Review Article

Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases

Table 11

Essential oil studies showing efficacy against viral pathogens associated with skin infections.

Essential oilReference

Citrus limon (lemon)HSV-1n.d.n.m.n.m.1.00% [331]
Cupressus sempervirens (cypress)>1.00%
Cupressus sempervirens ssp. pyramidalis (cypress)>1000.00 µg/mL>1000.00 µg/mL>1n.a.[332]
Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass)n.d.n.m.n.m.0.10%[331]
Eucalyptus caesia (eucalyptus)0.2540%0.01%38.81n.a.[333]

Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus)HSV-1n.d.n.m.n.m.1.00%[331]
HSV-1/HSV-20.0300%0.0090/0.0080%38.81n.a.[334]

Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop)HSV-1/HSV-20.0075%0.001/0.0006%7.5/13n.a.[335, 336]
HSV-10.0075%0.00%75[337]

Illicium verum (anise)HSV-1160.00 µg/mL40.00 µg/mL4n.a.[338]
HSV-20.0160%0.00%5[336]

Juniperus communis (juniper)HSV-1n.d.n.m.n.m.>1.00%[331]
Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus (juniper)1000.00 µg/mL200.00 µg/mL5n.a. [332]
Laurus nobilis (bay)500.00 µg/mL60.00 µg/mL8.3
Lavandula latifolia (lavender)n.d.n.m.n.m.1.00%[331]

Leptospermum scoparium (manuka)HSV-1/HSV-228.80 µg/mL0.96 µg/mL/0.58 µg/mL30/50n.a.[339]
Matricaria recutita (chamomile)HSV-130.00 µg/mL0.30 µg/mL100[338]
HSV-20.0030%0.00%20[336]

Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree)HSV-1/HSV-20.0250%>0.0250%>1n.a.[340]
HSV-1568.40 µg/mL13.20 µg/mL44[341]
n.d.n.m.n.m.1.00%[331]
HSV-1/HSV-20.0060%0.0009/0.0008%7/7.5n.a.[334]

Melissa officinalis (lemon balm)HSV-1/HSV-20.0030%0.0004%/0.00008%7.5/37.5n.a.[342]

Mentha piperita (peppermint)HSV-1n.d.n.m.n.m.1.00%[331]
HSV-1/HSV-20.0140%0.0020/0.0008%7/17.5n.a.[343]

Mentha suaveolens (apple mint)HSV-1343.60 µg/mL5.10 µg/mL67n.a.[341]
Ocimum basilicum album (basil)n.d.n.m.n.m.>1.00% [331]
Origanum majorana (marjoram)1.00%

Pinus mugo (dwarf pine)HSV-20.0160%0.00%5n.a.[335]
HSV-140.00 µg/mL7.00 µg/mL6[338]
Pistacia palaestina (terebinth)500.00 µg/mL500.00 µg/mL1[332]

Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary)HSV-10.2580%0.01%46.12n.a.[333]
n.d.n.m.n.m.1.00%[331]

Salvia officinalis (sage)HSV-1>1000.00 µg/mL>1000.00 µg/mL>1n.a.[332]
Santalum album (sandalwood)HSV-1/HSV-20.0015%0.0002/0.0005%7.5/3[335, 336]
60.00 µg/mL2.005 µg/mL/>60.00 µg/mL2.4/>1[344]
HSV-10.0015%0.00%7[337]

Santolina insularis (santolina)HSV-1/HSV-2112.00 µg/mL0.88/0.70 µg/mL127/160n.a.[345]

Thymus vulgaris (thyme)HSV-1/HSV-20.0070%0.0010/0.0007%10/14n.a.[335, 336]
HSV-10.0070%0.00%7[337]
Zingiber officinale (ginger)HSV-1/HSV-20.0040%0.0002/0.0001%20/40[335, 336]
HSV-10.0040%0.00%20[337]

: herpes simplex virus, type 1 or 2.
: cytotoxic concentration.
: inhibitory concentration.
index > 4.
oil concentration at 100% plaque reduction.