Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana from Spain

The study from 2012 investigated the essential oil of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, finding it contained 66 compounds, predominantly monoterpenes, with limonene being the most abundant at 77.7%. The oil demonstrated significant antibacterial and antifungal properties, especially against Candida albicans with a 20mm inhibition halo and was more effective against Gram-positive bacteria, with inhibition halos between 12mm and 13mm. The oil's efficacy varied depending on the plant part used, with young stems and leaves being more effective than immature cones or heartwood. The findings suggest that the essential oil of C. lawsoniana is a potent natural antimicrobial agent, meriting further research into its seasonal efficacy and differences between wild and cultivated plants.