Research has lately been finding that essential oils can kill harmful bacteria and fungus. In fact, a quote from Mercola.com cited this study:
"Dr. Diane Horne of Weber
State University in Ogden, Utah, told the 98th general assembly of the
American Society of Microbiology about the serendipitous discovery of
the impact of the oils on cells such as Streptococcus pneumonia.
A
coresearcher was spraying aromatic oils in the laboratory. "When I
looked at the S. pneumonia that I was preparing for another experiment,
the cells were just falling apart," Dr. Horne reported. Dr. Horne and
coworker Sue Chao, of the Young Living Essential Oil Company of Payton,
Utah, tested the autolyzing properties of 74 different essential oils.
The
best results occurred with oregano, thyme and rosewood and intermediate
inhibition of the pathogens was achieved with cinnamon oil and clove
oil, Dr. Horne said at a poster presentation at the meeting. Dr. Horne
pointed out that the oils also showed efficacy against E. coli and
several species of fungi."
After reading this you may be wondering how you can get essential oils. Many health food stores sell them, or you can them online. I ,personally, have found oregano oil good for killing fungus; it also helps with respiratory issues. Clove is good for tummy aches and diarrhea. Hooray for herbs!