Antiviral Oils, Waxes, Butters & Gels

Antiviral Carrier Oils

 

  • Virgin coconut oil is antiviral and protects skin from blemishes, signs of aging, and overexposure to sunlight. Coconut oil also keeps the skin's connective tissues strong and supple. It removes the outer layer of dead skin cells, smoothing the skin. It penetrates the deeper layers of the skin and strengthens the underlying tissues, helping heal and repair age-damaged skin. Choose a high-quality, organic coconut oil free of chemicals, including bleach and hydrogenation, which can irritate your skin. The saturated fat in coconut oil is called lauric acid. Lauric acid converts into monolaurin in your body. It’s otherwise found only in human breast milk. Monolaurin supports your healthy immune system. Other studies suggest that monolaurin can block signals between problem-posing cells, disrupting their function. Monolaurin also helps to prevent herpes, cold sores, and genital outbreaks.
  • Jojoba oil is an antiviral liquid wax ester from cold-pressed seeds of desert shrubs that speeds healing and minimizes scarring. It is like the sebum your skin produces to retain moisture and keep skin smooth and elastic. From about age 20, your skin's sebum production decreases. Jojoba mixes with your natural sebum to help maintain skin moisture and elasticity. Jojoba oil forms a thin, non-greasy lipid layer that helps retain moisture in your skin without clogging pores and supports your skin's natural functions. Jojoba contains vitamin E, B-complex, silicon, chromium, copper, zinc, and iodine.
  • Palm kernel oil contains many potent antioxidants, including beta-carotene and tocotrienols (a powerful form of vitamin E), which defend against free radicals generated by your environment. In addition, palm oil contains phytonutrients, including phytosterols, squalene, CoQ10, and mixed carotenoids.
  • Almond oil and extra virgin olive oil are antiviral and lovely to have in the bathroom. Almond oil is very light and works wonderfully as a moisturizer and makeup remover for the face. Olive oil is great for bathing and moisturizing the skin. It also works well as an instant shine booster for dull or frizzy hair. Rub a little into your palms and smooth your hands through your hair. 
  •  St. John's Wort, tamanu, and emu are other excellent antiviral oils. 

 

 

Antiviral Butters & Waxes & Gels

 

  • Mango butter, extracted from the seed kernels of the mango fruit, contains compounds that act as antiviral agents and resemble cocoa butter. It is a common ingredient in soaps and other skincare products, replacing petroleum-based emollients. Mango butter protects against the sun's UV rays. It softens, soothes, moisturizes, and protects your skin. In addition, it helps maintain flexibility and control any age-related damage.
  • Shea butter is an all-natural vitamin A cream from the tropics of Africa. Unrefined and organic shea butter contains vitamins, minerals, proteins, and unique fatty acids. In addition, it enables your skin to absorb moisture from the air. The tree of its origin is called the Tree of Life.
  • Beeswax is often used to thicken recipes and contains antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used, for example, to create a firm ointment or solid perfume.  
  • Aloe vera gel is antiviral and soothes minor burns, cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations. It contains more than seventy-five nutrients and helps to produce collagen and elastin for a youthful appearance. Minerals found in aloe vera include calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc. In addition, aloe vera gel contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, and folic acid. Amino acids are building blocks of your body. Eight essential oils that your body can't reproduce are in the aloe plant.

 

 

Creating an Antiviral Essential Oil Recipe

 

Essential oils are never to be used neat (straight, undiluted). Aloe vera gel relieves itching, and vitamin E relieves pain. So, consider using them together in antiviral essential oil recipes. For example, 30 drops of lemon balm essential oil can be added to 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil, 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel, and 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil. 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. This recipe gives you a 5% dilution, the strongest you can safely make and use. 

 

Note: Ensure your aloe vera gel comes straight from the plant leaf or says 100% pure (no alcohol or preservatives) on the label, or it will sting (ouch!).

 

Also see Antiviral Essential Oils. 

The Herpes Witch Whipped Body Butter Recipe

Toxins only contribute to disease. I use this nontoxic recipe daily to keep my skin soft and moisturized. It's replaced my over-the-counter skincare products, and I wouldn't be without it. I use it for face, hand, body, and foot cream, makeup removal, hair conditioner, and massage butter. 

 

What You'll Need

  • 2 measuring cups (for measuring and for placing ingredients into after they are measured)
  • 1 chopstick, popsicle stick, or small spoon for stirring
  • 1 little to medium-sized cooking pot
  • 1 jar with a tight-fitting lid that can hold approximately 2 cups

 

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup raw shea butter
  • ¼ cup raw cocoa butter
  • ¼ cup raw coconut oil (refined, not liquid, no scent)
  • ¼ cup raw sweet almond oil
  • 10 drops of vanilla essential oil
  • 5 drops of sweet orange essential oil
  • 5 drops of chocolate essential oil 
  • 5 drops of vitamin E oil (optional) 

 

I use vitamin E oil as a preservative for larger batches. Vitamin E is also great for the skin. If you don't have the oil on hand but do have capsules, you can prick a couple of capsules to add 5 drops. 

Also, you can use the essential oils of your choice based on scent or medicinal benefits. For example, you could combine patchouli, lavender, or rose essential oil for twenty drops or combine ten drops of lemon and ten drops of lavender. You might also combine Frankincense and myrrh (10 drops each). You can be as creative as you like as long as you use a total of only twenty drops of essential oil. 

 

Directions

Fill the pot with 2-3 inches of water. Place the clean measuring cup in the pot and heat over medium heat until it simmers. Please don't allow the water to boil. It may splash into the cup and ruin your recipe.

Place the first four ingredients in the cup on the stove (inside the pot). When completely melted, remove from heat, pour into a jar (with a tight-fitting lid, and, after cooling just a bit, add all of the oils. Leave it uncapped until it thickens to a pudding consistency (15-20 minutes). Then blend with a small mixer or a fork until it begins to thicken and froth. Then place it in the fridge to set (5 to 10 minutes), then whip again until creamy. Cap your jar and remember to label it. Your body butter can be remelted and whipped again at any time. However, do not use a microwave. Doing so will destroy the essential oil properties.

Use as often as you like to soothe dry, chapped skin and to keep skin supple. It smells delicious!

Incorporating antiviral essential oils into moisturizing cream is another way to apply their medicinal properties topically. The benefit of using cream rather than oil or ointment is its ability to hydrate the skin. Hydration helps to prevent tissue damage and scarring.