How Safe Are You From This Creeping Killer That Lives In Gyms?

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Articles, Lifestyle

For those of you following me on Twitter or Facebook, you may know that I recently had a serious medical condition erupt on my body, quite literally.

In this post, I'm going to tell you exactly what it was, and how you can avoid this serious issue that is an $8 billion health care cost in the USA alone, affects nearly a million people a year, and kills 5% of the people who get it (resulting in more deaths than from AIDS).

Why am I talking about a “disease” on a fitness and nutrition blog?

Because if you spend any amount of time in a gym or locker room, on a turf or field, or if you ever wind up in a hospital for anything, then what I'm about to tell you could save you a ton of trouble. I certainly wish I'd known about it before it happened to me.

Now I'm going to warn that those of you who are disturbed by gory pictures of nasty wounds will NOT want to click on any of the photo links in this blog post. I'm dead serious. You can still read the post, but don't click on the picture links.

I know that some of you want me to start with the good stuff, so here we go.

About 4 weeks ago, I started getting these weird red bumps on my skin, particularly on my left butt and thigh. About half a dozen of them.

Even though they seemed like more of a “boil”, I figured they were pressure-based saddle sores from riding my bike.

They looked like this. 

For 3 weeks, I treated these boils naturally – using a combination of tea tree oil, oregano oil and manuka honey, all of which have good anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Although this natural treatment seemed to work, a few of the boils got a bit nasty and left little scars and pocks on my leg.

Little did I know that what was actually causing the boils was living inside me, and no matter what I put on my skin, I was simply killing the disease in one place so that it could pop up in another.

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And then, just a little over a week ago, one of the boils on my hamstring took on a life of it's own.

Within 12 hours, it had grown and “exploded” into an oozing sore, and my entire lymph node on the front side of my groin was swollen and extremely painful.

Here's a picture.

I began to get the chills, and then the sweats, and broke out into a raging fever.

My entire left thigh began to swell and turn pink, with red streaks traveling up my leg towards my heart.

I contacted my naturopath, who I should have contacted much earlier, and he got me on goldenseal, which is a potent anti-bacterial. But I knew that by that point, I had acted too late, and hopped in the truck to drive myself to the emergency room.

When I arrived at the ER, the doctor took one look at the nasty, gaping wound that had opened up on my leg, and diagnosed me with MRSA.

He then took a scalpel, cut me open, and quite painfully shoved nearly 20 cc's of smelly, disgusting pus and blood out of the wound.

Here's how it looked when he finished.

I was promptly placed on IV antibiotic and prescribed the antibiotics Clindamycin and Sulfameth, although the lab still needed 48 hours to culture the wound and find out exactly which strains of antibiotics this MRSA was resistant to. I immediately implemented my antibiotic defense regimen to limit the damage of the pharmaceuticals, and left the ER with a wound full of packing gauze and a serious limp.

Although I let the issue go on for way too long without taking appropriate action (I didn't know any better), it was good that I finally went to the hospital, because this infection eventually penetrates into the body bones, joints – and even your heart and lungs can become infected. These types of infections can be life threatening, and usually are the reason that death would occur from MRSA.

So I went home, and when I woke up the next day, this is what it looked like. 

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At this point, I should back it up a bit. What exactly is this MRSA stuff?

MRSA is an abbreviation for “methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus”, which is basically a bacterial “staph” infection that is resistant to many standard antibiotics.

Many of us (about 30% of all people)  have staphylococcus aureus bugs harmlessly hanging around on our skin or nose. This means we're colonized with staph, and that we carry the bacteria but shows no clinical signs or symptoms of infection. It's just basically hitching a ride on us (interestingly, most often in our nose).

But sometimes, usually when you've got a cut, scrape, road rash, or any other opening on your skin surface, the staphylococcus aureus gets to where it’s not supposed to be, and if your immune system isn’t up to the challenge, you end up with a staph infection.

There's two types of staph infections – one that you can get in a hospital from things like dialysis, catheters or feeding tubes (healthcare associated) and the other type from a combination of activities in which a cut or open wound are likely combined with being in close contact with others’ skin, towels or equipment (community associated).

The latter is exactly what happened to me last year after I did a hard triathlon (which suppressed my immune system), then worked out at the gym with a small cut on my elbow. Here's the story from that unpleasant adventure.

For a long time, antibiotics did a pretty good job fighting off staph infections in people like me, until the staph began to adapt to the infections. A few of the more adaptive bacteria survived antibiotics, multiplied and created more staph just like them – resistant to antibiotics. These new antibiotic resistant bugs are called “Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus” or MRSA, and can be resistant to amoxicillin, penicillin, oxacillin, and many other standard antibiotics.

So while about 30% of us are colonized with staph, less than 2% of us are colonized with MRSA, and it turns out I'm one of the lucky ones – and if you happen to get any open parts of your skin exposed to staph or MRSA living in hospital, gym, locker room or turf, you could become colonized too.

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At this point, 7 days ago, I was sitting at home, still pumped up on antibiotics. I had the packing gauze removed two days later and…

here is what my wound looked like – basically a big gaping hole in my leg.

I began researching ways to get this MRSA out of my body for good, while at the same time trying to heal up my wounds as quickly as possible by using manuka honey and Silvasorb (after all, I was on doctor's orders not to even think about doing a triathlon, but scheduled to race Ironman Japan in just 7 days).

So what did I find out about natural remedies for MRSA?

Primarily, the most important thing I learned is that when it comes to natural MRSA remedies, essential oils are the key.

Basically, essential oils are the immune system of plants. They can be extracted from plants in a concentrated form, and have potent antimicrobial, antifungal or antiviral properties. Of course, my mistake is that I was putting the essential oils on my skin when I should have been ingesting them (diluted) and breathing them in (via a cold air diffuser)

So why are essential oils more effective than antibiotics against staph and MRSA?

Because they're comprised of literally thousands of chemical components that can be very difficult for bacteria to become resistant to.

You need to be careful, because essential oils vary quite a bit in terms of quality and composition, and you're wasting your time unless you use high quality therapeutic grade essential oils.

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Once you have the essential oils, here's how to use them…

1) Diffusion: Diffusing essential oils into the air can reduce airborne bacteria like MRSA and staph, and is also an effective way to get the oil into your body through the lungs. You need to use a cold air diffuser because heating the oil can decrease it's effectiveness. For our house, we're cold-air diffusing 15 drops of an equal parts blend of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil three times per day.

2) Ingestion: to kill off my MRSA colony, three times a day I'm ingesting the following essential oil blends

1. An anti-fungal blend diluted in a natural grapeseed carrier oil that includes Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Black Cumin (Nigella Sativa), Frankincense (Boswellia carterii), Raven Sara (Ravensara aromatica), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Geranium (Pelargonium roseum), Eucalyptus (Eucaluptus globulus), Oregano (Origanum vulgare), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), and German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita).  

2. An antibacterial blend containing Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Raven Sara (Ravensara aromatica), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ct. verbenone), Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus ct radiata), Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), Pine (Pinus sylvestris), and Peppermint (Mentha piperita).

I personally got these blends from www.beyoungeo.com. They're a multilevel marketing company, but I'm not a rep and have no financial affiliation with them. They were just the most convenient place to get the blends. Another very good brand of essential oils is “Biobotanical Research“, and the two products of theirs to use would be Biocidin and Envirocidin.

Yes, I realize there's a bit of an expense with these fancier blends, so if you spend time in gyms or locker rooms, don't actually have a serious MRSA issue, just want prevention and peace of mind, and also don't want the hassle or expense of doing the mixes I'm doing, I'd at least recommend you consider doing 10-15 drops of oil of oregano, twice a day.

But diffusion and ingestion are not the only things I'm using essential oils for. I'm also…

3) Rinsing: to get the staph off my skin, I'm adding the following mixes into my regular liquid soap –

-Lavender 25 drops

-Tea Tree 20 drops

-Rosemary 20 drops

-Sandalwood 10 drops 

For these type of single use oils, my wife and I shop at Mountain Rose Herbs, which sells good, high quality stuff. I'm also keeping a sanitizing spray in my gym bag, which is 1-2 ounces witch hazel oil with 5-10 drops of each of the following essential oils: Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus and Geranium.

4) Laundry: we use the natural laundry detergent Seventh Generation, but we're also adding several drops of tea tree essential oil to the laundry.

5) Home Cleaning: for our home disinfectant, we're now using 20 drops each of lemon essential oil and thyme essential oil, added to 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water.

And of course, I'm continuing my normal immune system boosting protocol of regular probiotic and fermented food intake, lots of alkaline based foods and greens powders, cod liver oil and vitamin D. I also use as many immune-boosting foods as possible when I cook, including garlic, turmeric and mushrooms.

 ————————————–

The boils have completely gone away.

My leg seems to be healing up, and I'm actually writing this blog post from Japan, the night before the race.

Here are a few more MRSA wound healing pics for you medical geeks out there, from the point that I had the wound packing removed…

1 day after

2 days after

3 days after

Today (day before race)

Image of wound actually covered and bandaged for race (that's a waterproof DuoDerm bandage)

So I didn't lose my leg and I'm going to be OK (I actually did end up racing Japan Half Ironman and set a half-marathon of 1:22) , but I just couldn't go through a medical issue like this without  sharing the valuable lessons that I've learned with you, because you deserve to know this stuff, especially if you're the type of active individual who lives a life of adventure, cuts, scrapes, bruises, and potential exposure to staph or MRSA.

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So, what are the take away points for you?

1. If you get boils or red spots, don't ignore them or assume they're harmless.

2. Use essential oils (bare minimum oil of oregano, probiotics, alkalizing nutrients, vitamin D and fermented foods preventively.

3. If you are regularly in gyms or locker rooms, have kids who play for sports teams, you work in a hospital, etc. then do your laundry and clean your home with essential oils.

4. If you get an under-the-skin staph or MRSA infection, you may be able to avoid my mistake and control it with very frequent and heavy essential oil use, along with goldenseal tincture (very potent oral/topical antibacterial).

5. If you already have MRSA and are just trying to get the wounds to heal faster, use manuka honey and Silvasorb topically. It worked very well for me, although I'll likely still have some scarring due to the severity of my outbreak.

Questions, comments or feedback about staph, MRSA or natural remedies for MRSA? Leave them below. Finally, I am not a doctor, none of this should be considered medical advice, and you should consult with your physician if you have or think you have any medical condition.

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184 thoughts on “How Safe Are You From This Creeping Killer That Lives In Gyms?

  1. Jose says:

    Hi Mr. Greenfield,

    Can daily use of a soap bar containing tea tree oil affect your hormones? If not, can you recommend a brand?

    Thank you.

  2. Gary says:

    There exists a probiotic that kills staph: Bacillus Subtilis. It works by producing a lipopeptide called Fengycin, which connects with a receptor of the staph, thus preventing it to express its AGR gene, whose expression permits to coordinate virulence attacks and colonization. Fengycin binds with the receptor of the staph’s auto-inducing peptide (AIP), thereby creating interference in its quorum sensing signaling system. If I’m not mistaken, I think I have also read that in mices, Bacillus subtilis can also prevent biofilm formation and make resistant staph susceptible back again to some antibiotics, such as gentamycin – but please double check these last two facts for yourself.

    I take it both orally in capsules, and on my skins in a Baobab oil mixture that contains it, because it’s the only oil I found that has it. Further studies would be needed to know if this probiotic survives in Baobab oil at ambient temperature though…

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6202238/

  3. Isabel says:

    Thanks for sharing this information

  4. Curt says:

    So how did your doctor feel about you traveling and racing 7 short days later? At a minimum, you shouldn’t have traveled and risked exposing so many others to MRSA. MRSA killed my good buddy’s 2-year-old son. Not to mention you’d have certainly lied on your travel documentation. While everyone else is asking you for “medical” advice and/or congratulating you for being a badass and “pushing through” to do the race in Japan, I find myself just shaking my head. How selfish. Glad you’re healed and hopefully you didn’t leave someone much worse off, like the diabetic with cracked skin who had the bad luck to get your airplane seat right after you’d occupied it, or the folks you very likely sweated all over prior to/during/after the Ironman.
    It takes time to develop sinister stuff like MRSA, and it takes time to heal from it and ensure you aren’t risking exposing others. I don’t disagree with combining the MD/naturopath approach – don’t get me wrong. But the stuff about the race and your time just set me off.

    1. Tay says:

      Food for thought:

      (1) Studies show that somewhere between 70 and 75% of the public carries staph aureus at any given time (half of those are chronic carriers and half are temporary), and that most people do NOT get it from airplane seats, gym equipment, etc. but from themselves, when they become part of that 70% who carry it.

      (2) The CDC website says it’s perfectly fine to leave your house and go to school/work/etc. with a staph infection (even MRSA) as long as any/all weeping wounds are not exposed. So if you have a problem with the author getting on an airplane, you might want to also write a letter of protest to the CDC. (I too sometimes wonder if this is really OK, but I assume at least part of the reason is that it would mean 70% of the population being required to stay home, since that is the percentage of people carrying it.)

  5. Michelle L. says:

    Hey Ben I have a persistent staph infection on my hand, I took cephalexin for two weeks and still have it :( could you recommend a good goldenseal extract to take ? Also how long do use it for ?

    1. Hi Michelle, I unfortunately can't make personal recommendations as I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice. I would speak with your doctor about this or you can try asking the Kion Community for advice. https://Facebook.com/groups/GetKion

      1. Carmen Almonti says:

        What percentage of people like you that suffer a staph infection like the one you had, need amputation?

  6. Pau; says:

    THank you for this kind of Article i think i am more educated with MRSA and Staph thank you for elaborating what this is and its SAad to have this kind of Infection i don’t even know where i got it or when did start it. but thank you. alot

  7. Vanya says:

    Thank you very much for posting all the information. I believe we all should share such experiences to help each other as I do not believe in the official medicine anymore as it had turned to business and not a health care. Maybe few exceptions here are there but in general this is what it is to me.

    I have staph infection on my skin due to the atopic dermatitis I have and have been trying to kill it for sometime now (about an year) but so far I have been partially successful. I did use the topical antibiotics available – Fucidine and Bactroban initially and when they stopped working I had to find something that works. Then I found the essential oils. Did extensive research and found that the most potent oils in killing staph are: Wintergreen (works miracles for me), cinnamon (leaf or bark), Grapefruit (due to lab reports and not just published articles). These are the strongest I know in killing staph. I use also Peppermint, Lemongrass, Thyme, Oregano, Tea Tree, Patchouli, Palmarosa, Eucalyptus and Lavender. I dilute all of them in olive oil but I know almost nothing about what doses should be diluted when combined hence I keep experimenting. To a table spoon of olive oil I add around 3 or 4 drops of Wintergreen, Cinnamon and Grapefruit and 2 to 3 drops from all the rest. It depends how concentrated I want the oil to be. I apply this oil morning and evening (best is after shower as it penetrates deeper in the skin). If I notice that the staph is coming back to any area of my skin I then apply undiluted Wintergreen or Grapefruit oil (Cinnamon is more painful then these 2 to apply directly on the affected skin so I use it to dilute only). The staph is killed in 2 to 3 days and the skin starts to recover. However, I have never taken internally any essential oil so far and need to get more insight into that before I do it. Staph keeps coming back to my skin due to the dermatitis and I am sure the outside oil treatment isn’t enough hence I am in process of finding out what is going on internally in order to fix it. I have read also extensively on the reoccurring staph infection and found that the reason often is candida overgrowth so testing and eliminating this is super important. Healthy gut and liver is essential to eliminate staph. So ensure you do not have candida overgrowth, then do the liver flush protocol and change your diet to vegetarian including plenty of fresh vegetable and fruits (especially leafy greens), eliminate sugar (at least white one) and white flour. Sugar and most of the foods which turn to sugar in the body are the food for candida and all bad bugs inside us.

    I wish everyone to find relief of the struggle you face and once again thank you for sharing information which helps others!!

  8. Le Motl says:

    I’d like to knows if you get the antibiotic blend and antifungal blend already mixed, if so where from. I searched the links you had there but never found those blends.

    Also, if you mix yourself, could you give amounts of each?

    Ann’s these 2 blend are to be used internally, correct? So how much of each blend?

    Thank you

    1. Mandy says:

      Hi ben, i have staph sinus infection for 6 years. Its coming to year 7. Could you please help me or give me am an idea what to do? Do i just diffuse the following oils for sinus? Is that enough to kill the infection? Also if mine is a staph infection do i also do a antifungal blend? For the antibacterial blend is 1 drop sufficient for each blend? Please advise.

      1. Niq says:

        Look up Michelle Moore and her work… it is all covered there. Also watch everything u can on MMS and DMSO… lots of testimonials of people who have healed themselves from MRSA. Looks like a Ben followed Michelle Moore’s protocol and she details how much of the oils to take.

        1. Felicity says:

          Thank you this insight.

    2. Niq says:

      These blends are available already blended from Be Young Essential oils. The protocol that Ben is recommending is from Michelle Moore – she has written an extensive book on Staph, I have it. I also have the oils, cost me a FORTUNE to have them sent from U.S. one is called “defense”. Other is called protect and another guardian. Go to Michelle Moore’s site, she has a lot of info there for free

      1. Felicity says:

        Thank you!

      2. Guess who seems to be the owner or possibly a stake in Be Young Oils?…Michelle Moore. It’s all good though as her book is excellent and has helped me tremendously. Another good book, though a much shorter read and not as comprehensive is the Boil Bible by Jeremy Guertjens. He mentions in his book the GAPS diet to heal leaky gut syndrome in which he feels helped him as much as anything else. I also agree with this and enjoy making and drinking lots of bone broth as well as avoiding glutens and lectins. I also feel homemade Master Tonic helps and homemade sauerkraut (for prebiotics and probiotics).

  9. Cissy says:

    My husband has MRSA but not the skin type..has moved internally into his ear canal (thanks high school wrestling) We are using essential oils but I haven’t been able to find anyone that has had a story like yours and actually found a combined combo of them to take to kill the infection, internally. So, thank you for posting this. We have also found that the heme iron in meat & some fish helps feed MRSA, so he has eliminated that from his diet…not easy, but doable and necessary for the time being till we get these oils in his system.

  10. Rachel says:

    Hi Ben.

    Thank you so much for all of the information! Do I understand you correctly that only people who have internal MRSA are considered colonized (carriers)? So, if a person with external MRSA is able to cure it, would they NOT be considered a carrier?

    My brother contracted MRSA in the hospital after having colon surgery. I think my mother may have it, and she may have given it to my daughter. My daughter’s sore doesn’t have a head on it, so the doctor couldn’t culture it. She says it looks like a staph infection, but said she couldn’t do a nasal swab because the infection is on the skin, not the nasal passage. And also said that people with external MRSA do not necessarily become carriers. Is that accurate?

    Thanks again, I so appreciate any information you may have regarding this.

    1. I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. If you've had external MRSA, then highly likely that you are indeed a carrier internally. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.

  11. Cheryl says:

    Hi im from singapore. Im going to a homeopath but i feel.shes not very good its been 1 and a galf month. Can you reccomend me your homeopath? Are you cured?

    1. Cheryl says:

      Half*

  12. Curious says:

    Thank you for the very informative article and for sharing so much of your experience!!

    Regarding the essential oils, you stated that you ingested the essential oil blends 3x/day. I’ve found of the blends you referenced, as well as the individual ingredients, and the literature tends to say to not ingest any essential oils..to only use them topically or via different types of inhalation (air diffuser, etc.). Did you experience negative side effects since you ingested them vs. applying them topically? I’m a little nervous about ingesting them based on the web pages saying that essential oils should not be ingested.

    Thank you!

    1. I did not. I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. They are safe to ingest when used in the proper amounts though. The Food and Drug Administration also has an exhaustive list of essential oils listed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for ingestion here, so you can definitely ingest some. You can check out that list here: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdoc… You can learn more about ingesting essential oils in my podcast with Dr. Nick here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/how-esse… These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.

      1. Sharting Pumpkins says:

        You should give credit to author and microbiologist Michelle Moore whose book: MRSA Secrets Revealed you have seemingly read. You are promoting positive info on MRSA and every bit helps.

        1. Niq says:

          yes! That is what I have been saying… this is all from Michelle Moore’s book and site. I have her book and have the Be Young Oils… wonder why Ben isn’t telling these people who need help to look her up? also to look up miracle of using MMS to treat staph… everyone must spread the news right!

  13. Nici says:

    Ben, I’m wondering if this protocol would work on long term MRSA. I’ve had it for 7 years folliculitis(tiny tiny ones on my legs, back, and scalp). No symptoms for the first few years and then only got an abscess like once a year but now (in year 7) it’s gotten out of control. Getting bigger and more frequent outbreaks on my scalp and now tiny pimples all over my face. I know it’s MRSA because they don’t respond to benzoyl peroxide.. what do you suggest for the face? I just started silver gel last night. Do u think I can kick this? My face looks terrible and I don’t even want to work. I’m also terrified of MRSA dripping from my face into my mouth and going septic

    1. QueenRi says:

      You need to be treating internally!!!!

    2. Sadie says:

      Hi Nici. Did you find something to work?

    3. Starting Pumpkins says:

      Google search garlic baths + Bob Anderson

    4. Niq says:

      Look up Michelle Moore and her work… Yes u can heal yourself after so many years. Ben is citing her methodologies… also be sure to Google “mms heal staph (or MRSA) plus testimonials”. U will be blown away – and don’t be put off by fear mongers who say it is dangerous… just brainwashed by big pharma

      ***it will give u the hope that u need

    5. Jackie says:

      I had the same symptoms and cured myself with organic sulphur powder (msm). 1 tbsp x 2 daily and I used tumeric powder and virgin organic cocanut oil I rub into my scalp – this draws and kills the bacteria , it works immediately . I also take organic mangosteen rind powder x 1tbsp twice daily. . I suffered for 2 years and spent thousands trying to cure it. This worked.

  14. Niki says:

    Tejal does your homeopath have an email?! I live in NYC but am desperate

  15. Justin says:

    Hi my name is Justin I have been a gym rat for about 6 years. Well my first break out of MRSA was on my left leg I belive I had a cut and picked it up from the sonna or the gym. however since then I have been battling it for 3 years seems like every 5-6 months I have a break out. Every time I was put on antibiotics. I believe I am reinfection myself due to the fact that the culture charts show that it is resistant to the same antibiotics literally to the T. The doctor had me on rifampin, and bactum which it is resistant too now, it is also resistant to clindamycin, and Cipro. I was just in the hospital for one that showed up on my finger and was treated for 48hrs with an iv drip of vancomycin which finally made it go away. My doctor pretty much told me that’s it I’m a colonized with it and there is nothing that she can do for me. keep in mind this is and infectious disease specialist.

    is it possible for it to reside in your blood stream? or if it gets in there does it just expload? I’m honestly worried its too late

    Honestly I am crushed I’m 27years old just opened my own business a year ago doing great and I feel like I have a ticking time bomb in me and that I could die any day.

    This is what I think is happening since I was put on so many antibiotics over the past 3 years I belive I have killed all of my good bacteria that lives on my skin and in my gut. I must also add I was taking very strong bleach baths several times a day to try and get rid of it along with antibacterial soap. which I have heard now is a big no no. my course of action right now is to get the good bacteria back with a probiotic kombucha tea that we are making from another article that I have read.

    I might also add that I have been tested in my nose and in my throat… the nose was negative and the throat came back positive. is there any way that I can get rid of this and live a normal life again??? or am I doomed for an early death?

    1. MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.

      My thoughts: Yes, it can definitely reside in the bloodstream and nasal passages long-term. My recommendation is to do exactly what I indicated in the podcast above.

      Feel free to schedule a one on one consult with me. >> BenGreenfieldFitness.com/coaching-consulting

      1. Justin says:

        I have ordered all the oils and have already been using some of them, however on your blends you do not specify how many drops of the oils to use, and I can’t find envirocidin anywhere it is not available anymore.

        1. It depends. I'm not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever. Generally though, somewhere in the range of 2 to 5 drops of most essential oils, with caution to use a carrier oil such as almond, olive, or coconut for any that seem to burn the skin or be harsh.

    2. Odell says:

      I felt the same as you did in 2016 and part of 2107 seemed like these things were coming to me every month and off i went to antiboitics until i started using or ingesting oil of oregano. I recall thr last time i had a breakout i went to the specialist and gave me antiboitics and said the same. Im not sure what else to do. I went home and began a 7 day regimen of oil of oregano. The boils went away after the 5th day but i continued my intake. Even afyer and till this day i take a pill of oregano every morning. Come april of this year and it will be a year since i havent had an issue and hope not to have one at all. Hope that helps cause im sure you are also going through anxiety and/or depression.

      1. Mel says:

        Hi there, what brand of Oregano oil we’re you taking? Was it in the oil form or capsule? What about mg dosage? Many thanks!!!

      2. Jessica Jones says:

        I’m currently on oil of oregano… however I do put mupirocin in my nose and belly button for the weeks straight at sign of breakout and wash my hair and body in surgery scrub wash

  16. Kerry says:

    Hi Ben! I loved your story. It was so helpful! I have MRSA 2 spots on my shins. They are the size of your first pic but no swelling at all. In fact they are like 2 black spots on my legs like the size of a pea surrounded by a reddish pink ring. I went right to dr and am on batrim and doxy. He didnt want to lance it off. Whatre your suggestions for soaks? Ive been using vinegar and silver. I need to dissolve these buggers. Dont need to be hospitalized.

    1. I'd use my recommendations in the article above, exactly as I lay it out. I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.

  17. Erik Kellar says:

    HI, Ben.

    Just had my own diagnosis with MRSA. I caught it early and got it under control quickly it was on my thighs. I did a two week Sulfamate therapy. I am a competitive cyclist and had a friend, also cyclist, catch it hospitalized three weeks IV drip years ago and has not had an outbreak in five years. Have you had any reoccurrences yourself? Also do you still shave your legs or do you use a depilatory for your legs or an natural now. I was pretty scared but am slowly starting to feel like I can maybe enjoy the sport I love so much but maybe no racing anymore. Thanks for your candor its hard to find info with relation to cycling.

    1. I have not had any reoccurrences. Although I do consults with people in many cases who need a little bit more help with this and I would be happy to do it with you.You can schedule a one on one consult with me at <a href="https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben” target=”_blank”>www.greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben choose a 20 or 60 min consult and we can go over everything. In addition… I no longer shave my legs because, frankly, it's just not very time efficient for me and I'm not doing much cycling or so I'm racing anymore anyways…

  18. Sophia says:

    Hi Ben…

    How do I blend the essential oils to ingest? How many drops of each? Do I dilute them in water? Thank you!

    1. No need to dilute. Just apply to affected area! 2-5 drops or so…although no need to be exact! I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.

  19. shelley says:

    Ben, thank you for posting you therapies. I have had MRSA now for 3 years, been hospitalized almost 30 times. I have the scars all over and am getting very discouraged and honestly scared. I’ve never used essential oils and am willing to try anything at this point, doctors, specialists etc cannot figure anything out. There are days I cannot work, cannot walk, cannot sit, running fevers, headaches. It’s horrible.

    1. Sorry to hear that Shelley! I would suggest you try the techniques here but it sounds like something deeper. If you want to go into detail feel free to book a consult at <a href="https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben” target=”_blank”>www.greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben and choose 20 or 60 minutes and we'll get you scheduled for a Skype consult.

  20. sandy says:

    Hi Ben,

    Are you aware of any natural alternatives to a bleach bath which is what my doctor has recommended? It doesn’t sound like something I want to do but I’ve had 4 recurring skin infections in 6 months that sounds eerily similar to what you’ve described on your blog.

    Thanks!

      1. DJoy says:

        Hi Ben ~ can I just drop a drop of each oil listed in Thieves or is there something in the combination they make that is an absolute winner for MRSA? Thanks.

        1. Yes, you could do that as an alternative to Thieves!

  21. B says:

    Also, what do you think about stable allicin? I have been reading that this is a cure for community MRSA.

    1. It may work since garlic has antimicrobial and antiviral properties, but I only had success with the options I listed above!

      1. Glen says:

        Google ‘Peter Josling allicin’ and look for a pdf document that will tell you how to completely eradicate mrsa biofilms etc. with allicin protocols.

  22. B says:

    Hi Ben.

    I had no hope until I read this post. How do we know if the Essential Oils that we buy are good enough (therapeutic grade) to ingest? The girl at the health food store freaked out when we said we wanted to ingest them. One more question. Did you finish your antibiotics when you got MRSA? Thank you.

    1. If they are good enough to ingest it will say so on the bottle. But most essential oils are NOT good enough to ingest. The only oil I can vouch for is this one: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/oregano-oil

  23. john griesser says:

    Hi Ben. You wrote, “control it with very frequent and heavy essential oil use, along with goldenseal tincture (very potent oral/topical antibacterial).

    Essential oil use is internally, externally or both? How do you take it internally.

    Thanks, John

    1. You can ingest them (diluted) and breath them in (via a cold air diffuser). You will need a therapeutic grade oil that can be ingested.

  24. Bonnie says:

    Another good oil to add to your arsenal is Manuka oil. From all the researth I’ve done, it is more potent than Tea Tree oil and it is gentler on the skin.

    Also, add some Activated Charcoal to your medicine cabinet, as it is great for pulling out infections from the skin. There are great resources online that tell you how to make a poultice to apply to the area you’re trying to pull the infection from.

  25. Mae says:

    Sir,
    I want to thank you for taking the time to post this information. My daughter has mrsa. She caught it last fall. Now she is pregnant. I have been desperately looking for a way to help her save her life. And with Gods grace maybe her childs. Thank you for your intelligent, concise, story and information.
    Sincerely,
    Mae

  26. Tyrian says:

    Just a quick heads up (from NZ)! On the affected skin, I’ve had fantastic results just using cheap plain ordinary oils from the kitchen pantry all cooking oils, olive, avocado etc.

    I carry small plastic bottles and spray cans, and apply as often as I feel necessary.

    The jury is still out whether it is the oil suffocating/asphyxiating the bacteria or the sulphur content, but the worst lesions are well healed within 3 days.

    Thank you for this information Ben. I will begin to eradicate this critter internally

  27. soni says:

    Ben,

    How many drops of each essential oil you take per day?

    1. about 5-10 drops of Thieves now…

  28. Janet says:

    Ben, for scarring you can use Lavender or Hyssop oil. I use Young Living oils.

  29. celine says:

    I had an eyelid lift surgery one month ago and 5 days later had a bump on the corner of one eye. the doctor removed some pus from the boil and I was put on antibiotic , had a reaction to the antibiotic and decided to use other methods of tx. so I applied a paste of French green clay under the eyes everyday. ingested the green clay powder every morning and in between applied a blend of essential oil , adding thyme and cinnamon to the thieve combo.

    the swelling is gone after one month now and I am wondering if it is too early to retest myself an see if I am free from the mrsa infection.

    lots of good input , I think adding clay has made it faster in my case .

  30. Robin Stimmel-Singh says:

    What if you need to take an oil my mouth? How many drops and do you use water with it or do you dilute it at all?

    1. Depends. I will put 5-10 drops of an essential oil in a glass of water and drink it, but sometimes just put it straight into mouth. The stronger it is, the higher the likelihood of a mouth or throat burn, however.

      1. Dave Meltzer says:

        Buy some OO ( double “oh” ) size vegetarian capsule, fill partly with your essential oil, then rest to 2/3 or so with a carrier oil. I use grapeseed. Seal up the capsule, shake to combine, and down the hatch with water. Only for oils that are safe to ingest, see GRAS or generally regarded as safe. I do this, works like a charm. Oregano oil is to be taken internally only, very hot oil.

  31. Jeff says:

    Ben I need your help fast. I’ve had MRSA before and now I’m having boils show up on my butt. I try using the links you have to get the oils but my head is spinning from the pages and stuff please contact me back.

  32. Lori says:

    do u have an email address I can contact u with? I have some questions?

  33. nicola says:

    HI Ben

    I have MRSA in my throat…can not get rid of the bugger. I’ve started pro biotics, I’m smearing fruit with manuka honey. Please can you advise?

    1. Nicola I had a similar experience, you can read about it here https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2012/06/how-s… but I would keep a close eye on it and head to the doctor if you start to see it spreading.

  34. Janice moon says:

    I have mrsa need to know what to buy to prevent more problems. Going to talk to Dr. Monday. I drank water with Turmeric in it. I put turmeric on red marks. Give me a list of things to purchase. Thank you

    1. I would be happy to go over the whole deal in a one-on-one with you! Book some time over here https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching.

  35. Traci says:

    I believe my 11 year old has this on her elbow . Looks like a bite but swollen and hurts her bad , bringing her to tears . She can’t afford to be on antibiotics . Does it need to be drained ? I had her soak it in salt water then added Thieves and oregano oil . Had her take colloidal silver and echinacea . This is nothing to mess around with so I’m very concerned . She was at my husbands office where someone had mrsa , on the day she found it that evening . Does it happen that fast ? Thx for any help !!

    1. I’d highly recommend you get this looked at be a medical professional ASAP as I can’t ethically say what this would be via a blog comment. Sounds like you’re doing many of the same things I would do if it were my child, but if someone at your husband’s office had MRSA I’d be getting her into the physician because it *can* happen that fast!

  36. Pam Goodman says:

    I have this msra I think in my body.Dont have any boils or anything now. Thank God. But just reading this Im scared it wont work.Because all the other stuff Ive been reading says the opposite.Thanks Pam Goodman

    1. The great thing about Essential Oils is that unlike expensive and potentially dangerous medications, there is no harm in trying. Make sure you listen to this podcast for more info on essential oils as well – https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2014/10/how-t…

  37. timmizzy says:

    You said that you ingested the essential oils 3 times a day. How many drops each time? Also, can you overdose on essential oils. I have MRSA on my heart, and don't want to waste time with antibiotics.

    1. I think you should check out this podcast for more info about how to use the oils and which ones are best for what purpose – https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2014/10/how-t… Really great info in this one.

      1. timmizzy says:

        Awesome thank you.

  38. Eliza005 says:

    Hello Ben!
    I want to ask you if I need to dilute the blend oils with water or not. Also, When I go to the link to buy the oils, that link does not work. You have another source to buy them? Another question, what contains the Biocidin and the Enviocidin oils? What are their properties to cure for this sickness?. Do we have to combine it with the other oils? Thanks

    1. I'll look at those links, but in meantime go here: https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/product/young… – I recommend the "Thieves" there. That is best blend for this.

  39. tejal says:

    hi ben,
    i hope u remember my long post… it was mid october n i was so depressed wen my husband also showed d same symptoms as mine.

    But, now i am all cured without restricting myself to any food except coffee…

    and it was because of one homeopath doctor who after listening to me (as he is in india and i stay in singapore ) assured me that i will get cured within three months. and that was has happend. there was a time wen i was having hard lumps, white head boils growing into bigger size in every part of my body including private area and now i am free from boils.

    My only suggestion to you and who ever suffer from mrsa or staph please dont go to allopath, they give antibiotics which worsen d situation. No bleach bath, no diet restrictions. find a good homeopath. and how to know he is gud or not? one he ll ask you ur complete life history which take 2 hrs thn he should assure u tht u ll notice change within a month. if u dont find even a small change after 1 month i dont think he is sure abt d medicine n dosage he is prescribing u.

    this is cos i am so happy n felt like sharing cos i got cured while eating all sugars, cake and pasteries.

  40. tejal says:

    hi ben,

    i hope u remember my long post… it was mid october n i was so depressed wen my husband also showed d same symptoms as mine.

    But, now i am all cured without restricting myself to any food except coffee…

    and it was because of one homeopath doctor who after listening to me (as he is in india and i stay in singapore ) assured me that i will get cured within three months. and that was has happend. there was a time wen i was having hard lumps, white head boils growing into bigger size in every part of my body including private area and now i am free from boils.

    My only suggestion to you and who ever suffer from mrsa or staph please dont go to allopath, they give antibiotics which worsen d situation. No bleach bath, no diet restrictions. find a good homeopath. and how to know he is gud or not? one he ll ask you ur complete life history which take 2 hrs thn he should assure u tht u ll notice change within a month. if u dont find even a small change after 1 month i dont think he is sure abt d medicine n dosage he is prescribing u.

    this is cos i am so happy n felt like sharing cos i got cured while eating all sugars, cake and pasteries.

  41. Rike says:

    Hey, I have the same problem: had to go to the ER for food poisoning and got this. It’s been 3 years now. I have figured out that oils kill it super quickly when you can get started soon. However my question has to do with getting rid of it completely. I thought I was rid of it completely but just got another little scratch that got infected. Any ideas of completely killing it on your body it you just have to live with it for the rest of your life? Thankfully my two little children have not gotten it bc I have been able to always get rid of it quickly with oils. Just would like to completely rid myself of the problem if possible. Insight?

    1. Cold air diffusion. Consistent use of essential oils. Avoidance of excessive starch and sugars. Use of good hygiene, especially in public areas like locker rooms. Those are some of your biggest wins.

  42. There'sa says:

    Hey do u got any pics of what it first looked like before it started to open up. Oh and also a pic of the scar closed now

  43. Eryn says:

    Hi Ben – regarding the topical use of manuka honey and silvasorb, did you use both at the same time? If so, can you share your process (e.g. Did you apply one then the other, did you alternate applications, etc.)?

    I really appreciate you sharing your experience. I’ve read this post at least 20 times. My BF was diagnosed w mrsa several weeks ago, went the antibiotics route, now I have it… Thanks to your info I’m not freaking out too much… Yet! ;-)

    1. I did not use both at the same time. I started off with manuka honey for several days, then switched to silvasorb…then after the spendier silvasorb ran out, switched back to manuka honey. I'd be happy to help you via a personal one-on-one consult. Just go to https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching. and then choose a 20 or 60 minute consult, whichever you'd prefer. We can schedule ASAP after you get that.

  44. Joseph cohen says:

    Hi Ben,

    Thank you for the post. Can you tell me under what name is the the blend antibacterial, the other one anti fugul blend I found? Thank you

  45. tejal says:

    Hi ben, here is my story, its bit long but do read and suggest me if possible..

    I was getting boils from last 5 – 6 years. i used to treat with augmentin 650. but since last year after my c section, it became more frequent and again treated them by augmentin 650. But in the month of may 2014 even after taking aug 650 for 5 days my boil was not draining. so finally wd hot compressed my boil got drained.

    As one of my relatives got completely healed by homeopathy. I decided to go for homeopathy. but the doc who cured him stays in india and we r in singapore currently. So i went to a homeopath here in singapore. from may for 2 months i didnt get boil wd homeopathic medicine but from aug till date i had boils on my bikini line, in thigh area also near navel… they dont grow big. But problem is they come back like a small pimple on the same place again. also every week i am getting new small pimple like boils on my thighs. So, i hv decided to discontine my current doctor. And, i have told my indian homeopath abt my condition and he is sending me midicines.

    but yesterday on the thigh area of my husband he saw two boils and now i am really scared. Cos i have 11 months old baby and if he also gets contracted i dont know wht i ll do.

    Also, i have ordered doTerra essential oils which include oregano, lemongrass, lemon and rosemary, tea tree oils.

    It will come in couple of days.

    For me i want to give homeopathy one more try as this indian doctor is very experienced in treating such condition.

    But for my husband i want him to take essential oils both internally and externally.

    So here are my queries/ questions now?

    As, my baby has not shown any symptom till date what i should do to prevent outbreak in him??

    you said u followed alkaline diet, so how strict were u in the firsrt couple of months and now how much u r continuing??

    as, my husband has shown the symptoms for first time, what he should do to get rid of it asap??

    Also, abt laundry is it okay if i wash all three of us clothes seperately wd vinegar, hot water and detergent??

    waiting for your reply….

    1. Wow. Big questions! I'd be happy to help you via a personal one-on-one consult. Just go to https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching. and then choose a 20 or 60 minute consult, whichever you'd prefer. We can schedule ASAP after you get that.

      But in meantime, about 80/20 on the alkaline diet with nearly complete avoidance of caffeine/alcohol/sugar. Your husband should follow all the rules in the article, especially the oral and cold air diffused essential oils, and I would ADD the essential oils to the laundry too!

    2. Nic says:

      Trial who is your doctor in India? Does the doctor have an email

      1. Nic says:

        Tejal who is your doctor in India? Does he/she have a email address

  46. Trevor Potts says:

    What amounts of the oils did you ingest? I just treated a bad case of MRSA with antibiotics a few weeks ago and it seems to already be coming back and I’d like to know how much you were using to see if I can stop this in its tracks before it spreads.. Thanks!!

    1. 3x/day exactly according to bottle instructions, and then also cold air diffusion in house! If I were to repeat, I'd use the Thieves blend here: https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/product/young…. You can ask Young Living about other recommendations they'd make in this regard!

  47. Kevin says:

    Ben, Thank you for this. Im recovering from a MRSA boil, which I most likely contracted from the gym as well. I will continue aggressive treatment with essential oils, the info you gave is very helpful. Im glad to know you are doing great with no recurrences! Wish me luck

  48. Tara says:

    Hi Ben,

    your article is an answer to prayers. My 3 year old son’s precious little body has been suffering with MRSA for a while now and the doctors we have seen have failed to properly diagnose it until now. I am at my wits end and here we are yet again with my sweet baby suffering from severe blistering sores all over his face that he won’t stop picking at, causing severe bleeding. He was just 2 months ago hospitalized for a staph infection in his lymph nodes on his jaw and was taking different antibiotics for 5 weeks. I am trying to find a different solution since that’s obviously not curing things and I really do not want to start him on another round of antibiotics like the doctors are planning. How much of this could I do for my son at his age? It’s overwhelming because I don’t even know where to begin. ANY help would be beyond appreciated. I am so worried, I am afraid this MRSA has been colonized in his body for at least a year and is very aggressive at this point.

    1. My son got it too. We were so scared. We used everything I talk about in this post. If you need more help, I'd be happy to help you out via a personal one-on-one consult. Can you please check http://pacificfit.net/items/one-on-one-consultati… and then let me know if you have any questions? We can do 20 or 60 minutes, whichever you'd prefer.

      Cheers,
      Ben

    2. TAMARA says:

      My alternative doctor put me on a homeopathic remedy for staph/strep by Des Bio . It works combined with silver sol seems to be a 1- 2 punch combo. I got a staph infect ion from my husband who had bacj surgery. I am finally getting better . My doctor has me on it for two months and says it works great fie strep and staph.

  49. Garrowal says:

    Hi Ben, thanks for excellent post. How is your mrsa to date? Are you still following the same above regiment? Thank you for your knowledge!

    1. All good and no recurring issues. Healthy as a horse. A MRSA free horse of course.

  50. t says:

    Can you provide url link for the essential oils blends

    1. BeYoungEO.com has the best blends, and they do indeed have an MRSA blend!

      1. bobainsocalif1 says:

        Hi Ben. I went to the BeYoungEO.com website, and couldn't find any particular MRSA product. Can you give the name of the blend?

        1. it’s this one: http://www.beyoungeo.me/StaphPack.aspx

  51. Angela says:

    Hi Ben, I’m encouraged by your personal story. Thank you for sharing it! My daughter has Down Syndrome and is not very verbal, She doesn’t communicate when she is sick or in pain. She had a stroke 5 years ago when she was a senior in high school. She’s recovered, but she was and is exposed to hospital, doctor office, and gym environments on a regular basis. I’ve had her work with a personal trainer and a swim therapist 4 days a week since her stroke occurred which helped get her strength back and also in maintaining and progressing her physical health. About 8 months after she began her exercise programs, she started having outbreaks of small boils which antibiotics cured, Her immune system is suppressed–low white blood cell count. I took her to a naturopath who put her on a gluten/dairy free diet and immune boosting supplements. She was doing well with no bad outbreaks, just 1 or 2 red bumps that tea tree oil took care of. But at this writing, she’s recovering from a nasty staph infection on her upper thigh which looked like yours. She went back on antibiotics and it’s healing. I’ve researched EO’s and have been diffusing tea tree and eucalyptus and applying a VCO diluted antibacterial blend.and tea tree, neat, to her boil. Also applying a blend, lemon and peppermint to the soles of her feet. So far so good, but yesterday several red spots in her groin area.appeared. She’s been on antibiotics for 10 days. What?! Time for an internal essential oil protocol. I’ve been afraid to give my daughter oils internally because of her communication issues. She won’t tell me if she’s feeling side effects from the EO’s. I’ll only know if it becomes evident that she’s experiencing any physical reaction. I’m not seeking medical advice, just wish to know if you felt any side effects while taking the oils internally? I plan to call Be Young EO, and I’m launching a local search for anyone experienced in using EO’s internally. Our ND isn’t experienced in using EO’s and I’ve hit a brick wall with our traditional medicine providers. I’d feel better if my daughter were under supervision of someone knowledgeable in using EO’s. Thanks and I’m glad that your health was restored!

    1. She may experience a change in stool texture and may also, especially if detoxifying, experience either constipation or diarrhea for a couple of days.

      Good luck to you and your daughter and thank you for sharing your story.

      1. Paigelita says:

        People, Staph aureus eat one thing only: sugar. The best thing you can do to tame your MRSA is to eliminate sugar as much as possible from your diet. I learned this from some video I watched on YouTube in January. I immediately stopped eating extra sugar and the MRSA began to disappear. When I have slip-ups, the symptoms reappear.

        Hot compresses at the site of outbreaks help keep the populations at bay. I mean hot, like just barely what you can tolerate. The earlier in an outbreak you use the hot compresses, the likelier they will not develop into bigger abscesses. But use the compresses at any stage. I use a washcloth doused with nearly boiling water.

        The main thing is to not feed the population you are trying to control.

        These two approaches don’t cost anything (not buying candy bars and pastries will actually save you money) and may be more effective than the money you sink into a lot of other treatments.

        I don’t know how this sugar advice will work with you athletic folks who maybe depend on carbohydrates for quick energy.

  52. iatrojeanie says:

    I contracted MRSA in hospital following appendectomy, so I follow info. I was told, once you have it, you always have it. Recent developments: some few hospitals do fecal transplants that have saved the lives of extreme MRSA patients. Antibiotics are an strangely unrecognized health problem. My orthopedist, for instance, who treats my knee won't look at my ankle or my hip related problems, but he prescribes antibiotics following surgery and thinks nothing of it. . . An inventory of human gut biota has only begun in the past 5? years. Thanks for info, ben guy.

  53. Jenn says:

    Hi – quick question on your cold air diffuser. We have a large home- do we need one in every room or main living areas? My 3 year old got MRSA and my husband caught it. I don’t want the rest of the family getting it…..thanks for your help!

    1. Since MRSA is predominantly spread by contact, not air, you should be alright just diffusing the main areas. Just make sure to keep yourselves and your home clean – and wash your hands… you know the drill.

  54. BetsyH123 says:

    When you refer to using the cold air diffuser three times a day, what does this mean? You set the mixture out for a certain amt of time, then put away? How close are you to it then? Now that your MRSA is gone, do you regularly use a cold air diffuser with certain/various combos of oils? TIA.

    1. For about 3 months, we diffused for several hours each day (2-3 hours), and now that MRSA is gone, all I do is "maintenance" by taking daily oil of oregano.

  55. shannon says:

    Hi ben. I just wanted to know if the oils that you ingest seperate oils or do they come in the same bottle. I wanted to order them from the web site that you gave.but I don’t know what to get. I have had the same thing mrsa. Please reply thanks

    1. Get the BeYoung MRSA blend. Call them if you need to. They'll get you what you need!

  56. Seoulmama2 says:

    Hi Ben,
    Both my daughter and I have MRSA. We have had it for a while as we were misdiagnosed. (our boils looked like yours) I am on Bactrium and it seems to be helping me, but my daughter isn't responding as well to the antibiotics. I wondered if I should contact our homeopathic doctor to help. You give me inspiration to fight this thing naturally. In the blends of oils you used. Did you buy them already blended from http://www.beyoungeo.com/? If so, what blend did you buy? any other advice?? as I worry about my daughter. She seems to be really itchy too? Thanks for sharing your story. Anything helps…

    1. This is dangerously close to medical advice – which I don’t want to give (I am not a doctor). Beyond this blog post, you are best off contacting another doctor or a naturopath/homeopath. I didn’t use blends.

  57. jennymdoss says:

    Hello, Ben – I know you have long recovered from this. I just read this post. Two weeks ago, I had to have a prior surgical wound opened up and the surgical area (left proximal hamstring) flushed out with antibiotics. I had an infectious fluid build up in the area of my prior surgery. This is very odd because the surgery was a year and four months ago. The area was flushed with antibiotics, and I took oral antibiotics for two weeks to address the particular strain of bacteria. Now, I am off the antibiotics and want to make sure I do everything I can to recover from this episode and prevent getting another infection. Do you have any suggestions on how to build up my system again after taking so many antibiotics? I assume I should take probiotics. Do you have any suggestions on preventing further infections? It is weird because no one knows why this happened. I just thought I would see if you have any ideas on what to do now. Thank you as always for your help.

  58. Tiffany says:

    I had an out break recently and my fiance was diagnosed with it the for the first time when we had to have him rushed to the hospital with the same symptoms as you, but his were to the point he nearly passed out. To my surprise as he was grilling the ER doctor who seemed really mad that he was grilling her at that, he found out that this is not only communicable in hospitals and gyms, but it can be in fact given to your spouse by skin contact, if you aren’t having a break out you can get it from kissing one another as it is in our saliva as well as during sex. I was never told this when I was originally diagnosed with this 4 years ago. I also didn’t know that the longer you have this the more apt you are to become a carrier and no longer have out breaks. I just thought that should be added to this as well so that people are more aware. It can be given to your children if you are having an out break and just hug your child. It is very contagious and people should take this stuff more seriously. The doctor said this is more serious than an STD for people. AS it can kill you and is only treatable, in that you need to go get antibiotics every six months to keep it knocked down in your system.

  59. Carnation says:

    I too struggle with MRSA external skin sores. I utilize essential oils also. You have to educate yourself on how to use them properly but they are wonderful The treatment I also recommend is LED Blue Light therapy. Search the web for info on how it can totally kill MRSA. Also look around for reasonably priced devices. Mine was bought for about $140. I am never without it. I use it on every little red spot that doesn't immediately succumb to essential oils. The lesions just dry up.

  60. MRSA Sucks says:

    What recipe or proportions did you use for the essential oils you ingested, and in what dosage did you ingest them?

    1. I ordered the morning/afternoon/evening pack from BeYoung essential oils and directly as instructed. It was pre-mixed into correct ratios…saved a lot of trouble.

  61. Sway says:

    All I can say is wow. Once upon a time I was a young adult out of high school with no health insurance suddenly I got these pimples on my butt and sides of my hips. I ignored them the turned into boils and well you know the rest. I went to this local clinic for people with no health insurance they prescribed my Anti-biotics but came back for over a year I was fighting these boils until one day they realized it was MRSA! I was so angry they prescribed the right antibiotics that worked but then a few weeks later it came back! So I read that someone used Tea Tree oil and it worked my boils appeared less and less and I was free for like 3 years until recently. All I know is that I hate MRSA. It’s a curse I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

  62. Rebecca says:

    Thank you Ben for this helpful info! I have been struggling of and on with MRSA boils since I was 19. I am now 26 and just for another one today on my knee. I noticed it at work, and can’t even walk on my leg tonight without throbbing. Going to to dr for a checkup tomorrow but I will definitely get on the oils because I hate taking unnecessary antibiotics or medication. Thanks again for the helpful hints.

  63. aaugustaa says:

    Ben, I got MRSA in Oct 2012. My pictures, if I had taken them, would have been different, but as nasty as yours. I am pretty sure that I have a cure and preventive. It's an herbal bath tincture. The formula was given to me by a Chiinese herbalist. I have had no outbreaks since starting the baths, and am going to get blood tested soon. Please contact me on this page: http://hermeticorderforhumans.com/covina-hermitic… I hope you will try it. –Aggie

    1. I'll check this out Aggie, thanks!

      1. aaugustaa says:

        Please just send me your contact info through that link so we can talk about it.

  64. glen says:

    Awesome post. I have suffered 3 mrsa events
    All of which were managed by traditional
    Western medicine and after thousands and thousands of dollars later
    I Never was given a cure/preventative, just more antibiotics, and surgeries.
    Very happey to have stumbled across your information and would like to speak to you further, and ironically the day of your post June 25 is my birthday, hopefully there’s a reason I found your story.

    Glen…..California, USA

  65. lolangel says:

    thanks you helped me with my project!

  66. Being Eaten Alive says:

    Ugh! I went to my vitamin store and got distracted and bought wild oregano powder capsules. Is that the same as the oil of oregano or do I need to rebuy?

  67. jhonson578 says:

    I like your share and agree with your points.Natural things are always good so always try to use natural things.

    Hopi candles

  68. herbal incense says:

    Natural remedy are always works as well! Just a quick note to tell you that i have a passion for the topic at hand. I was in the hunt for this type of information. Thanks!!!
    herbal incense for sale

  69. Alexxander says:

    Hi guys.

    Ben I feel for you but good for you to share your story and perhaps help some people.

    I am a diabetic which means I have a compromised immune system. I am also a military veteran. (I have Hosp Privileges)

    I have been suffering with this problem for about two years. I have had surgery 8-9 times.

    I have been given all kinds of antibiotics
    oral, IV and even nuprosin (or however it’s spelled) and eventually told that since they can not kill it that I’ll just have to learn to live with it.

    I did not care to hear that so I started out searching the net to find a cure. I was doing well for about one year when a small pimple surfaced my skin. I had be en using Organic Oil of Oregano Leaf from Wholefoods. I started using it the day I saw the pimple. Unfortunately I got wacked by a bungee cord right on the pimple. I kept using the oil treatment but the boil still got very large and I had to go to the ER.

    However I did heal very quickly.

  70. mick phillips says:

    Ben sorry to hear you caught this hope you are fully recovered. ITs nasty i know myself and my wife travel all over the world scuba diving after a recient trip to the phillapines for some macro phot shots my wife caught this nightmare luckly she was already on antbiotcs for an ear infection and those drugs held it at bay. on getting back to dubai where we are currently based she was diagnosed with straph and a resistant variant. this can be caught by people spending a lot of time in the sea or on or around the beach. it started as a mossie bite and ended up in a large puss filled hole with blister on top. just thought you might want to advise your readers its not just dry land you can catch this horrible thing from. 4 weeks later we finaly going diving again. PS love your work m8 good luck and keep it up

    best regards

    mick

  71. quietonewisconsin says:

    Your story is interesting. I walked away from a gym six months ago because I swear I got a bad germ from shared exercise equipment in an exercise class. I had a couple raw spots on my forearm, just mild eczema, and it was on these that blisters developed. Then it showed up on my other arm and about my earlobes (from putting on earrings after touching my arms???) I saw a doctor twice, but walked away after that because I was already curing it with homeopathic remedy. On second visit, doctor took a lab sample–not on first visit–which should tell you how knowledgeable he was. On second visit, my skin was already saturated with essential oils, so maybe that was why nothing grew in the lab, thus my situation is technically undiagnosed. It came back five months later, lighter, in the same places, so I hit it with my remedy right away and it was gone two weeks later. Sad to hear you say, "I am a MRSA carrier," because I had a sneaky suspicion that this was now just in my skin…forever. My remedy was as follows: (1) wash with neutral soap and baking soda, tepid water, dry that , (2) H2O2 swipe, dry that (3) tea tree oil, (4) virgin coconut oil, pharmaceutical grade, (5) 40% zinc paste containing castor oil and peruvian balsam (Boudreaux's). Do this twice daily; cover with cotton clothing or bandage. It is quite pungent, but it works. IF this returns again, I will look into trying one of your suggested remedies. Would prefer something more socially pleasing.

  72. Shanna says:

    Looking into the cold air diffuser to aid in my husband's MRSA recovery and to prevent it in the rest of our family. My daughter and I have developed small sores that have responded well to tea tree oil, but we want to get this addressed ASAP. We are unfamiliar with cold air diffusers, and your link in your blog just took us to an Amazon page with all kinds of diffusers. Do you have a specific model recommendation for us?

    1. Honestly ANY of them work. Another extremely efficacous cure I've discovered is goldenseal tincture. Get high quality stuff.

  73. Lisl says:

    Ben, great info and pictures. As a Nurse, and a person who believes in natural healing, I just have one comment. MRSA can cause a deadly infection, and should never be taken lightly. If you are immune compromised in any way and develop a MRSA infection, I would suggest that you RUN not walk to your doctor and take the antibiotics prescribed, despite the side effects. Unfortunatley, I have seen first hand the damage MRSA infections can do, and they develop very repidly, thus requiring rapid intervention. Good luck to you and your health!

  74. Leslie Jones Thomas says:

    The MRSA condition you described occurred to me at least three times already. This condition is frequently misdiagnosed by health professionals who are not familiar. The first time, I was told that the bumps were a spider bite. That bite erupted into a flesh eating infection. Recently, I scratched my shin against my bed frame and my leg swelled up the way his thigh had. I have and continue to be on antibiotics ever since. I believe that I may have been exposed to this in either gyms (I used to weight lift regularly) or during hospital visits (child birth). This infection is no joke and even exercise could speed its spread through your body. Right now, I am trying to insure that my husband and son don't get it, my daughter is already exhibiting symptoms. Good Luck

  75. Denise says:

    Then they brougt in a infectious disease doctor and I got nothing out of it except they ahd me to go to a lab where they test bacteria for what antibotic would work…they started to go inside to probe and pull some pus out but it was so painful I was crying. They took it to look at it and could not get a acturate ideal of which meds to use so they wanted to see if they could get more out of the wound and I almost punched one of the doctors because of the pain. So back to the specialist and FINALLY they would open up the wound and get all of the pus out since prior to this between the painful lab trip and the hospital I was put on more meds that were just not working and a pick hanging out of my arm. So when they scheduled me for surgery and put me under so I could not feel what theyw ere going to do…I felt so much better afterwards. BUT I have a scar under my chin that hurts from time to time since it pulls my skin. So I hope to find out how to fix this scar tissue…but all I can say is be careful in public places. I thnk you Ben for telling your story.

  76. Denise says:

    I went to my primary doctor and she said if this set of antibotics is not working and it keeps growing to go right to a ear/nose/throat specialitst. It was not getting any better. I went to the specialist and he figured I needed to get to the hospital and have IV put into me with antiboctics. Well I was there for three days and no change.

  77. Denise says:

    This past Thanksgiving, I had a itchy bump under my right chin and it would not stop itching and finally starting hurting a little bit. I went to Urgent Care and they felt it was a bite so they gave me anitbotics. Well as a week went by.it was growing. It seem the antibotics were not working.

    1. Tyrian says:

      How many chins do you have… Just curious!

  78. Brittany says:

    Hi Ben,
    Thank you SO much for writing this article. It's scary but my story is the EXACT same. Though now I'm just day 4 from hearing the ER doc say "oh yep, it's MRSA." And, I'm on an oral antibiotic. In any event.. question – did you have any other side effects? Like fatigue during your workouts or unusual fevers that just came on?

    I am training for a full Ironman and this isn't ideal to deal with :) Did you take any days off while all of this happened? Any info you can share about how you were feeling aside from the abscess, it'd be really appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Brittany

    1. I was fine on the antibiotics, but only because I was doing everything that I discuss here:
      https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2011/07/the-a…

      Otherwise, I've heard of folks being completely destroyed when it comes to fatigue…

  79. Phoebe says:

    Do you think those wipes/sprays they have at the gym to clean equipment help? Glad you're doing better

  80. leon.whaanga says:

    thanks ben disgusting yet compelling story. the shower shoes are coming on for public places and will definitely be scanning the body for little red spots.

  81. L. Albert Cruz says:

    Thank you Ben for posting this important information to the public. They need to know how easy MRSA is contracted and how people can spread it. I'll be sharing your blog with my friends at the gym. Stay healthy and active Ben!

  82. Dale says:

    Intravenous Antibiotics twice in a 12 month period! Are you looking for a root cause or are you chalking it up to being unlucky?

    1. Dale…that's what this entire blog post was about…the root cause – I'm a MRSA carrier.

  83. jessica says:

    I had a very similar thing happen, even the same location, but I thought it was bad spider bites I had several sores that looked exactly like yours. My question is; can it still dormant in my system after 10 years, occasionally I have a small sore that resists healing but I am otherwise healthy and active?

    1. It can stay dormant for your whole life. But you'd hate for one day to get a cut, get it in there and have it explode like mine.

  84. Marcus says:

    Scar gel made with silicon will make those scars disappear. The sooner the better, because the longer you wait, the less likely it is to work.

    1. The manuka honey is supposed to help a bit with that too, and I'll check out the scar gel…

  85. Van says:

    Ben – I had MRSA from the gym 2 years ago. It was nasty!
    I had to go to the ER 2 x a day for 5 days to have a vancomysin (?) IV drip.
    Really sucked – gym related staph infection.
    Glad you are better, scary stuff.
    Van

    1. Yep, that's the "CR-MRSA" (community related MRSA).

    2. L. A.lbert Cruz says:

      Ben – Glad to hear that you will be fine. I went through the same thing myself about three years ago on my left butt chick. Went to ER room for 6 hours, hospital stay for 2 1/2 days, IV drip, and a catheter for three weeks. It was a scary time for me, but I'm fine now. If it happens again, I'm going to follow your essential oil guide.

  86. meghan says:

    Hi Ben. I hope you are feeling better. I appreciate all of the information. I am interested in the use of the essential oils as I have never really used them before. Do you have more information or a trusted reference you can share about general use of essential oils? What oils are used for what purposes?

    1. For the single use oils, my wife and I shop at Mountain Rose Herbs, which sells good, high quality stuff: http://goo.gl/ZfcS8 – as far as info, check out “The Healing Properties of Essential Oils”: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594774250/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bengree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1594774250

    2. believer says:

      young living is another essential oil company. My family uses it all the time!!! my son wrestles and got impetigo.I used Oregano oil directly on the spot and it killed it. one of his fellow team mates got it and is still dealing with it.3weeks and has been on antibiotics the whole time,going on four weeks now!!!! still can't wrestle.my son had it for 5 days and gone and dried up!!! i could go on how essential oils have save our lives but just wanted to let you know of another place to look for high grade essentials oils!!! www.youngliving.com !!! i also do not sell it just use it and believe in it.

  87. Kyle Riegle says:

    Great post. Should have labeled it “Ben’s Boils” Its sad to see the medical industry keep quiet on the root cause of so many treatable and curable health challenges. What was your overall expense for this? Obviously you had an emergency room visit which didn’t go easy on your wallet, but what if you had took taken action a month prior with ingesting the herbs? I think that could be a great article to expound on…what was or would have been your total “Home remedy health care expense” to heal “Bens Boils”

    Kyle

    1. Preventive is always cheaper, Kyle. As it is, with my high deductible health care policy, since I'm self-employed, this was about a $6000 personal expense for me. Lessons learned and unfortunately 20/20 hindsight!

  88. nanseer says:

    just wanted to say im shocked to hear of this happening. firstly to yourself,secondly in a gym! thank you for sharing this and sending it out to "us".its a big lesson.you seem to have all bases covered in healing remedies internally and externally…your a well read,aware man so your probably into louise hay/healing and reiki energy.. wishing you good health,strength and a brave spirit from scotland.

    1. Louise Hay? I'm actually not familiar. What is that?

    2. vbroshan says:

      just to throw more light on reiki as you mentioned it ….

      Reiki is a divinely guided energy that flows once initiated from the cosmos to the crown chakra of the reiki practitioner then through their palm chakra. Reiki energy can be felt as it flows. The practitioner is a mere channel to the reiki energy, gets healed and energized during the process of reiki treatment or therapy.Reiki has innate intelligence to know and heal. Reiki is a divinely guided healing energy, so it knows how and what to heal.

  89. abdi says:

    as usual, great post man. thanks for sharing the knowledge. just to clarify, what tests can you do to find out if you are carrying MRSA?

    Also, A year ago i did a blood allergy test and scored 4 for cow dairy and 2 for goat dairy on a scale of 1-5+. I have since been off all dairy and eggs. do you recommend me trying out Mt Capra products? my only worry is that it might trigger an allergic reaction since goat milk is similar to cow milk.

    1. Great question, and probably something I should've mentioned in post. Just a nasal swab: http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/…

      If you had an immune system that reacted like that to goat and dairy, I'd first make sure that your gut is healthy, and that you don't have some serious leaky gut issues, which can cause undigested food particles/proteins to wind up in the bloodstream causing allergenic reactions like that. So check out gut healing protocol at http://goo.gl/Zu02D – especially focusing on gut flora/probiotics, which can help you digest dairy much better. I used to be super sensitive to dairy before I healed my gut with probiotics, colostrum, cut out wheat, soy, etc., and now I can go to baskin-robbins for 31 flavors, no problems ;)

      1. abdi says:

        thanks for the reply Ben. which Capra products would u recommend for fixing the gut? is it safe for me to take products that like Capra cleanse, solar synergy and Capra green that contain mineral whey?

      2. not a retard? says:

        You went to your naturopath?! You fucking retard!!

    2. Nantz says:

      DoTerra Essential Oils has a product called OnGuard that has been proven to kill the MRSA bacteria. Vanderbilt Hospital diffuses it throughout the hospital to help the staff stay healthy!

      1. Jeri king says:

        Is a nasal test the only way to be tested for mrsa or can u also detect thru blood tests?

        1. You can test with blood. Here's a very good resource for you: https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes…

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