Antiviral Essential Oils

People have been using essential oils for healing since biblical times. While the process of creating them for use wasn't the same as it is today, people in the past found ways to extract oils and resins for spiritual and medicinal purposes. These were often interrelated, as most cultures firmly believed that a spiritual transgression lay at the root of any ailment. 

You can apply individual essential oils topically to relieve various stress-related symptoms. I especially like to use antiviral essential oils for colds, flu, and minor plagues (such as herpes and other rashes). For example, lemon balm, Ravensara (not ravintsara), and Saint John's Wort work well for genital herpes. Lavender and winter savory work well for HSV-1 (cold sores) and minor burns. And tea tree oil works best for fungal infections. 

Add 30 drops of essential oil to 2 tablespoons of carrier oil to create a 5% solution, the highest percentage you can use safely. Coconut, tamanu, and Saint John's Wort oils are all antiviral. You might use one of them to enhance the power of your antiviral essential oil.

Vitamin E also relieves pain, and aloe vera gel relieves itch, so consider adding them to your base. For example, add 30 drops of lemon balm essential oil to 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil, two teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and one teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Ensure your aloe vera gel comes straight from the plant leaf or says 100% pure (no alcohol or preservatives) on the product label. If you don't have vitamin E oil on hand, you can prick open vitamin E capsules and squeeze the equivalent of 1 teaspoon into your base.

Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, can sting severely when applied to sensitive skin. If it stings or burns for longer than a minute or two, it may be a sign of sensitivity or of open scrapes or blisters being exposed to the oil (ouch). Remove the oil with another food-grade oil, such as olive oil, on a cotton swab, ball, or soft cloth. I've even used Crisco. Water only makes essential oils spread. Dilute the essential oil further. I don't recommend using it if it still burns, especially on skin without open sores. Instead, you might try Manuka oil, which is antiviral, doesn't burn sensitive skin or open blisters, and is ten times stronger than tea tree oil.

Cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and peppermint are essential oils that may burn when applied to the skin, but this varies from person to person.

 

GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) Oils

GRAS oils are essential oils that are generally considered safe by the FDA. Some say you can consume these oils orally in minute amounts. Please seek advice from an expert about using essential oils by mouth. Essential oils are highly potent, and ingesting too much can be dangerous.

Note: NEVER feed essential oils to pets or use them on a cat's fur. Cats lack the necessary enzymes to break down essential oils, and even licking oils off their fur can cause death.

 

How to Create Essential Oil Blends for Putting Herpes Simplex Virus in Remission

Combining essential oils can offer protection from bacteria, infection, and pain. When using essential oils to relieve symptoms of topical herpes lesions, I suggest using bases known to help fight the herpes virus, such as coconut oil, Saint John's Wort, olive oil, or tamanu oil. Otherwise, you can use almond, hemp, jojoba, neem, and just about any pure food-grade oil. You can also use vegetable glycerin and aloe vera gel as bases. For example, essential oils of Saint John's Wort (6 drops) and lavender (6-9 drops), mixed with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, help relieve Postherpetic Neuralgia and joint pain in the fingers and toes.

Here are three topical combinations to help heal herpes lesions quickly.

• Add 30 drops of lemon balm essential oil to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
• Add 15 drops of oregano, 10 drops of lemon, and 5 drops of lavender essential oils to 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add 5 drops each of clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, myrrh, rosemary, and ravensara (not ravintsara) essential oils to 2 tablespoons of Saint John's Wort or vitamin E oil.

 

Directions for Use

Once you've created an essential oil blend (diluted in a base) and performed a patch test, you can apply it as needed every 3-4 hours. You can use more if you have wiped your mouth, gone swimming, or showered. You can also apply more after urinating or having a bowel movement if you're using the oil for a rash "down there" and have wiped the oil off with a tissue. Just remember not to slather it on. Instead, use just a tiny amount each time, just enough to coat the area of irritation.

Note: Never apply essential oils to the skin without first diluting them, place them in or too close to the eyes or bodily orifices, or swallow them (without sound advice from an expert). Also, keep your skin out of the sun when using citrus essential oils topically because you'll get sunburned.

 

The Diffusion Method

• Add a few drops of essential oil to a small pan of simmering water on the stove.
• Use an essential oil diffuser.
• Use a humidifier (one that you can use essential oils in) 
• Add 8-12 drops of essential oil to a cup of warm water in a spray bottle and spray around the house. 

Some essential oils are high-vibration oils whose frequencies can raise the lower frequencies of people and spaces to higher, healthier frequencies. 

 

The Inhalation Method

Place a few drops of essential oil on a handkerchief, a small square of material, or gauze. You can place it in your pocket and take it out for a whiff whenever you need to relax. You can put the material in a small Ziploc bag to keep it fresh. Vanilla, lavender, and sweet orange work well for this method. Or take 2-3 deep breaths of essential oil directly from the bottle. Another idea is to wear a small cork bottle on a necklace to inhale throughout the day.

 

The Topical Method

Another essential oil method is to apply them directly to the skin, especially along pulse points. However, never apply neat (undiluted) essential oils to the skin, place them in or too close to the eyes or bodily orifices, or swallow them (without sound advice from an expert). Also, keep your skin out of the sun (and tanning beds) when using citrus essential oils topically, or you'll sunburn.

To create an essential oil blend to wear as a perfume or use as a massage oil for relaxation, you'll need a dark-colored dropper bottle, essential oils (not fragrance oils), and a carrier oil, such as olive, coconut, or almond. The following recipe makes a 5% solution, the highest percentage recommended for adult safety. 

Place one tablespoon of carrier oil into the small dropper bottle for adults. Add up to 15 drops of essential oils to the carrier oil and cap. Swirl to blend well. 

Inhale the scent from the bottle or wear the oil as a perfume whenever you need an emotional lift or to relax. This essential oil blend may also be used as a massage oil.

 

Essential Oils for Stress

 

There are several methods for using essential oils for relaxation. You can use them in room sprays, linen sprays, diffusers, perfumes, massage oils, face masks, bath salts, smelling salts, body butter, and creams. 

Essential oils that work well to ease stress include lavender, vanilla, Roman chamomile, jasmine, basil, ylang-ylang, sweet orange, orange, grapefruit, neroli, mandarin, clary sage, blue tansy, peppermint, bergamot, Oak moss, vetiver, frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, and cedarwood. 

Scents have a way of triggering our memories. For example, the scent of a rose might calm you instantly because it reminds you of your grandmother, who always made you feel loved and safe. Your favorite scents will be the best essential oils for relaxation. If you don't like a scent, it won't help you relax. 

Relaxing scent combinations that go well together are as follows.

• Healing Blend: Cinnamon, clove, and myrrh.
• Headache & Clearer Thinking: Peppermint (avoid if you have heart problems or high blood pressure), eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender. 
• Anxiety: Basil, bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, orange, and patchouli (any or all)
• Improved Sleep: Lavender, orange, ylang ylang, spikenard, valerian, vetiver, marjoram, and petitgrain
• Hopelessness: Orange, lemon balm (Melissa), and bergamot.
• Spiritual Well-Being: Rose otto, sandalwood, frankincense, cypress, and cedarwood. 

You can also use incense from these herbs and spices to ease stress and encourage relaxation. 

 

 

Essential Oils for Allergies

 

Are allergies bothering you? Allergic reactions are stressful to the body and mind, so I wanted to share some essential oils that can help eliminate watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion. Inhale directly from the bottle as often as you like or dilute with a base and wear as a perfume oil.

• Lavender reduces inflammation and prevents the enlargement of mucous cells.
• A combination of sandalwood, ravensara (not ravintsara), and frankincense helps to prevent Allergic Rhinitis.
• Peppermint (good with lemon and lavender) reduces inflammation and helps with headaches.
• Lemon clears sinuses, reduces congestion, and minimizes seasonal allergies.