Chlorophyll - Bactericide, Vulnerary, Deodorant
An Antibacterial, Wound-Healing Odor-Suppressor
Jul 23, 2009
Chlorophyll is the most ubiquitous pigment in plants. During the growing season, plants (including vegetables) produce chlorophyll, which enables them to convert water and carbon dioxide (CO2) - in the presence of sunlight - into carbohydrates they use for food.
In 1817 Pelletier and Caventous gave the name chlorophyll (chloro-green; and phyllon - leaf) to this green tint in plants. The Am J Nursing 1955 "The Chlorophyll Story"
Physical Characteristics of Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is:
- green in colour
- fat-soluble; or not soluble in water. By comparison, chlorophyllin ( a derivative) is water-soluble.
- unstable, unlike chlorophyllin and is therefore much more expensive. Over-the-counter supplements and medications actually contain chlorophyllin.
- destroyed by water shortage, heat stress (hot dry weather), and cool temperatures.
- present in four types: chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll c-1, and chlorophyll c-2. Chlorophyll a is the most dominant type.
Health Benefits of Chlorophyll to Humans
There are numerous published reports citing successful treatment of chronically infected wounds with water-soluble chlorophyll (chlorophyllin) medications. In many cases, healing occurred when conventional treatment failed. In 1947, Bowers treated many surgical patients with chlorophyllin and noticed that infected wounds became pus and odor-free within 2-3 days. Am J Surgery 1947, Bowers WF "Chlorophyll in Wound Healing and Supporative Diseases".
Antibacterial, Wound Healing Agent and Deodorant
In 1952, Combes and colleagues noted similar results in the treatment of infected ulcers, contact dermatitis, and pemphigus - an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the appearance of large blebs (liquid-filled cells with pus and sometimes blood). In 1949, Carpenter noted early disappearance of infection and speedy healing in numerous cases of chronically pus-infected ulcers with chlorophyll therapy. In 1944, Smith noted that cholorophyll inhibited the growth of some gram-positive bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum (food poisoning), Staphyloccocus aureus (wound infection), Streptococci (sore throat), Mycobacterium (slow-chronic infections) etc.
In the late 1950s, chlorophyllin was added to papain (an enzyme) and urea-containing ointments used to remove necrotic/infected tissue or foreign matter from a wound. The ointment reduced inflammation, promoted healing, and controlled foul odor. In the 1940s and 1950s, clinicians administered oral chlorophyllin to colostomy and ileostomy patients to control fecal odor. A colostomy is the surgical construction of an artificial anus by connecting the colon to an opening in the abdominal wall. An ileostomy is the surgical creation of a connection between the ileum (small intestine) and an opening in the abdominal wall/stoma that allows for the evacuation of feces when a portion of the bowel has been removed.
Chlorophyllin was also found effective in reducing urinary and fecal odor in incontinent patients, and people with trimethylaminuria. Incontinence pertains to the inability of a person to control the evacuation of urine or feces. Trimethylaminuria is a hereditary disorder characterized by the excretion of trimethyamine, a compound with a "fishy" odour. It is found that daily oral administration of chlorophyllin (60 mg three times/day) significantly reduced urinary trimethyamine excretion.
Significant Food Sources of Chlorophyll
Leafy green vegetables, "green" colored fruits such as kiwifruit, honeydew, starfruit, green guavas, etc, and green nuts like pistachio are excellent sources of chlorophyll.
References
Mowbray S "The Antibacterial Property of Cholorophyll" Br Med J Febuary 1957;1:268-270
Smith RG "Enzymatic debriding agents: an evaluation of the medical literature" Ostomy Wound Management 2008;(54(8):16-34
Weingarten M & Payson B "Deodorization of colostomies with chlorophyll" Rev Gastroenterol 1951;18(8):602-604
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