Essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in children.
Molluscum contagiosum is a common viral illness of childhood and is increasingly found as a sexually transmitted disease in sexually active young adults. Current treatment options are invasive, requiring tissue destruction and attendant discomfort. Thirty-one children (mean age 4.6 +/- 2.1 years) with the diagnosis of molluscum contagiosum (mean length of time with condition 8.6 +/- 5.3 months) were treated with once daily topical application of a 10% solution (v/v) of essential oil of Australian lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) or vehicle (olive oil). At the end of 21 days, there was greater than 90% reduction in the number of lesions in 9/16 children treated with lemon myrtle oil, while 0/16 children met the same criteria for improvement in the vehicle group (P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.
Burke
Briant E
BE
Cardiovascular Section, Center for Biomedical Research, Inc., 2572 Waterbury lane, Boise, ID 83706-4980, USA. drq10@iglide.net
Baillie
Jon-Eric
JE
Olson
Richard D
RD
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027822:Myrtaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry
D009822:Oils, Volatile