Comparison of the Anti-microbial Efficacy of Clove, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Nutmeg, and Peppermint Essential Oil against Oral Pathogens: An In-vitro Study

Introduction: Antibiotics are routinely used in dental practice to treat microbial diseases. However, the spread of drug resistant pathogens has drawn researchers’ interest to find out new anti-microbial agents against oral microbial diseases.

Aim: To compare the anti-microbial activity of clove oil, cinnamon oil, turmeric oil, nutmeg oil, and peppermint oil against oral pathogens.

Materials and Methods: It was an in-vitro study. The organisms used in this study were Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis. Agar Well Diffusion Method was used to assess the anti-microbial efficacy of the five essential oils against oral pathogens. Five discs/concentration/micro-organism were used in the study. The zone of inhibition was measured after incubation. Kruskal Wallis Test was used to compare the difference in the anti-microbial activity of the oils.

Results: The mean zone of inhibition of clove oil against Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis was highest at 100 μL (29.8 mm, 44.75 mm, 40.33 mm, respectively), cinnamon oil was highest at 100 μL (39.8 mm, 40.33 mm, 40 mm, respectively), turmeric oil was highest at 100 μL (41.8 mm, 40.50 mm, 40 mm, respectively), peppermint oil was highest at 100 μL (41.8 mm, 27.16 mm, 17 mm, respectively) and nutmeg oil against was highest at 100 μL (24 mm, 24.83 mm, 9.3 mm, respectively).

Conclusion: Clove oil, cinnamon oil, turmeric oil, nutmeg oil, and peppermint oil had anti-microbial activity against oral pathogens. Based on the findings, the most effective oil against Streptococcus mutans was turmeric oil and peppermint oil. The most effective oil against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis was clove oil.