THE EFFECT OF CERTAIN ESSENTIAL OILS ON LABORATORY MICE INTESTILAN PROTOZOA

The research took place between October 2006 and May 2007 on a number of 30 laboratory mice; in order to determine the way in which essential oils (Ocimum basilicum - Basil; Tymus vulgaris - thyme; Calendula officinalis - Pot Marigold or English Marigold) administered i n doss of 10µl/mouse over a period of 5 consecutive days; act on the intestinal protozoa; s howed that these influenced differently the structu re of the flagellate population determining certain particula rities: Ocimum basilicum had an effect on Giardia; Hexamita and Trichomonas species ; Calendula officinalis had an effect on Hexamita muris; Chilomastix bettencourti; Trichomonas spp.; while the Tymus vulgaris extract was effective only in case of Chilomastix bettencourti.