New research from the University of British Columbia in Canada has revealed potent antibacterial activity in rare, naturally occurring mineral clay used by the Heiltsuk First Nation tribes for its healing properties.
The clay was discovered in Kisameet Bay, British Columbia, in a deposit that formed near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years ago, according to the researchers. For centuries, local First Nations people have used the clay to treat ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcers, arthritis, neuritis, phlebitis, skin irritation and burns.
Now, UBC researchers have examined the clay as a clinical treatment for infections caused by Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter species, also known as ESKAPE pathogens.
In the trials conducted, clay suspended in water killed 16 strains of ESKAPE bacteria samples from two Vancouver hospitals and UBC's wastewater treatment pilot plant.
"After 50 years of over-using and misusing antibiotics, ancient medicinals and other natural mineral-based agents may provide new weapons in the battle against multidrug-resistant pathogens," said UBC microbiologist Julian Davies, PhD.
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