The Effect of the Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Extract on the Bacteria on the Hand of the Nurses

Introduction: Hand is considered as one of the most important ways of transmitting the causative agent of infection and much emphasis has been placed on hand hygiene. In this regard, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of tea tree oil and lavender on bacterial samples in nurses. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on all nurses working in ICU wards. Samples were selected by easy non-probability sampling method. The research tools were demographic information questionnaires, hand culture registration form. In the intervention phase, on the first day in the first experimental group, 2 drops of lavender oil, on the second day, 2 drops of tea tree oil and on the third day, 2 drops of distilled water were poured on the nurse's palm and the hands were massaged for 10 seconds. Then before and after the intervention, culture samples were taken in each group. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software version 20 and α = 0.05 was considered. Results:  The use of lavender oil and tea tree has been effective in reducing the microbial load of the palm. Hand massage with lavender oil had less effect on reducing germs (p = 0.003), but tea tree oil caused a more significant reduction of pathogens (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Lavender and tea tree oil reduced the microbial load of nurses.