Essential oils were used for ages due to their fascinating aroma and other abilities, which could affect a person’s condition. Generally speaking, essential oils may help in everyday life, especially concerning preventing bacterial infections. They are biocidal alternatives to harsh chemicals and medications; thus, they are ideal if you are into holistic health like myself. In this blog, I’m going to take you through how you can make use of essential oils to protect yourself from bacterial infection and why they could feature among the greatest tools in your wellness routine.
Essential Oils - Why?
Essential Oils That Help Prevent Bacterial Infections
Tea Tree Oil
If you have heard of it, you probably know about its antibacterial powers. This is a very strong oil, too powerful against bacteria, actually. For skin infections, like acne, cuts, or abrasions, this oil might come in handy. I usually dilute it with a carrier oil, like coconut oil because it irritates the skin if used directly.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is another oil that I really use in case my sickly feelings start to arise. This does help clear your airways and helps to prevent bacterial infections. One can diffuse it in the home or add drops into bathwater to, most definitely, do wonders for the immune system.
Lavender Oil
It is one of those essential oils that are not only soothing but also great for warding off bacterial infections. This is really good in treating minor burns and cuts. The best is it smells just great, and you will never have that feeling when using it that you are applying medicine.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is a bit more potent, and I usually save it in my kit for treatment that is a little more serious. It definitely does have a high volatile compound within its antibacterial properties. From what I read, it is quite effective against resilient types of bacteria; if you’re looking for something strong, then take this oil, but just keep in mind to dilute it.
Essential Oils against Bacterial Infection: How to Use Them
Application Topical
One of the simplest ways to use aromatherapy essential oils is to apply them to the skin. Remember always to dilute them with a carrier oil. Mix a few drops of essential oil with one tablespoon of carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, to avoid being too potent with the essential oils onto your skin. I like to apply the mixture to cuts and scrapes, or those bitty places where bacteria can hide.
Diffusing Essential Oils
I love diffusing essential oils in my home. Besides giving a fresh scent to your living space, it might help in air purification and preventing bacterial infections from spreading. A diffuser disperses the particles into the air, and when you inhale them, you absorb its benefits completely. Eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender-just a few great things to diffuse, especially during flu season or when something’s going around.
Do-it-yourself Sprays for cleaning
Or, you can make cleaning sprays with essential oils most of the time. Fairly good, though somewhat unconventional, alternatives to cleaning with chemicals would be mixing water, white vinegar, and just a few drops of either tea tree or eucalyptus oil to make a cleaning spray that is nontoxic on surfaces. In this way, it kills the bacteria without giving your home exposure to harsh chemicals. Besides, it smells so much nicer than most store-bought cleaners!
Steam Inhalation
Another application I really like concerning essential oils is steam inhalation whenever any congestion in the body makes me sick. Add a few drops of eucalyptus or oregano oil to a bowl of scalding hot water and inhaling the steam opens up your airways while also not allowing bacteria to multiply inside your respiratory system.
Use in Bath Water
Nothing relieves the tiredness after a long day like taking a warm bath. Adding antibacterial essential oil to your bath water may protect your skin from bacteria and give you a soothing experience. I love using lavender or eucalyptus oil for this purpose, as both are soothing yet effective against bacteria.
Safety Precautions against Essential Oils
Always Dilute
Never apply essential oils to your skin undiluted. Some of the oils are very strong, and their application to the skin in undiluted form may be irritating or cause allergic reactions. Instead, use them by dilution in a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil.
Do a Patch Test
It’s always recommended that, whenever using a new essential oil for the first time on your skin, you always do a patch test. Just apply a little amount of the diluted oil to some small area of your skin and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse reactions. This is very much necessary, most especially when one has sensitive skin.
Consult a doctor.
If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any underlying health conditions, it is always wise to consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils, since a few may not be safe to use in particular instances. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
FAQ’s
1. How to store essential oils?
Essential oils are supposed to be kept in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight; this will help them maintain their potency and effectiveness for a longer period of time.
2. Are essential oils safe for kids and pets?
A few essential oils are harmful to children and pets. Consult the Pediatrician or a veterinarian if need be, in case you must use them around them, for safety concerns.
3. Can I use essential oils internally to try to avoid a bacterial infection?
Each time there is a need to take any essential oils, it is necessary only when doing this is guided by a health expert; many are unsuitable to be ingested and toxic due to high consumption.
4. How frequently must I diffuse an essential oil to not allow the buildup of bacteria?
It’s safe to diffuse essential oils for about 30 minutes to an hour at a time. You could do this once or twice a day to purify the air and keep bacteria at bay.
