Our modern civilisation has become used to quick fixes including treating health problems, with many people not having the luxury of taking time out to cure their ailments. This has lead to an over-use and misuse of antibiotics, reaching an all-time high nowadays resulting in many bacteria not being responsive to treatment any longer. This can potentially be dangerous as the bacteria have become so used to antibiotics that they have developed resistance against it causing the antibiotics to lose their power to kill these ‘superbugs’. Unfortunately the superbugs have the ability to mutate faster than a new drug can be developed, which has turned them into a global epidemic. The umbers are confirming the worldwide consumption of antibiotics within the last 15 years has increased by a staggering 65% where 1 in 3 antibiotic prescriptions were totally unnecessary, and pretty much seen as using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut, or even worse, given for conditions that were deemed entirely unaffected by antibiotics such as viral respiratory tract infections! In some cases the only treatment necessary was time and the body’s own immune system.

To quote the former Director-General Dr Margaret Chan of the World Health Organisation that said “Antibiotic resistance could lead to the end of modern medicine as we know it.”

This statement makes it clear that urgent action is required. We have to become conscious again of our roots in nature and of the time before pharmaceutical antibiotics were available. There was a time where natural defenders such as foods and herbs were available that people used on a daily base to primarily prevent infection and illness and stay healthy, and secondary to employ as a solution from nature, a kind of natural antibiotic, to get back to health again in case of disease. These original and natural antibiotics have been around for centuries and are powerful plant-based extracts such as essential oils, that were mentioned as far back as in the old scriptures as coming from ‘the tree of life’ with its leaves for the healing of the nations. Essential oils are the very essence of trees and plants and contain the core, or the heart of that plant with all its healing powers in the most and highest concentration, serving mankind as one of the most powerful forms of plant-based medicine known to us. The phytochemical in certain essential oils are known for long to have strong and effective antibiotic properties and can prevent the growth of bacteria, boost immunity and fight infections. Other essential oils have both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and have shown themselves just as effective as a pharmaceutical antibiotic. Keep reading to learn about the 10 best essential oils in nz that help against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and that we are using in our Purely Essential products (in no particular order).

1. Oregano Essential oil - has powerful antibacterial properties to eliminate different types of bad bacteria and helps to prevent bacterial overgrowth as well as fungus. It also has naturally anti-parasitic and anti-viral properties and is the oil of choice for fighting inflammation.
2. Turmeric Essential oil - its use dates back early 4000 years to vedic culture and is known as a strengthening and warming antioxidant, demonstrating anti-inflammatory properties and is a strong relaxant, balancer, detoxifier and anti-aging agent.
3. Clove Essential oil - is ranked number one among herbs and spices for its abundance of therapeutic properties and high antioxidant content. It has powerful bactericidal and fungicidal processes and significant anti-microbial effects against Staphylococcus, E.coli and Candida albicans. Apart from that, Clove oil has very strong anti-viral properties that can be effective for antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
4. Cinnamon Bark Essential oil - was employed 2000 years ago as an embalming agent to preserve the human body after death. It was known then for its anti-parasitic and anti-viral effects. Together with Frankincense it had the most effective anti-microbial activity against certain infectious diseases. Inhaling Cinnamon Bark steam has shown an inhibitory effect against some penicillin-resistant strains of bacteria, often known as respiratory tract pathogens.
5. Eucalyptus Essential oil – a 2015 research study found that cineole (the primary component of Eucalyptus) has strong therapeutic use in reducing infection in mucus secretion, eases symptoms in pneumonia by dilating the blood vessels and allowing more oxygen into the lungs. It was seen as aiding inflammation and pain levels. It was very effective in treating sinusitis, improving asthma and allergies. Worth mentioning were its high anti-microbial and anti-septic properties that inhibited the growth of mold and bacteria.
6. Thyme Essential oil - has been a herbal superhero for long with its antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-spasmodic action. It was revealed by scientists that Thyme exhibited extremely strong activity against 100 different strains of bacteria which included the antibiotic resistant strains (superbugs).
7. Frankincense Essential oil - is incredibly therapeutic and called ‘the king of essential oils’. It is highly priced and precious with extraordinary health benefits. It is known for having anti-asthmatic and anti-thrombotic properties as well as supporting cancer treatments. A 2011 study confirmed its anti-inflammatory effects in gingivitis. It is very strong in immune enhancing and improving circulation, hence a brilliant aid for relieving muscle & joint pain.
8. Melissa (Lemon Balm) Essential oil - Paracelsus called Melissa ‘the Elixir of Life’ for its very strong anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-spasmodic and anti-depressant properties. It is highly priced on the market and is well researched for its effect with dementia. It is very successful in fighting viruses of the herpes family, hence it’s the first choice used in treating cold sores.
9. Tea Tree Essential oil – probably together with Lavender is the most popular and known Essential oil around. It has been passed down for thousands of years by the native Aborigines of Australia and used by them to treat almost every illness. It is a must for any medicine cabinet as it has powerful antiseptic properties and in numerous medical research found to be effective against many strains of viruses, bacteria and fungi.
10. Rosemary Essential oil – it has long been used as a powerful health booster and was found to be active against certain pathogens and drug resistant mutations of E.coli and Candida albicans (superbugs). Rosemary became very popular in Hair regeneration and rejuvenation after certain studies had found it stimulates hair growth and can hep to prevent baldness.

Above powerful essential oils have been proven traditionally and in many longterm studies to be effective where pharmaceutical antibiotic might not be anymore, due to an exponential increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If essential oils are used in their purest and highest quality (organic and therapeutic grade) like we at Purely Essential use them in our remedies, they are most effective in protecting your precious health and wellbeing each time you use them. We stand with our name for the quality of the oils we are using, and are sure you will be satisfied!