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Table 1 List of selected essential oils and their properties.

From: In vitro antibacterial activity of some plant essential oils

Common name

Botanical name (Family)

Properties [37, 42, 43]

Aniseed oil

Pimpinella anisum (Umbelliferae)

Carminative, stimulant, expectorant, condiment and flavouring agent.

Calamus oil

Acorus calamus (Araceae)

Carminative, bitter stimulant, vermifuge and insect repellent

Camphor oil

Cinnamomuum camphora (Lauraceae)

Rubefacient, tooth powder and cosmetic agent.

Cedarwood oil

Cedrus atlantica (Coniferae)

Antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, fungicidal, sedative and stimulant.

Cinnamon oil

Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Lauraceae)

Carminative, stomachic, astringent, stimulant and antiseptic.

Citronella oil

Cymbopogon nardus (Gramineae)

Perfumery, mosquito repellent and flavouring agent.

Clove oil

Eugenia caryophyllus (Myrtaceae)

Dental analgesic, carminative, stimulant and antiseptic.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus globulu s (Myrtaceae)

Counter-irritant, antiseptic, expectorant, cough reliever.

Geranium oil

Pelargonium graveolens (Geraniaceae)

Flavouring agent and stimulant.

Lavender oil

Lavandula angustifolia (Labiatae)

Stimulant and flavouring agent.

Lemon oil

Citrus limon (Rutaceae)

Carminative, stimulant, perfuming and flavouring agent.

Lemongrass oil

Cymbopogon citratus (Graminae)

Flavouring agent, antiseptic and deodorant.

Lime oil

Citrus aurantium (Rutaceae)

Stomachic, carminative and flavouring agent.

Nutmeg oil

Myristica fragrans (Myristicaceae)

Stimulant, anti rheumatic and carminative.

Orange oil

Citrus sinensis (Rutaceae)

Stomachic, carminative and flavouring agent.

Palmarosa oil

Cymbopogon martini (Graminae)

Cosmetic, anti rheumatism and insect repellent.

Peppermint oil

Mentha piperita (Labiatae)

Digestent, stimulant and tonic.

Rosemary oil

Rosmarinus officinalis (Labiatae)

Carminative, stimulant and flavouring agent.

Basil oil

Ocimum sanctum (Labiatae)

Antibacterial, insecticidal, stimulant, stomachic and diaphoretic.

Vetiver oil

Vetiveria zizanioides (Graminae)

Stimulant, refrigerant, flavouring agent, stomachic and fixative.

Wintergreen oil

Gaultheria fragrantissima (Ericaceae)

Irritant, vermicide agent and flavouring agent.