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The Three Most Popular Anti-Bacterial Essential Oils, and Which One We Think Is Best!
Almost every essential oil ever tested for anti-bacterial activity has shown at least a moderate anti-bacterial action, and there are a few oils that are most highly regarded for this property, namely Oregano, Tea Tree and ‘Benchmark’ Thyme – though one of these stands out as our favorite. Oregano is the ‘heavy hitter’ [...]
June 4 2014
Almost every essential oil ever tested for anti-bacterial activity has shown at least a moderate anti-bacterial action, and there are a few oils that are most highly regarded for this property, namely Oregano, Tea Tree and ‘Benchmark’ Thyme – though one of these stands out as our favorite.
Oregano is the ‘heavy hitter’ of the bunch. It’s not really supposed to be applied to to the skin at all (though can be used for toenail fungus), but taken internally, for stomach or intestinal bacteria, and particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. In fact, enteric-coated Oregano essential oil capsules are available around the country in health food stores particularly for IBS.
Capsules of the oil coated in this way do not release the oil in the stomach, but in the small-intestine. There, Oregano essential oil can do its duty and eradicate bacteria from small pockets – bacteria which inflame the pockets and are a primary cause of this painful condition.
Tea Tree essential oil (also frequenly referred to as Melaluca alternifolia) is often used topically on small wounds, scrapes and scratches. It is important to note that Tea Tree should be applied to a bandage, not directly on the wound. If application to the wound is intended, it should be dabbed on with a cotton ball, and any excess removed with a dry cotton ball or clean tissue paper.
Tea Tree can also be blended at least 50:50 with Lavender for topical application – Lavender having strong anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Tea tree oil is by far the most popular natural anti-septic, having also been shown to be an excellent choice for acne care – it can be added to Grapeseed oil at a concentration of between 5 and 10% – grapeseed oil being mildly astringent, and will not exacerbate acne in any way.
Now for our favorite:
Thyme essential oil, and not just any Thyme, but ‘Benchmark’ Thyme. There are a great many Thyme essential oil varieties available, and most of them are simply too hot to be applied to the skin at all (like Oregano in this manner). Then there is Thyme c.t. linalool (c.t. stands for ‘chemotype’, which is the most gentle form of Thyme, yet it is not as strongly anti-bacterial as Thyme c.t Thujanol, for example. ‘Benchmark’ Thyme is, however, strongly anti-bacterial (AND strongly anti-viral as well).
The developers, Benchmark Oils of the UK, have blended the pure essential oils of 4 different chemotypes of Thymus zygis. The GCMS of the resultant essential oil indicates the presence of important anti-bacterial components of Thyme and Tea Tree essential oils, but to the skin, it’s as gentle as Thyme linalool. It can be dabbed on small cuts and scrapes, provided any excess oil is removed as with Tea Tree.
‘Benchmark Thyme’ will likely be effective for a broader-range of skin infections than Tea Tree – including “athlete’s foot”, which Tea Tree is not particularly helpful in eradicating. As a side note, ‘Benchmark Thyme’ is the only essential oil to be shown effective in treatment of the MRSA bacteria, which the developers originally had in mind when they developed this therapeutically-important essential oil in the first place.
ANANDA CONTINUES JUST DIFFERENTLY You will soon see a slight change to our website. We have decided to transition the online store to a resource and information site.So while you can not purchase products, you can still have access to the incredible depth of information!We have 16 years of research, and useful tidbits about Essentials oils, CO2 extracts, Carrier Oils and […]
In Eternal Memory of Eric Cech, Ananda’s Founder “The best business model I can hope for is one that will run out of business.” – Eric Cech Eric’s business mindset was otherworldly. He admitted in casual conversation to his wife Anita one day: “The best business model I can hope for is one that […]
We Want You To Know – We Have Heard You. Your sentiments are important to us. We are considering our next steps with YOU in mind. Dearest Ananda Customers~ Many of you have asked us if this closure is permanent, or if there is any way we may be able to remain open, or make […]
It Comes with the Greatest Pleasure To let You Know… that…Because of YOU Ananda has Managed to Survive one of the Most Uncertain Times of its Tenure ~ We can not thank you enough for your enormous patience, understanding and support. From your incoming calls, comments on social media, direct messages across various channels, emails […]
Here are a small fraction of the heartfelt responses we have received following the notice of our business closure and liquidation sale. We offer all of you a deserved shout out for being the improbable, most essential, significant, factor in creating the Dream you are voicing to us: Hope for a Sustainable Future and Provider […]
Thank You For your Support Since 2004 The Ananda Apothecary is Closing Business SAD BUT TRUE As previously disclosed, The Ananda Apothecary has been greatly affected by to the global health situation. Bottom line is, we were increasing growing slim on product with no resupply any time soon. We are unable to get goods […]
* SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL * *OFFERS VALID APRIL 24 – MAY 2, OR UNTIL SUPPLIES LAST. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. WE’RE GIVING OILS AWAY Get Yours Today! WITH ANY PURCHASE THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET GET UP TO THREE OF YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE OILS FREE *We have limited supplies due to overseas shipping restrictions. Order now while supplies last. ALSO […]
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