Research on Essential Oil’s Use in Skin Therapy

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of ten essential oils in vitro. The essential oils of aegle, ageratum, citronella, eucalyptus, geranium, lemongrass, orange, palmarosa, patchouli and peppermint, were tested for antibacterial activity against 22 bacteria, including Gram-positive cocci and rods and Gram-negative rods, and twelve fungi (3 yeast-like and 9 filamentous) by the disc diffusion method.

The capacity of essential oils to neutralize germs is now irrefutable. Experimental studies were undertaken in France by Chamberland as early as 1887. In I888, Cadeac and Meunier published the results of their own research (Annales de l’Institut Pasteur). Many in-vitro confirmations were performed by pharmacists and doctors; results were conclusive.

The antimicrobial activity of plant oils and extracts has been recognized for many years. However, few investigations have compared large numbers of oils and extracts using methods that are directly comparable. In the present study, 52 plant oils and extracts were investigated for activity against Acinetobacter baumanii, Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype typhimurium, Serratia marcescens and Staphylococcus aureus, using an agar dilution method.

Antifungal properties of essential oils and their main components upon Cryptococcus neoformans. Laboratory of Botany, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Besancon, France.

Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Nepal. The volatile components of two essential oils were analyzed with GC/MS and the antimicrobial activity. The microorganisms tested were Staphylococcus aureus (IFO14462), Corynebacterium amycolatum (IFO 15207), Escherichia coli (IFO 15034), Candida albicans (IFO 1594) and Aspergillus ochraceus (IFO 31221).