8 Powerful Essential Oils That Kill Germs

Essential oils have a myriad of different health benefits, which are not only applicable in aromatherapy, massage, and other spa treatments.

Experts have been researching their properties and have found that they might be extremely useful in the treatment of various diseases. Moreover, these oils have potent unique antibacterial properties that can be used in various treatments.

People have used essential oils for centuries, as they were aware of their potential to destroy bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as to treat infections, skin conditions and more.

Plus, essential oils kill bacteria without causing any side- effects, unlike antibiotics.

The report by the World Health Organization AKA WHO showed that years of excessive and often careless antibiotic abuse, as well as the use of antibiotics in animals raised for meat and milk, have caused one of the most serious health problems around the globe.

These are the 8 best antibacterial essential oils you can use:

Cinnamon Essential Oil

Researchers claim that cinnamon essential oil is one of the strongest antibacterial essential oils.

One 2006 study, conducted at the Loyola College’s Entomology Research Institute in Chennai, India, analyzed this oil against some bacteria, including:

• Escherichia coli
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosin
• Bacillus subtilis
• Klebsiella pneumonia

This oil was found to be the most successful, even when compared to orange, lemon, clove, Rosemary, Geranium, and lime essential oil.

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice conducted a research on the effects of this oil against “planktonic E. faecal” in a root canal procedure and showed that it eliminated bacterial growth after 7 and 14 days of the procedure, meaning that it is highly effective against planktonic and biofilm E. faecalis in root canal treatments.

To destroy mouth bacteria, you can prepare a homemade toothpaste with this oil.

You can also diffuse it in the air to purify it and destroy airborne bacteria. When combined with other antibacterial agents like clove, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil, it destroys 99% of airborne bacteria in just minutes.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil has powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties. You can apply it directly to the skin, and it treats acne, warts, psoriasis, and eczema.

It is also called melaleuca oil, as it comes from the leaves of the tea tree, or Melaleuca plant, native to Australia. The Aboriginals have used it for hundreds of years as a natural antiseptic by crushing the leaves of the tea tree and applying them to burns, cuts, and infections.

It became famous in the 1920s when chemist Arthur Penfold published a series of papers on its antiseptic properties. From then onwards, numerous studies have confirmed its healing properties.

A 2004 scientific review analyzed its ability to destroy bacteria and found that it may be used as an adjunctive treatment for wounds, and can treat severe infections such as the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Another 2013 study replicated the effects of this oil on humans who had wounds infected with the superbug Staphylococcus aureus and found that tea tree oil greatly accelerated the healing time compared to those who were treated conventionally.

In the case of head and chest congestion,  a stuffed up nose, or other cold and flu symptoms, you can use it in a diffuser or a nebulizer to alleviate them.

To destroy bacteria, you can try steam inhalation, by adding a few drops to a pot of steaming hot water, cover your head with a towel and then breathe in the vapors for about 5 minutes. Also, to treat toenail fungus and athlete’s foot, apply it directly to the affected areas.

Bergamot Essential Oil

The pleasant scent of the bergamot essential oil is extremely beneficial. This oil has potent antibacterial properties and effectively eliminates intestinal worms. It has the ability to soothe muscle tension, treat headaches, and heal scars.

Moreover, bergamot essential oil fights infections such as endocarditis, meningitis, and potentially urinary tract infections, treats mouth ulcers, sore throat, herpes, and acne.

You should rub it diluted in some carrier oil onto the throat and abdominal area to treat a urinary tract infection. You can also add several drops to your diffuser as well.

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit essential oil is a powerful natural antibiotic which fights numerous common infections. A study conducted at the University of Texas showed that its antibacterial properties were comparable to “proven topical antibacterials.”

The International Journal of Food Science & Technology published a 2011 study which showed that the oil was effective against strains of bacteria like Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermis, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Proteus Vulgaris.

This oil also contains antimicrobial properties which treat and prevent an infection in wounds and cuts and fight microbes in the kidneys and gut.

It also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile and the function of the endocrine gland. To stimulate the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins and soothe depression, headaches, and mental fatigue, you should inhale it.

Oregano Essential Oil

Many people add oregano to various dishes, but a few are aware of the fact that also offers excellent therapeutic antibiotic effects.

Initially, the ancient Greeks recognized its antibacterial and disinfecting properties and used it to treat wounds and bacterial infections on the skin.

This essential oil has potent bacteria-killing, antiseptic, antiviral, antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving abilities and controls staph infections.

A 2001 Georgetown University study, published in Science Daily, showed that its germ-killing properties are almost as effective as most antibiotics, especially in the case of foot and nail fungus.

All you need to do is to pour a few drops of oregano essential oil in a small tub of water and soak the feet in the solution, or dilute a drop in a carrier oil and apply it on the affected areas.

It is also beneficial in the case of sinus infections. You should pour a few drops of oregano essential oil into steaming water and inhale the steam. This will kill bacteria, and also reduce their ability to produce dangerous toxins.

Clove Essential Oil

Clove essential oil is known to soothe a toothache and has been used thus for centuries. Its use has been first documented in 1640, but it has been used for more than 2,000 years as part of homeopathic treatments. It is high in eugenol, so it is effective in various modern medical treatments.

Research of the effects of 21 essential oils against bacteria like E. coli showed that it is second only to cinnamon, as the very best inhibitors. To treat a toothache, you should pour one drop of clove essential oil onto a cotton ball and press it onto the affected area for up to 15 minutes.

To treat skin conditions like warts and acne, you should apply it topically, and you should inhale it in order to soothe respiratory problems such as asthma, common colds, and a cough.

Lemongrass Essential Oil

Studies have found that this oil is one of the most powerful antibacterial essential oils. It is often included in antibacterial cleansers due to its properties.

Due to its citral and limonene content, it fights bacteria growth both externally and internally and effectively treats body odor, bacterial infections, skin conditions, and even food poisoning.

You can mix it with some carrier oil and use it as a natural cleanser and skin toner, as it has strong antiseptic and astringent properties.

You can also rub it into the scalp to relieve the pain of a headache, or on the body to soothe muscle pain. Rub it onto the feet to fight fungal growth or treat athlete’s foot. Plus, it relieves cramps, treats muscle spasms and backache, and boosts blood circulation.

Thyme Essential Oil

This essential oil has potent calming, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and antiseptic qualities. Researchers at the University of Tennessee’s Department of Food Science and Technology estimated its effects against bacteria in milk and salmonella.

The findings were published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology and showed that “nanoemulsions” might be an ideal treatment for protecting the body from harmful bacteria by using it as an antimicrobial preservative for food.

Thyme oil can help you detoxify the body, treat illnesses, common colds, flu, drain congestion and cure an infection, and prevent upper respiratory conditions. Thyme is also effective in relieving gout, fatigue, arthritis, wounds, menstrual, pre-menopausal and menopausal symptoms.

Research conducted at the Babol University of Medical Sciences in Iran confirmed the ability of thyme to soothe the pain of menstrual cramps better than ibuprofen.  You can either add a few drops into the diffuser or pour it into steaming hot water and inhale.

Choosing High-Quality Essential Oils

Not all essential oils are the same, as they differ due to their quality and potency. To gain the best benefits of your essential oil, always choose a high-quality, organic, 100% pure oils, sourced from environmentally conscious growers.