which have been used to fight a wide range of diseases,
from disease-causing bacteria and viruses to fungi.
There is evidence that
some essential oils are effective at killing bacteria without developing resistance,
an excellent antibacterial and anti-microbial resource.
Found in clinical practice and consistent with the medical literature,
oregano, cinnamon, thyme, and tea tree essential oils,
are the most effective antimicrobial essential oils against bacterial infections.
01
Cinnamon Essential Oil
People don't just love the flavor of cinnamon, it's also a health supplement for humans, and it's often used in baked goods and gluten-free oatmeal, and more importantly for everyone to know: every time you consume it, you're actually fighting potentially harmful bacteria in your body.
The study, published in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, examined the effectiveness of cinnamon essential oil against "floating Enterococcus faecalis" in root canal therapy (also known as endodontics, a procedure in dentistry that treats pulp necrosis and root infections). "The effectiveness of cinnamon essential oil in root canal therapy was studied. The results showed that cinnamon essential oil eliminated the growth of the bacteria after 7 to 14 days of treatment, making it a viable natural alternative.
The study concluded that "cinnamon essential oil is a potent bacteriostatic agent against planktonic and biofilm fecal enterococci, and has promising applications in root canal therapy."
02
Thyme essential oil
Thyme essential oil is a good antimicrobial agent. The University of Tennessee's Department of Food Science and Technology conducted research to evaluate its effectiveness against Salmonella, a bacteria found in milk. As with cinnamon, thyme essential oil, which has the GRAS label (a U.S. FDA food-safety designation meaning "safe for human consumption"), was dropped on the bacteria.
The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology. The findings suggest that "nano-milk" could be an important option for protecting our bodies from bacteria by using thyme essential oil as an anti-microbial preservative.
03
Essential Oil of Oregano
Interestingly, bacterial resistance to standard antibiotics has become a big issue in the health industry. This has caused more attention to be put on plants as possible alternatives to fight bad bacteria.
Research has shown that oregano essential oil and silver nanoparticles, also known as colloidal silver, have potent antimicrobial activity against some resistant strains of bacteria. The results showed that treatment alone or in combination reduced the density of the bacteria, and that the antimicrobial activity was achieved by means of cell destruction. Taken together, these results suggest that oregano essential oil can be used as an alternative for infection control.
04
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is an excellent alternative for fighting bacteria. One study showed that tea tree essential oil mixed with eucalyptus essential oil was effective in preventing E. coli and staph infections, and it can help fight bronchitis caused by colds.
There is an immediate effect and a slow release within 24 hours of application. This means that there is an initial cellular reaction at the time of application, but the essential oils will continue to work in the body, making it a great antibacterial agent.