The antiviral activity of essential oils is one of their most intriguing effects. Many respected aromatherapists believe the greatest potential of the oils used in aromatherapy is to treat infectious illness — and while bacterial infections are a significant health issue, it is viral pathogens that are spread the most rapidly. Whether you’re interested in managing through “cold and flu” season, or preventing and treating other sorts of viral infections, essential oils may hold your answer.
Scientific researchers the world over have been experimenting with essential oils to find which oils have, if any, antiviral activity, and how strong this action is. This area of research is certainly still growing, though the available data certainly makes a statement. Research has generally involved one of two conditions: the treatment and effect of oils on the herpes viruses both in human subjects and in petri dishes, or the ability of oils to inactivate other viruses in petri dishes alone. The data shows that certain oils succeed in all conditions.
A large proportion of the research has been performed specifically on treatment and prevention of outbreaks and transmission of HSV-1 and 2. This is purely a result of the high number of persons with this condition, and the simplicity of testing the efficacy of an oil. Several essential oils have demonstrated the ability to support healing from outbreaks.
It appears this is the result of two actions of the oils: that they prevent uninfected cells from becoming infected, and directly destroy the viruses. Both are great news. It appears that oils somehow change the electrical potential of our cells in such a way as to make it harder for a viral invader to break into the cell, while eradicating the viruses themselves at the same time.
The most powerful essential oils for treatment of HSV are melissa (also known as lemon balm), geranium, and tea tree. The oils are simple to use for this action: just dilute alone or in combination in a carrier oil at a concentration between 5 and 10% and apply to affected areas. Some individuals will ingest a drop of melissa one to three times per day when an outbreak is occurring, or when they feel their immune system is weak, as a preventative measure.
The data supporting efficacy for treatment and prevention of influenza and other viruses which infect the respiratory system is limited, due to the challenge and expense of this research. There are reports, however, of bay laurel being effective (the idea of this action is strongly supported by aromatherapists due to the oil’s incredibly complex nature), and other reports indicating tea tree being a smart choice.
Some aromatherapists consider the essential oils from evergreen trees, like pine needle, to be strongly antiviral — yet these oils have not yet been the subject of laboratory research. A list of the oils believed to have the strongest antiviral properties by practicing therapists includes: melissa, pine, hyssop, bay laurel, lavender, ravensara, and eucalyptus radiata.
Employing these oils in one’s own practice is very easy. The same method can be used for both healing from an illness and preventing one as well. Blending any three of these oils together in equal parts is likely to provide a stronger effect than any of them alone. The best way to offer the oil’s action to an entire home or workplace is through the use of a diffuser. Low concentrations of the oils can be inhaled throughout the day, and it is possible the diffused oils may in fact inactivate viruses in the air.
The same formula can be diluted to between five and ten percent and applied topically. Apply two or three times per day, massaging the tops and bottoms of the balls of the feet (considered energetic endpoints related to the respiratory system), as well as areas where lymph glands are close to the surface of the skin (the armpits, groin area and neck, for example).
This is a brief look at the possibilities of utilizing the antiviral actions of aromatherapy and essential oils. One really need not get more complicated than this to achieve the desired results (keeping well!), and at the same time, one may be more precise with their oil selection and application techniques through learning more on the subject. You’ll find a host of information on the internet, though the most valuable sources are texts by therapists familiar with the practices of medical aromatherapy (examples are Advanced Aromatherapy by Schnaubelt, and The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Battaglia). Good luck and stay well!
More information on essential oils and carrier oils for aromatherapy applications is available at the Ananda Apothecary.