The eradication of bacterial biofilms remains a persistent challenge in medicine, particularly because an increasing number of biofilms exhibit resistance to conventional antibiotics. This underscores the importance of searching for novel compounds that present antibacterial and biofilm inhibition activity. Various types of honey and essential oil were proven to be effective against a number of biofilm-forming bacterial strains. The current study demonstrated the effectiveness of the relatively unexplored fennel honey (FH), fennel essential oil (FEO), and their combination against biofilm-forming bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with a series of in vitro experiments. The authenticity of FH and FEO was checked with light microscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the microdilution method, and antibiofilm activity was assessed with crystal violet assay. Structural changes in bacterial cells and biofilms, induced by the treatments, were monitored with scanning electron microscopy. FEO and FH inhibited the biofilm formation of each bacterial strain, with FEO being more effective compared to FH. Their combination was the most effective, with inhibitory rates ranging between 87 and 92%, depending on the bacterial strain. The most sensitive bacterium was E. coli, while P. aeruginosa was the most resistant. These results provide justification for the combined use of honey and essential oil to suppress bacterial biofilms and can serve as a starting point to develop an effective surface disinfectant with natural ingredients.

Mental health disorders, particularly anxiety and insomnia, are increasingly prevalent worldwide, prompting interest in herbal-based complementary therapies. This study surveyed 168 Hungarian healthcare professionals to evaluate their knowledge and recommendations regarding herbal sedatives and analyzed seven commonly suggested OTC products available in Hungary, using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry according to the European Pharmacopoeia. The survey revealed that 86.9% of respondents recommend herbal products for nervous system complaints, with Valeriana officinalis and Melissa officinalis being the preferred ingredients. Herbal teas and traditional herbal medicines were the most frequently suggested product categories. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of marker compounds in all tested products; however, significant variability in active ingredient concentrations was observed. One homeopathic product contained an unidentified alkaloid-like compound, raising safety concerns. Essential oil yields from tea mixtures also varied markedly, and some products did not meet pharmacopoeial standards for hypericin content. These findings highlight the popularity of phytotherapy among healthcare professionals and the need for stricter quality control of OTC herbal sedatives. Future research should include multi-batch analyses and clinical trials to establish robust evidence for efficacy and safety.

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria has stimulated the search for plant-derived antimicrobials with alternative modes of action. This study investigated whether chemically distinct essential oils (EOs) differ in their antibacterial effects and their ability to modulate bacterial efflux-associated processes in clinically relevant MDR pathogens. The chemical compositions of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), lemon (Citrus limon), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), and Eucalyptus radiata EOs, as well as their blend, were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Terpinen-4-ol, limonene, α-pinene, and eucalyptol were identified as major constituents. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains with different resistance profiles was evaluated by broth microdilution, while effects on efflux-associated processes were assessed using an ethidium bromide accumulation assay. The EOs showed strain-dependent antibacterial effects, with E. coli being more susceptible than K. pneumoniae. E. radiata showed the lowest MIC against E. coli 130063 (0.312 mg/mL), whereas no EO inhibited the K. pneumoniae strains at concentrations below 5 mg/mL. The highest RFI values were observed for lemon oil against K. pneumoniae 33443 (1.41) and the EO blend against E. coli 128673 (1.27). These findings support further investigation of selected EOs as complementary antimicrobial agents.

Background: Respiratory tract infections remain among the most common indications for antibiotic therapy and represent a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. The ability of respiratory pathogens to form biofilms further contributes to treatment failure and recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic adjuvant potential of selected essential oil components against clinically relevant respiratory bacteria and to determine whether planktonic synergistic interactions translate into early-stage antibiofilm efficacy. Thymol, eugenol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, and terpinen-4-ol were tested against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth microdilution. Synergistic interactions with clinically relevant antibiotics were assessed using the checkerboard method and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) analysis. Selected combinations were further evaluated in a 6 h crystal violet-based early-stage biofilm model. Gram-positive strains generally exhibited higher susceptibility to the tested components than Gram-negative bacteria. Results: Synergistic interactions (FICI ≤ 0.5) were most frequently observed between β-lactam antibiotics and phenolic components, particularly thymol and trans-cinnamaldehyde. Strong synergy was detected for vancomycin-eugenol against MRSA and for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid–cinnamaldehyde against M. catarrhalis. Importantly, synergistic combinations translated into significantly enhanced inhibition of early biofilm formation, increasing inhibition rates by 15–40% compared to antibiotic monotherapy (p < 0.05). Selected essential oil components enhanced the antibacterial activity of clinically relevant antibiotics and effectively potentiated early-stage biofilm inhibition. Conclusions: These findings support further investigation of phytochemical-antibiotic combinations as potential adjunct strategies in respiratory infection management.

Post-COVID-19, olfactory and visual training have demonstrated health benefits, particularly for individuals with visual impairments and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and glaucoma. Integrating olfactory training with essential oils and developing multisensory technologies could improve the quality of life for those with sensory deficits, underscoring the brain’s adaptability and the therapeutic potential of herbal ingredients. This short review commentary proposes that the neuroplastic interplay between the olfactory and visual pathways, including their demonstrated anatomical and functional convergence, may provide a conceptual foundation for integrating olfactory stimulation into future visual rehabilitation strategies.