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Aromatherapy Oils and the Herpes Virus - One Person's
by Eric Cech
http://www.anandaapothecary.com
The Herpes Simplex virus (or HSV) is a difficult disease. It
is widely known as incurable, with painful skin lesions on
sensitive areas of the body. The lesions reccur more often
for some people than others - their 'outbreaks' tend to be
related to periods of high-stress. Modern medicine does not
offer a cure, though there are pharmaceutical preparations
available to limit the frequency and duration of HSV
outbreaks. With a reputation as 'incurable', 'painful',
'not-so-pretty', and varieties described as 'oral and
labial' or 'genital', the disease can be a little
challenging and embarrasing to say the least.
I've been through this personally - for many years, I had
painful outbreaks that began with extremely painful cold
sores on the roof of my mouth, then regularly manifested as
smaller sores on my lips and gums. I've struggled with how
to break the news to female partners, who, thankfully, never
made it as big a deal as it seemed to me. Still, I often had
those couple of days of feeling like I had a flu, followed
by an outbreak - and at what always seemed like the worst of
times. Being an athlete, heavy training also provided the
'heavy stress' conditions for an outbreak to come on, making
it twice as hard to recover from hard workouts.
I tried prescription medicines as well as some natural
routes. Lysine, a singular amino acid, helped somewhat, but
not all the time. I used significant amounts of lip balm, as
sun overexposure also tended to cause outbreaks as well. I
thought "I've got a lot of years left - will I always have
to deal with this?"
Then someone introduced me to essential oils, and I learned
a little about their studied antiviral activity. I stumbled
onto research performed with a certain oil known as Melissa.
Melissa essential oil is distilled from Melissa herb, a
plant with a long history in natural medicine. The plant
yields a relatively small amount of oil compared to other
aromatic varieties, so it's cost seems a little high. But
formal investigation has been being going on in Europe for
many years applying the oil to herpes lesions, with very
promising results. One company has even extracted a
component of the oil and sold it in a prescription form
(though I have not read of any evidence showing the extract
works better than the oil itself).
The most encouraging statement regarding the use of Melissa
on herpes was made by Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a professor at
the University of Munich: he stated that a single
application of Melissa may lead to a complete remission of
the disease. A possible cure! I'd figured I had nothing to
lose, so I tried a little bottle of the oil.
Searching further, I found a regimine for the oils' use.
Melissa might not lead to a complete remission in just one
application - other healers were finding success when the
oil was applied to the affected area when an outbreak felt
'imminent'. The oil was applied perhaps three times per day
during the outbreak; this was repeated the next several
times the user thought an outbreak may be coming on, and
through the duration of the skin healing. My outbreaks were
usually on my tongue at that point (though they started on
the palate of my mouth). I would get a very fatigued
feeling for a few days, then my tongue would get what seemed
like individual taste buds that would feel as though they
were burnt (and yes, I have had medical confirmation as to
their cause). I also had lesions on my lip, but not as
often. So I began the Melissa oil program - just one drop in
my mouth a few times a day - and thankfully I actually liked
the taste!
It turns out I wasn't one of the few with a complete
remission occuring with the first application - though I
didn't really expect it. The essential oil did help, however
- the outbreaks were shorter and less intense. Then, after
perhaps 5-7 times, the outbreaks stopped all together. And
life has certainly been no less stressful or physical -
perhaps even the opposite! But I've had no more oncoming flu
symptoms or sores on my lips or in my mouth - even after
heavy sun exposure. I can't remember the last time I've had
an outbreak now.
For individuals who may have more sensitive skin than I, or
have outbreaks in more sensitive places, Melissa essential
oil can be diluted in a vegetable or nut oil (Hazelnut oil
or Rosehipseed are commonly used) to 1/10th or even less of
the total volume and be just as effective (some say that
even 1% will work). It is important to note - and repeated
many times in the literature - that taking any essential oil
orally, or appliying undiluted to the skin, should be done
with extreme caution - whatch your own reaction closely and
proceed accordingly. I do not have experience with
application to the genital variety of Herpes simplex, but
the texts do not make a distinction - this may be where a
carrier oil could come in handy. But whatever way it's used,
the system should be followed closely: apply Melissa 2-3
times a day to the affected area when an outbreak is on the
way, and use it until the sores have healed completely.
Follow this method for the next several outbreaks; there are
no guarantees, but this may work for you or someone you may
know - and what a wonderful thing it can be!
For sufferer's of Shingles, another Herpes virus variety
causing lesions of the skin, Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica,
or 'True' Ravensara) oil has been used. Individuals have
found relief using Ravensara in a 50-50 blend with Tamanu
Nut oil. The Tamanu Nut sooths the skin during the healing
process and keeps the Ravensara in contact with the sores. I
have not heard of this offering a complete cure, but I have
heard of this blend really helping relieve discomfort of
this condition.
If you decide to try these natural methods, when buying
essential oils, buy from a trusted source - Melissa oil
particularly has been adulterated due to it's high cost. The
'fake' mixture - a blend of Lemongrass and other essential
oils oils - do not contain the same antiviral components.
True Melissa is typically found in the range of $10 - $20
per milliliter, with organic varieties costing a little
more. There are nearly twenty-five drops in one milliliter,
and because only one drop is typically used for each
application, a few milliliters (1/4 to 1/8th ounce) can go a
long way. If you try this natural healing oil, or to
recommend it to those in need, I wish the best of success!
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