Table 11.
Essential oil studies showing efficacy against viral pathogens associated with skin infections.
| Essential oil | Typea | CC50b | IC50c | SId | [EO]e | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus limon (lemon) | HSV-1 | n.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 | >1 | n.a. | [332] | |
| Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) | n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | 0.10% | [331] | |
| Eucalyptus caesia (eucalyptus) | 0.2540% | 0.01% | 38.81 | n.a. | [333] | |
|
| ||||||
| Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) | HSV-1 | n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | 1.00% | [331] |
| HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0300% | 0.0090/0.0080% | 38.81 | n.a. | [334] | |
|
| ||||||
| Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0075% | 0.001/0.0006% | 7.5/13 | n.a. | [335, 336] |
| HSV-1 | 0.0075% | 0.00% | 75 | [337] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Illicium verum (anise) | HSV-1 | 160.00 µg/mL | 40.00 µg/mL | 4 | n.a. | [338] |
| HSV-2 | 0.0160% | 0.00% | 5 | [336] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Juniperus communis (juniper) | HSV-1 | n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | >1.00% | [331] |
| Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus (juniper) | 1000.00 µg/mL | 200.00 µg/mL | 5 | n.a. | [332] | |
| Laurus nobilis (bay) | 500.00 µg/mL | 60.00 µg/mL | 8.3 | |||
| Lavandula latifolia (lavender) | n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | 1.00% | [331] | |
|
| ||||||
| Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 28.80 µg/mL | 0.96 µg/mL/0.58 µg/mL | 30/50 | n.a. | [339] |
| Matricaria recutita (chamomile) | HSV-1 | 30.00 µg/mL | 0.30 µg/mL | 100 | [338] | |
| HSV-2 | 0.0030% | 0.00% | 20 | [336] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0250% | >0.0250% | >1 | n.a. | [340] |
| HSV-1 | 568.40 µg/mL | 13.20 µg/mL | 44 | [341] | ||
| n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | 1.00% | [331] | ||
| HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0060% | 0.0009/0.0008% | 7/7.5 | n.a. | [334] | |
|
| ||||||
| Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0030% | 0.0004%/0.00008% | 7.5/37.5 | n.a. | [342] |
|
| ||||||
| Mentha piperita (peppermint) | HSV-1 | n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | 1.00% | [331] |
| HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0140% | 0.0020/0.0008% | 7/17.5 | n.a. | [343] | |
|
| ||||||
| Mentha suaveolens (apple mint) | HSV-1 | 343.60 µg/mL | 5.10 µg/mL | 67 | n.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-2 | 0.0160% | 0.00% | 5 | n.a. | [335] |
| HSV-1 | 40.00 µg/mL | 7.00 µg/mL | 6 | [338] | ||
| Pistacia palaestina (terebinth) | 500.00 µg/mL | 500.00 µg/mL | 1 | [332] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) | HSV-1 | 0.2580% | 0.01% | 46.12 | n.a. | [333] |
| n.d. | n.m. | n.m. | 1.00% | [331] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Salvia officinalis (sage) | HSV-1 | >1000.00 µg/mL | >1000.00 µg/mL | >1 | n.a. | [332] |
| Santalum album (sandalwood) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0015% | 0.0002/0.0005% | 7.5/3 | [335, 336] | |
| 60.00 µg/mL | 2.005 µg/mL/>60.00 µg/mL | 2.4/>1 | [344] | |||
| HSV-1 | 0.0015% | 0.00% | 7 | [337] | ||
|
| ||||||
| Santolina insularis (santolina) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 112.00 µg/mL | 0.88/0.70 µg/mL | 127/160 | n.a. | [345] |
|
| ||||||
| Thymus vulgaris (thyme) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0070% | 0.0010/0.0007% | 10/14 | n.a. | [335, 336] |
| HSV-1 | 0.0070% | 0.00% | 7 | [337] | ||
| Zingiber officinale (ginger) | HSV-1/HSV-2 | 0.0040% | 0.0002/0.0001% | 20/40 | [335, 336] | |
| HSV-1 | 0.0040% | 0.00% | 20 | [337] | ||
aHSV: herpes simplex virus, type 1 or 2.
bCC: cytotoxic concentration.
cIC: inhibitory concentration.
dSelectivity index > 4.
eEssential oil concentration at 100% plaque reduction.