Many essential oils have natural antiseptic properties. How do antiseptics work in essential oils? It turns out that the plants from which the oils are created, produce antiseptics to protect itself against microorganisms. The interest in antiseptic essential oils came about with the increasing resistance of microorganisms to existing antibiotics.
Antiseptic essential oils are derived from almost all parts of plants: citrus fruits, herbs, resin, leaves and wood of trees. The main influencing components are the monoterpenes that are antibacterial and antiviral, and alcohols, which provide anti-infective properties.
All the following essential oils, except tea tree and lavender, should be dissolved in basic oil(s) for cutaneous application. Almost any essential oil is antiseptic. The following is only the most used essential antiseptic oils.

Characteristics of antiseptic essential oils
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Benzoin (antiseptic and healing). Effective means of treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract and nasopharynx: asthma, bronchitis, sore throat, laryngitis, cough, and rhinitis. Helps with disorders of the genitourinary system. Good for healing damaged skin and promotes healing of wounds and ulcers. It is good for the treatment of minor scratches and pimples.
Bergamot (antiseptic, healing and helps to prevent scarring). No substitute for the treatment of urinary tract problems. Great antiseptic for intestinal problems. It is also good for respiratory infections and tonsillitis. It also helps with acne, boils, wounds, herpes, scabies, eczema and psoriasis.
Citronella (antiseptic). Helps fight against infection – especially effective as a room disinfectant agent.
Chamomile (antiseptic, healing and anti-inflammatory). It has a calming effect in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. Use for cuts, abrasions, wounds and ulcers. Heals burns, boils and abscesses. Reduces swelling and relieves itching of the skin.
Clary Sage (antiseptic and anti-inflammatory). Improves the condition of patients with respiratory system problems. Relieves inflammation and swelling of the skin.
Eucalyptus (antiseptic, bactericidal, healing, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, helps to prevent scarring). Particularly used for infections of the respiratory tract and nasopharynx and is best known for its expectorant action. Good for the treatment of the genitourinary system. As a remedy for cutaneous diseases is used for healing cuts, wounds and ulcers, burns and rashes on the skin (including herpes).
Frankincense (antiseptic and healing). Used in diseases of the respiratory and urinary systems. Effective in the treatment of skin inflammations, wounds and ulcers.
Garlic (antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant, cauterizing, antiviral, antifungal and helps to prevent scarring). It is especially recommended for respiratory and intestinal infections. Good to use for almost all types of lesions on the skin. Disinfects wounds and ulcers. Helps corns and warts.
Geranium or pelargonium (antiseptic, healing and helps to prevent scarring). Effective when used to treat infections of the throat and nose. Used in jaundice and urinary tract infections. Helps with burns, abrasions, sores, eczema and herpes. Removes puffiness.
Ginger (antiseptic and expectorant). Good for colds, flu, diarrhea.
Juniper (antiseptic, healing and helps to prevent scarring). A very effective antiseptic for the genitourinary system. Good for skin with acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
Kaput (antiseptic and expectorant). A wonderful antiseptic for diseases of the respiratory system and urinary tract. Very irritating to the skin, so be sure to use with a basic oil. Sometimes recommended for psoriasis.
Lavender (antiseptic, antibacterial, healing, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and helps to prevent scarring). Good for treating respiratory and throat infections. Particularly effective in the treatment of burns, abrasions, wounds, eczema and psoriasis. Treats pimples and acne. Treats abscesses, blisters, prevents the development of skin fungus and reduces swelling.
Lemon (antiseptic, bactericidal and healing). As an antiseptic, it can improve symptoms of the flu, sore throat, colds and cough. Effective for herpes. Softens scar tissue. Heals abrasions, wounds and warts.
Lemongrass (antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal). Prevents the development of infectious diseases: sore throat, laryngitis, herpes, etc. Improves the condition of fungal diseases of the foot.
Lime (antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral). Very effective in respiratory diseases: decreases pulmonary congestion and cough, relieves sinus congestion.
Myrrh (antiseptic, healing, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial). Helps with all types of diseases of the respiratory system, as well as for thrush. Used in diseases of the mouth and gums: ulcers, gingivitis and so on. Effectively treats poorly healing (including oozing) wounds and skin diseases.
Myrtle (antiseptic, bactericidal and expectorant). It is useful in pulmonary and respiratory diseases. Used in the treatment of coughs in children as it is softer than eucalyptus. Normalizes functions of the urogenital system and intestinal tract (hemorrhoids). Useful in swelling of the skin. A good additional tool in the treatment of skin rashes. Resolves hematoma.
Nayoli or niaouli (antiseptic, bactericidal, healing and helps to prevent scarring). The composition and properties close to the essential oil of tea tree. Helps in the treatment of all types of respiratory diseases and infections of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary areas. Heals abrasions, wounds, ulcers, burns. Cleanses the skin with acne and boils.
Oregano (antiseptic and healing). One of the best oils for pulmonary infections; thins mucus and relieves coughing. Resolves bruises. Use in small amounts – can cause desensitization and drowsiness.
Parsley (antiseptic). Since ancient times, it is recommended to use in diseases of the kidneys and bladder. Stimulates digestion. Narrowing the capillaries, cleans the wound and dissolves hematoma.
Peppermint (antiseptic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory). Good for colds and the flu. Has beneficial effects on the digestive system, including cases of poisoning. Reduces inflammation and relieves pain caused by sunburn. Effective in treating skin irritations and dermatitis.
Pine (antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal). Strong antiseptic for the treatment of bronchitis, laryngitis, sore throats and flu. Used to treat urinary tract infection (cystitis). Treats the skin from suppuration and crusts. Treats dermatitis and psoriasis.
Rosewood (antiseptic and antibacterial). Effective means of combating germs and viruses. Valuable antiseptic for the throat. Apply to the skin with acne, cuts and wounds.
Rosemary (antiseptic and helps to prevent scarring). A useful tool in the treatment of respiratory diseases, as this essential oil penetrates quickly into the body. However, in the evening it is better not to use.
Sandalwood (antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant and anti-inflammatory). It is used for respiratory diseases and infections of the genitourinary system, including kidney disease. Especially useful for dry eczema. Used for pimples, boils, abrasions, wounds and ulcers. Reduces itching and inflammation of the skin.
Tea Tree (antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant, antiviral, antifungal and prevents scarring). A powerful antiseptic that helps in fighting infectious diseases and strengthening the immune system. It is unusual in that it works against all types of microorganisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses. Used for the treatment of infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, nasopharynx, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract. Can be recommended for chronic fatigue syndrome: it strengthens the immune system. Often used for cutaneous diseases: drains pus and helps to prevent scarring. Treating burns, warts, herpes and, ulcers.
Thyme (antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant, antimicrobial and helps to prevent scarring). Its antiseptic properties are used to treat upper respiratory tract and infections of the nasopharynx, as it prevents the spread of germs and strengthens the immune system. Effective in infections of the intestinal and urinary tracts. Good for cystitis. Heals abrasions, wounds, ulcers. Helps with dermatitis. Used for disinfection of hands.