| abstract |
Disclosed are personal care compositions, including compositions for oral, throat and skin care comprising a blend of naturally occurring flavor or perfume ingredients or essential oils containing such ingredients, wherein the blend provides excellent antimicrobial activity and comprises at least two components, a first acyclic component selected from citral, neral, geranial, geraniol and nerol and a second cyclic-containing component selected from eucalyptol, carvacrol and eugenol. Preferably, the blend comprises 3, 4, 5 or more of the above components. Greater synergy in terms of antimicrobial efficacy may be obtained the more different components are blended together. The present compositions are effective in killing, suppressing the growth of and/or altering metabolism of microorganisms including those which cause undesirable oral cavity conditions including plaque, caries, calculus, gingivitis, periodontal disease and malodor. Optionally the blend further comprises additional antimicrobial and/or anti-inflammatory components, preferably naturally-occurring as well. |