Aromatherapy

Archive for June, 2008

There are many viruses that can attack the human body. Some of those viruses include the HIV/AIDs virus, herpes virus, influenza, etc. Viruses cannot survive without a living host nor do they grow. However, they can reproduce and are typically not affected by antibiotics. Treatment of viruses is usually conducted through antiviral medication as well as immunizations.

One additional natural remedy that seems to have an effect on viruses is antiviral essential oils. Understanding how these antiviral essential oils work, the particular plant family that these oils are derived from and a virus they are effective against is important natural remedy knowledge to be aware of.

How Antiviral Essential Oils Work

Essential oils are created through a distillation process that utilizes the ingredients from various items found on the planet. These items are generally herbal in nature and can include plant life such as trees, herbs, flowers, etc. In addition, another item used to create essential oils is from various spices.

One such antiviral essential oil is known as Melissa essential oil. This oil has proven to be effective through the use of direct application upon certain viral lesions found on the infected person’s body. In addition, if the individual is displaying certain symptoms or sensations and the knowledge that an outbreak is eminent, the antiviral essential oil can be placed upon the area as a preventative measure. Some studies indicate that viral outbreaks can be treated as well as in some instances a total remission of further viral outbreaks.

Plant Family

The specific antiviral essential oil known as Melissa essential oil is derived from the Lamiaceae plants. These plants have been studied by a number of doctors and have proven to be very effective against certain viruses. To date, doctors have categorized over 100 plants within the Lamiaceae plant family that have shown encouraging results when treating viruses.

In addition, further studies have indicated that various other essential oils derived from different plant families have shown some effectiveness in treating certain kinds of viruses. The effectiveness of these antiviral essential oils is due to the molecular composition of the oil and its ability to permeate the skin and tissue to counter the effects of the virus.

Viruses Affected

One specific virus that appears to be affected by an antiviral essential oil is the herpes virus. In fact, it is reported that a single application of the Melissa essential oil was sufficient enough to put that individual’s herpes infection into remission. The testing and positive results of the use of this antiviral essential oil has allowed for the commercialization of this oil in a cream that is now being distributed in a European country.

The essential oils used as part of an aromatherapy program treatment plan have long been recognized to be an effective process. Some of the benefits associated with the use of aromatherapy include a reduction in tension and anxiety, combating insomnia, relieving menstrual cramps, stress, fatigue, etc.

In addition, a recent study indicates that the antioxidant content in essential oils can be beneficial in performing as a natural alternative to provide essential antioxidants for the body. This can be valuable information. Therefore, it is important to understand the work of antioxidants and how the antioxidant content in essential oils works in concert with the human body.

The Work Of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can be defined as substances within the body that help to reduce the oxidative destruction caused by organisms called free radicals. These antioxidants can be the body’s natural chemicals, synthetic antioxidants taken as part of a daily regimen or vitamins. Generally, these vitamins are the vitamins C and E, and vitamin A. In addition, the mineral selenium can be classified as an antioxidant as well as a group of pigments found in many vegetables. These pigments are known as the carotenoids.

The work of antioxidants is to deactivate or neutralize certain particles found within the body. These certain particles are called free radicals. Examples of these free radicals can be environmental substances that the human body is exposed to, smoke from tobacco products, and radiation. When these free radicals are left unchecked they may lead to the creation of cancer, heart disease and may cause a stroke.

Antioxidant Content In Essential Oils

It has been discovered that the antioxidant content in essential oils and the way that the essential oils are used in aromatherapy are very conducive to the fighting of free radicals within the body. First of all, it is important to note that the essential oils used in aromatherapy are comprised of ingredients taken from various plants, leaves, flowers, herbs, etc.. These ingredients go through a distilling process with the final outcome being an oil that captures the aroma of these products.

It is important to note that this plant life is generally rich in antioxidants. Therefore, when the scent is released through a diffuser, as part of the aromatherapy process or massaged on to the body, the antioxidants are released into the body.

An added benefit to this process is the way that the antioxidant content in essential oils is released. Specifically, the molecular structure of the essential oils is very minute. This diminished size of the molecules allows for the entrance of the molecules and thus the antioxidants to permeate every aspect of the human body.

One of the reasons why aromatherapy is gaining in popularity is that they make gentle cleaners. Depending on the oil, it can clean your home; help clean your laundry, clean out wounds, clean up your skin, clean out toxins, bacteria and fungus. More and more cleaning and medical products are made with an anti-fungal essential oil or two. The nice thing is that the anti-fungal essential oils are usually the least inexpensive of the essential oils.

Chorus Line Of Essential Oils

Meet three of the most popular of the anti-fungal essential oils.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alterniflia) – cheap, easily available and already used in a variety of health and cleaning products. It has a strong smell that quite possible scares the fungus away, but over time you get used it.
Lavender (Lavendula vera, Lavendula angustifolia, Lavendula officianalis) – the mainstay of aromatherapy. Its antibacterial properties are nearly as strong as tea tree, with a more pleasing scent.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) — More expensive than the other two but very versatile and effective. A little goes a long way. It often calms down and relaxes anyone who sniffs it.

How Do I Use This Stuff?

You can use anti-fungal essential oils alone or in combination for athlete’s foot, ringworm (a fungus and not a worm), nail infections, jock itch or thrush. You can also get rid of mold on your laundry. When used in the bath, foot bath or sitz bath, gentle anti fungal oils like lavender and tea tree will clean not only you, but the tub.

To ease athlete’s foot, mix three drops of your chosen anti fungal essential oil into 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of an alcohol like vodka. Dab that on your clean, dry feet. This takes a while to work, so you may want to use this in combination with other treatments.

To make a foot wash, combine a few drops of your chosen anti-fungal essential oil in a foot bath. Not only does this kill the fungus and help it not to come back, it’s also very soothing.

To help ease vaginal thrush, either use a tampon with ONE drop tea tree oil on the tampon’s rounded end and insert, or douche with one drop of tea tree oil in one cup of warm water.

To help prevent mold on your towels or sheets exposed to moisture, add a half a cup of tea tree oil to your laundry.

To help clean the mold of your widow frames or tiles, use a teaspoon of your chosen anti-fungal essential oil in a small bucket of sudsy water and clean as usual.

Don’t drink any of the anti-fungal essential oils and try not to get any in your eyes.