Abstract: Citral, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, and allspice oil were found to be highly effective antimicrobials, producing statistically significant reductions in Escherichia coli populations within minutes. In addition, synergy was observed between silver ions and these essential oils, thereby lessening the amount of the plant antimicrobial required to produce the same effect. Based on these observations, compositions including these agents and there use as an antimicrobial treatment that is safe for human consumption, are active in the presence of organic matter, are provided.