Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Oregano Oil, Thyme Oil and Helichrysum Oil Against Oral Pathogens: An In Vitro Study

Essential oils are concentrated natural extracts derived from plants, which were proved to be good sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. Aim of the study is to determine the antimicrobial activity of thyme oil, oregano oil and helichrysum oil individually and also all three combined as a fourth group against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans. Agar well diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity of different concentrations of the chosen essential oils. Individually, at 100μl concentrations against S. Mutans Thyme oil and Helichrysum oil are effective in inhibition followed by all three combinations. At 100μl concentrations against S. Aureus combination oil holds the highest zone of inhibition followed by Oregano oil. Thyme oil was most effective against E. Faecalis and least effective was helichrysum oil. Thyme oil was more effective against C. Albicans followed by Oregano oil and combination oil where as helichrysum oil was the least effective oil against oral pathogens.