Essential oils of peppermint, orange or lemongrass kill most strains of fungal and bacterial infections

Posit Health News. 1998 Fall:(No 17):26-7.

Abstract

AIDS: A recent article claims that 10 essential oils (including lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, and orange) were effective against 22 bacterial strains in laboratory studies. Lemongrass and orange oils completely inhibited 12 fungi, while peppermint oil eliminated 11 out of 12. A product that contains peppermint oil in an enteric-coated capsule is now available in health food stores. The capsule dissolves in the colon, where the peppermint oil should help kill off infections. HERP-EX, a blend of oils developed by Nature?s Grace (contact information is provided), is being used to successfully treat herpes 1 and 2. Patients are cautioned to research oils before using them.

Publication types

  • Newspaper Article

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Infections / therapy*
  • Complementary Therapies*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / therapy
  • Humans
  • Mycoses / therapy*
  • Oils, Volatile / therapeutic use*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Plants, Medicinal / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils