Traditional healers have used herbal medicine since ancient times to treat infections, and the scientific community has been extensively studying the mechanisms behind these potent natural remedies. One study, which appeared in the Journal of Essential Oil Research, highlighted the antibacterial activity of Indian wormwood (Artemisia nilagirica) essential oil against nine pathogenic strains, including S. aureus.
Researchers from India analyzed the composition of A. nilagirica essential oil using gas chromatography. Their results showed a total of 41 constituents that accounted for 95.9 percent of the essential oil's total composition:
- Monoterpenoids (76.6 percent) represented by artemisia ketone (62.6 percent)
- Artemisia alcohol (3.7 percent)
- Perillene (3.1 percent)
- Bornyl acetate (1.4 percent)
- Sesquiterpenoids (16.1 percent) represented by beta-caryophyllene (3.5 percent)
- Alpha-muurolol (3.5 percent)
- Delta-cadinene (2.1 percent)
- Germacrene D (1.8 percent)
The researchers then tested A. nilagirica essential oil against the following pathogenic strains:
- Bacillus subtilis
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Salmonella typhimurium
- Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96)
- S. aureus (MTCC 2940)
- S. epidermidis
- Streptococcus mutans
Based on zone of inhibition and MIC/MBC results, the researchers confirmed that A. nilagirica essential oil possesses good antibacterial activity against B. subtilis and both strains of S. aureus. The essential oil also has moderate antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. epidermidis, S. typhimurium, and S. mutans.
These findings suggest that A. nilagirica essential oil is an effective antibacterial agent for common human pathogenic bacteria.
Best essential oils for bacterial infections
Essential oils are potent substances extracted from the bark, flowers, fruit, leaves, resin, roots, and stems of medicinal plants. These concentrated liquids are used in many applications besides medicine, including cooking, cleaning, and cosmetics.
Essential oils are a great alternative to pharmaceuticals – not only are they effective, but they cause little to no side effects. Here are two of the best essential oils for treating skin problems caused by bacteria like golden staph. (Related: Myrrh essential oil is a natural remedy for skin fungal infections.)
- Oregano oil – The oil from oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the top choices of people who wish to treat bacterial infections. Oregano oil is an antiseptic, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, and analgesic essential oil, which makes it a valuable part of any family's medicine cabinet. Note that pure oregano oil is potent and can burn and irritate the skin if applied undiluted.
- Tea tree oil – The oil from Melaleuca alternifolia is a common ingredient of antibacterial soaps for a good reason. It's milder than oregano oil but just as powerful in fighting bacteria, which makes it a great choice for children, pregnant women, and people with sensitive skin. Tea tree oil is commonly used topically, but it can also be added to nasal rinses.
Other sources of essential oils with notable antibacterial properties include cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, and thyme. Follow the recipe below for a simple yet effective infection-fighting roller blend. (h/t to TheMiracleOfEssentialOils.com)
What you need
- 10 drops of tea tree oil
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 7 drops of geranium oil
- 7 drops of patchouli oil
- 5 drops of thyme oil
- 5 drops of cinnamon oil
- 5 drops of lemongrass oil
- Fractionated coconut oil
- 10 milliliter (mL) roller bottle
Method
- Remove the roller ball from the roller bottle and add the essential oils drop by drop.
- Top with fractionated coconut oil and screw on the bottle’s cap.
- Shake gently to mix up the oils.
- Roll onto infected areas and bottoms of feet at least twice a day.
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