Scientists have discovered a strain of bacteria in Irish soil that can effectively fight superbugs resistant to antibiotics. The World Health Organisation describes the problem of antibiotic resistant superbugs as “one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today”. The strain, named Streptomyces sp myrophorea, was discovered by a team based in Swansea University in the UK.
The soil they analysed originated from an area of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, which is known as the Boho Highlands. It is an area of alkaline grassland and the soil is reputed to have healing properties.
Dr Gerry Quinn, a resident of Boho, County Fermanagh, had been aware of the healing traditions of the area for many years. Traditionally a small amount of soil was wrapped up in cotton cloth and used to heal many ailments including toothache, throat and neck infections. This area was previously occupied by the Druids, around 1500 years ago, and Neolithic people 4,000 years ago.
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