Posted on

Summer is Here! So are the Insects! What Choices Do We Have Using Essential Oils?

The Larvicidal Activity of some Essential Oils –

Did you know that some Essential oils have larvicidal activity?

Larvicidal activity is an insecticide designed to kill larval pests. That means it can be used to literaly kill the larvae of the mosquito too. This is really cool when one thinks that some essential oils can be used for this purpose.

For example Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) and Peru balsam (Myroxylon pereira) oils can be used to treat and eliminate the mosquito larvae with an enviable efficiency 97.5% (S1)

Ajwain or Ajowan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajwain) is a plant used as a spice mostly in the Indian cuisine: deliciously blending it with green beans and root vegetables or steamed cabbage. Research into the properties of the essential oil extracted from this interesting spice shows that its components (Thymol, phenolic compounds) are strongly germicide and antispasmodic (S2).

In the table below are some oils that can be used safely for the purpose described above.

Above all, keep safe, cool and have a great a great Christmas.

Essential Oil Activity Source
Larvicidal Repellent
Sweet Orange

(Citrus sinensis)

 yes
American basil

(Ocimum americanum)

 Yes Yes
Clove Basil or African basil

(Ocimum gratissimum)

 Yes
Lemon grass

(Cymbopogon citratus)

 Yes
Ajowan

(Trachyspermum ammi)

 Prevents mosquito eggs from hatching

Mosquito larvae as well as some cockroaches

 S1
All spice

(Pimenta dioica),

 Kills Japanese termites S5
Caraway

(Carum carvi),

 Kills Japanese termites S5
Dill

(Anethum graveolens),

 Kills Japanese termites Yes S5
Geranium

(Pelargonium graveolens)

 Kills Japanese termites Yes S5

References

S1S J Agr and Food Chem, 2012 May: 60 (23), pp 5909–5914, DOI 10.1021/jf301296d, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf301296d

S2 Int J Infect. 2014 July: 2(1):e19394, http://intjinfection.com/en/articles/14685.html

S4 Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2004 Aug: 99(5), 541-544. https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762004000500015

S5 J. Agric. Food Chem., 2009, 57 (15), pp 6596–6602, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf9015416

 

Precautions

Always test is you are allergic to any of the oils you intend using. See Blog: Allergies testing. Use dilutions of one teaspoon with 5-6 drops of essential oil.

Furthermore, dilute 2-3 drops with a teaspoon of carrier oil of your choice and remember to check with your family Doctor before attempting to use any essential oil. This is especially important if you are pregnant, nursing or undertaking any special medication.

Posted on

Skin – What can Essential Oils Do for my Skin and the Trillion Living on It Essential Oils and the Skin’s Microbiome

Your skin is the ultimate physical barricade between the outside environment and your Health.

How can we best maintain this important organ and the trillion organisms living on it, in balance so that we keep our internal chemistry of life running as joyfully and pain free possible?

While the answer of this question is rather long, I will make a short summary on how to go about it capitalising on the powers of generally recognized as safe Essential oil.

Essential oils create a smooth biofilm on the skin that can help to

  • Slow down the loss of connective tissue: Lavender Oil. The most potent of all skin protectors, soothing the worst of sun burn, this oil requires no further introduction.
  • Hydrate the skin like the jojoba oil. This oil has the same microscopic structure as the natural sebum secreted by the skin. Aging affects this secretion so the skin becomes dryer the hair becomes brittle. Apply undiluted on your skin as well as hair for a smooth healthier new YOU ( Meyer et al 2012)
  • Counteract the effect of photoaging: Frankincense. This oil has powerful astringent properties. Therefore it notifies the skin and heals wounds due to exposure to the harmful sun rays. Use diluted ( 5 drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil)
  • Alleviate fungal/bacterial infections ( Athlete’s foot, Nail bed infection, other fungal issues)
Fungal infection Essential oil Source
Tinea (Trichophyton rubrum) and onychomycosis (T. mentagrophytes )infection Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

 Cassella et al, 2002
Candida albicans Lavender Thosar, et al. 2013
Escherichia coli

Staphylococcus aureus

 Peppermint

Tea tree

Thyme

 Thosar, et al.2013

 

How else can one nurture and have a healthy glowing skin?

  • By getting dirty. Yes that’s right get out and do some gardening with your bare hands or in other words let some of the soil based organisms get in touch with your skin. This way the skin microbiome (Grice & Segre 2011), i.e. the milieu diverse microorganisms living on the skin, will be enabled to do its job at its highest level.
  • Stay away or even ditch the harsh antibacterial skin soaps, use them only when pathogen situations strictly require;
  • Laundering clothes won’t kill the bacteria harboured within so make sure you dry the clothes in the sun;

Resources

Cassella et al, 2002, Int. J. Aromatherapy, 12 (1) 2-15, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962456201901274

Grice and Segre, 2011, Nat Rev Microbiol. 9(4): 244–253, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535073/

Meyer et al, 2012, Forsch Komplementmed., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585103

Thosar et al, 2013, Eur J Dent. 2013 Sep; 7(Suppl 1): S71–S77, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4054083/?report=printable

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by any medical body.

Please consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website. The information shared here is for educational purposes only. This is especially important if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.