Did you know that the aromatherapy scene in Japan is huge and highly active? Research into essential oils is already incredibly advanced there. The only issue? The language barrier. Even English texts are rarely translated into German, and Japanese remains a foreign language for most Europeans.
One of the leading researchers in this field is Naho Maruyama from Teikyo University, Institute of Medical Mycology. She specializes in the use of essential oils for fungal infections. Let’s take a closer look at her key findings.
1. Essential oils are more effective against fungi than bacteria.
2. Because of their tiny molecular size, essential oils can penetrate nail beds and deep into the nails more effectively than conventional medications. Sometimes, a combination of both is beneficial.
3. Essential oils can prevent fungi from transforming from the yeast form into their filamentous, uncontrolled mycelial growth phase. Even if the infection cannot always be completely eliminated, keeping it in check is often a success.
4. In high concentrations, essential oils are fungicidal (they kill fungi), while in lower concentrations, they inhibit mycelial growth.
5. Essential oils work particularly well against fungi when combined with heat. A 20-minute foot bath (up to 42°C) stimulates blood circulation and allows the oils to penetrate more effectively.
At their university, researchers add 32 drops of essential oil to the foot bath. This dosage was tested under experimental conditions and is not recommended for private use. However, Ms. Maruyama claims that it can eliminate athlete’s foot within four days. The blend used consists of equal parts of:
• Palmarosa
• Rose Geranium
• Tea Tree Oil
In their laboratory, aromatograms are produced differently from the European standard. Instead of direct application, they work with the pure vapor of essential oils.
This means that fungal colonies are not physically touched by the oils but are only controlled by their volatile molecules.
Studies on Various Fungi
The studies focused on:
• Foot and nail fungi (Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes)
• Fungi that affect vaginal and other mucous membranes (Candida albicans)
Rose Geranium and its main component, Geraniol, showed particularly strong antifungal effects.
In the case of oral and vaginal fungal infections in mice, research found that gargling or washing with essential oils before application was more effective than simply rubbing them in.
Ms. Maruyama also emphasized the anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils. These should not be underestimated, as they support tissue regeneration and reduce excessive immune responses.
Their studies focused on neutrophil granulocytes (white blood cells). These cells rush to infected tissue to fight pathogens—but in some cases, they overreact and cause excessive inflammation.
The following essential oils were found to be most effective in reducing inflammation caused by the cytokine TNF-alpha, listed in descending order of effectiveness:
• Lemongrass
• Rose Geranium
• Spearmint
• Thyme
• Patchouli
• German Chamomile
• Lavender
• Tea Tree Oil
• Eucalyptus
For more details, you can download the following three animal studies conducted by the research group, available for free:
• Maruyama N, Takizawa T, Ishibashi H, Hisajima T, Inouye S, Yamaguchi H, Abe S. Protective activity of geranium oil and its component, geraniol, in combination with vaginal washing against vaginal candidiasis in mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 2008 Aug;31(8):1501-6.
• Abe S, Maruyama N, Hayama K, Inouye S, Oshima H, Yamaguchi H. Suppression of neutrophil recruitment in mice by geranium essential oil. Mediators Inflamm. v.13(1); Feb 2004.
• Abe S, Maruyama N, Hayama K, Ishibashi H, Inouye S, Oshima H, Yamaguchi H. Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced neutrophil adherence responses by essential oils. Mediators Inflamm. 2003 December; 12(6): 323-328.
