keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Of the many oil available, two very notable oils are Niaouli MVQ and Bay Laurel (or Laurel Leaf). Both can be applied directly to the body, though if you encounter any skin sensitivity, dilute the oil or discontinue use. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops along the meridians of the body directly after the morning shower when the pores are still open and the skin is soft. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Bay Laurel is of great support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at The true medical aromatherapists around the globe tell us time and time again: the most effective use of essential oils for health is the combating of infectious illness. Aromatherapy in the US is still mostly relegated to support of the psyche - which it does quite well - but study after study continues to confirm the antibacterial and antiviral effects of essential oils, along with their great compatibility with human physiology. Many protocols (detailed instructions) have been translated and published from the European medical aromatherapy literature - information which you can personally incorporate into your own natural health and wellness program.

For the uninitiated, essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds distilled from plants. They are the chemicals that give plants their smell; the luscious aroma of a rose or the sharp scent of peppermint. Plants use these chemicals for, among other things, defense from invaders such as bacteria, fungus and viruses. Each plant's oils have a unique makeup as a result of the plant's own physiology, natural environment, and its potential microbial invaders. Because of their chemical structure, essential oils are easily absorbed into the human body, passing through cell membranes, then further on into the bloodstream due to their 'lipophillic' nature (a structure in alignment with the lipid components of our cell walls). Essential oils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us naturally microbe-free, to readying our immune system for defense, to actually destroying the microbes once they've entered our bodies.

The first line of defense is keeping your environment cleansed by diffusing essential oils in the air. Get a little nervous when friends or co-workers have a sneezing or coughing fit? Here's an excellent defense tactic - diffuse one or more of the powerful yet pleasant smelling antimicrobial oils into your space. Eucalyptus Radiata is probably the most popular for this; it has been referred to as an 'aromatherapists designer oil' because of its broad range of immune-supportive effects and its pleasant aroma (that is, if you like the smell of Vick's Vapor Rub). Other oils used with a little softer scent are Green Myrtle and Ravensara. A very pleasing yet powerful blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Use this in a cold-air diffuser which makes a fine mist of the oils, dispersing them throughout your environment for best protection.

Beyond your outside environment, it's important to strengthen your own immune system. Essential oils have been studied for their ability to prevent viruses from actually penetrating our cell walls, keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Of the many oil available, two very notable oils are Niaouli MVQ and Bay Laurel (or Laurel Leaf). Both can be applied directly to the body, though if you encounter any skin sensitivity, dilute the oil or discontinue use. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops along the meridians of the body directly after the morning shower when the pores are still open and the skin is soft. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Bay Laurel is of great support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at

re the volatile aromatic compounds distilled from plants. They are the chemicals that give plants their smell; the luscious aroma of a rose or the sharp scent of peppermint. Plants use these chemicals for, among other things, defense from invaders such as bacteria, fungus and viruses. Each plant's oils have a unique makeup as a result of the plant's own physiology, natural environment, and its potential microbial invaders. Because of their chemical structure, essential oils are easily absorbed into the human body, passing through cell membranes, then further on into the bloodstream due to their 'lipophillic' nature (a structure in alignment with the lipid components of our cell walls). Essential oils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us naturally microbe-free, to readying our immune system for defense, to actually destroying the microbes once they've entered our bodies.

The first line of defense is keeping your environment cleansed by diffusing essential oils in the air. Get a little nervous when friends or co-workers have a sneezing or coughing fit? Here's an excellent defense tactic - diffuse one or more of the powerful yet pleasant smelling antimicrobial oils into your space. Eucalyptus Radiata is probably the most popular for this; it has been referred to as an 'aromatherapists designer oil' because of its broad range of immune-supportive effects and its pleasant aroma (that is, if you like the smell of Vick's Vapor Rub). Other oils used with a little softer scent are Green Myrtle and Ravensara. A very pleasing yet powerful blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Use this in a cold-air diffuser which makes a fine mist of the oils, dispersing them throughout your environment for best protection.

Beyond your outside environment, it's important to strengthen your own immune system. Essential oils have been studied for their ability to prevent viruses from actually penetrating our cell walls, keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Of the many oil available, two very notable oils are Niaouli MVQ and Bay Laurel (or Laurel Leaf). Both can be applied directly to the body, though if you encounter any skin sensitivity, dilute the oil or discontinue use. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops along the meridians of the body directly after the morning shower when the pores are still open and the skin is soft. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Bay Laurel is of great support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at

ils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us naturally microbe-free, to readying our immune system for defense, to actually destroying the microbes once they've entered our bodies.

The first line of defense is keeping your environment cleansed by diffusing essential oils in the air. Get a little nervous when friends or co-workers have a sneezing or coughing fit? Here's an excellent defense tactic - diffuse one or more of the powerful yet pleasant smelling antimicrobial oils into your space. Eucalyptus Radiata is probably the most popular for this; it has been referred to as an 'aromatherapists designer oil' because of its broad range of immune-supportive effects and its pleasant aroma (that is, if you like the smell of Vick's Vapor Rub). Other oils used with a little softer scent are Green Myrtle and Ravensara. A very pleasing yet powerful blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Use this in a cold-air diffuser which makes a fine mist of the oils, dispersing them throughout your environment for best protection.

Beyond your outside environment, it's important to strengthen your own immune system. Essential oils have been studied for their ability to prevent viruses from actually penetrating our cell walls, keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Of the many oil available, two very notable oils are Niaouli MVQ and Bay Laurel (or Laurel Leaf). Both can be applied directly to the body, though if you encounter any skin sensitivity, dilute the oil or discontinue use. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops along the meridians of the body directly after the morning shower when the pores are still open and the skin is soft. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Bay Laurel is of great support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at

pportive effects and its pleasant aroma (that is, if you like the smell of Vick's Vapor Rub). Other oils used with a little softer scent are Green Myrtle and Ravensara. A very pleasing yet powerful blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Use this in a cold-air diffuser which makes a fine mist of the oils, dispersing them throughout your environment for best protection.

Beyond your outside environment, it's important to strengthen your own immune system. Essential oils have been studied for their ability to prevent viruses from actually penetrating our cell walls, keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Of the many oil available, two very notable oils are Niaouli MVQ and Bay Laurel (or Laurel Leaf). Both can be applied directly to the body, though if you encounter any skin sensitivity, dilute the oil or discontinue use. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops along the meridians of the body directly after the morning shower when the pores are still open and the skin is soft. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Bay Laurel is of great support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at

keeping bacterial levels in check, and cleansing toxins from our bodies. Of the many oil available, two very notable oils are Niaouli MVQ and Bay Laurel (or Laurel Leaf). Both can be applied directly to the body, though if you encounter any skin sensitivity, dilute the oil or discontinue use. Niaouli is a powerful overall fortifier of the immune system; apply 10-20 drops along the meridians of the body directly after the morning shower when the pores are still open and the skin is soft. This is particularly recommended during the 'cold and flu season' to stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms. Bay Laurel is of great support to the lymph system; a few drops can be applied to the nodes at the neck or armpits for immediate relief of swollen glands in many cases. Using a few drops on the solar plexus in the same manner as Niaouli described above once or twice a week will also provide general immune system support (Laurel may have sensitizing effects on the skin if used continuously for long periods - do not use more frequently than necessary for best effects).

Once a bacteria or viral infection has set it, treating it with essential oils can be a little more complex. The difficulty lies in finding the proper oil for one's particular illness, as some oils are excellent against certain microbial strains, though these same oils may not be the right choice in other instances. Prevention with immune stimulant oils as above is best; however, at the very first signs, application of 10-20 drops to the skin of both Eucalyptus Radiata and Bay Laurel essential oils to the skin in the steam of a shower (so that the skin is more porous) is called for. Eucalyptus can be applied to the chest and back, whereas Bay Laurel should be applied directly to the lymph nodes to support the immune response. The vast majority of individuals will have no sensitivity response to such application - if, however, any skin irritation is noted, apply diluted to 5% in a carrier oil such as olive oil hazelnut oils. Green Myrtle can be used in cases of bronchial infection where Eucalyptus may be found to strong an aroma. Ravensara used in the same manner is called for in cases of colds and flu - it can be a stronger antiviral than the above mentioned oils, and has a pleasing aroma.

In general, Eucalyptus Radiata and Globulus, Green Myrtle and Ravensara can be applied to the skin (dilute if any sensitivity is suspected) or used with a diffuser or inhaler to loosen mucus and support the body's cleansing process. Rosemary Verbenone is indicated for sinusitis and bronchitis - The medical aromatherapy literature indicates this may be inhaled, applied topically in small amounts, or even ingested (with great caution) one drop two or three times daily. Also, one drop of Bay Laurel can be taken internally at the onset of a sore throat, as it directly supports the lymph system in the area.

When choosing your own self-healing methods as part of your overal natural health and wellness program, it is important to choose the proper modality for each situation. Conventional medicine has it's place, and should absolutely be employed when it will provide the best results. When it comes to common colds, the results have not been so dramatic. Alternative therapies have offered a reasonable solution, and can be effective if used wisely and with discretion. There are many helpful texts available for the use of essential oils as medicines - Advanced Aromatherapy and Medical Aromatherapy, both by Dr.