Modern Aromatherapy - The Antiviral Properties of Essential Oils
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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 to have antiviral effects. This discovery lead to and increase in the examination of essential oils in Europe for the treatment of viral infections.
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.)
One of the most significant reasons for aromatherapy's effectiveness 'en vivo' is the lipophillic character of essential oils - they are readily absorbed by mammalian tissues and the bloodstream. More exciitng than the simple ease of absorption however is that when studying the anti-viral effects of essential oils, researchers found that normal cells seemed to acquire resistance to viral penetration - certain viruses become unable to penetrate cell walls after the cell has been treated with an essential oil.
Melissa and the Herpes Virus: 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, who's 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 bergamot, eucalyptus, lemongrass and tea tree.
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.
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 challenge in determining the exact virus strain involved in an illness, more specific application information cannot be given here. In cases of herpes, Melissa has been shown effective in a number of studies and is a safe essential oil - it may only require dilution, and should be diluted in a carrier oil in any case of skin sensitivity or dryness. For respiratory infections, Eucalyptus, Ravensara and Myrtle have been commonly used, and can be used in conjunction with regular medical care. In addition to the oils' efficacy on a physiologic level, essential oils can uplift the emotions which may speed healing, or at least improve mental outlook during the healing process. In no cases, however, should self-treatment with essential oils be used in place of professional medical treatment where the symptoms of infectious illness are present.
Michelle is a degreed natural health professional offering personal consultations to support overall wellness through a variety of modalities. She may be contacted through her website at www.anandaapothecary.com.
