Serious
burns to forest fire fighters in the 1960s began a crusade
that eventually led to the formation of Rye Pharmaceuticals.
Concerned by the danger to fire fighters, Robert Everingham
- Rye Pharmaceutical's founder - began experimenting
with a gel-impregnated blanket which he believed could
give protection from the intense heat generated by bush
fires.
Using a woolen blanket as the carrier,
his water-based gel was tested by Australian fire stuntmen
and the CSIRO research laboratories. Protected by a layer
of gel, stuntmen doused themselves in fuel which was
then set alight. Despite the heat, the gel proved effective
in keeping them cool for a period of time, and quickly
became the number one choice for stuntmen involved in
fire scenes. It's popularity spread and now Burnaid stunt
gel has been used in such epic films as Mad Max and Braveheart
and James Bond movies. Such is the extent of the stunt
gel's cooling powers, stuntmen complain of becoming chilled
after live fire scenes!
Extensive testing further refined the
gel-impregnated blanket to add the therapeutic benefits
of pain relief and infection control for the fire victim,
as well as coolness - the fore-runner of the widely accepted
gel fire blanket.
In 1983, Rye Pharmaceuticals was formed
to broaden it's field of research and market the gel-impregnated
blankets. Further research showed that the anti-microbial
pain relieving and healing properties of the burn gel,
were also beneficial for treating other skin conditions.
Testing found that Tea Tree Oil the
active ingredient in Burnaid - was an ideal active ingredient
for a number of other first aid and skin preparations.
Tea Tree Oil became the basis for the development of
the Burnaid burn gel range, the Rapaid first aid range
and Tinasolve antifungal tinea cream - Rye Pharmaceutical's
premium 1st aid products. |
|
 Tea Tree oil, which is distilled from the leaves of
one of the Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), has a long
history of medical usage. Australian aborigines used
it's leaves for healing long before European settlers
arrived. The oil's anti-microbial benefits were documented
by Dr Penfold as far back as 1920 . During World War
II, Australian solders used Tea Tree oil as an anti-fungal,
anti-itch and insect bite treatment in the tropics.
Penicillin's discovery
and acceptance meant that many natural antiseptic
agents were discarded. However, extensive on-going problems
with antibiotic resistant microorganisms has now elevated
natural antiseptics into prominence, particularly Tea
Tree oil.
Tea Tree oil has broad-spectrum anti-microbial
properties. With correct formulation, Tea Tree oil
is an effective antiseptic that is gentle on skin but
doesn't inhibit healing. It's anaesthetic action gives
pain relief and combined with a water-based gel, makes
an ideal treatment solution for burns.
Research by Rye,
institutions and universities over the last few years
has proven Tea Tree oil to be effective in treating
a number of skin conditions. For example, it effectively
kills Methicillin resistant Staplococcus aureus (Golden
Staph).
As a pioneer in this field, Rye Pharmaceuticals has
taken the beneficial properties of Tea Tree oil to successfully
develop a range of innovative naturally-based 1st aid
and skin treatment products. A continuous program of
research ensures that Rye Pharmaceuticals is a leader
in the development of Tea Tree oil for the treatment
of a number of medical conditions. |
