1. Tea Tree Oil
source
Tea tree oil
is made from the leaves of the tea tree plant, which grows in
Australia. It’s been used for centuries to heal burns, cuts, and
scrapes, thanks to its antiseptic properties. It is also effective for
eliminating oral and acne causing bacteria, and can naturally disinfect
things in your home, such as toothbrushes, the inside of your washing
machine, and bathroom countertops (
4,
5).
How to Use Tea Tree Oil
Although
it’s safe for your skin when properly diluted, tea tree oil is
extremely potent and can burn when it’s applied. So be sure to dilute a
few drops in water or a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil,
before using it on your skin.
To use tea tree as a natural
household disinfectant, add 3 drops of tea tree essential oil to a glass
spray bottle with 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 3 drops of
lemon essential oil.
Tea tree oil can also be added to homemade toothpastes made from baking soda. A drop can be added to oil when you
oil pull for extra antibacterial action – be careful though, it’s strong enough that all you need is 1 drop.
2. Grapefruit Essential Oil
Research
shows that grapefruit essential oil is effective for killing off
bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus (one of the most common strains
of bacteria that causes infections), salmonella, and E. coli (
6).
Be
sure not to confuse grapefruit essential oil with grapefruit seed
extract, as grapefruit essential oil comes from the peel of the
grapefruit, not the seeds.
How to Use Grapefruit Essential Oil
The
most common way to use grapefruit essential oil is to ingest it, by
adding 1-2 drops (or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner) to
your water.
You can also apply it
topically to your skin when mixed with a carrier oil, to fight skin
infections, and prevent wounds from becoming infected. Just be sure to
avoid the sunlight after applying grapefruit essential oil. Citruses can
make your skin very sensitive to the sun’s UV rays and can cause burns.
3. Oregano Essential Oil
Ask
any nutritionist which natural remedy they have on hand during cold
season when bacteria runs rampant, and they’ll probably say
oregano essential oil, or oil of oregano.
As
a quick note, while these two oils sound the same (and have the same
health benefits), oil of oregano is the diluted version of oregano
essential oil – usually with a food grade carrier oil – so that it’s
safe to ingest. In other words, oil of oregano is the form you’ll want
to use if you’re applying it topically or ingesting it.
Studies
have shown that oregano essential oil is effective against 20 different
strains of E. coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa, the pathogen known to
cause cystic fibrosis (
7,
8). Oregano oil has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and to aid in digestion.
How to Use Oregano Essential Oil
For
topical infections, you can apply oregano essential oil to your skin by
diluting it in coconut oil. If you have an oil pulling routine, you can
also add 1 drop of oregano oil to your oil, which can help kill off
bacteria in your mouth.
Oregano oil
can be added to your favourite recipes, or taken as a nutritional
supplement. Since oregano oil is known to interact with certain
medications, be sure to consult with a licensed healthcare practitioner
to determine the safest dose for you.
4. Cinnamon Essential Oil
In
one study, compared to thyme and clove oil, cinnamon essential oil was
shown to have the strongest antibacterial activity against infectious
diseases caused by pathogens and germs found in food (
9).
Other studies revealed that
cinnamon
essential oil has activity against Gram-positive bacteria (such as
staphylococcus) and Gram-negative bacteria (such as E. coli) responsible
for human infectious diseases, as well as bacteria that cause
degradation of food or cosmetics (
10).
How to Use Cinnamon Essential Oil
Cinnamon
essential oil is safe to ingest and has a pleasant taste, so you can
add a drop to your herbal tea, or another warming beverage (like this
tasty
Turmeric Latte).
You can also add it to your baking, homemade toothpaste, deodorant,
mouthwash, and for oil pulling, which may help eliminate bacteria that
cause oral and digestive issues.
5. Citronella
Citronella
oil is best known for being an effective natural insect repellent, but
it’s also shown to protect against systemic bacteria – for example,
bacteria in the digestive tract – which can lead to infections in the
colon, stomach, intestines, and kidneys (
11).
Citronella can also help prevent bacterial infections on your skin from wounds or cuts.
How to Use Citronella Essential Oil
Citronella
essential oil is safe to ingest in very small doses and can be added to
aromatic beverages such as herbal tea (be sure consult a healthcare
practitioner for the correct dosage).
When using citronella on your skin, be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil.
6. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus
is best known for clearing up symptoms of the common cold, such as a
cough and runny nose, as it helps your body eliminate mucus and bacteria
from your respiratory tract.
As with the rest of the
antibacterial essential oils mentioned, eucalyptus also has an
inhibitory effect against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria,
which means it can protect against food borne illnesses, and other
infectious diseases that require the use of antibiotics (
12).
How to Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil
You
can soak up the health benefits of eucalyptus essential oil by adding 5
drops to a warm bath, or inhale it by placing a few drops in an oil
diffuser before bed.
7. Thyme Essential Oil
We
mentioned above that studies have shown certain essential oils to be
powerful enough to help clear up bacterial infections as efficiently as
antibiotics.
One study used thyme essential oil in bacterial
vaginosis treatment, and found it effect for getting rid of recurrent
episodes of BV, making it an ideal alternative to antibiotics (
13).
How to Use Thyme Essential Oil
To fight infections, dilute 1-2 drops of thyme essential oil with a carrier oil and rub onto the affected area.
Final Note:
As
always, be sure to check in with a healthcare practitioner before
adding a new essential oil to your wellness routine. They should be used
with caution, the same way as you would nutritional supplements, since
they’re extremely concentrated and may interfere with pregnancy or
pre-existing health conditions. A good rule of thumb when it comes to
essential oils is that less is more. So make sure you use high quality
essential oils and to dilute them with a high quality carrier oil like
coconut oil.
Thanks PaleoHacks.
If you want to buy the highest quality essential oils please contact me at
Donna@DonnaSchuller.com Anything you purchase goes directly into my ministry. I coach, mentor, and assist women and girls get through transitions and tough times. Thank you for your help in this ongoing project of mine.
