Essential Oils For Bacterial & Viral Infections

This brief article lists a number of important natural health information resources relating to antibacterial and antiviral essential oils. Please follow the links for more information.

For a much more indepth look at essential oils for bacterial infection, please visit this article: Essential Oils For Antibiotic Resistant Bacterial Infections.

There are a good number of antibacterial and antiviral essential oils. Better still, some of the of antibacterial essential oils are also antiviral. This means that essential oils provide a safe and effective means of combating many bacterial and viral infections at a very minimal cost.

In addition, using essential oils for bacterial and viral infections usually means that there are no negative side effects to deal with afterwards.

Essential Oils Are Supported By Science

There is an increasing body of scientific evidence proving the efficacy of, and supporting the use of essential oils, for bacterial infection and viral infection.

There is even an increasing body of scientific papers identifying the essential oils which are helpful against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Plus, there is also a burgeoning amount of scientific evidence to suggest that essential oils are capable of successfully treating MRSA.

Perhaps best of all, even UK researchers are weighing in, in support of essential oils UK usage to combat virulent contagions in UK hospitals!

Essential oils usually used in aromatherapy have been found to kill the deadly MRSA bacteria according to research carried out at The University of Manchester… Tests revealed that three essential oils killed MRSA and E. coli as well as many other bacteria and fungi within just two minutes of contact. The oils can easily be blended and made into soaps and shampoos which could be used by hospital staff, doctors and patients in a bid to eradicate the spread of these deadly `super bugs’… Researchers are now desperately looking for funding to develop their work and carry out a clinical trial. Peter Warn from the University’s Faculty of Medicine who worked on the research said: ‘We believe that our discovery could revolutionise the fight to combat MRSA and other `super bugs’, but we need to carry out a trial and to do that we need a small amount of funding ‘around £30,000’.

Essential oils have been found to kill the deadly MRSA bacteria https://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/12/21/Essential-oils-have-been-found-to-kill-the-deadly-MRSA-bacteria.aspx

Science Supporting Essential Oil Use For Bacterial Infections

According to the National Institute of Health all of the essential oils that were studied in the following research paper, were beneficial against MRSA: Essential oils showing in vitro anti MRSA and synergistic activity with penicillin group of antibiotics

More studies which have concluded the extraordinary effectiveness of essential oils against bacterial and viral infections include:

Recently, 3 essential oils, from Eugenia caryophyllata (clove, synonym: Syzygium aromaticum), Origanum vulgare (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme), were found to be strongly active against Bcc strains, including environmental and clinical strains and antibiotic resistant isolates

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates… https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article.

Essential Oils: A Natural Weapon against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Responsible for Nosocomial Infections – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8070240/

Essential Oils, A New Horizon in Combating Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3950955/

Using essential oils to overcome bacterial biofilm formation and their antimicrobial resistance – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X21004010

The increase of resistant bacteria puts a huge pressure on the antimicrobials in current use. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results from antibiotic misuse and abuse over many years and is a global financial burden. New polices must be developed for the use of antimicrobials and to continue research efforts to mitigate AMR. It is essential to target the most harmful bacteria and concentrate on their mechanisms of resistance to develop successful antimicrobials. Essential oils (EOs) are occur naturally in plants and have long been used as antimicrobials, but most have not been researched. This review explores EOs as alternative antimicrobials, investigating their ability to decrease or inhibit biofilm formation, and assess their ability to contribute to AMR control. Low concentrations of EOs can inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Some EOs have demonstrated strong anti-biofilm activities. If EOs are successful against biofilm formation, particularly in bacteria developing AMR, they could be incorporated into new antimicrobials.

All the essential oils inhibited growth of S. aureus to different extent, by exhibiting moderate to elevated zones of inhibitions. Essential oils of cinnamon (Cortex cinnamomi) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L) were observed to be the most powerful against MRSA strains used in this study.

Essential oils showing in vitro anti MRSA and synergistic activity with penicillin group of antibiotics – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29105634

Essential oils showing in vitro anti MRSA and synergistic activity with penicillin group of antibiotics

EOs from two different suppliers were active against the fourteen Gram‐positive and ‐negative bacteria strains tested, including some antibiotic‐resistant strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.01% to 3% v/v with minimal bactericidal concentrations from <0.01% to 6.00% v/v; (2) a blend of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Syzygium aromaticum, Origanum vulgare EOs was antifungal to the six Candida strains tested, with MICs ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% v/v with minimal fungicidal concentrations from 0.02% to 0.05% v/v. Blend AB1 was also effective against H1N1 and HSV1 viruses. With this dual activity, against H1N1 and against S. aureus and S. pneumoniaenotably, AB1 may be interesting to treat influenza and postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia infections. These blends could be very useful in clinical practice to combat common infections including those caused by microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5552930/

The effect of essential oils on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using a dressing model – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15555788/

Science Supporting Essential Oil Use For Viral Infections

Essential oils have been screened against several pathogenic viruses, including influenza and other respiratory viral infections. The essential oils of cinnamon, bergamot, lemongrass, thyme, lavender have been reported to exert potent antiviral effects against influenza type A virus. The essential oil of Citrus reshni leaves has been shown to be effective against H5N1 virus. The essential oil of Lippia species at a concentration of 11.1 μg/mL has been shown to induce 100% inhibition of yellow fever virus in Vero cells. Essential oils and oleoresins have been shown through in vitro and in vivo experiments to induce antiviral effects against Coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus. A study reported 221 phytochemical compounds and essential oils to be effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) using a cell-based assay measuring SARS-CoV-induced cytopathogenic effect on Vero E6 cells. The main mechanism of antiviral effects of essential oils has been found to cause capsid disintegration and viral expansion which prevents the virus to infect host cells by adsorption via the capsid. Essential oils also inhibit hemagglutinin (an important membrane protein of various viruses) of certain viruses; this membrane protein allows the virus to enter the host cell. Many essential oils and their components could inhibit the late stages of viral life cycle by targeting the redox signalling pathway. Essential oils of Thymus vulgaris, cymbopogon citratus and Rosmarinus officinalis have been found to destabilize the Tat/TAR-RNA complex of HIV-1 virus, this complex being essential for HIV-1 replication. Being lipophilic in nature, essential oils can penetrate viral membranes easily leading to membrane disintegration. The current comprehensive review will facilitate researchers to find chemical entities from plant sources as possible inhibitory agents against various viruses.

An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents with special focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza and coronaviruses – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0882401020309864

Eucalyptus oil is reported to have in vitro antiviral activities against various strains of viruses including enveloped mumps viruses (MV) and herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2)… A study screened the potencies of 171 essential oil components against different SARC-CoV-2 proteins, [and found that] among the 171 screened compounds, (E,E)-α-farnesene, (E,E)-farnesol, and (E)-nerolidol showed better binding with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, indicating that these essential oil components when given alone and in a mixture can inhibit viral replication.

COVID-19 and therapy with essential oils having antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7427755/

Farnesene is a group of chemical compounds found in quite a few different plants, and food stuffs, including the skin of apples. It acts as a terpene and, more specifically, is a sesquiterpene, responsible for the fruity, warm, and sweet notes of the essential oils which contain it.

Farnesene has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as possessing calming and sedative effects. One of the most notable essential oils containing farnesene is Sweet Orange Essential Oil, which is used commercially within many antimicrobial cleaning fluids, and is recognised scientifically for being uplifting and anxiolytic, (anti-anxiety). Other essential oils containing include: Sandalwood + Ginger + Chamomile + Grapefruit + Turmeric + Cedarwood + Patchouli

Farnesol is a naturally occurring sequiterpene, which is found in many essential oils, including: citronella + lemongrass + neroli + rose, (which also contains Farnesene) + chamomile, etc… Farnesol is a component of vitamin K. It can also be found in fruits, including: peaches + plums + blueberries + raspberries + apricots, etc… Farnesol can support healthy immune system function. It is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Learn more about Farnesol in the Dietary Supplements Database.

Finding Essential Oil Scientific Research

Many of the the quoted scientific papers were simply found in Google by typing the following search term:

“essential oils which are helpful against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria”

It is equally possible for you to locate all manner of scientific papers supporting the use of essential oils by simply turning to Google… All you have to do is ensure you use an equally descriptive and relevant search phrase, and hit return!

Additional Essential Oil Information

Learn the best herbal and supplemental vitamins to take to boost your immunity, and find out which essential oils are antiviral, and other essential oils that are antibacterial.

Also, learn the best techniques for staying calm and avoiding winter illness by visiting the general health section of the Natural Health News page for more insights.

Antibacterial & Antiviral Essential Oils

The following articles are another way to discover some of the most potent antibacterial and antiviral essential oils.

Essential Oils For Bacterial Infections

Essential Oils For Viral Infections

Essential Oils For Boosting Immunity

Also, please use the search box to discover even more information. Simply use the search box like you would Google. Type in a keyword of interest, and click return.

Please also visit Natural Immunity to find more ways of supporting your health naturally.