Viruses and Essential Oils

 Corona Virus

 

With the Corona Virus pandemic affecting people around the globe, the Plant’s Power team has been busy continuing to serve our customers while keeping our facilities clean and our family and community as safe and healthy as possible.

For those who are continuing to work or who are looking for a little extra boost of protection in their homes and work spaces, we have gathered some essential oil facts that will serve you in addition to following the measures provided by the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Unlike bacteria, which are living organisms, viruses are infective agents that can only multiply within the living cells of a host. According to CDC, COVID-19 is spread through larger liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. Since COVID-19 is a new form of virus we don’t have data available regarding the effectiveness of essential oils on this current virus but we can look to evidence from previous research on known viruses.

Viruses only become active when they invade living cells. We can increase our chances of deactivating them in the free zone before they reach the living cells. Therefore, the first measure of protection against COVID-19 and other viruses is to limit their entry through our nose, eyes, and mouths. Alongside physical barriers such as masks, gloves, and physical-distancing, we can decrease the chances of contracting COVID-19 and other viruses by treating the air around us.

Certain essential oils have been shown to interfere with viral lipid envelope, the outer layer found on viruses when they are between host cells. 

Researchers from France PiLeJe and Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques tested the antimicrobial effect of blends of essential oils. They found that a blend of Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamonum zeylandicum) oil, Carrot Seed (Daucus carrota ) oil, Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oil and Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) oil has both antibacterial and antiviral properties. The same blend was effective against H1N1(influenza) and HSV1 (Herpes simplex or cold sores) viruses.

  Other essential oils identified as having activity against various viruses include:

This compilation is based on research findings by clinical aromatherapists Rhiannon Lewis and Bob (Robert) Harris.
 
You can create blends with the above oils for use in diffusers, soaps, hand sanitizers, and room sprays.
 
So do wash your hands, stay home as much as you can, and e-mail or call us if you want more information or you can find some of these oils in our online store.

References:

Brochot, A., Guilbot, A., Haddioui, L., & Roques, C. (2017). Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects of three essential oil blends. Microbiologyopen, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.459 (Epub 2017 Mar 14)

De Logu, A., Loy, G., Peleranno, M. L., Bonsignore, L., & Schivo, M. L. (2000). Inactivation of HSV-1 and HSV-2 and prevention of cell-to-cell virus spread by Santolina insularis essential oil. Antiviral Research, 48(3), 177–185.

Schuhmacher, A., Reichli, J., & Schnitzler, P. (2003). Virucidal effect of peppermint oil on the enveloped viruses herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in vitro. Phytomedicine, 10(6-7), 504–510.

Schnitzler, P., Schnon, K., & Reichling, J. (2001). Antiviral activity of Australian tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil against herpes simplex virus in cell culture. Pharmazie, 56(4), 343–347.

Schnitzler, P., Schuhmacher, A., Astani, A., & Reichling, J. (2008). Melissa officinalis oil affects infectivity of enveloped herpesviruses. Phytomedicine, 15(9), 734–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2008.04.018

Schnitzler, P. (2019). Essential Oils for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Infections. Chemotherapy, 64(1), 1–7.

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