Scientifically
Proven Results

With a long history of traditional use, Medicinal Spice Oils have proven themselves time and again as safe yet potent healers and preventers of disease. Modern science has verified these traditional uses. See articles and research below on the following:

Alzheimer's Disease
Antibiotic Resistant Infection
Asthma
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial Infection 2
Cancer
Cancer 2
Candida
Childhood Infections
Common Cold
Drug-Resistant
Bacteria
E. Coli
Free Radicals
Free Radicals 2
Fungal Infections
Heart Attack
Malaria
Poor Memory
Poor Memory 2
Prostate Cancer
Stroke
Ulcers
Fungus, Yeast,
Parasites, Bacteria

Ask the Physician

Acting Against Bacteria

Alternative Medicine Magazine

Studies have shown that certain essential oils act as bactericides, or antibacterial agents, against specific pathogenic bacteria, according to research conducted in vitro (outside the body, in a test tube). The oil of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) is effective against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus megaterium.

Oils of lemongrass, oregano, savory, red thyme, and cinnamon have a bactericidal effect against five different bacterial pathogens. The practical application of the antibacterial properties of these oils is thrown into high relief in the hospital setting, where disease-producing bacteria are often rampant and patients, weakened by illness or surgery, are more susceptible to them. Every year almost two million American patients contract an infection in a hospital and, of these, 80,000 patients die. The situation is similar in Britain.

The essential oil of Roman coriander (Nigella sativa) works against at least three multiple drug resistant organisms; French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) can be deployed against four pathogens including two forms of Staphylococcus; marjoram is effective against three bacteria, including Salmonella pullorum.

The increasingly popular tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil from Australia was proven to be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, specifically, 64 methicillin-resistant isolates and 33 mupirocin-resistant isolates of S. aureus. With the increasing incidence of standard antibiotics being ineffective against mutated strains of once familiar pathogens, the fact that aromatherapy oils have antipathogenic properties is important for health-care providers.

On this basis, I suggest that aromatherapy should be viewed as something more than a "pretty smell added to a massage." Just because these oils are "natural" does not mean they are not powerful. Essential plant oils also have documented uses as viricides (virus-killing agents); notably, cypress, lemon balm, and eucalyptus. The research has also shown them to be effective antifungals: rosemary and Indian tarragon against Cryptococcosis; West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), cumin, tarragon, and lemon gum against Aspergillosis; and tea tree, melissa, and lemon gum against Candida albicans.