The present invention relates to a combination of Basil oil and Taiwan red cypress oil exhibiting synergistic antimicrobial activity. The present combinations comprise two essential oils, leaves of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and heartwood of Taiwan red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsum.), at a ratio of 1:2 to 2:1. The antibacterial combinations can effectively prevent drug resistant S. aureus infections, especially the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.