Results: Out of 21 essential oils tested, 19 oils showed antibacterial activity against one or more
strains. Cinnamon, clove, geranium, lemon, lime, orange and rosemary oils exhibited significant
inhibitory effect. Cinnamon oil showed promising inhibitory activity even at low concentration.
Conclusion: Majority of the oils showed antibacterial activity against the tested strains. However
Cinnamon, clove and lime oils were found to be inhibiting both gram-positive and gram-negative
bacteria. Cinnamon oil can be a good source of antibacterial agents.
Links to Research
...Antibacterial Activity of Some Plant Essential Oils
Smell of Jasmine 'as calming as valium'
The sweet smell of jasmine is as good as valium at calming the nerves with none of the side effects, according to new research.Professor Hanns Hatt said the results published online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry can "be seen as evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy".
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Anti-Diabetic Effects of Melissa Essential Oil
The antioxidant activity of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oil (LBEO) on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and its hypoglycaemic effect in db/db mice were investigated. LBEO scavenged 97 % of DPPH radicals at a 270-fold dilution. Mice administered LBEO (0.015 mg/d) for 6 weeks showed significantly reduced blood glucose (65 %; P < 0.05) and TAG concentrations, improved glucose tolerance, as assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test, and significantly higher serum insulin levels, compared with the control group. Click here to view the full research writeup.Click Here to Learn More About Melissa
Essential Oils in the Treatment of Intestinal Dysbiosis (imbalance of intestinal bacteria) - From The School of Health & Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight essential oils were examined using the agar dilution method, including Carum carvi (Fennel), Citrus aurantium var. amara (Bitter Orange), Foeniculum vulgare dulce (Sweet Fennel), Illicium verum (Star Anise), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), Mentha arvensis (Field Mint), Mentha x piperita (Peppermint), and Trachyspermum copticum (Caraway). Doubling dilutions of the essential oils were tested against 12 species of intestinal bacteria, which represent the major genera found in the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
CONCLUSION: The most promising essential oils for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis are Carum carvi (Fennel), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), Trachyspermum copticum (Caraway), and Citrus aurantium var. amara (Bitter Orange). The herbs from which these oils are derived have long been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms and the in vitro results of this study suggest that their ingestion will have little detrimental impact on beneficial members of the GIT microflora.
CONCLUSION: The most promising essential oils for the treatment of intestinal dysbiosis are Carum carvi (Fennel), Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender), Trachyspermum copticum (Caraway), and Citrus aurantium var. amara (Bitter Orange). The herbs from which these oils are derived have long been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal symptoms and the in vitro results of this study suggest that their ingestion will have little detrimental impact on beneficial members of the GIT microflora.
Clove Essential Oil Against Acne- From "The Archives of Dermatology" (a publication of the American Medical Association)
"Propionibacterium acnes (P acnes) is a gram-positive anaerobic microorganism recognized as the major skin bacterium causing acne.." Results: "Clove essential oil exerted significant antibacterial activity toward P acnes...The findings would provide a scientific basis for the application of clove essential oil as a therapeutic agent for acne".
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil is a standard ingredient in cough drops and cough syrups, as well as oils added to humidifiers. A standardized combination of eucalyptus oil plus two other essential oils has been studied for effectiveness in a variety of respiratory conditions. This combination therapy contains cineole from eucalyptus, d-limonene from citrus fruit, and alpha-pinene from pine. Because these oils are all in a chemical family called monoterpenes, the treatment is called “essential oil monoterpenes.”...
University of Minnesota - General Research Information
This is a great website. It has sections covering things like; "How Do Essential Oils Work", "What Does the Research Say About Essential Oils", etc.
Frankincense: A cure for cancer?
From the BBC News website: Scientists have observed that there is some agent within frankincense which stops cancer spreading, and which induces cancerous cells to close themselves down...