The benefits of vegetable oils still require that they be virgin (refined they lose their qualities). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of the topical application of certain vegetable oils.
Tzu-Kai Lin, Lily Zhong , Juan Luis Santiago. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017
Immunomodifying and antimicrobial effects of eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices
Angela E. Sadlon, ND and Davis W. Lamson, MS, ND. Immune-Modifying and Antimicrobial Effects of Eucalyptus Oil and Simple Inhalation Devices, Alternative Medicine Review 2010;15 (1):33-47, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20359267/
Eucalyptus oil and its main component, 1,8-cineole, have numerous antimicrobial, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory (reducing certain inflammatory cytokines), antioxidant, and even analgesic and antispasmodic effects. The antimicrobial effects affect a range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, the eucalyptus species or the composition of the components determines the potency. Monocytes appear to be more affected than white blood cells. Application by inhalation or oral route may be beneficial. There is a long history of popular use with a good safety record; more recently, the biochemical details behind these effects have been clarified.
EO is useful in many circumstances, particularly for purulent and non-purulent respiratory problems, including bronchitis, asthma, and COPD. Other vegetable oils may sometimes appear more microbiologically active; however, the combination of the safety of moderate doses of EO and its broad-spectrum antimicrobial action (including against tuberculosis and ARM) makes it an attractive alternative to pharmaceuticals. It is unusual for an antimicrobial agent to also have anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory properties. EO has also been shown to offset the myelotoxicity of a chemotherapy agent. Whether this is a general attribute or whether it affects the benefit of chemotherapy remains to be determined.
A comprehensive study of the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical components against drug-resistant microbial pathogens.
Saika Tariqa, Saira Wania, Waseem Rasoola, Khushboo Shafia, Muzzaffar Ahmad Bhata, Anil Prabhakarb, Aabid Hussain Shallaa, Manzoor A. Rathera. Microbial Pathogenesis Volume 134, September 2019, 103580 . A comprehensive review of the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents against drug resistant microbial pathogens. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0882401019304310?via%3Dihub
Essential oils are a complex mixture of odorous volatile organic compounds. There are a large number of published articles highlighting the antimicrobial action of a variety of essential oils from various regions of the world. The main objective of this review article is to compile these antimicrobial essential oils and their constituents from reliable sources and group them together. Published literature indicates that essential oils possess a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal, and even antiviral activity. Essential oils have also been shown to inhibit the growth of drug-resistant microbial strains that are difficult to treat even with conventional antibiotics. Several essential oils have antiviral activities against many RNA and DNA viruses, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), dengue virus type 2, adenovirus influenza virus type 3, poliovirus, Junin virus, and coxsackievirus B1. This review article comprehensively discusses the various aspects of the antimicrobial activity of essential oils.
An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical components, with a particular focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza viruses and coronaviruses.
Essential oils and their chemical constituents have well-documented antimicrobial effects against a range of bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens. By definition, essential oils are a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds that are synthesized naturally in different parts of the plant as part of the secondary metabolism of plants. The chemical composition of essential oils is dominated by the presence of a range of compounds including phenolics, terpenoids, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, epoxides, and many others, suggesting that essential oils should be effective against a wide range of pathogens. This review article focuses primarily on the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents, including influenza and coronaviruses. Essential oils have been tested against several pathogenic viruses, including influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Essential oils of cinnamon, bergamot, lemongrass, thyme, and lavender have been reported to exert potent antiviral effects against influenza A virus. Citrus reshnström essential oil has been studied in a research program. Citrus reshni leaf essential oil was found to be effective against H5N1 virus. Lippia species essential oil at a concentration of 11.1 μg/mL was found to induce 100% inhibition of yellow fever virus in Vero cells. Essential oils and oleoresins have been shown by in vitro and in vivo experiments to induce antiviral effects against the infectious bronchitis virus Coronavirus. A study reported that 221 phytochemicals and essential oils were effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) using a cell-based assay measuring the cytopathic effect induced by SARS-CoV on Vero E6 cells. The primary mechanism of the antiviral effects of essential oils was found to cause capsid disintegration and viral expansion, which prevents the virus from infecting host cells by adsorption via the capsid. Essential oils also inhibit hemagglutinin (an important membrane protein of various viruses) in some viruses; this membrane protein allows the virus to enter the host cell. Many essential oils and their components could inhibit the later stages of the viral life cycle by targeting the redox signaling pathway. Essential oils of Thymus vulgaris, Cymbopogon citratus, and Rosmarinus officinalis were found to destabilize the Tat/TAR-RNA complex of the HIV-1 virus, which is essential for HIV-1 replication. Being lipophilic in nature, essential oils can easily penetrate viral membranes and cause their disintegration. This comprehensive study will help researchers find chemical entities from plant sources as possible inhibitory agents for various viruses.
Literature review on the antiviral effects of essential oils and their chemical components indicates that they could serve as leads for the development and design of drugs against COVID-19. They have a strong potential to target vital pathways during the pathogenesis of the viral life cycle. Essential oils can easily penetrate the virus membrane, thereby causing membrane disruption. Essential oils have a remarkable potential to inhibit virus attachment (by inhibiting ACE-2) and replication (by inhibiting Mpro). Moreover, essential oils have a strong tendency to suppress the cytokine storm generated during SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus inhibit alveolar inflammation. Furthermore, these essential oils inhibit the recruitment of macrophages to the damaged site. With these activities of essential oils, it is believed that they could prove beneficial for COVID-19 patients and could also suppress severe symptoms caused by the infection.
Abdul Rouf Wani, Kanchan Yadav, Aadil Khursheed, Manzoor Ahmad Rather, Ph.D, Assistant Professor. An updated and comprehensive review of the antiviral potential of essential oils and their chemical constituents with special focus on their mechanism of action against various influenza and coronaviruses. Microbial Pathogenesis Volume 152 , March 2021, 104620,
Review of the pharmacological potentials of Nigella sativa seed: A promising option for the prevention and cure of COVID-19
Islam MN, Hossain KS, Sarker PP, et al. Revisiting pharmacological potentials of Nigella sativa seed: A promising option for COVID-19 prevention and cure. Phytotherapy Research. 2020;1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6895
As the whole world hopes to find an effective drug or vaccine to combat COVID-19, this study has tried to draw attention to the pharmacological potentialities of black cumin seed and its bioactive compounds in order to raise scientific concerns to adopt an alternative strategic plan. Black cumin seed and most of its bioactive components have already proven their ability to strengthen the immune system and can be easily accessible to all categories of people, as well as awareness and self-protection. (Hannan, Islam, & Uddin, 2020) against COVID-19. This study can offer valuable information for the public domain or bona fide organizations, where firstly, N. sativa seeds and oil can be considered as a first aid kit as a preventive measure against COVID19; and second, bioactive compounds, thymoquinone, α-hederin, or nigellidine could be tested pre-clinically and clinically for drug development, their efficacy and potency under specific pathophysiological conditions, with the aim of controlling the most deadly pandemic.
Myrrh Medical wonder or myth of the Magi?
Effie YH Nomicos, Myrrh Medical Marvel or Myth of the Magic? BSN, RN, CCRP Holist Nurs Pract 2007;21(6):308–323 https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=752006&Journal_ID=54004&Issue_ID=751987
Since ancient times, the genus Commiphora is composed of over 200 species, and has been exploited as a natural medicine to treat pain, skin infections, inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, and periodontal disease. In more recent history, products derived from Commiphora myrrha and various other Commiphora species are increasingly recognized as possessing antiseptic, anesthetic, and antitumor properties. Traditional practice and evidence-based research have shown that these properties are directly attributable to terpenoids (particularly furanosesquiterpenes), the active compounds present in myrrh essential oil. More recently, current studies have focused on the application of clinical trial methodologies to validate its use as an antineoplastic, antiparasitic agent, and adjuvant in wound healing.
Systematic review of the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy in people with anxiety symptoms
Study objective: We reviewed studies conducted between 1990 and 2010 on the use of aromatherapy for people with anxiety or anxiety symptoms and examined their clinical effects. Methods: We conducted a review of available electronic databases to extract journal articles that evaluated the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy in people with anxiety symptoms.
Results: Based on 16 randomized controlled trials examining the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy in people with anxiety symptoms. Most studies reported positive effects in calming anxiety. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: Aromatherapy is recommended as a complementary therapy for people with anxiety symptoms. Further, better-quality studies on the methodology should be conducted to identify its clinical effects and the underlying biological mechanisms.
Yuk-Lan Lee, BSc, Ying Wu, BSc, Hector WH Tsang, PhD, Ada Y. Leung, MA, and WM Cheung, PhD. A Systematic Review on the Anxiolytic Effects of Aromatherapy in People with Anxiety Symptoms. THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Volume 17, Number 2, 2011, pp. 101–108 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2009.0277 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21309711/
Effect of inhaled essential oils on mental exhaustion and moderate exhaustion: a small pilot study
Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a blend of essential oils (Peppermint, Basil, and Helichrysum) on mental exhaustion or moderate exhaustion (ME/ME) using a personal inhaler.
Design: Randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study. Data were collected 3 times daily for 3 weeks (Monday to Friday). The first week was baseline for both groups, the second week was intervention (aromatherapy or placebo), and the third week was washout.
Setting and location: Participants used a personal inhaler at home or at work.
Subjects: Subjects were a convenience sample of 13 women and one man who each had a self-rated health status.
ME/MB. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to receive a personal inhaler containing either an essential oil blend or rose water (used in cooking in India).
Outcome measures: Outcome measures were a 0-10 scale with 10 = worst feeling of exhaustion, 0 = no feeling of exhaustion. There was a qualitative questionnaire assessing aroma and a questionnaire listing perceived stressors. Results: Although both groups had a reduction in the perception of ME/ME, the aromatherapy group had a significantly greater reduction.
Conclusions: Results suggest that inhaling essential oils may reduce perceived levels of mental fatigue/burnout. Further research is needed.
Elizabeth Varney and Jane Buckle, PhD, Effect of Inhaled Essential Oils on Mental Exhaustion and Moderate Burnout: A Small Pilot Study. RN.THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Volume 19, Number 1, 2013, pp. 69–71 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2012.0089 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2012.0089
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