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With more people investigating ways to support their immune system, and perhaps go so far as to actually prevent infection from influenza viruses (Swine flu, for example), a primer on essential oils and infectious illness is in order. There are several natural medicines available which have solid backing in flu prevention: zinc lozenges and elderberry extract are two very popular items. Though little attention has been given to the use of essential oils for this purpose. It is the position of many leading aroma-medicine practitioners that the use of oils for the treatment and prevention of infectious illness is the area of medicine where these products will be of greatest help to mankind. AND, there is a growing body of scientific evidence revealing true antiviral and immunostimulating effects of essential oils. Here's a look at the research, and some easy-to-use recipes and techniques one can use to protect the immunity of themselves and their families. The Supporting Data: Antiviral Actions of Essential Oils Over the last decade, laboratory researchers around the world have found many essential oils are capable of directly eradicating viruses. Further, they may even prevent viruses from moving between cells within the body and limiting the spread of infection. This is not an over-optimistic interpretation of the data by an essential oil proponent, but the actual conclusions of controlled research studies. Abstracts of all the research mentioned here can be found through pubmed.gov, the database maintained by the National Institute of Health and the US National Library of Medicine. If you wish, you can browse these results by entering search terms such as "essential oil virus", "antiviral essential oil", and more specifically "laurus nobilis SARS" (Laurus nobilis being Bay Laurel essential oil, and SARS a highly-infectious viral respiratory ailment). While there is not yet data where essential oils have been tested against Swine Flu and Avian Flu specifically, as we'll see there is every reason to believe the oils will be effective against these virus strains as well. What Does the Data Mean? With more than one hundred published research papers on the subject, a summary is in order. What scientists are finding is that many of the essential oils commonly in use today have antiviral properties. Whether an oil is effective against a particular virus depends upon the natural chemical makeup of the oil and the structure of the virus being studied. The data, without a doubt, is very encouraging. One study perfomed in Germany this year concluded with the note that Tea Tree was able to "reduce viral infectivity by greater than 96 percent". The same study went on to clarify that the whole, natural oil, rather than any single chemical synthetically extracted, was up to TEN TIMES more effective as an antiviral agent. The precise reason for this is not known -- it is clear that some of the most chemically complex oils exhibit the greatest antiviral effects, and perhaps this mixture of nature's chemicals attacks the virus AND supports immune function is several ways at once. One Pandemic Virus and The Oil of Laurel Leaf Many of the studies utilize the Herpes Simplex Virus as a "test subject", because of the widespread prevalence of infection, along with the relative ease of testing. However, if one digs into the data, many papers present information relevant in in influenza pandemic. SARS 'Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome' is caused by the highly infectious SARS-CoV virus that made world-wide news in 2003. A study in the March 2008 Journal of Chemical Biodiversity noted Bay Laurel essential oil to have significant antiviral action against this virus. They'd also noted the natural constituents of this oil, which are also found in a great many other essential oils. This is why you'll see MANY essential oils noted as antivirals -- because many oils share similar natural chemical constituents. So while this next oil is not readily available, the data is very interesting. In 2005, Chinese researchers evaluated the anti-influenza potential of the essential oil from a root used in Chinese medicine, concluding: "In vivo...it prevented influenza virus-induced deaths in a dose-dependent manner". And the list of oil/virus combinations goes on and on. But this begs the question: how do we derive a formula for Swine Flu prevention? Selecting Oils For Daily Flu Protection Here's where we'll make the leap from the scientific evidence to relying on many many years of Aroma Medicine practice throughout the world. In the aromatherapy textbooks, the list of antiviral essential oils is long. This corroborates with the scientific findings that a great many essential oils DO in-fact have antiviral activity. Where the help of skilled professional practitioners comes in is that in these texts, oils are prescribed by how effective they are against viruses that produce particular symptoms -- respiratory tract infections are treated with cineol-containing oils such as Eucalyptus Radiata and Ravensara Aromatica. Viral infections of the skin are often treated with Melissa and/or Tea Tree. The doctors who have been using essential oils as medicine for years in Europe have developed a solid system, and can be relied upon in defining the appropriate list of oils for us. A selection of potentially helpful essential oils includes the following: Melissa (also known as Lemon Balm), Eucalyptus Radiata (one of many kinds of Eucalyptus, this one specifically noted for its antiviral effects), Ravensara (similar to Eucalyptus, also a highly regarded antiviral), Lavender (don't let its flowery aroma trick you -- it is also considered antiviral and an immunostimulant), Maleleuca ericifolia (a relative of Tea Tree), Hyssop, Bay Laurel, and Thyme. A Balanced Formula To Make At Home An example blend including these oils: 2 parts Melissa, 1 part Thyme (Thujanol, Geraniol or Linalool), 4 parts Lavender, 3 parts Ravensara, 4 parts Eucalyptus Radiata (Narrow Leaf), 3 parts Hyssop, 6 parts Rosalina (Melaluca ericifolia) and 3 parts Bay Laurel. A "part" can be anything -- a milliliter, a drop, an ounce -- just as long as they're consistently the same volume. For children between 2 and 13, use 4 parts Lavender, 3 parts Rosalina, 1 part Ravensara, 1 part Eucalyptus and 3 parts Bay Laurel. This recipe is excellent as a lower-cost version for adults as well -- and has been made more gentle for the young ones (consult Valerie Worwood's "Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child" for more on using essential oils with kids). How To Use The Oils for Influenza Prevention: Diffusion The most knowledgeable and experienced practitioners believe diffusing this oil blend is the best way to give the most comprehensive support for both antiviral and immune system support. A cold-air nebulizing diffuser will make a fine mist of the essential oils, which quickly evaporates into the air in your home, office or other enclosed space. Typically, these diffusers are run for a few minutes every hour, getting oils into the air but not overdoing it. This conserves the oils, but allows continuous low-dose inhalation. One should never feel overwhelmed by the aroma; the oils are very potent, and typically "less is more" when using 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils. The use of an appliance timer can make this process very simple: just set the timer to run a few minutes every hour throughout the day -- that's it! Not only is the air being disinfected, but folks in the room are getting small amounts of oil in their bodies all the time. Again, it's important to not feel more is more in this situation! Trust your instincts on the amount of diffusion necessary for your space and needs. Aromatherapy Baths and The All Important Foot Massage In cases where diffusion is not practical, topical application of the oil formula is the next best thing. This can be done in a couple of ways: either though an aromatherapy bath, or through the ancient practice of reflexology -- where the oils are absorbed at the reflex points of the feet. For the bath, mix 4-6 drops of the essential oil recipe in a little carrier oil (or any off-the-shelf bath oil). Swirl this blend into an already drawn bath and soak! For children, lessen the amount of essential oil 2 drops (for ages 2-8) or 4 drops (9-13). The feet and the areas of the body where the lymph nodes are close to the surface are also excellent places to massage in this recipe. The oils readily penetrate the skin and are rapidly absorbed. For adults, make a 5% concentration of the essential oil recipe in any carrier oil (Coconut, with its own antiviral activity may be best -- otherwise any one will do). A 5% concentration is simply a 1 to 20 ratio -- 1 part essential oil blend to 19 parts carrier (this same concentration is made by adding 44 drops of the formula to each 1 fluid ounce of carrier oil). Lower this concentration for children in a manner similar to the aromatherapy bath. A daily foot massage, and/or massage into the armpits, neck and sternum is an excellent means of treating yourself and your family to these wonderful herbal medicines. The Future of Aromatherapy: Aroma Medicine While we cannot be certain of the direct effects of essential oils for our needs, it appears to the lay practitioner that the evidence supporting their use is just and solid as for any other natural medicine choice. Recall that the world's leading aromatherapists suggest that it is in the prevention and treatment of infectious illness that essential oils will find their place in our medical systems. Given the data that so many essential oils offer antiviral activity against a variety of viruses, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that they will be effective as Swine flu prevention. And with their relative ease of use, and ready availability, there's little reason not to see what they may have to offer for you and your family. Final Note: The recommendations and statements in this report have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease, but to offer the opinions of those involved with natural health, based on historical references and peer-reviewed scientific publications. As always, consult a qualified medical practitioner for any health concerns.
Article Source: http://www.mycontentbuilder.com
The author is a lover of essential oils as much as herbal infusions. More on the healing effects of essential oils can be found at www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html.
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