University of East London microbiologist Dr. Ron Cutler has established that allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, can kill superbugs in a few weeks, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), even the newer strains which cannot be treated by the 'last line of defence' antibiotics vancomycin and glycopeptides.

The team have developed an allicin nasal cream, pills and soaps, which were tested on 200 volunteer patients and health workers for six months and found both effective and safe. Ron hopes the products will be used by people working in hospitals so they can prevent MRSA being passed on to patients, as well as the patients themselves.

Patient Deborah Brown is a staunch supporter. She contracted MRSA after a major spinal operation in November 2000. Painful wounds on her spine failed to heal for two years, despite using the antibiotics and creams then available. Within two months of using the University of East London team's allicin creams and pills, her MRSA had virtually cleared and the wounds had begun to heal.