Essential Oils and the Herpes Virus - A Personal Account

Aromatherapy Oils and the Herpes Virus - One Person's Success Story 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 freqently wondered in the midst of these bouts with HSV if this was something I'd have to deal with for the rest of my life - I tried doctor prescribed medicines, Lysine and other remedies, but none kept the virus at bay enough to really make a difference. I then stumbled upon some research being done using an oil commonly found in aromatherapy - Melissa essential oil, also known as 'Lemon Balm'. The oil was being investigated in Europe for it's positive effects combating the Herpes virus. One German pharmaceutical company had even made a preparation utilizing the oils active components (though nowhere was it noted that the oil itself was any less effective). Perhaps the most heartening news was delivered by Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a German scientist who had worked with Melissa and herpes sufferers - the Doctor reported that a one time application of the essential oil lead to a complete remission of outbreaks in some individuals. WOW, a CURE! It seemed a bit expensive for what was apparently such a small amount of liquid, but really not so when compared to any other medicine, especially if I had to take any other medicine for the rest of my life! Further research gave me a better idea of a protocol; direct application of the essential oil may not lead to a complete remission in one application - though healers were finding success with the oil's regular use through the course of several outbreaks. One drop of Melissa directly applied a few times a day throughout the outbreak, and for the next several times an outbreak was surfacing, might lead to remission of the disease. The regemine was to begin as soon as one felt an outbreak coming on - some folks get an odd sensation at the location where the lesion may occur, and many will feel a general malaise. My outbreaks tended to occur on my tongue at that point - I would get the flu/fatigued feeling, then a few tasted buds would swell and sting, with the occasional cold sore showing itself (and yes, this had been medically confirmed as HSV early on when the sored almost completely covered the roof of my mouth). So I started on the Melissa, placing just one drop in my mouth and 'swishing' it around a few times a day. It's a powerful oil, but I actually liked the taste... Well, perhaps the single dose worked for some folks, but I wasn't quite so fortunate - though I was certainly not discouraged. The history of Melissa and it's healing powers was renoun, and I kept up with the program. Despite continuing to have outbreaks, they were shorter, and they seemed to occur less frequently. And after a while, it dawned on me - the outbreaks had stopped completely! And believe me, my life has been no less stressful - more so if anything. Also, while outbreaks do tend to happen less freqently for some over time, I had been living with this for 15 years and they were still fairly regular. But no matter how stressful my days were, how heavy my weight training sessions or other athletic endeavors, the outbreaks have not returned! For more sensitive skin (I do not have direct experience with the genital variety of the disease - however, the liturature does not make a distiction as the oil's efficacy) Melissa can be diluted in a carrier oil like Hazelnut or Rosehip Seed. The dilution can be down to 10% (or even much less say some practitioners) of the total concentration and still be just as effective. PLEASE NOTE: taking any essential oil orally, and undiluted certainly, should be done with caution - pay attention to your own reaction and proceed accordingly. However, used in a carrier oil or directly, the protocol should be followed as closely as possible - apply just enough oil to cover the area a few times a day as soon as you feel an outbreak looming, and continue use until the lesions have completely healed. Repeat this the next several times an outbreak is imminent. There are no guarantees, but others have reportedly also had complete remission of the outbreaks using this method. Another variety of Herpes virus is known as Shingles. This causes sore and weeping lesions of the skin. Sufferers have found relief with Ravensara essential oil (also considered a powerful anti-viral) mixed half-and-half with Tamanu nut or Callophylum oil. The Tamanu acts to sooth and nourish the skin while the Ravensara oil acts on the virus itself. I have not seen evidence of complete remission of shingles using this blend, but have heard of many folks finding significant relieve using this combination. So if you choose to use aromatherapy oils like Melissa or Ravensara yourself (or to a recommendation), find a trusted source for the essential oils. Find 'true' varieties of each - Melissa is often adulterated, and the real thing is generally priced between $10 and $20 per milliliter (about 25 drops, which actually goes a long way); Ravensara should be of the 'Ravensara aromatica' variety. Be conservative with direct application - remember that diluting the oil has not been reported to reduce efficacy. Yes, I liked the Melissa oil straight, and never had a problem - but others I've known have had sensitive reactions - though this may have been related to UV exposure. Be good to yourself and listen to your body - may you achieve healing success!