Transcript External Application Of Essential Oils In Animals

External Application of
Essential Oils in Animals
Jürgen Reichling
Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology,
Department of Biology, University of Heidelberg
Mentha x piperita
Rosmarinus officinalis
Thymus vulgaris
Beautifulboy
Matricaria recutita
Outline
• Phytotherapeutical use of essential oils in
animals
• Antifungal effect of tea tree oil (TTO) on
Malassezia pachydermatis isolated from
canines suffering from cutaneous disease
• Topical use of a 10% TTO-containing cream
against canine localized pruritic dermatitis
• Species specific differences and toxicological aspects
• Conclusion
Phytotherapeutical use of essential oils
in animals
1.
2.
3.
4.
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8.
Wounds and other problems of the skin
Respiratory ailments
Nervous system disorders
Ailments affecting the loco motor
apparatus like rheumatism and arthritis
Repellents and antiparasitics
Antimicrobials and antibiotics
Digestion system and diarrhea
Control of pet odor
Phytotherapeutical use of selected
essential oils in animals
PLANT
ESSENTIAL OIL
USE
Calendula
officinalis
Pot marigolds
Otitis, gastritis, cuts, wounds,
inflamed skin, dermatitis
Matricaria recutita
German chamomile oil
Wounds, burns, itching,
dermatitis, inflamed skin
Melaleuca
alternifolia
Tea trea oil
Flea treatment, insect
repellant, dermatitis
Mentha pulegium
Pennyroyal oil
Bacterial infections, flea
treatment
Artemisia
absinthium
Absinthe oil
Wormer
Eucalyptus
globulus
Eucalyptus oil
Wounds, inflammations, cuts,
insect repellent, flea treatment
Phytotherapeutical use of selected
essential oils in animals
PLANT
ESSENTIAL OIL
USE
Pelargonium roseum
Geranium oil
Insect repellent, itching
Helichrysum italicum
Helichrysum oil
Paw cuts, dermatitis,
irritated skin, wounds
Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender oil
Paw cuts, dermatitis,
itching, insect repellent
Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongras oil
Insect repellent, fungal
infection
Thymus vulgaris
Thyme oil
Eczema, bacterial
infections
Commiphora myrrha
Myrrh oil
Wounds, ear and teeth
care, repellent for fleas
and ticks
Treatment of fleas
• For treatment of flea infested animals an
USA patent propagates a mixture of
pennyroyal oil, eucalyptus oil, cedar oil,
citronella oil and rue oil inserted into
apricot kernel oil, olive oil or almond oil in
concentrations up to 7%.
• In the market you will find different
essential oil-containing preparations, such
as herbal flea shampoos, herbal flea
collars or herbal flea drops for dogs
Acaricidal effect of Tea Trea Oil (TTO)
• In an in vitro experiment the acaricidal
effect of TTO on nymphs of Ixodes ricinus
was examined. It was found that 8 to 10µl
of TTO was lethal for more than 80% of
the ticks when TTO was inhaled.
• The acaricidal effect correlated very well
with the duration of exposure of ticks to
TTO.
Parasitic mite infection control in
honeybee colonies
Selected essential oils
Mites: Varroa destructor (V)
and Acarapis woodi (T)
Lemon oil
V and T
Lemongras oil
V and T
Thyme oil
V and T
Eucalyptus oil
V
Oregano oil
V
Rosemary oil
V
Malassezia pachydermatis
Dog paw of a Labrador Retriever
infected by Malassezia pachdermatis
Antifungal effect of Tea Trea Oil (TTO) on
Malassezia pachydermatis isolated from
canines suffering from cutaneous disease
Clinical isolates
MFC of TTO
[µg/ml]
MFC of Terb.-HCL
[µg/ml]
B 7097
1120.0
0.8 – 1.6
B 7104
560.0
0.8
B 7124
1120.0
0.4 – 0.8
B 7139
1120.0
0.4
B 7148
1120.0
0.8
Antibacterial activity of Tea Tree Oil (TTO)
against different Staphylococcus species
Staphylococcus species
MIC [µg/ml]
Staphylococcus aureus
2500
Staphylococcus capitis
1200 – 2500
Staphylococcus epidermidis
2500 – 5000
Staphylococcus haemolyticus
2500 – 5000
Staphylococcus hominis
1200
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
2500 -5000
Staphylococcus xylosus
2500
Topical use of a 10% TTO-containing cream
against canine localised pruritic dermatitis
very good
Control cream
good
moderate
Tea tree oil cream
insufficient
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Overall efficacy in % of dogs
80%
90% 100%
Topical use of a 10% TTO-containing cream
against canine localised pruritic dermatitis
Pruritus
resolved
Control cream
improved
unchanged
Tea tree oil cream
worse
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Alopecia
resolved
Control cream
improved
unchanged
Tea tree oil cream
worse
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Erythema
resolved
Control cream
improved
unchanged
Tea tree oil cream
worse
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
% of dogs with symptom
80%
90% 100%
Species specific differences and
toxicological aspects
• 1. Dogs can utilize carotinoids from plants to
synthesize retinol, but cats require preformed
Vitamin A from animal tissue.
• 2. Dogs can use either fish or plant sources of
omega-3-fatty acids, whereas cats require fish
because they lack in delta-6-desaturase. Cats
can synthesize neither eicosapentaenoic acid
from α-linolenic acid nor arachidonic acid from
linoleic acid.
Species specific differences and
toxicological aspects
• 3. Cats are highly sensitive to essential
oils because they are lacking in glucuronyl
transferase activity.
• 4. In most cases of reported adverse side
effects, the essential oils were used to
treat dermatological conditions at inappropriate high doses.
Species specific differences and
toxicological aspects
• 5. The most common clinical signs after
dermal exposure of inappropriate high
concentrations of essential oils include
ataxia, muscle weakness, depression, and
behavioral abnormalities.
• 6. Some essential oils are phototoxic (e.g.
bergamot oil) and can burn skin badly if
exposed to sunlight.
Conclusion
1. Evidence-based veterinary phytotherapy
is still in its infancy.
2. At present, the use of essential oils in
animals is exclusively based on anecdotal reports and experiences of aroma
therapists and pet owners.
3. So called aroma therapists are mostly
laymen and subsequently lacking in a
medicinal background.
Conclusion
4. Our first clinical trial with TTO in dogs
have shown that an evidence-based use
of essential oil in animals is possible.
5. When using essential oils in animals
species specific differences have to be
taken into account.
6. Essential oils are powerful biological
agents which should be used in appropriate doses, indicated ailments, during a
limited time period and with care.
Thank you for your attention