Essential oils show promise in preventing infections from the fungiCandida albicans and the bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to several recent studies. Romania’s Polytechnic University of Bucharest researchers found that topical application of the essential oils from Salvia officinalis (sage) andAnethum graveolens (dill) provided significant inhibition against the C. albicans fungi when compared with a standard antiseptic dressing.

Scientists from England’s Manchester Metropolitan University compared the effects on three strains of MRSA in wound dressings containing the essential oils of patchouli, tea tree, geranium, lavender and grapefruit seed extract against a conventional antibacterial dressing of silver sulfadiazine cream. Each oil was applied independently and in combination with wound dressings. Grapefruit seed extract and geranium oil were found to most effectively inhibit the MRSA strains.