Top 10 Antiviral Essential Oils
At the moment, health experts are still at a loss about the true nature of the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. Advice regarding the prevention and handling of the disease is also irresolute. The top advice to families is to avoid public contact, practice good hygiene, and boost their immune system.
It’s important to do everything you can to avoid contracting the virus. Essential oil is a great addition to your everyday routine. These 10 antiviral essential oils are a natural remedy that can help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
1. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The eucalyptus essential oil is known for its menthol property, which makes it perfect for clearing sinuses and congestion. It helps dry up mucus and expel it from the nasal passages. A blocked nasal passage is the most common symptom of a cold. It also prevents you from getting restful sleep, which is important for recovery, so it’s best to address the issue right away.
2. Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano essential oil boasts various medicinal characteristics, one of which is its antiviral property. This essential oil can help relieve blocked sinuses and sore throat. It helps the body inhibit the virus that causes these symptoms so that it will not fester into a full-blown flu or cough.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is another member of the menthol family. Its cooling property can help with sore throat and inflammation, while its antiviral property can help reduce sinusitis, coughs, and throat infections. Peppermint essential oil is handy—you can pair it with other essential oils to help you with other symptoms you may be experiencing.
4. Cinnamon Essential Oil
The scent of cinnamon alone is sure to promote a positive attitude as it makes you think about cozy mornings with a cup of hot cocoa. However, cinnamon essential oil offers much more than feelings of happiness. Cinnamon is both antibacterial and antiviral. However, it is potent and can irritate the respiratory system, so use only a small amount of it. You can combine this essential oil with eucalyptus essential oil to increase its effectiveness.
Please take note that if you have diabetes, take blood-thinning medication, or are pregnant, it is better to stay away from this potent essential oil.
5. Sage Essential Oil
Sage essential oil has been used for viral infections in traditional medicine. It has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties that may help prevent the spread of viruses. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve various colds and flu symptoms.
6. Melissa Essential Oil
Melissa essential oil is another go-to for relieving symptoms of flu and colds because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This essential oil can also help relieve a sore throat.
7. Basil Essential Oil
Both holy and sweet basil varieties have antiviral properties, so you can use whichever you prefer. Basil essential oil helps prevent viral infections by helping strengthen the immune system. It can also help relieve cough symptoms.
8. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is perfect for the flu season. It can help reduce infections by keeping bacteria and viruses at bay. Use thyme essential oil in your home during the flu season or if someone is showing symptoms to prevent the rest of the family from getting infected.
9. Tea Tree Essential Oil
This essential oil is a household name when it comes to beauty and skincare, but it is more well-known for its antibacterial properties that can be useful against cases of flu and colds. Be careful when you use tea tree essential oil, though, because it may be toxic to pets.
10. Frankincense Essential Oil
If you love the smell of frankincense essential oil, then you will love this piece of good news: it has antiviral and antibacterial properties as well. If you have been using frankincense essential oil at home, you and your family have been benefiting from its immunostimulant abilities that help you fight viruses.
How To Use Antiviral Essential Oils
1. Blend Your Favorites
Essential oils smell and work better when combined with other essential oils. Most essential oils contain various benefits other than their antiviral or antibacterial properties. Together, these essential oils can complement each other’s therapeutic effects. You may also want to consider combining essential oils with complementing fragrances.
2. Make The Most Of Your Essential Oils
These antiviral essential oils are highly potent. Unfortunately, common diffusing practices do not optimize the benefits of essential oils. The two most common diffusing practices use heat and water. Those methods dilute the antiviral properties of your essential oils, reducing their benefits. If you want to get the most out of your essential oils, choose a diffuser that does not use either approach. A nebulizing diffuser efficiently diffuses essential oils without weakening their scent and antiviral properties.
3. Exercise Caution
Keep in mind that you are dealing with highly potent liquids. Some of these essential oils are too strong for certain people. If you or someone you live with is sensitive or allergic to certain substances, do research about the essential oil you will use first for safety.
It’s great that you included pictures of the oils, great information, complements my very basic knowledge of the usage of eucalyptus for congestion!
It’s a great list but I’m surprised not to see oils like camphor or Ravintsara.
Great article, thank you! Need to start using all your tips
I have never heard that the frankincense essential oil has antiviral properties, wow!
Thanks for the info, I have to try this!
Very helpful and welcome advice at this time! I have most of them on the list, but have yet to try Melissa or Oregano.
Very interesting
I have not heard of Melissa oil before!
thanks this is great info to have
Love Organic Aromas! Love the nebulizer and the oil blends. Thanks! #organicaromas
Can’t wait to use these oils !!!
Amazing! I love all of these!
Thanks for sharing! Awesome information. I will be trying the oregano essential oil
Thanks for the share. This is a great resource.
So timely! Great to learn such important information just when I needed it. Thank you!
Really helpful information. Some of the mentioned oils I already use on a daily basis in this times, others are new to me. Thank you!
The antibacterial properties of essential oils are really welcome during this pandemic period!
Since the pandemic started I have been defusing peppermint and eucalyptus in my home to keep my sinuses happy and healthy. Great to learn about the benefits of some of these other oils that I’m not familiar with. Thanks for posting!
Thanks, great info.
thanks for the info I didn’t know they were good for viruses too.
Thanks for a visual information as lots of words blend in .Seeing what the virus busting oils is helpful
I can’t wait to try the oregano for sinuses! Thanks so much for the information!
Senior with COPD so I want to keep my lungs working. All of these oils sound so good will be saving this information
Thanks for the great article. I have bad allergies which means I am always having blocked sinus issues. Can’t wait to try our oregano (big surprise to me) + eucalyptus + peppermint!
What a timely article, with our world experiencing this pandemic. Thank you so much!