Drinking hot beverages, such as water or tea, is frequently mentioned in recommendations circulating to protect against the coronavirus, because the virus does not survive temperatures of 26 ° C and higher (equivalent to 78.8 ° F).
Keeping the throat moist is another repeated tip.
A home remedy to relieve cold symptoms, even to stop the process of a cold when it is just beginning, is to boil water, immediately pour it into a glass or clay container, preferably, add 1 to 3 drops maximum of tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), get as close as possible taking care not to get burned by the steam, covering the head with a towel and inhale alternately through nose and mouth for five minutes (per clock). This procedure is contraindicated for asthmatics, in which cases they can inhale within a distance and in a less concentrated way the vapors distributed in a room with essential oil molecules – between 10 and 20 drops in a container of freshly boiled water to cover a room -, or in a vaporizer or an aromatherapy diffuser following instructions for the amount of drops according to the manufacturer. Eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus) or a combination of both (maximum 3 drops total per application) can also be used for direct inhalation.
This is a very simple aromatherapy application and even just inhaling the steam, without essential oil, is a method that has been used since ancient times.
When inhaling the steam, an expansive effect is created that helps to expectorate, the mucous membranes are moisturized and together with this essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal properties, great relief is achieved; in addition adding the steam temperature factor.
Once a day for three days in a row is sometimes enough to stop a cold early. When the symptoms are already there, it can be done twice a day for three days to relieve them. It is important not to overdo it with direct steam inhalation, because exposure to heat can irritate the mucosa and create other problems.
In his book “Medical Aromatherapy,” Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, German organic chemist and scientific director of the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, in San Rafael, California, USA, says that if aromatherapy is implemented when the symptoms of a cold have already developed, the cold will not be able to stop, however, the essential oil therapy will help the symptoms to disappear quicker and minimize the unpleasant effects that accompany the cold, in addition to reducing recurrence by improving the body’s immune response and avoiding secondary bacterial infections.
He provides an important comment here related to the fact that people should avoid having a dry nose and throat and the recommendation to constantly drink hot water or tea to keep the throat moist. This German chemist and aromatherapy expert says mucous membranes establish a constant temperature inside the nose of about 88 to 93 ° F. (31.1 to 33.9 ° C). The cells of the immune system, such as beta lymphocytes, are present in the mucous membrane and form a first line of defense, in addition to the fact that the particles that enter with the air are filtered by this nasal mucose. This membrane filtering-cleaning procedure works if the temperature of the nasal cavities remains normal and its gelatinous wet condition is preserved. Temperatures that exceed 107 ° F or drop below 64 ° F (41.7 and 27.8 Celsius respectively) reduce or minimize these cleaning and protection functions. So being in places with very high temperatures or extremely dry for long periods of time in the winter is a common prelude to respiratory infections, the doctor explains. An insufficient immune response makes the body susceptible to developing a cold and 90% of these are caused by rhinoviruses and much less so by coronaviruses.
This scientist says that essential oils inhibit viral pathogens and improve the parameters of the immune system and immunoglobulin levels.
French physician and aromatherapist Jean Valnet gives eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) an important role in the aromatherapeutic treatment of conditions of the respiratory system such as acute and chronic bronchitis, influenza, pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary gangrene, asthma, cough, and pneumonia. And he mentions it in his book “The Practice of Aromatherapy” as an efficient agent to disinfect the air and avoid contagion in closed establishments, specifically referring to staphylococci, which “it kills in 70%,” he says.
Another French doctor, Daniel Pénoël, who has worked in the field of aromatherapy since 1977 and who in 1990, together with Pierre Franchomme, published his book “L’Aromatherapie Exactenment,” a manual used as a reference for the medical application of aromatherapy, especially in France, says a viral condition appropriately treated with aromatherapy cuts it off and stops it in the beginning.
Scientific studies have shown that some essential oils have the ability to inhibit viral pathogens and improve the body’s metabolic response to recover, says Schnaubelt, and also mentions that essential oils that contain strong electrophilic constituents (such as phenols or terpene alcohols) or strong nucleophilic constituents (such as citral) are most effective in conditions created by viruses that have lipoprotein coverage (hulled virus). The two essential oils mentioned above, which are very easy to get, fulfill these synergies, as well as the Ravensara aromatica, Laurus nobilis, Eucalyptus radiata, Melaleuca quinquenervia and Lavandula latifolia.
Although there is currently no scientific evidence that these oils could stop the growth of the incubating coronavirus with or without symptoms, this homemade strategy is an additional element to be taken into account.
It is not recommended to do this for more than three or four days (steam inhalation), although the daily use of a room diffuser can help to keep the air in closed spaces more antiseptic and is a soft and very pleasant application to aromatize the environment. Valnet recommends infusions of eucalyptus at a rate of 10 grams of the leaves per liter of water to fumigate rooms with that steam.
* Important: This note is for informational purposes only and for reference, and what is described here is not intended to replace any medical treatment. Each individual is responsible for seeking assistance from medical professionals with their respective credentials to treat any medical condition.
By: Aira Guevara @yofloreo