The body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural
botanicals against a great variety of viruses is growing.
Over twenty years ago, German scientists found extracts of
more than 100 species of the Lamiaceae family of plants to
have antiviral effects. This discovery lead to an increase
in the examination of essential oils in Europe for the
treatment of viral infections of all kinds.
Essential oils from many plant families have now been
demonstrated to have antiviral properties. Interestingly,
different plant families exhibit varying degrees of
effectiveness depending on the virus strain. This is due to
the particular molecular structures found in each type of
oil, which penetrate physical entities to varying degrees
(different tissues, cell walls, mucous membranes, etc). The
effect on each virus strain depends also on the virus
structure (enveloped, non-enveloped, molecular symmetry,
etc.)
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.
One of the Lamiaceae plants studied, Melissa (Melissa
officinalis - also known as Lemon Balm), was shown
particularly efficacious against the herpes virus (HSV).
Doctor Dietrich Wabner, a professor at the Technical
University of Munich, has even reported that a one-time
application of Melissa oil led to a complete remission of
HSV lesions. A cream medication for Herpes outbreaks, whose
active ingredient is an extract of Melissa, is now sold in
Germany under the name Lomaherpan. Use of Melissa essential
oil itself may be just as effective - the oil can be
applied directly to the lesions (or diluted to 10% in
carrier if sensitivity is noted) to speed healing. Further
occurrences can be prevented by applying oil to the area
when sensations signal an eminent outbreak - repeating this
protocol 3 or 4 times may cause total remission.
Other essential oils found effective against the Herpes
virus include eucalyptus, lemongrass, rose otto and tea
tree, though these do not have quite the same body of
evidence as melissa. This does not mean they will not be as
effective, they simply have not been tested as thoroughly.
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.
Good studies of application of these essential oils in
cases of illness are difficult to come by, as infecting
people with viruses in the laboratory to subsequently be
treated with aromatics would be a difficult process at
best. The oils and components above have mostly shown
effectivenessin-vitro, though tests also indicate that the
anti-viral effect should occur in-vivo as well. As with
Melissa, it has been HSV that has been most thoroughly
examined, because of the relative simplicity of doing so.
But there is nothing particularly special about the herpes
virus, and proper oil/pathogen paring should prove as
effective.
There are some noted case studies by professional
aromatherapists. Of importance in these studies is the
oil/symptom relationship. Essential oils from plants of the
Myrtaceae family - notably Eucalyptus Radiata and Tea Tree
- and Ravensara (also high in Eucalyptol) seem to have
helped in cases with respiratory symptoms. For the lower
respiratory tract, Hyssop decumbens (from the same plant
family as Melissa) has been of interest. Essential oils for
such cases may be used either in a diffuser, being taken at
regular intervals, or through massage, diluted in a carrier
oil.
Because of 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 an ardent supporter of supporting one's
health through natural means. Essential oils are one of
nature's many effective medinces, and the more education
one can receive on using them, the better one can employ
these wonderful remedies. More information is available
through http://www.anandaapothecary.com
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