Aromatherapy and Illnesses

Aromatherapy can be used for many different ailments. Many of the bacterial diseases have been at least partially controlled by antibiotics. Viruses are being discovered and recognized as contributing factors to diseases such as some cancers, the common cold and problems of the nervous system. Conditions such as, herpes, influenza and hepatitis are viral mediated. AIDS and Cytomegalovirus are known to be at least partially caused by viruses. Plants - natural agents - are increasingly respected as strong allies in restoring immune strength and inhibiting the spread of viral mediated disease. It is becoming apparent that the human immune system is involved in many more states of disease that previously thought. With this new awareness, a new understanding that immune strength can be supported or restored by living wisely and in harmony with the natural cycles of life and the laws of nature.

There is some existing research on the antiviral effects of essential oils. In China, Essential oils were tested for their therapeutic effect against Influenza virus A. Essential oils that showed an inhibitory effect were found. There was also a study in Russia. They tested the antiviral properties of essential oils from four different species of Eucalyptus. The experiments were carried out with two strains of the influenza virus. Antiviral effects were observed with the essential oils from all four species. There was a broader study done on the antiviral activity of Melissa officinalis extract and a subsequent study on antiviral substances in the plants of the Mint family. It was found that water extracts of these plants to be effective against one or more of the following viruses: small pox, mumps, influenza and later herpes. Another work exploring similar extracts was published by May and Willuhn. In total they checked the extracts of 176 species and found 78 to possess antiviral properties against either of the viruses tested (Herpes, influenza, Vaccina, and Polio).

The effects of melissa extracts against herpes simplex were such that through subsequent research it was possible to formulate a cream for the treatment of herpes labialis. The product, Lomaherpan, has been on the market in Germany for a number of years now. The clinical effectiveness of this herpes simplex treatment has been established through double blind studies. Through treatment with Lomaherpan average healing time of the lesions was reduced from 10 days to 2-4 days. Average times between outbreaks were increased.

The studies above mostly examine water or alcohol extracts, more recent studies have been done on the antiviral effects of essential oils. Some constituents that show a high inhibiting activity are present in high proportions in essential oils that have traditionally been recommended for herpes lesions in the Aromatherapy literature, such as geranium or melissa.

There have been a lot of reports on Echinacea recently. I talked with Tony at Mother Earth about it. She informed me that Echinacea is used as an immune-booster. It is sometimes called Nature's antibiotic. If you feel a cold coming on you can take it with vitamin C.

Experiments pointing in the same direction are currently conducted with extracts of Lomatium dissectum. Research into this herb was, similar to echinacea, prompted by native American use, which suggests that it is possibly effective as an internal remedy for viral and bacterial infections, especially those of the respiratory and urinary tract and the eyes.

One therapeutic application of essential oils is for Chlamydiae. Very effective treatments of Chlamydia infections have been developed based on the essential oil of Thymus vulgaris.

Essential oils suited to treat Influenza are Eucalyptus Radiata and Melaleuca (Tea Tree oil).

Aromatherapy is not used to replace modern medicine, but to enhance it.

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