Antiviral Essential Oil

There have been a lot of diseases spreading all over the world due to viruses that attack the human body. These tiny, infectious microorganisms cannot naturally thrive without a living host.

But, once they get inside the body and into the cell, they copy themselves and as soon as they have multiplied enough, a certain disease occurs. Unfortunately, even the strongest antibiotic can never cure it; only antivirals, which are expensive, and immunizations as preventive measures.
 
Nevertheless, a number of researches and studies have been done to formulate a natural therapy that may have an effect on viruses—the antiviral essential oils.

These have gone through a distillation process which utilizes the specific ingredients derived mainly from different herbs and plants found in different places in the globe.

The only thing that is required in using these essential oils is the basic understanding of what type of oil to use to a specific disease in order to achieve the desired result. 

One of the many antiviral essential oils which target viruses is Melissa essential oil (Origanum majorana), withdrawn by steam distillation from the fresh flowering tops, leaves and stems of  Melissa officinalis of the Labiatae family.

In common terms, it is known as balm, lemon balm, or sweet and bee balm essential oil with  a sweet, 

fresh and citrus-like smell, a pale yellow color and a watery viscosity. As an anitiviral essential oil, studies have shown that it has a particular power to produce a desired effect against Herpes Simplex Virus which mainly causes herpes infections that occur on the mouth and lips, including cold sores and fever blisters. It is diluted to 10% and applied directly to the lesions 3 times daily.

Based on the study of P. Schnitzler , A. Schuhmacher A. Astani, and J. Reichling entitiled “Melissa Oficinalis Oil Affects Infectivity of Enveloped Herpes Viruses,” herpes viruses were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with balm oil prior to infection of cells. These results show that Melissa oil had an effect on the virus before adsorption, but not after penetration into the host cell. Thus this essential oil is capable of exerting a direct antiviral effect on herpes viruses and should be started as soon as the first symptoms are detected to make it more effective. For more information, visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18693101.
 
Moreover, aside from its antiviral properties, it also has a calming effect on the nerves which alleviates depression, settling the digestive system which helps with nausea, flatulence, vomiting, dyspepsia and dysentery, and has a cooling effect for fevers through aromatherapy. It may also be beneficial for anxiety, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, insect bites and cold sore blisters.

Melissa essential oil is applied in different ways depending on its use. In an inhalation therapy, it is used in a diffuser or in a simmer pot. It can also be directly applied as a cream or lotion to treat blisters or lesions. But, if it is used as massage oil, it can be blended with other oils, or can be added to a warm bath to further produce relaxing effects.

Aside from Melissa, there are many other essential oils available in the market that has therapeutic effects on certain diseases and health issues such as hyssop, bergamot, eucalyptus, lemongrass and tea tree. Depending on the oil’s effectiveness, a certain blend can as well be made to produce the needed effect.

Nevertheless, as any other drug, Melissa essential oil may also cause untoward side and adverse effects. Thus, whatever disease there is, self-treatment is not advised. One must first consult a certified essential oil therapist or a qualified health practitioner.