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Practical Aromatherapy: The Antiviral Effects of Pure Essential Oils

Written by Webmaster

Monday, 08 October 2007

By Nancy Wellington

Scientific proof regarding the effectiveness of natural essential oils against a wide variety of viruses continues to grow. In the 1970's, German researchers tested extracts of more than 90 species of the Lamiaceae plant family to have anti-viral actions. This discovery prompted great interest in the examination of essential oils in Europe for the treatment of viral infections.

Essential oils used in aroatherapy have demonstrated signficant anti-viral properties. Curiously, different plant families demonstrate varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the virus strain. This is a result of the variying molecular structures found to make up each essential oil - features like atomic charges, molecular size and polarity. These features determine which physiological structures (tissues types, cell walls, mucous membranes, etc) can be most effectively penetrated by the oil, and where their anti-viral action can be exhibited. The effect on the actual virus itself also depends on the virus structure (enveloped, non-enveloped, molecular symmetry, etc), again varying with the molecular properties of the oil.

Certainly, one of the reasons for oils' effectiveness en vivo is their lipophillic character - essential oils are easily absorbed into mammalian tissues, where they may produce the greatest results. In fact, when studying the anti-viral effects of essential oils, researchers found that normal cells seemed to acquire a special resistance to viral penetration, though the mechanism for this effect is not yet known.
The Herpes Simplex Virus and Melissa Officinalis - Melissa, a member of the Lamiaceae family also known as Lemon Balm, has been shown particularly efficacious against the herpes simplex virus. Dr. D. Wabner of the Technical University of Munich has even reported that application of Melissa oil can lead to a complete remission of HSV lesions, which has otherwise not been thought possible. A cream medication for Herpes outbreaks who's active constituent is an extract of Melissa, is produced in Germany with the name Lomaherpan. Use of pure, true Melissa essential oil may be just as effective - the oil can be applied directly to the lesions to speed healing. Further occurrences can be prevented by applying oil to the area when sensations signal an eminent outbreak. Other essential oils found effective against the Herpes virus include rose otto, bergamot, eucalyptus, lemongrass and tea tree, though none have the prominent position of Melissa officinalis.

Antiviral Components of Oils: The list of essential oils exhibiting antiviral effects is extensive: Melissa (as above), tea tree, juniper, eucalyptus, thyme, palmarosa, lavender, rosemary, clove, laurel, cinnamon bark, anise, rose, lemongrass, geranium, neroli, bergamot, clary sage, and dill. The antiviral effect of an essential oil is due to particular components of the oil - some oils will work just as effectively on a particular infection as another, because they contain similar amounts of a certain component. The components of essential oils showing antiviral activity, and the oils in which they can be found, are as follows (from K. Schnaubelt, Ph.D. - Advanced Aromatherapy, p. 36): Anethol - found in Anise Alpha-Sabines - found in Tea Tree, Laurel, and other oils Beta-Caryophyllene - found in Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme Linalool, and other oils Carvone - found in Dill Cinnamic aldehyde - found in Cinnamon Bark Citral - found in Melissa, Lemongrass and other oils Citronellol - found in Rose and Geranium Eugenol - found in Clove Gamma-Terpinene - Found in Juniper, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Tea Tree and other oils Linalol - found in Lavender and Neroli Linalyl acetate - found in Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot and other oils.

Studies of oil application in actual cases of illness are limited, as infecting people with a virus to then be treated with essential oils is a difficult process for obvioius reasons. The oils above have mostly shown effectiveness in-vitro, though tests also indicate that the anti-viral properties should occur in-vivo in humans as well. It has been the Herpes Symplex Virus that has been most thoroughly examined, because of the relative ease of doing so. However, there is nothing truely unique about the herpes virus - correct oil and virus matches should be equally effective.

Case studies by professional aromatherapists have been presented - Of significance in these studies is matching of essential oil and the syptoms of the viral infection. Oils from plants of the Myrtaceae family (Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Ravensara are commonly used exaples) have helped in cases of respiratory tract infections. For the lower respiratory tract, Hyssop decumbens has been used. Essential oils for such cases may be taken in with a nebulizer at regular intervals, through aromatherapy massage, or with proper supervision, orally. For specific conditions, it is important to see a qualified aromatherapist who can match the proper oil or oils with specific symptoms of viral infection - otherwise the application may have no effect - or could possibly be harmful.

Due to the difficulty in many cases of illness in determining the exact virus type involved, more specific application cannot be given. Certainly, in cases of HSV, Melissa has been shown effective in a number of studies. For respiratory infections, Eucalyptus and Ravensara have been used with success, and can be safely used as an adjunct to regular medical care. These oils may support one's recovery on a physiologic level - essential oils also play a part in uplifting emotions, which may also speed healing, or at least improve mental outlook during the healing process. For such instances, one may simply find the essential oil or combination that one finds pleasant, calming, and/or uplifting. PLEASE NOTE: In no cases, however, should self-treatment with essential oils be used in place of professional medical care where signs/symptoms of infectious illness are present.

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The author is a natural health professional utilizing vibrational medicine in her personal and professional practice. she is the co-owner of the Ananda Apothecary, specializing in wildcrafted and organic essential oils and essential oil blends.The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy, found at http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html. More resources are available on aromatherapy and essential oil blends through the website.The author is a natural health practitioner in Boulder, Colorado. she is a regular user of essential oils and consultant to aromatherapy creations at http://www.anandaapothecary.com and http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oil-blends.html.The author utilizes pure essential oils for aromatherapy and their natural healing properties. More information is available through The Ananda Apothecary at www.anandaapothecary.com.The author has been a contributor of aromatherapy articles and information around the internet. her websites contain useful information for beginning and advanced aromatherapists alike. More information on therapeutic grade essential oils and essential oil blends is available at the Ananda Apothecary.More information is available through http://www.anandaapothecary.com.The author is a co-founder of Ananda Aromatherapy. More information on pure and organic essential oils can be found at The Ananda Apothecary.The author, manager of The Ananda Apothecary, regularly employs essential oils, essential oil blends and flower essences in her personal natural wellness practice.The author is the owner of Ananda Aromatherapy, a source for world-classessential oil, therapeutic essential oil blends and aromatherapy accessories. her site includes wonderful collections of essential oils and aromatherapy resources. More can be found at http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.htmlThe author is the co-owner of www.anandaapothecary.com - More aromatherapy resources are available on this site.For more resources on using essential oil and flower essences therapeutically, visit the Ananda Apothecary.The author regularly employs aromatherapy oils and flower essence therapy in her practice.The author is a regular contributor to several sites in the areas of using essential oils and Bach flower essences. she can be contacted at www.AnandaApothecary.comMore information on using essential oil and essential oil blends can be found through www.anandaapothecary.comThe author is a regular contributor to natural health sites and ezines on the topics of essential oils, aromatherapy, and flower essence remedies. she may be contacted through www.anandaapothecary.com

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