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With everything that is going on in the world, I want to do my best to stay healthy. That means finding the best antiviral essential oils to fight annual flus (influenza), as well as occasional viral outbreaks.
Since a virus is always changing its form, it is comparatively tough to treat it and thus one can try alternative options apart from medicines prescribed by doctors. Some people use essential oils and aromatherapy as a mood booster and stimulator, which can lead to faster recovery times.
Aromatherapy is a practice that helps in keeping the spirits high and assists the actual prescribed medicines to work better. Its complementary and non-invasive nature makes it easy to practice science while also aiding healing from within.
Natural Antiviral Remedies
There is a lot of information about essential oils that are antiviral, including a few scientific studies. Much of the information is anecdotal. I’m not saying that these oils will kill a virus, but they do show promise by helping people with mild symptoms to feel better. A few studies have shown the effectiveness of essential oils in reducing microbial activity and even countering some antibiotic resistant strains!
This is a promising new field of study and usage as well. Most studies until now have proved a lot in the lab – essential oils have been shown to fight and kill viruses in vitro and there is a lot of scope to use the same oils in vivo and help the patients.
The antiviral essential oils described below can be an important part of a plan to boost immune system health to keep you healthier overall.
So, if you are looking for natural antiviral remedies, keep reading.
Disclaimer: As with any information presented on this site, please use all proper precautions in using essential oils for viruses and consult a medical practitioner when in doubt. We are not responsible for misuse of the information presented herein.
How to use Essential Oils with Antiviral Properties
Using the oils correctly is a must, or else they won’t work properly. Essential oils can be inhaled off a hot water bath, a diffuser, or even applied on the skin using carrier oils.
Most oils can also be nebulized and there are studies that have shown this being effective in as little as 15 seconds! All the oils must be from a certified seller and of good quality.
Check out my other site for the best non-plastic essential oil diffusers.
For very few oils, it is fine to ingest them as well, however, it is not advised to do so without doing proper research. I’m not encouraging any ingestion without getting a full knowledge of the oil and how it works. Some of them can be too strong for even topical application, let alone ingesting.
Best Antiviral Oils
Oregano Essential Oil (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano essential oil, specifically oregano antiviral oil has shown to fight microbes effectively. It is antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal. This oil is made from the oregano plant and displays diverse healing properties, especially applicable to virus-fighting. Inhaling the steam of oregano oil may prove beneficial for sinus conditions and other respiratory disorders. It can also be used topically by diluting it in a carrier oil to a less than 1% solution.
Bergamot Essential Oil (Citrus bergamia)
Usually this oil is used for conditions such as anxiety and psychological stress, but it can also be a good antiviral and soothe the stress on the mind due to the infection. Also, bergamot oil fights the infections that cause fever in the body and hence using this oil against the fever caused by virus is a good idea. It can be inhaled via a hot bath, using a diffuser, or mixed with a carrier oil and used topically.
Bergamot has been the essential oil of choice for centuries as it has many medicinal properties.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
This oil is very popular in over-the-counter medicines for cold and cough and can even be applied as a decongestant to treat symptoms of a viral attack. Eucalyptus oil has been shown to boost immune system performance. Eucalyptus oil can be inhaled using a steam inhaler up to four times a day for easing out the cold and flu symptoms. There are other medicinal uses of this oil as well.
This oil is also a part of the various anti-viral oil combinations but is equally and greatly effective on its own, too.
Cinnamon Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
It has been found that cinnamon essential oil is remarkably effective against viral strains, especially if it is combined with rosemary and eucalyptus oils. This mixture has been shown to help people with viral infection symptoms.
Another study showed a combination of cinnamon, wild orange, and clove oils was effective in killing 90% in – vitro viral strains.
For topical application, this oil should not be used more than 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil, such as coconut oil. It can affect health badly if an overdose happens.
Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)
A nontoxic oil for cleaning out your nasal pathways, rosemary oil has been shown to be highly effective on its own as well as in combination with cinnamon and eucalyptus oils. The aroma is also pleasing, lifting the general mood of the patient or people suffering from flu.
Rosemary essential oil is also great to purify the air of the infectious virus. You can use a dilute version to clean surfaces.
Carrot Seed Essential Oil (Daucus carota)
Carrot seed oil is often confused with carrot oil. This oil cannot be ingested. The main function of carrot seed essential oil is to reduce stress. The inhalation of this oil can induce a sense of wellbeing and promote a detox at the cell level.
The oil must be inhaled on a hot water bath or using a diffuser only. You can apply this oil to skin but dilute it with carrier oil first. Also, many studies of this oil have been done on animals or in-vitro, so check it on yourself before you use it.
DIY Antiviral Essential Oil Blend
Even the strongest antiviral essential oil can be made more powerful in a blend with other antiviral oils.
In more than one study, the following antiviral blend was proven to be effective against viruses, in particular H1N1 virus, and two bacteria responsible for post-influenza pneumonia.
The antiviral blend includes – eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, and carrot seed essential oils in a carrier oil of camelina oil.
- 7 drops (3.52%) Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
- 7 drops (3.52%) Cinnamon Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
- 6 drops (3.00%) Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- 2 drops (1.04%) Carrot Seed Essential Oil (Daucus carota)
- 8-9 ml (88.90%) Camelina Oil (Camelina sativa) or amount needed to fill 10 ml bottle
Mix all essential oils in a glass roll-on bottle, then fill to the top with camelina oil. Do a small patch test to make sure you don’t have an adverse effect from the oil.
Roll the oil on the back of neck, bottoms of feet, or inside wrists several times a day.
You can also add the essential oils, without the carrier oil, to an essential oil diffuser or nebulizer and inhale the oils.
Summing Up the Best Antiviral Essential Oils
Human health is at a delicate juncture. Viral infections in the form of long-standing influenza, and now COVID 19 caused by the novel coronavirus, have wreaked havoc on the world. Since there is no cure yet, or any vaccine to control it, we must find new ways to deal with the symptoms in order to make the patients feel comfortable, at the very least.
To sum up, essential oils can lift the mood, help you feel better ,and aid in making conventional medicine work better in your body. With so much support to the germicidal and discomfort-relieving action of mainstream medicine, aromatherapy also augments healing, soothing, and overall wellness.
The antiviral properties of essential oils can assist patients who are suffering from viral problems effectively. There is ample scientific proof of these properties of essential oils. These oils certainly have strongly established benefits as a part of overall well being.
There may be side effects to the oils, like allergies or reactivities, so you must be careful and cautious. Also, if the oils are used in excess or not in accordance with the prescribed way of use, they may have some adverse effect too – you need to check beforehand for allergy and method of usage.
So what are you waiting for? Do your research, pick your favorite oils and take a whiff of these delicate aromas and experience the positive difference it brings to your mindset and your physiology.
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If a condition persists, please contact your physician or health care provider. The information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a health care provider, and should not be construed as individual medical advice. The testimonials on this website are from individuals and do not guarantee or imply the same results.