Antibacterial Mechanism of Action of Essential Oils

Toxicity and side effects associated with current antibacterial agents have been reported recently, and bacterial resistance to antibiotics is also increasing; thus, there is an urgent requirement for better alternatives. As one of the most important classes of natural products, essential oils (EOs) have been used for the treatment of various infections for centuries. The safety and efficacy of these EOs have now been documented; however, due to the complex chemical nature of EOs, it's challenging to establish the specific mechanism of action. This chapter discusses the antibacterial effects of EOs with their possible mechanism of action.