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. 2017 May 4;2017:4517971. doi: 10.1155/2017/4517971

Table 3.

Essential oil studies against S. aureus.

Essential oila Methodb Species strainc Solventd Resulte Main componentsf Reference
Abies balsamea (fir/balsam) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.00 mg/mL β-Pinene (31.00%), bornyl acetate (14.90%), δ-3-carene (14.20%) [99]
Abies holophylla (Manchurian fir) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 5% DMSO 21.80 mg/mL Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-ol (28.05%), δ-3-carene (13.85%), α-pinene (11.68%), camphene (10.41%) [111]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) >21.80 mg/mL
Abies koreana (Korean fir) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 5% DMSO 21.80 mg/mL Bornyl ester (41.79%), camphene (15.31%), α-pinene (11.19%)
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) >21.80 mg/mL
Achillea millefolium (yarrow) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 72.00 mg/mL Eucalyptol (24.60%), camphor (16.70%), α-terpineol (10.20%) [112]
Achillea setacea (bristly yarrow) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 4.50 mg/mL Sabinene (10.80%), eucalyptol (18.50%) [113]
Angelica archangelica (angelica), root MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.75 mg/mL α-Phellandrene (18.50%), α-pinene (13.70%), β-phellandrene (12.60%), δ-3-carene (12.1%) [99]
Angelica archangelica (angelica), seed 2.00 mg/mL β-Phellandrene (59.20%)
Anthemis aciphylla var. discoidea (chamomile), flowers MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) DMSO 1.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (39.00%), terpinen-4-ol (32.10%) [114]
Anthemis aciphylla var. discoidea (chamomile), aerial parts 0.50 mg/mL α-Pinene (49.40%), terpinen-4-ol (21.80%)
Anthemis aciphylla var. discoidea (chamomile), leaves Terpinen-4-ol (24.30%)
Anthemis nobilis (chamomile) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 16.00 mg/mL 2-Methylbutyl-2-methyl propanoic acid (31.50%), limonene (18.30%), 3-methylpentyl-2-butenoic acid (16.70%), isobutyl isobutyrate (10.00%) [99]
Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.00 mg/mL Estragole (82.60%) [99]
Backhousia citriodora (lemon myrtle) ADM S. aureus (NCTC 4163) Tween 20 0.05% v/v Geranial (51.40%), neral (40.90%) [115]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.20% v/v
Boswellia carteri (frankincense) (9 samples) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 5.00–16.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (4.80–40.40%), myrcene (1.60–52.40%), limonene (1.90–20.40%), α-thujene (0.30–52.40%), p-cymene (2.70–16.90%), β-pinene (0.30–13.10%) [116]
Boswellia frereana (frankincense) (3 samples) 4.00–12.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (2.00–64.70%), α-thujene (0.00–33.10%), p-cymene (5.40–16.90%)
Boswellia neglecta (frankincense) 6.00 mg/mL NCR [117]
α-Pinene (43.40%), β-pinene (13.10%) [116]
Boswellia papyrifera (frankincense) 1.50 mg/mL NCR [117]
Boswellia rivae (frankincense) 2.50 mg/mL
Boswellia sacra (frankincense) (2 samples) 4.00–8.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (18.30–28.00%), α-thujene (3.90–11.20%), limonene (11.20–13.10%) [116]
Boswellia spp. (frankincense) (4 samples) 6.00–9.30 mg/mL α-Pinene (18.80–24.20%), limonene (11.70–19.00%)
Boswellia thurifera (frankincense) 10.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (28.0%), limonene (14.6%)
Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Bicyclosesquiphellandrene (19.50%), β-farnesene (13.90%) [99]
Cananga odorata (ylang-ylang), heads 4.00 mg/mL Benzyl acetate (31.90%), linalool (27.00%), methyl benzoate (10.40%)
Canarium luzonicum (elemi) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.00 mg/mL Limonene (41.90%), elemol (21.60%), α-phellandrene (11.40%) [99]
Carum carvi (caraway) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Limonene (27.60%), carvone (67.50%) [99]
S. aureus DMSO ≤1.00 μg/mL DL-limonene (53.35%), β-selinene (11.08%), β-elemene (10.09%) [118]
Caryophyllus aromaticus (clove) ADM90 S. aureus (ATCC 25923, 16 MRSA and 15 MSSA clinical isolates) Tween 80 2.70 mg/mL Eugenol (75.85%), eugenol acetate (16.38%) [119]
Cinnamomum Cassia (cinnamon) MIC S. aureus DMSO ≤1.00 μg/mL trans-Caryophyllene (17.18%), eugenol (14.67%), [118]
Linalool L (14.52%), trans-cinnamyl acetate (13.85%), cymol (11.79%), cinnamaldehyde (11.25%)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Eugenol (80.00%) [99]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 0.02 mg/mL NCR [85]
ADM 10% DMSO 3.20 mg/mL [80]
ADM90 S. aureus (ATCC 25923, 16 MRSA and 15 MSSA clinical isolates) Tween 80 0.25 mg/mL Cinnamaldehyde (86.31%) [119]
Citrus aurantifolia (lime) ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO 12.80 mg/mL Cinnamaldehyde (52.42%) [80]
Citrus aurantium (bitter orange), flowers MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 50% DMSO 0.31 mg/mL Limonene (27.50%), E-nerolidol (17.50%), α-terpineol (14.00%) [120]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6536) 0.63 mg/mL
Citrus aurantium (petitgrain) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6536) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL Linalyl acetate (54.90%), linalool (21.10%) [99]
Citrus bergamia (bergamot) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) n.m. 1.25 μL/mL Bergamol (16.10%), linalool (14.02%), D-limonene (13.76%) [62]
Citrus grandis (grapefruit) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.00 mg/mL Limonene (74.80%) [99]
Citrus medica limonum (lemon) ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO >12.80 mg/mL NCR [80]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.00 mg/mL [99]
Citrus sinensis (orange) ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO >12.80 mg/mL NCR [80]
MAC S. aureus (ATCC 9144) 0.1% ethanol 0.94 mg/L [121]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL Limonene (93.20%) [99]
Commiphora guidotti (myrrh) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL (E)-β-Ocimene (52.60%), α-santalene (11.10%), (E)-bisabolene (16.00%) [117]
Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 1.30 mg/mL Furanogermacrene (15.90%), furanoeudesma-1,3-diene (44.30%) [117]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) 2.00 mg/mL Furanoeudesma-1,3-diene (57.70%), lindestrene (16.30%) [117]
Coriandrum sativum (coriander), seed MIC S. aureus (7 clinical isolates) 0.5% DMSO with Tween 80 0.16 mg/mL NCR [122]
Cupressus arizonica (smooth cypress), branches MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO 1.50 μg/mL α-Pinene (58.60%), δ-3-carene (15.60%) [123]
Cupressus arizonica (smooth cypress),female cones 2.95 μg/mL α-Pinene (60.50%), δ-3-carene (15.30%)
Cupressus arizonica (smooth cypress), leaves 0.98 μg/mL α-Pinene (20.00%), umbellulone (18.40%)
Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 12.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (41.20%), δ-3-carene (23.70%) [99]
Cymbopogon giganteus (lemongrass) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 9144) 0.5% ethanol 2.10 mg/mL Limonene (42.00%), trans-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (14.20%), cis-p-mentha-1(7),8-dien-2-ol (12.00%) [124]
Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 9144) 0.5% ethanol 2.50 mg/mL Geranial (48.10%), neral (34.60%), myrcene (11.00%) [124]
S. aureus DMSO ≤1.00 μg/mL Geranial (47.34%), β-myrcene (16.53%), Z-citral (8.36%) [118]
MAC S. aureus (MTCC 96) Sodium taurocholate 0.80–0.27 μL/mL Citral (72.80%) [125, 126]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.67 mg/mL Geranial (44.80%) [99]
Cymbopogon martinii (palmarosa) MAC S. aureus (MTCC 96) Sodium taurocholate 0.80 μL/mL Geraniol (61.6%) [125, 126]
Cymbopogon nardus (citronella) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL Citronellal (38.30%), geraniol (20.70%), citronellol (18.80%) [99]
Daucus carota (carrot seed) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Carotol (44.40%) [99]
Eucalyptus camaldulensis (eucalyptus) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 3.90 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (54.37%), α-pinene (13.24%) [127]
S. aureus (clinical isolate)
Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 10.00 mg/mL 1,8-Cineol (81.93%) [128]
MRSA (ATCC 10442)
MRSA (MRSA USA 300)
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 43387) DMSO 0.20% v/v NCR [129]
MAC S. aureus (MTCC 96) Sodium taurocholate 0.41 μL/mL Cineole (23.20%) [125, 126]
ADM MRSA (ATCC 33592) Tween 20 85.60 μg/mL Eucalyptol (47.20%), (+)-spathulenol (18.10%) [81]
S. aureus (ATCC 25922) 51.36 μg/mL
MRSA (14 clinical isolates) 8.56–85.60 μg/mL
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (58.00%), α-terpineol (13.20%) [99]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL NCR [130]
MRSA (ATCC 33592) 0.75 mg/mL
Eucalyptus radiata (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (65.7% ± 9.5), α-terpineol (12.8% ± 4.4) [130]
MRSA (ATCC 33592) 1.00–2.00 mg/mL
Eucalyptus camaldulensis (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 0.50 mg/mL NCR [130]
MRSA (ATCC 33592)
Eucalyptus citriodora (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 1.00 mg/mL NCR [130]
MRSA (ATCC 33592)
Eucalyptus smithii (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL NCR [130]
MRSA (ATCC 33592)
Eucalyptus dives (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL NCR [130]
MRSA (ATCC 33592) 1.00 mg/mL
Eucalyptus intertexta (eucalyptus) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 29737) 10% DSMO 7.80 μg/mL NCR [131]
Eucalyptus largiflorens (eucalyptus) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 7.80 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (70.32%), α-pinene (15.46%) [127]
S. aureus (clinical isolate)
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 29737) 10% DSMO 250.00 μg/mL NCR [131]
Eucalyptus melliodora (eucalyptus) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 3.90 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (67.65%), α-pinene (18.58%) [127]
S. aureus (clinical isolate)
Eucalyptus polycarpa (eucalyptus) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 1.95 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (50.12%) [127]
S. aureus (clinical isolate) 3.90 μg/mL
Foeniculum dulce (fennel) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL E-Anethole (79.10%) [99]
Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) DMSO >10.00 mg/mL trans-Anethole (68.53%), estragole (10.42%) [132]
Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) (6 samples) MIC S. aureus ≤1.00 μg/mL trans-Anethole (33.3%), DL-limonene (19.66%), carvone (12.03%) [118]
S. aureus (ATCC 28213) 125.00–500.00 μg/mL Fenchone (16.90–34.70%), estragole (2.50–66.00%), trans-anethole (7.90–77.70%) [133]
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare (fennel), Aurelio MAC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 20 50.00–100.00 μg/mL Limonene (16.50–21.50%), (E)-anethole (59.80–66.00%) [134]
Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare (fennel), Spartaco Limonene (0.20–17.70%), (E)-anethole (66.30–90.40%)
Geranium dissectum (geranium) MIC S. aureus DMSO ≤1.00 μg/mL β-Citronellol (25.45%), geraniol (13.83%) [118]
Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.00 mg/mL Isopinocamphone (48.70%), pinocamphone (15.50%) [99]
Juniperi aetheroleum (juniper) MAC80 S. aureus (ATCC 6538) n.m. 40.00% v/v α-Pinene (29.17%), β-pinene (17.84%), sabinene (13.55%) [135]
MAC80 S. aureus (MFBF) 15.00% v/v
Juniperus communis (juniper), berry MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 10.00 mg/mL NCR [85]
MIC MRSA (15 clinical isolates) Ethanol >2.00% v/v [136]
Juniperus excelsa (juniper), berries, Dojran ADM S. aureus (ATCC 29213) 50% DSMO >50.00% α-Pinene (70.81%) [87]
Juniperus excelsa (juniper), leaves, Dojran 125.00% α-Pinene (33.83%)
Juniperus excelsa (juniper), leaves, Ohrid 125.00% Sabinene (29.49%)
Juniperus officinalis (juniper), berry MIC S. aureus (ATCC 29213) Tween 80 10.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (39.76%) [128]
Juniperus officinalis (juniper), berry MRSA (clinical isolates) 20.00 mg/mL
Juniperus virginiana (juniper) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Thujopsene (29.80%), cedrol (14.90%), α-cedrene (12.40%) [99]
Juniperus virginiana (juniper), berries 3.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (20.50%), myrcene (13.70%), bicyclosesquiphellandrene (10.70%)
Kunzea ericoides (Kānuka) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.25% v/v α-Pinene (61.60%) [137]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.20% v/v
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 8.00 mg/mL α-Pinene (26.2–46.7%), p-cymene (5.8–19.1%) [138]
Laurus nobilis (bay) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 0.83 mg/mL Eugenol (57.20%), myrcene (14.30%), carvacrol (12.70%) [99]
Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Linalyl acetate (36.70%), linalool (31.40%), terpinen-4-ol (14.90%) [99]
S. aureus (NCTC 6571) 10% DSMO 310.00 μg/mL Linalool (25.10%), linalyl acetate (22.50%) [139]
S. aureus (NCTC 1803) 320.40 μg/mL
MRSA (15 clinical isolates) Ethanol 0.50% v/v NCR [136]
S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 8.60 mg/mL Linalool (30.80%), linalyl acetate (31.30%) [140]
S. aureus (clinical strain and ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Linalyl acetate (36.7%), linalool (31.4%), terpinen-4-ol (14.9%) [99]
MRSA (clinical strain and 43300)
Methicillin-gentamicin-resistant S. aureus (MGRSA) (ATCC 33592)
Lavandula dentata (French lavender) MIC S. aureus (BNI 18) 5% DMSO 1.53 mg/mL Camphor (12.40%) [141]
Lavandula officinalis (lavender) MIC S. aureus DMSO ≤1.00 μg/mL δ-3-Carene (17.14%), α-fenchene (16.79%), diethyl phthalate (13.84%) [118]
Lavandula stoechas (French lavender) MIC S. aureus (STCC 976) Tween 80 2.00 μL/mL 10s,11s-Himachala-3(12),4-diene (23.62%), cubenol (16.19%) [142]
Lavandula stoechas (French lavender), flower MIC MRSA (clinical isolate) 20% DMSO 31.25 μg/mL α-Fenchone (39.20%) [47]
Lavandula stoechas (French lavender), leaf 125.00 μg/mL α-Fenchone (41.90%), 1,8-cineole (15.60%), camphor (12.10%)
Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.10% v/v (−)-(E)-Calamenene (14.50%), leptospermone (17.60%) [137]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.05% v/v
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL Eudesma-4(14),11-diene (6.2–14.5%), α-selinene (5.90–13.5%), (E)-methyl cinnamate (9.2–19.5%) [138]
Litsea cubeba (May Chang) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL Geranial (45.60%), nerol (31.20%) [99]
Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL Bisabolene oxide A (46.90%), β-farnesene (19.20%) [99]
Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) ADM90 S. aureus (ATCC 25923, 16 MRSA and 15 MSSA clinical isolates) Tween 80 26.50 mg/mL Chamazulene (31.48%), α-bisabolol (15.71%), bisabolol oxide (15.71%) [119]
Matricaria songarica (chamomile) MIC S. aureus (CCTCC AB91093) Tween 80 50.00 μg/mL E-β-Farnesene (10.58%), bisabolol oxide A (10.46%) [143]
Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) ADM S. aureus (NCIM 2079) Tween 80 1.00% NCR [79]
S. aureus (clinical isolate)
MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.25% v/v α-Terpinene (11.40%), γ-terpinene (22.50%), terpinen-4-ol (35.20%) [137]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.35% v/v
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 29213) None used 0.50% (v/v) Terpinen-4-ol (40.00%), δ-terpinen (13.00%), p-cymene (13.00%) [97]
MRSA (98 clinical isolates) n.m. 512.00–2048.00 mg/L NCR [144]
S. aureus (NCIB 6571) 1.00% v/v [145]
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (9 clinical isolates) Polyoxyl 35 castor oil 0.63–2.50% v/v Terpinen-4-ol (>35.00%) [146]
MRSA (10 clinical isolates) 0.30–0.63% v/v
0.30% v/v
MRSA (15 clinical isolates) Ethanol 0.25% v/v NCR [136]
S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 8.60 mg/mL Terpinen-4-ol (38.60%), γ-terpinene (21.60%) [140]
MIC90 S. aureus (NCTC 6571) Tween 80 0.25% v/v Terpinen-4-ol (35.70%) [147]
S. aureus (105 clinical isolates) 0.12–0.50% v/v
MIC MRSA (60 clinical isolates, 29 mupirocin-resistant) 0.25% [148]
MIC S. aureus (NCTC 8325) n.m. 0.50% (v/v) Terpinen-4-ol (39.80%), γ-terpinene (17.80%) [149]
0.25% (v/v) [150]
MIC90 MRSA (100 clinical isolates) Tween 80 0.16–0.32% NCR [151]
MIC S. aureus (69 clinical isolates) Tween 80 0.12–0.50% v/v Terpinen-4-ol (35.70%) [152]
ADM S. aureus (NCTC 4163) Tween 20 0.20% v/v Terpinen-4-ol (42.80%), γ-terpinene (18.20%) [115]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.30% v/v
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 8.00 mg/mL Terpinen-4-ol (49.30%), γ-terpinene (16.90%) [99]
MAC S. aureus (2 clinical isolates) n.m. 0.10–0.20% Eucalyptol (70.08%) [153]
S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 0.20%
S. aureus (NCTC 9518) 0.63–1.25% v/v α-Pinene (11.95%), α-terpinene (14.63%), terpinen-4-ol (29.50%), p-cymene (17.74%) [154]
α-Pinene (24.87%), α-terpinene (12.47%), terpinen-4-ol (28.59%)
Melaleuca cajuputi (cajuput) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 2.50 mg/mL 1,8-Cineol (67.60%) [128]
MRSA (ATCC 10442) 5.00 mg/mL
MRSA (clinical isolate) 2.50 mg/mL
MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) 0.20% v/v 1,8-Cineole (55.50%) [137]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.30% v/v
Melaleuca quinquenervia (niaouli) MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.20% v/v 1,8-Cineole (61.20%) [137]
MRSA (clinical isolate) 0.30% v/v
Melaleuca viridiflora (niaouli) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (45.90%), α-terpinene (21.00%) [99]
Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) MIC S. aureus (NCTC 6571) 10% DSMO 300.60 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (27.40%), α-thujone (16.30%), β-thujone (11.20%), borneol (10.40%) [139]
MIC S. aureus (NCTC 1803) 330.30 μg/mL
Mentha piperita (peppermint) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 11.90 mg/mL Menthone (18.20%), menthol (42.90%) [140]
S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 0.60 mg/mL 1,8-Cineol (12.06%), menthone (22.24%), menthol (47.29%) [128]
MRSA (ATCC 10442)
MRSA (clinical isolate)
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) DMSO 0.63–2.50 mg/mL Menthol (27.50–42.30%), menthone (18.40–27.90%) [155]
S. aureus ≤1.00 μg/mL Menthone (40.82%), carvone (24.16%) [118]
MRSA (15 clinical isolates) Ethanol 0.50% v/v NCR [136]
S. aureus (ATCC 43387) DMSO 0.20% v/v [129]
MAC S. aureus (MTCC 96) Sodium taurocholate 1.66 μL/mL Menthol (36.40%) [125, 126]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 9144) 0.5% ethanol 8.30 mg/mL Menthol (39.30%), menthone (25.20%) [156]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL Menthol (47.50%), menthone (18.60%) [99]
Myrtus communis (myrtle) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Myrtenyl acetate (28.20%), 1,8-cineole (25.60%), α-pinene (12.50%) [99]
ADM S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 20 2.80 mg/mL NCR [157]
S. aureus (ATCC 29213)
Ocimum basilicum (basil) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 9144) 0.5% ethanol 2.50 mg/mL Linalool (57.00%), eugenol (19.20%) [156]
MAC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) n.m. 1.25 μL/mL Eugenol (62.60%), caryophyllene (21.51%) [62]
Tween 80 0.07 × 10−2% v/v Linalool (54.95%), methyl chavicol (11.98%) [158]
S. aureus (3 clinical strains) Tween 80 ((0.15–0.30) × 10)−2 % v/v Linalool (54.95%), methyl chavicol (11.98%) [158]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL Linalool (54.10%) [99]
MIC90 S. aureus (ATCC 6538) n.m. 45.00 μg/mL Methyl chavicol (46.90%), geranial (19.10%), neral (15.15%) [159]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.68–11.74 μg/mL Linalool (30.30–58.60%) [160]
Origanum acutidens (Turkey oregano) MIC S. aureus (clinical isolate) 10% DMSO 125.00 μg/mL Carvacrol (72.00%) [161]
S. aureus (ATCC2913)
Origanum majorana (marjoram) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 43387) DMSO 0.05% v/v NCR [129]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (46.00%), linalool (26.10%) [99]
Origanum microphyllum (oregano) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 6.21 mg/mL Terpin-4-ol (24.86%), γ-terpinene (13.83%), linalool (10.81%) [162]
Origanum scabrum (oregano) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 80 0.35 mg/mL carvacrol (74.86%) [162]
Origanum vulgare (oregano) ADM S. aureus (ATCC 6538) 1% DMSO 0.13% v/v p-Cymene (14.60%), γ-terpinene (11.70%), thymol (24.70%), carvacrol (14.00%) [163]
S. aureus (ATCC 25923)
S. aureus (ATCC 43300)
MRSA (22 isolates) 0.06–0.13% v/v
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) n.m. 575.00 mg/L NCR [164]
MAC 0.63.00 μL/mL Carvacrol (30.17%), p-cymene (15.20%), γ-terpinen (12.44%) [62]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 43387) DMSO 0.10% v/v NCR [129]
ADM S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 20 0.70 mg/mL [157]
S. aureus (ATCC 29213)
Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Greek oregano) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO + Tween 80 170.70 μg/mL Linalool (96.31%) [165]
Origanum vulgare subsp. vulgare (oregano) 106.70 μg/mL Thymol (58.31%), carvacrol (16.11%), p-cymene (13.45%)
Pelargonium graveolens (geranium) ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO >12.80 mg/mL NCR [80]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 20 0.72 mg/mL [157]
S. aureus (ATCC 29213)
MIC S. aureus (strains isolated from skin lesions) Ethanol 0.25–1.50 mL/mL Citronellol (26.70%), geraniol (13.40%) [166]
S. aureus (strains isolated postoperatively) 0.50–2.25 mL/mL
MRSA and MSSA (clinical strains) 1.00 mL/mL
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL Citronellol (34.20%), geraniol (15.70%) [99]
Perovskia abrotanoides (Russian sage) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO 8.00 μL/mL Camphor (23.00%), 1,8-cineole (22.00%), α-pinene (12.00%) [167]
Pimpinella anisum (anise) MIC S. aureus DMSO 125.00 μg/mL NCR [168]
≤1.00 μg/mL Anethole (64.82%) [118]
Pinus sylvestris (pine) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL Bornyl acetate (42.30%), camphene (11.80%), α-pinene (11.00%) [99]
Piper nigrum (black pepper) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL β-Caryophyllene (33.80%), limonene (16.40%) [99]
Pogostemon cablin (patchouli) MIC S. aureus (NCTC 6571) 10% DSMO 395.20 μg/mL α-Guaiene (13.80%), α-bulnesene (17.10%), patchouli alcohol (22.70%) [139]
S. aureus (NCTC 1803) 520.00 μg/mL
Pogostemon patchouli (patchouli) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL Patchouli alcohol (37.30%), α-bulnesene (14.60%), α-guaiene (12.50%) [99]
Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.13% v/v 1,8-Cineole (27.23%), α-pinene (19.43%), camphor (14.26%), camphene (11.52%) [169]
S. aureus (NCTC 6571) 10% DSMO 305.30 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (29.2%), (+)-camphor (17.2%) [139]
S. aureus (NCTC 1803) 310.40 μg/mL
MRSA (clinical isolate) Tween 80 0.03% v/v 1,8-Cineole (26.54%), α-pinene (20.14%), camphene (11.38%), camphor (12.88%) [170]
S. aureus (MTCC 96) n.m. >11.00 mg/mL NCR [171]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Hexane 1.88–7.50 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (10.56–11.91%), camphor (16.57–16.89%), verbenone (17.43–23.79%) [172]
ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO >12.80 mg/mL NCR [80]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 20 5.60 mg/mL [157]
S. aureus (ATCC 29213)
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 6.20 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (41.40%), α-pinene (13.30%), camphor (12.40%) [140]
S. aureus (ATCC 43387) DMSO 0.20% v/v NCR [129]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL 1,8-Cineole (48.00%) [99]
ADM90 S. aureus (ATCC 25923, 16 MRSA and 15 MSSA clinical isolates) Tween 80 8.60 mg/mL Camphor (27.51%), limonene (21.01%), myrcene (11.19%), α-pinene (10.37%) [119]
Salvia bracteata (sage) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923)   50.00 μg/mL Caryophyllene oxide (16.60%) [173]
Salvia eremophila (sage) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 29737) 10% DMSO 8.00 μg/mL Borneol (21.83%), α-pinene (18.80%), bornyl acetate (18.68%) [174]
Salvia nilotica (sage) ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 5.40 mg/mL trans-Caryophyllene (10.90%) [175]
Salvia officinalis (sage) MIC S. aureus (NCTC 6571) 10% DSMO 302.40 μg/mL 1,8-Cineol (27.40%), α-thujone (16.30%), β-thujone (11.20%), borneol (10.40%) [139]
S. aureus (NCTC 1803) 324.30 μg/mL
S. aureus (ATCC 43387) DMSO 0.20% v/v NCR [129]
ADM S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 20 11.20 mg/mL NCR [157]
S. aureus (ATCC 29213) 5.60 mg/mL
S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 7.50 mg/mL [176]
Salvia ringens (sage) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. NI α-Pinene (12.85%), 1,8-cineole (46.42%) [177]
Salvia rosifolia (sage) (3 samples) MRSA 20% DMSO 125.00–1000.00 μg/mL α-Pinene (15.70–34.80%), 1,8-cineole (16.60–25.10%), β-pinene (6.70–13.50%) [178]
Salvia rubifolia (sage) S. aureus (ATCC 25923) Tween 20 50.00 μg/mL γ-Muurolene (11.80%) [173]
Salvia sclarea (clary sage) MIC S. aureus (11 MRSA and 16 MSSA) Ethanol 3.75–5.25 Linalyl acetate (57.90%), linalool (12.40%) [179]
S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL Linalyl acetate (72.90%), linalool (11.90%) [99]
Santalum album (sandalwood) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 0.25 mg/mL α-Santalol (32.10%) [99]
Styrax benzoin (benzoin) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 2.00 mg/mL cinnamyl alcohol (44.80%), benzene propanol (21.70%) [99]
Syzygium aromaticum (clove) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 80 0.13% v/v Eugenol (68.52%), β-caryophyllene (19.00%), 2-methoxy-4-[2-propenyl]phenol acetate (10.15%) [169]
S. aureus DMSO ≤1.00 μg/mL Eugenol (84.07%), isoeugenol (10.39%) [118]
ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 10% DMSO >6.40 mg/mL NCR [80]
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 1.50 mg/mL Eugenol (82.20%), eugenol acetate (13.20%) [99]
Tagetes minuta (Mexican marigold) MIC90 S. aureus (ATCC 6538) n.m. 67.00 μg/mL Dihydrotagetone (33.90%), E-ocimene (19.90%), tagetone (16.10%) [159]
Tagetes patula (French marigold) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 4.00 mg/mL (E)-β-Ocimene (41.30%), E-tagetone (11.20%), verbenone (10.90%) [99]
Thymbra spicata (thyme) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 29213) Tween 80 2.25 mg/mL Carvacrol (60.39%), γ-terpinene (12.95%) [180]
Thymus capitatus (thyme) S. aureus (ATCC 25923) 900.00 μg/mL p-Cymene (26.40%), thymol (29.30%), carvacrol (10.80%) [181]
Thymus capitatus (thyme), commercial α-Pinene (25.20%), linalool (10.30%), thymol (46.10%)
Thymus herba-barona (thyme), Gennargentu 225.00 μg/mL Thymol (46.90%), carvacrol (20.60%)
Thymus herba-barona (thyme), Limbara 900.00 μg/mL p-Cymene (27.60%), thymol (50.30%)
Thymus hyemalis (thyme) (thymol, thymol/linalool, carvacrol chemotypes) MAC S. aureus (CECT 239) 95% ethanol <0.20–0.50 μL/mL p-Cymene (16.00–19.80%), linalool (2.10–16.60%), thymol (2.90–43.00%), carvacrol (0.30–40.10%) [61]
Thymus numidicus ADM S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 0.23 mg/mL NCR [176]
Thymus serpyllum (thyme) S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Tween 20 0.28 mg/mL [157]
S. aureus (ATCC 29213) 0.70 mg/mL
Thymus vulgaris (thyme) MIC S. aureus DMSO 31.20 μg/mL NCR [168]
S. aureus (NCTC 6571) 10% DSMO 160.50 μg/mL p-Cymene (17.90%), thymol (52.40%) [139]
S. aureus (NCTC 1803) 210.00 μg/mL
S. aureus (ATCC 25923) n.m. 0.40 mg/mL NCR [85]
ADM S. aureus (ATCC 433000) Ethanol 0.25 μL/mL Thymol (38.1%), p-cymene (29.10%) [182]
S. aureus (2 multidrug-resistant clinical strains from hands) 0.50 μL/mL Thymol (38.1%), p-cymene (29.10%) [182]
S. aureus (6 multidrug-resistant clinical strains from wounds) 0.50–1.00 μL/mL
S. aureus (4 multidrug-resistant clinical strains from ulcers) 0.50–0.75 μL/mL
S. aureus (multidrug-resistant clinical strain from abscesses) 0.25 μL/mL
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 12600) Acetone 1.30 mg/mL Thymol (47.20%), p-cymene (22.10%) [140]
MRSA (15 clinical isolates) Ethanol 0.50% v/v NCR [136]
ADM MRSA (ATCC 33592) Tween 20 18.50 μg/mL Thymol (48.1%), p-cymene (15.60%), γ-terpinene (15.40%) [81]
S. aureus (ATCC 25922)
MRSA (14 clinical isolates) 18.50–37.00 μg/mL
MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 3.33 mg/mL p-Cymene (39.90%), thymol (20.70%) [99]
Thymus vulgaris (thyme) (thymol chemotype) MAC S.aureus (CECT 239) 95% ethanol <0.20 μL/mL p-Cymene (18.70%), thymol (57.70%) [61]
Thymus zygis subsp. gracilis (thyme) (thymol and two linalool chemotypes) <0.20–1.20 μL/mL p-Cymene (0.50–11.20%), (E)-sabinene hydrate (0.20–18.20%), linalool (2.00–82.30%)
Vetiveria zizanioides/Andropogon muricatus (vetiver) MIC S. aureus (ATCC 6538) Acetone 0.75 mg/mL Zizanol (13.6%), β-vetirenene (7.2%) [99]

aScientific name (common name), part of plant (if applicable).

bMIC: microdilution method; MAC: macrodilution method; ADM: agar dilution method; CTA: contact time assay.

cAmerican Type Culture Collection, Rockville, USA (ATCC); Colección Espanõla de Cultivos Tipo (CECT); collection of microorganisms of the Department of Microbiology (MFBF); culture collection of antibiotics resistant microbes (CCRM); Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, clinical isolate (OGU); Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (LM); Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC); Mycology Laboratory (LM); National Center of Industrial Microorganisms (NCIM); National Collection of Type Cultures, London, Great Britain (NCTC); Spanish Collection of Type Cultures (STCC).

dDMSO concentration was not included; n.m.: not mentioned.

eNI: no inhibition.

fNCR: no composition results reported.