Essential Oil With Antibacterial Properties

Are you looking for an essential oil with strong antibacterial properties? Look no further. Essential oils, a gift of nature, offer many benefits, from soothing to healing and pleasant fragrances. But their benefits go beyond their aromatic appeal.

In this article, we’ll dive into the world of essential oils known for their antibacterial properties. We’ll show you how to use them effectively to create a bacteria-free environment. Whether prone to infections or wanting to maintain a hygienic home without much effort, these essential oils can be a valuable addition to your daily routine.

11 antibacterial essential oils

• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Bergamot Essential Oil
• Tea Tree Oil Essential Oil
• Lemongrass Oil
• Orange Essential oil
• Clove Oil
• Arborvitae Essential oil
• Ginseng Essential Oil
• Rose Essential Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil
• Geranium Essential Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is believed to have a therapeutic impact on the central nervous system. This oil is often used to alleviate the discomfort of skin conditions such as poison ivy, rashes, shingles, sunburns, and insect bites, including symptoms like itching, burning sensations, and soreness. It is also reported to be effective in treating headaches and insomnia and reducing inflammation related to arthritis and general tissue pain.¹Jeyakumar, E., Lawrence, R., & Pal, T. (2011). Comparative evaluation in the efficacy of peppermint (mentha piperita) oil with standards antibiotics against selected bacterial pathogens. Asian pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Based on clinical evidence, the aroma of bergamot essential oil is believed to have a stimulating effect internally. This oil is often used to boost appetite and the immune system, particularly in anaemia. Additionally, it is reported to enhance mental alertness and concentration.

Tea Tree Oil Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil bolsters the immune system and combat viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This oil is often used to manage skin conditions such as acne, cuts, wounds, and infections. Additionally, it is suggested to have a role in reducing cholesterol levels.

Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil is a powerful antibacterial agent and natural insect repellent. The essential oil treats acne, eczema, rosacea, herpes sores, and ringworm. It is also used in cosmetics and perfumes to give a fresh fragrance. ²Mukarram, M.; Choudhary, S.; Khan, M.A.; Poltronieri, P.; Khan, M.M.A.; Ali, J.; Kurjak, D.; Shahid, M. Lemongrass Essential Oil Components with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11010020

Orange Essential Oil

Orange essential oil is often utilised for its purported anti-inflammatory effects on tissues and joints. This oil is also believed to alleviate headaches, congestion associated with colds, and symptoms of depression. Furthermore, orange essential oil is suggested to possess antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is also commonly used to manage flu, coughs, bronchitis, and whooping cough.³Rantzsch, U., Vacca, G., Dück, R. et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of myrtol standardized and other essential oils on alveolar macrophages from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eur J Med Res 14 (Suppl 4), 205 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-783X-14-S4-205

Clove Oil

Clove essential oil is reputed to combat infection by eliminating microorganisms that cause infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, and Salmonella. This oil is also believed to be beneficial in managing respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, hiccups, and whooping cough. Furthermore, clove essential oil is suggested to have the ability to dissolve gallstones and alleviate indigestion. ⁴Perdones, Á., Sánchez-González, L., Chiralt, A., & Vargas, M. (2008). Antimicrobial, Physical and Mechanical Properties of Chitosan-Based Films Incorporated with Thyme, Clove and Cinnamon Essential Oils. Journal of Food Process Engineering, 31(6), 817-826. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4549.2008.00307.x

Arborvitae Essential Oil

Arborvitae essential oil has analgesic properties, which make it effective in treating inflammation. The oil kills fungus and bacteria responsible for causing ringworm. It also kills certain types of bacteria found in cheese and alcohol. You may use the oil to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot, nail fungus, vaginal yeast infections, and diaper rash. ⁵Zhixue Wang, Fanghua Qi, Yangang Cui, Lin Zhao, Xiaogang Sun, Wei Tang, Pingping Cai, An update on Chinese herbal medicines as adjuvant treatment of anticancer therapeutics, BioScience Trends, 2018, Volume 12, Issue 3, Pages 220-239, Released on J-STAGE July 17, 2018, Online ISSN 1881-7823, Print ISSN 1881-7815, https://doi.org/10.5582/bst.2018.01144, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bst/12/3/12_2018.01144/_article/-char/en

Ginseng Essential Oil

Ginseng essential oil is reputed to combat fatigue and boost energy levels by stimulating the body’s production of serotonin. This oil is also suggested to act as an effective aphrodisiac. Furthermore, ginseng essential oil is believed to bolster the immune system and improve blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. ⁶Kumar, G. P., & Khanum, F. (2012). Neuroprotective potential of phytochemicals. Pharmacognosy reviews, 6(12), 81.

Rose Essential Oil

Rose essential oil is said to have antiseptic properties that are believed to eliminate bacteria, viruses and fungi. This oil is also effective for conditions such as jaundice, cramps and flatulence. In addition, rose essential oil is often used to relieve itching from insect bites or poison ivy rashes and to soothe the irritation of dry skin by reducing inflammation. The oil is also said to help treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. ⁷Mileva M, Ilieva Y, Jovtchev G, Gateva S, Zaharieva MM, Georgieva A, Dimitrova L, Dobreva A, Angelova T, Vilhelmova-Ilieva N, Valcheva V, Najdenski H. Rose Flowers—A Delicate Perfume or a Natural Healer? Biomolecules. 2021; 11(1):127. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11010127

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that help treat headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. In addition, lavender is also said to be effective for mild skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea. ⁸SILVA, G. L. D., LUFT, C., LUNARDELLI, A., AMARAL, R. H., MELO, D. A. D. S., DONADIO, M. V. F., NUNES, F. B., AZAMBUJA, M. S. D., SANTANA, J. C., MORAES, C. M. B., MELLO, R. O., CASSEL, E., PEREIRA, M. A. D. A., & OLIVEIRA, J. R. D.. (2015). Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil. Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciências, 87(2), 1397–1408. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201520150056

Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium essential oil is said to have strong anti-inflammatory properties that relieve pain, swelling and rashes caused by insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. In addition, this oil is also said to be effective for conditions such as bronchitis, cold sores, and arthritis. Geranium essential oil is also said to relieve skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. ⁹ Xuesheng Han, Cody Beaumont, Nicole Stevens, Chemical composition analysis and in vitro biological activities of ten essential oils in human skin cells, Biochimie Open, Volume 5, 2017, Pages 1-7, ISSN 2214-0085, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopen.2017.04.001.

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Further Information

Essential oils are natural extracts from plants that still smell like their source does. They are concentrated and this makes them great for dilution in different scenarios. The concentration level means that you need to use a few drops when diluting them. This translates to using one small portion at a time and hence easier on the pocket. You will find that they are much cheaper to use than many methods used to disinfect or keep a space clean. If you have ever wondered where the very smell of a flower comes from, your answer is in its essential oil. 

These natural extracts have been used for many years and their purpose is vast and far-reaching. Several people have used essential oils to add a strong fragrance when making perfumes, candles, and soaps, and recently, using them in diffusers. They are also often used for aromatherapy, which is an alternative healing method that is said to use aromatic compounds. It has also been known to help you relax; hence, you will find some spas and places offering essential oil treatments. 

Essential oils are not just a “pretty face”. You will find that they are also effective against fighting bacteria. They are fast becoming the preferred option. The resistance that has now been built up against more traditional medicines has caused researchers to look for alternatives, biocides that have more activity. Essential oils are effective in this regard. They have been used as medicines for centuries. 

Even though there is no science to prove the healing properties that essential oils have, science is quickly catching up and taking a deeper look into what plant extracts have to offer. A quick look at essential oils’ role in nature can help you understand what benefits you can expect them to have in the human body and how effective they can be against bacteria. 

Essential oils can help you fight bacterial strains. They do this using a variety of metabolites. These can slow down the growth of bacteria. They have also been known to change cells completely, and because of this they science continues to look into how they can be used.  We look at how we can use essential oils to help curb bacteria growth and spread, which can be harmful and sometimes even fatal.

How to Use Them

Essential oils have various uses. They have been used for many years, but knowing how to use them and where and what precautions to take is vital. Essential oils should not come into direct contact with human skin. You have to be careful when you are handling them. Also, keep them away from children; the sweet smell may entice a child who will want to play with the oils. When you do not adhere to how they should be used, it could cause skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions. 

One of the more common ways to use essential oils is to inhale them. When you do this, ensure you don’t let the bottle of undiluted oil touch your skin in case of irritation. 

You may use the oils we have reviewed here as a blend, where you add 4 drops of essential oil to 10 ml of the carrier oil. A blend like this can be used to massage the chest when you have a cold or when you feel it coming on. Topically applying the blend of essential oils is a great way to do this. You can also use essential oils to disinfect surfaces. 25 drops of essential oil into 250ml of distilled water make the perfect detergent for all surfaces. 

Another way to use essential oils to help get rid of bacteria is to purify the air in a room diffuser. Once again, a few drops will do the trick. About 8 to 10 drops, to be precise. If you want to use the oils directly, use a nebulizer. Always remember, before you use essential oils, to ensure that you are not allergic to them or that you are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Essential oils with antibacterial properties provide a natural and effective solution for a bacteria-free environment. Peppermint, bergamot, tea tree, lemongrass, orange, clove, arborvitae, ginseng, rose, lavender and geranium offer unique therapeutic benefits.

These oils can alleviate skin conditions, boost the immune system, and soothe respiratory ailments. Whether you are prone to infections or desire a hygienic home, incorporating these oils into your routine is of great value.

Essential oils are inexpensive compared to traditional disinfection methods. They have been used for a long time, and scientific research proves their effectiveness against bacteria.

To use essential oils safely and effectively, follow the appropriate guidelines. Inhalation, topical application and surface disinfection are popular methods. Dilute the oils, avoid direct skin contact, and keep them out of the reach of children.

Essential oils offer an effective and natural alternative to fight bacteria. Ongoing scientific research shows their potential to promote a healthy and clean environment.

Harness the power of antibacterial essential oils and take advantage of their incredible benefits today.