Antiviral Activity 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.
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
Limited In-Vivo Data
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.
Conclusion
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.