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Essential oils are characterized by multiple properties and extremely effective active principles: antiviral, antiseptic, and antifungal, some of them constitute natural remedies to counteract bacterial action. For this reason, many people use antiviral and antibacterial essential oils every day for hygiene in environments and for themselves.
To be used in diffusion in home environments to improve the quality of the air we breathe, to disinfect surfaces, eliminate microbes, and even as antiseptics, in this article we will explore the properties and methods of use of the most powerful antibacterial and disinfectant essential oils:
Essential oils are natural oily substances that constitute the fragrant and volatile part extracted from various plant components. They are made up of a mixture of different organic molecules, extracted through different methods from leaves, flowers, peels, bark, or even plant roots. Depending on the plant, the essential oil will have different organoleptic notes and different properties and active principles.
There are three main extraction methods for essential oils that vary depending on the plant and the starting part of the plant. Extraction through steam distillation is used especially to extract essence from leaves and flowers, passing a steam current through the plant matrix, a process that releases the essences. The pressing method is used especially for citrus peels, allowing the direct extraction of natural essence.
For plants with a low concentration of essence, the enfleurage method is used, which consists of macerating plant parts in a fat that absorbs the essence, which can be isolated through dilution in alcohol.
Among the essential oils with the most prominent benefits are antibacterial essential oils, oily substances mainly extracted from leaves and bark, as in the case of cinnamon essential oil. From a chemical point of view, they are called phenol oils and are very effective for their purpose. They can indeed be used as disinfectants, as antiseptics, and in particular, through diffusion, they help purify environments, proving beneficial against illnesses and respiratory problems.
Although they are very versatile and effective, essential oils have some contraindications due to the intensity of their effect. They are very irritating and potentially toxic oils, so topical use is not recommended; some oils, such as cinnamon, are even caustic to the skin. In general, diffusion in environments remains the safest method of use, while oral use is recommended cautiously and judiciously.
Antiseptic or antibacterial essential oils are varied, with different specific properties; below we will see which are the most effective antiviral and disinfectant essential oils and the specific methods of use.
Thyme essential oil, or Thymus Vulgaris, is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial oil belonging to the phenol group. It is extracted through steam distillation and is ideal for creating creams against bacterial action, thanks to its powerful antiseptic properties, as well as having an anti-inflammatory effect when massaged on the skin by diluting a few drops in a vegetable oil.
It is a balsamic oil, and can be used in oral therapy, with due precautions, and in environmental diffusion, especially during winter, to purify the air and prevent seasonal illnesses such as influenza, cough, and cold, as we have already discussed in the article on herbal teas for colds where we extensively talked about the properties of thyme. In case of topical use, it is important to pay attention to not use it pure, but in a very diluted way.
Thyme essential oil, with its antiviral properties, is not recommended during pregnancy and for individuals suffering from high blood pressure.
Tea tree essential oil, or Melaleuca Alternifolia, is an antibacterial, antiviral, antibiotic, and antiseptic oil. It is extracted through steam distillation and is one of the few antibacterial oils that is particularly suitable for topical use, to be dispersed by mixing a couple of drops in a tablespoon of vegetable oil - for example, sweet almond oil or sesame oil.
It can be used as a remedy for skin infections or to treat acne and boils, as well as for urinary and genital infections. It is an antiseptic, refreshing, and soothing essential oil, and for this reason, it can be applied to burns, however, its use should be avoided during pregnancy and in patients with liver and kidney diseases.
Laurel essential oil, or Laurus Nobilis, similarly to tea tree oil, has a marked antiviral function, as well as being an antifungal. It is extracted by steam distillation and can be used to treat skin infections, such as mouth ulcers, and as an antifungal. When diffused, it is useful for decongesting the respiratory tract and fighting colds and coughs.
This type of oil has some contraindications; it can be allergic to the skin and have narcotic effects - therefore, it should be used with caution and judiciously.
The cinnamon essential oil, or Cinnamomum zeylanicum, is a powerful antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal agent. It is extracted through steam distillation and can be consumed orally to fully exploit its digestive and antiseptic properties on the intestines. It is characterized by a warm and spicy aroma and can be used for various purposes, in environmental diffusion to purify the air in domestic environments, or in steam inhalations as a remedy for coughs and colds.
It is not recommended for use on the skin, on patients with heart or kidney problems, and on children, as with all antibacterial essential oils.
The oregano essential oil, Origanum Compactum, is, along with thyme, the most powerful antibacterial oil. It is a natural antiviral and antiseptic agent, extracted through steam distillation from the plant's leaves. In diffusion or steam inhalations, it is ideal for fighting colds and clearing the respiratory tract, while its antibiotic action according to some studies would facilitate the prevention of bacterial infections and viruses.
The oregano essential oil is not recommended for children under 15 years old and its use on the skin for daily and prolonged periods should be avoided, as it is extremely irritating.
Although, as seen, antibacterial oils can be used in various ways, the safest and most effective method of use remains environmental diffusion through a nebulizer. All the types discussed in this article are indeed excellent essential oils for disinfecting the air at home and in environments.
For this method, we recommend a purifying blend consisting of
In general, antibacterial solutions with some of these oils to be diffused can be created with a 1:2 ratio between a quantity of antibacterial or antiviral oil and an oil that helps dilute it and attenuate its strong organoleptic notes, such as relaxing oils, citrus oils, or chamomile, with a soothing and calming effect.
