The essential oil of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) demonstrates a superior antifungal activity compared with tea tree (Melalueca alternifolia) or lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Objective

To compare the antifungal potential of tea tree, lavender and lemon grass essential oils against common causes of tinea infection in humans.

Materials and methods

Plugs of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes 7 mm in diameter were immersed in dilutions (0–30%) of essential oils for exposure times of 30 s and 30 min. They were then cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 28 °C for 4 weeks. Diameters of growth were measured, and percentage inhibition of growth calculated.

Results

By day 7, following a single 30-s exposure, lavender and tea tree essential oils gave 100% inhibition of T. rubrum at 25% dilution, while the dilution of lemon grass to give the equivalent effect was 10%. Neither lavender nor tea tree achieved 100% inhibition of T. mentagrophytes at any dilution tested, even with 30 min exposure. Lemon grass however, gave 100% inhibition of T. mentagrophytes at 10% dilution with 30-s exposure.

By day 28, lavender and tea tree essential oils showed 0% inhibition of either Trichophyton species while lemon grass maintained 100% inhibition with dilutions of 10% and above.

Conclusion

The essential oil of lemon grass shows a greater antifungal effect than tea tree or lavender and requires further evaluation as an antimycotic agent.