Clinical Aromatherapy: Studied Anti-viral Effects Of Essential Oils

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.)

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.

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 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.