By Kathryn Delaney, CCA, CCH, CN
With what looks to be escalating news regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19), health professionals are still learning how it spreads, to what extent it can spread, and the severity of illnesses that it causes.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to keep up your immune system and avoid being exposed. Like other respiratory illnesses, and similar to the common cold, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Either between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Essential oils are unique allies in times of airborne illness because of their volatile nature and their inherent anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and sometimes anti-viral qualities. Essential oils are distilled from plants into concentrated volatile substances that can not only purify the air… this quality makes them extremely effective for respiratory conditions by way of inhalation. It is this diffusive quality that allows them to be used to strengthen the immune system.
Historically aromatic herbs and spices have proven useful in times of airborne illnesses because of their anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Aromatic botanicals have been used for centuries in religious ceremonies that use smudging as a means of spiritual purification, and some traditions of the past and present, continue to smudge people and public areas as a means to purify the air, such as: juniper, cedar, cypress, and other botanicals.
Several ways you can use the benefits of anti-viral essential oils are detailed below:
- Steam Inhalation – Simply boil a soup pot filled with water, remove from stove, and add 4 drops of any singular or combination of any of the following: Bay Laurel, Tea Tree, Cajeput, Thyme, Niaouli, or Ravintsara.
- Passive Diffusion – Set a bowl of water, with a few drops of the essential oils listed above, in a warm sunny window. Alternatively, you can place 8-10 drops in a inhaler to breathe throughout the day.
- Room Diffusers and Atomizers are also practical ways to disperse the anti-viral qualities of essential oils into larger spaces, such as living rooms, etc.
- Topically, a person can apply Bay Laurel, Cajeput, Niaouli, or any of the Eucalyptus Essential Oils on the lymph nodes and adrenal glands after a shower. This will help to strengthen the immune system. To do this, dilute a total of 3-10 drops of a single or combination of these oils in an unscented lotion or vegetable oil, and massage on the sides of the neck, arm pits, lower back and just above the kidney.
- Disinfectant Room sprays – Add 20-30 drops of essential oil to 4 oz of purified water. Shake well before using.
- Household cleaners – Add 20-30 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle with 6 oz water and 2 oz white vinegar. Shake before use, and make sure you test on a corner of surface before using on the entire surface.
Many of the discoveries of the benefits of using aromatic plants to prevent and treat respiratory conditions, came out of the European area.
In the 16th century, also known as the Golden Age of Herbalists, pomanders of myrrh, sandalwood, cloves, nutmeg and rose, were popular, as well as lemon peel, juniper oil, camphor and marjoram. Pomanders were small, ball-like vessels that were stuffed with aromatic plants. These were worn around the neck or on a belt.
In a popular illustration from the 17th Century, a doctor is pictured wearing protective clothing that can be best described as a hood with a beak. This vessel is said to have been filled with cinnamon, clove and other aromatic herbs. (Battaglia, 2008)
During the 19th century, someone observed the low incidence of tuberculosis in the flower-growing districts of France, particularly in the south. It was here that someone made note that the workers who processed flowers and herbs remained free of the respiratory illness that was common at that time. This led to published studies showing that essential oils were able to kill the micro-organisms of glandular and yellow fever. They particularly noted the properties of oregano, Chinese cinnamon, angelica and geranium. (Battaglia, 2008)
Epidemics of the past were worsened by several factors, including:
- Rapid growth of urban areas with poor sanitation
- Horrific working conditions in factories – dawn to dusk, 7-day work week
- Epidemic vitamin D deficiency – rickets in some urban areas nearly universal
- Deterioration of the diet
- Sugar and white flour as staple foods for the first time in history
As a reminder, Center for Disease Control recommends these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: “Avoid close contact with people who are sick; and washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.”
To keep up your healthy immune response:
- Reduce unnecessary stress. Stress has been shown to be the first domino that effects all illnesses.
- Make sure you get adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation causes elevated cortisol levels and results in impaired immune function.
- Become replete in Vitamin D.
- Reduce Sugar intake. Americans consume an average of five ounces (> ¼ lb.) of sugar every day, either consciously added to their food or hidden in processed foods. Scientific studies have found that amounts less than this can profoundly suppress the immune system.
It is key to remember how important basic self-care is, in building our immunity, especially as modern lifestyles seem to command for stressful ways of living. While many of us may be familiar with the relaxing benefits that aromatherapy can have on our stress levels, it’s pretty cool that these aromatic allies have qualities that have proven them to be invaluable during times of legendary epidemics.
About the Author: Kathryn Delaney, CCA, CCH, CN is the Director of Aromatherapy 100 Course at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism.
For more information on the new course, please visit: For more information on the upcoming course, starting April 14th, please visit: https://clinicalherbalism.com/programs-courses/aromatherapy/ or write to Kathryn.delaney@clinicalherbalism.com
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