| The anti-bacterial action of essential oils may be their | | | | unbroken skin such as burns, apply Lavender 'neat' to |
| most studied effect, in-part because these are simple | | | | the wound several times a day; insect bites also get a |
| experiments to perform. Place a piece of filter paper | | | | 'neat' treatment. For cuts and scrapes, keep a 50/50 |
| saturated with an essential oil in the center of a petri | | | | blend of Lavender and Tea Tree on hand for the best |
| dish and watch the growth, or lack of, bacteria around | | | | all-purpose antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain |
| the paper. The larger the area where bacteria do not | | | | relieving solution. |
| grow, the stronger the action of that particular essential | | | | While the Tea Tree and Lavender blend gives us a |
| oil inhibiting that particular strain of microbe. This test, | | | | formula for regular use, Oregano is the all-time |
| known as an Aromatogram, was popularized by | | | | heavy-hitter of essential oils for antimicrobial action. |
| French scientist Paul Belaiche. Through extensive | | | | Oregano is serious medicine; it has been the subject of |
| research, large tables of data now allow | | | | many successful scientific evaluations. Interest in the |
| aromatherapists to quickly find the most efficacious | | | | oil's efficacy growing in amongst the world's medical |
| oils once the infecting species of bacteria is known. | | | | practitioners as infectious microbes become more and |
| But you don't have to be a scientist to make use of | | | | more resistant to synthetic antibiotics. Pure oil of |
| this information - there are many simple, effective | | | | Oregano is exceptionally strong - too strong for topical |
| means for using essential remedies for yourself and | | | | application except in the most stubborn cases, and |
| your family and children as part of a holistic natural | | | | then only with careful attention. Oregano holds the |
| health program for your household. | | | | most promise as a systemic antimicrobial; Oregano oil |
| Essential oils derive their antimicrobial effect from their | | | | can be found in enteric-coated (for targeting parasites |
| unique chemical makeup. Each single, pure essential oil | | | | and bacteria in the intestines) and regular capsules for |
| consists of several, sometimes hundreds of distinct | | | | support of the immune system during illness. Consult a |
| natural chemicals. Many of these have antimicrobial | | | | qualified medical practitioner for dosage |
| activity, and show synergistic effects; blends of the | | | | recommendations. |
| chemicals - as found naturally in the oils - can be more | | | | With a softer aroma and gentle effect on skin, |
| potent than any individual chemical alone. Many studies | | | | Geranium is versatile choice for frequent use. Known |
| have shown that Carvacrol, the primary molecule | | | | as the 'flower of constancy', Geranium helps to lift the |
| found in oil of Oregano, has exceptionally strong | | | | spirits and bring joy and happiness to one's daily |
| antimicrobial activity. Further studies have noted the | | | | activity. Harmonizing and balancing, Geranium essential |
| combination of Carvacrol and Thymol (a minor | | | | oil has the quality of equalizing hormonal and emotional |
| constituent of the same oil) to be more potent than | | | | extremes. These properties extends to the skin, |
| either of them alone. So the next time you might reach | | | | where it creates balance between oily and dry states; |
| for Neosporin or rubbin alcohol, you might consider that | | | | Geranium helps to cleanse the skin while restoring |
| the remedies nature has made will likely work better. | | | | balance, tone, and suppleness (try including in your skin |
| Research exists describing the effective, | | | | care formulas at 0.5% to 3%). A non-drying, antiseptic, |
| broad-spectrum of antimicrobial action from essential | | | | anti-inflammatory, astringent, and general tonic, |
| oils, yet it is important to select the right oils in the right | | | | Geranium is traditionally indicated as a remedy for |
| amounts. Topical application of Oregano may be the | | | | acne, dermatitis, eczema, and weeping wounds. |
| best solution for a case of stubborn nail fungus, yet | | | | Geranium essential oil is one of the few that has been |
| this is far too intense for use on soft tissue of any kind, | | | | used successfully against the MRSA bacteria in |
| particularly for children. Often, home mand formuals of | | | | laboratory studies. The 'asperum' sub-species (also |
| a potent antiseptic with a known soothing oil can | | | | known as Egyptian Geranium) is generally considered |
| improve the overall effectiveness. Here we will briefly | | | | the most potent Geranium for its antimicrobial action, |
| profile these highly-regarded oils, and look at some | | | | with a wonderful sweet and herbaceous aroma. |
| recipes and methods of application: Tea Tree | | | | The 'old stand-by' of Lemon should not be overlooked |
| (Maleluca alternafolia), Lavender (Lavendula angistifolia), | | | | when searching for ways to convert your home to a |
| Oregano (Oregano vulgar), Geranium (Geranium | | | | healthy 'green' lifestyle. Lemon oil, pressed from lemon |
| asperum) and Lemon. (Citrus limon). | | | | peels, has historically been a component of many |
| Tea Tree may be the hands-down most popular | | | | household cleaners - and because of its efficacy, |
| antiseptic essential oil. Tea Tree is a must for every | | | | low-cost and great aroma, it should continue to be. |
| natural first aid kit for the home. One of the safest and | | | | Lemon oil can be used alone at about 8 drops of oil |
| most effective ways of controlling minor infections is | | | | per cup of warm water for an all-purpose mild |
| the immediate intervention action of Tea Tree. Tea | | | | antibacterial solution. You can add a little potency for |
| tree's tolerability allows it to be used for longer periods | | | | kitchen and bathroom uses by adding oils like |
| of time without the slightest irritation. A drop on a | | | | Eucalyptus, Pine, and Rosemary. Keep the total |
| Band-Aid can keep the reddening indication of infection | | | | number of drops per oil the same, adding other oils in |
| from children's cuts and scrapes, and when combined | | | | place of the Lemon. Eucalyptus may create the best |
| with Lavender, makes a soothing rendition of popular | | | | antimicrobial synergy, and additional oils will build on this |
| over-the-counter antibacterials. Tea tree can also be | | | | effect. You may increase or decrease the essential oil |
| used directly on minor wounds for those with less | | | | concentration as you see fit - if increasing, simply test |
| sensitive skin, and is highly useful as an acne treatment | | | | your new recipe in small increments to insure tolerance |
| - some individuals can use it 'neat', while others should | | | | for yourself and your family. |
| dilute it in Hazelnut oil (a 'non-oily' base oil that will not | | | | These are but a sampling of the antiseptic and |
| exacerbate an over-oily skin condition). | | | | antimicrobial essential oils available. They are easy to |
| Often called 'medicine chest in a bottle' Lavender is the | | | | use, and offer a excellent means of bringing natural |
| most versatile aromatic oil in use today. An antiseptic, | | | | medicines and cleaners into your life. Many oils have |
| anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic, Lavender is helpful in | | | | specific action against certain microbes; if you or a |
| the healing of small burns, cuts and insect bites. The | | | | friend or loved one needs more directed treatment, |
| cooling aroma disperses heat and inflammation and | | | | seek the advice of a licensed or degreed natural |
| brings relief from pain, spasms, and general unrest. | | | | health professional, and consult a doctor to ensure the |
| With its calming and balancing properties, Lavender is | | | | safety of any complimentary essential oil application. |
| very supportive of deep sleep; as noted in 'Clinical | | | | The acceptance of essential oils as valid medicines |
| Aromatherapy', studies indicate that the aroma of | | | | continues to grow. If you're new to the field, dive in |
| Lavender enabled better rest than common sleeping | | | | with some of the suggestions here - you're sure to |
| pills with no side effects. Interestingly, Lavender imparts | | | | enjoy these great gifts of nature. |
| this action in healing wounds as well. For healing | | | | |