Research has revealed a secret that Aboriginal communities may have known for millennia.

A team at the University of New England have discovered a link between traditional indigenous smoking rituals and the treatment of skin infections such as acne, staph infections, boils and athlete’s foot.

The study was based input from elders of the Kamilaroi Nation.

Associate Professor Graham Jones said they have simulated traditional smoking ceremonies in the lab using a plant called the ‘Emu Bush’ to identify components in the smoke.

He said heating the plant produces compounds that are highly active against bacteria and can be used to treat skin fungal problems.

“There is a key ingredient in the Emu Bush that is only activated when the leaves are heated. We have characterised the compound and found that it kills microorganisms very efficiently and we are now using it to develop antifungal creams and ointments.”

UNE PhD student Nicholas Sadgrove said it had the potential to be used in anti-fungal creams to treat acne, staph infections, boils and athlete’s foot

“The indigenous people used these smoking ceremonies after child birth and circumcision when the antibacterial effects were very useful,” he said.

“It also helped bring on breast milk and stop bleeding after childbirth.”

Professor Jones said none of the findings would have been possible without the intellectual contribution of the Kamilaroi Nation elders.

“We are building intellectual bridges between modern science and traditional medicine,” Dr Jones said.

“The knowledge the indigenous people have is impressive; they knew this a long time before we did. We have just demonstrated what they have been doing for years.”

Locals are now exploring business opportunities using the traditional medicinal plants.