oregano, cinnamon or peppermint directly to the infected area, according to Dr. Cynthia Foster, MD.
  Graperuit seed extract can be ingested or applied externally to reduce harmful bacteria. Try putting 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract into vegetable juice and drink three times a day.
  
  

Internal Infection

• Foster emphasizes that it is important to remember skin problems can be related to other medical issues since blood carries toxins from the intestines, kidneys, liver or a weak immune system. Therefore, a complete body cleansing, including the blood, lymph system, liver, kidneys and colon are suggested as well.
  
  Los Angeles herbalist Djehuty Ma'at-Ra recommends a diet consisting of 75 percent raw foods, including raw garlic and onion, and 25 percent vegetarian foods. Refrain from eating meat, dairy, processed or refined foods, including sugar. Vegetable juices are especially helpful in raising the body's pH level to promote optimum health and healing.
  
  Garlic and herbs such as Cleavers, Goldenseal, Echinacea and sage can also support the body's ability to overcome staph infections.
  
  

Other Aids

• Probiotics, dietary supplements of living microorganisms, can help prevent the development of pathogens and toxic bacteria, including staph.
  
  Foster recommends a product called Flora-G Plus to rid the intestines of unhealthy bacteria while leaving the healthy bacteria in tact. Foster noted good results with Flora-G Plus in treating antibiotic-resistant staph aureus.
  Use a natural cleanse first before using antibiotics, primarily to avoid killing the good bacteria. Bacteria do not become resistant to essential oils and herbs as they do with antibiotics. People have become more susceptible to staph due to overuse of antibiotics.
  
  If a staph infection begins to spread quickly, however, do not hesitate to visit an emergency room. If red streaks show up around the infection, the lymph has become involved and the implications might become serious. If bacteria enter the blood stream, they can cause pneumonia, toxic shock, food poisoning or MRSA.