Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural plant products, long-recognized for their medicinal properties. This is well documented in Dr Jean Valnet’s book, « The Practice of Aromatherapy » and he discusses eucalyptus essential oil at length the effects of specific oils in relation to the control of extremely virulent microbes like Meningitis bacteria, Golden Staphylococcus bacteria and typhoid bacteria. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that lemon eucalyptus oil and other plant oils, such as lavender, citronella, geranium, cinnamon, turmeric, sandalwood, cedar wood and soybean may be potential nontoxic alternatives for DEET , which is found in bug sprays to prevent insect bites from mosquitoes and ticks. A relaxing bath is what I need, so I run a bath and add about four drops of lavender essential oil to relax me. I also add a couple of drops of rose essential oil as I love the sweet scent of roses, which remind me of an English garden in the springtime. This was a popular remedy within the aboriginal communities, known as kino.” Its surprising efficacy spread like wildfire, which led to increased interest from Victorian pharmacists and eventually to the commercial production of eucalyptus essential oil. This shows that possible synergistic effect of minor and major components determines the final antimicrobial activity of the essential oils 22 Based on the chemical composition, it can be concluded that the antimicrobial activity of the oil is apparently attributed to its high content of oxygenated monoterpenes. Eucalyptus oil is used in flavouring Cineole-based eucalyptus oil is used as a flavouring at low levels (0.002%) in various products, including baked goods , confectionery , meat products and beverages 8 Eucalyptus oil has antimicrobial activity against a broad range of foodborne human pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms 9 Non-cineole peppermint gum , strawberry gum and lemon ironbark are also used as flavouring. Warnke, P. H., Sherry, E., Russo, P. A., Acil, Y., Wiltfang, J., Sivananthan, S., Sprengel, M., Roldan, J. C., Schubert, S., Bredee, J. P., and Springer, I. N. Antibacterial essential oils in malodorous cancer patients: clinical observations in 30 patients. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications.