The 4 Anti-Viral Essential Oils You Need in Your Medicine Cabinet Now!

If you’ve been following the natural health movement for a while, odds are that you’ve heard and maybe even tapped into the power of essential oils. But did you know there are certain anti-viral essential oils that can help to ward off specific viral strains?

That’s right—you don’t have to sit around and wait for (or wait out!) a cold or other viral illnesses anymore! Keep reading to see which oils you should add to your health cabinet and have on hand this winter!

4 Incredible Anti-Viral Essential Oils

Before we jump into the top anti-viral essential oils, you may be surprised to learn just how heavily researched this area is. You see, many people are skeptical about the power of essential oils.

But the truth of the matter is that essential oils contain therapeutic properties found in nature, and they’ve been used medicinally since the beginning of time. As a result, researchers have been studying their therapeutic power for hundreds of years.

In fact, over the years, researchers have confirmed that 171 essential oil components contain powerful anti-viral components! [1] Pretty amazing, right?

So, let’s dive in and take a look at some of the top anti-viral essential oils.

1. German Chamomile

I’m not going to beat around the bush here. If you clicked on this article, you’re likely searching for a way to help protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.

While I can’t guarantee that diffusing an essential oil in your home will do that, I can share with you some of the exciting research that’s recently been published so you can make informed decisions.

According to a study published in May 2020, the sesquiterpene (E)-β-farnesene showed potential to normalize the active proteins found in the COVID-19 virus. [2]

Now, did you know that the main compound found in German chamomile essential oil is (E)-β-farnesene? In fact, this compound accounts for more than 42 percent of the oil’s therapeutic powers!

Moreover, German chamomile oil has been found to contain powerful anti-microbial properties overall—including fighting bacterial and fungal strains as well.

Studies have shown that German chamomile is also effective against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. [3]

This cold and flu season, consider diffusing German chamomile regularly to help ward off common viral and bacterial strains. It generally blends nicely with a citrus oil, such as lemon or orange. Just make sure not to consume it, or any other oil for that matter.

2. Cinnamon

The next oil listed as one of the top anti-viral essential oils you should have in your medicine cabinet is cinnamon.

When we think of cinnamon, we typically think of a spice we use in the kitchen. But did you know that one of the most incredible health benefits of cinnamon is its ability to fight infections?

Numerous studies have actually shown that cinnamon essential oil contains anti-viral and properties.

In fact, according to a 2014 study, as a vapor, Cinnamomum zeylanicum was shown to fight the influenza virus within 30 minutes of exposure! Meanwhile, it displayed 100 percent inhibitory activity at 3.1 μL/mL liquid concentration. [4]

As a result, the researchers noted that cinnamon oil, along with a few others, could provide therapeutic benefits for those not only suffering from the flu but perhaps other respiratory viruses as well!

In addition to being one of the top anti-viral essential oils, cinnamon oil is also known to be effective against different bacterial strains, especially when combined with clove oil. [5]

And yet another study investigated the anti-fungal activity of cinnamon oil against fluconazole-resistant Candida (yeast). The findings? Researchers discovered that the properties in cinnamon oil improved the yeast outbreak. [6]

Personally, I like to diffuse cinnamon with clove, ginger, and orange during the fall—right around the time we see a spike in cold, flu, and other viral outbreaks. Not only does it help to mitigate microbes in the air, but it also leaves my home smelling absolutely heavenly!

3. Eucalyptus

Next on the list of anti-viral essential oils is eucalyptus oil—and with good reason!

Eucalyptus oil has long been used as a remedy for cough and cold symptoms. And now, scientific evidence shows that eucalyptus oil actually contains antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-fungal, and pain-relieving properties. [7]

In fact, studies have shown that eucalyptus oil displayed anti-viral activities against numerous strains of viruses, including the mumps and herpes simplex viruses! [8]

Meanwhile, another in vitro study revealed that the active constituent in eucalyptus oil (1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol), displayed anti-viral activities against influenza a (H1N1). [9]

And another study published in 2014 showed that the vapor of bergamot and eucalyptus oils were “very active against influenza virus” after only 10 minutes of exposure. [10]

Additionally, a 2013 double-blind study showed that 1,8-cineole also greatly reduced coughing episodes in patients with acute bronchitis in just four days. [11]

As you can see, eucalyptus oil offers several anti-viral benefits. When it comes to use, you can add it to your diffuser or do what I do—put a few drops in the bottom of your shower and breathe it in while washing up!

If you’re dealing with a cold or other respiratory viral infection, the steam combined with the vapors of eucalyptus oil will help to open up your sinuses and relieve congestion.

4. Lavender

Another one of my favorite anti-viral essential oils is lavender oil.

Now, it may come as a surprise to hear that lavender oil has anti-viral properties, since it’s commonly used to promotion relaxation and sleep. But lavender oil is actually a power anti-microbial agent.

In fact, one study showed that lavender essential oil showed anti-viral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1—the virus that causes cold sores! [12]

Additionally, according to a 2018 study, lavender essential oil is an effective anti-microbial agent against E. coli.

The researchers believe lavender oil has the potential to be used as an alternative treatment to antibiotics, which have become less effective due to antibiotic resistance. [13]

Now, when it comes to using lavender oil, I personally love to diffuse it to help fight anxiety and promote relaxation. The bonus is that it also helps to reduce microbes in the air, which can help prevent the spread of certain viruses.

Key Takeaways

• There are certain anti-viral essential oils that can help to ward off specific viral strains.
• Accordingly, there are a few essential oils that I recommend having in your medicine cabinet during the cold and flu season.
• The top for anti-viral essential oils are German chamomile, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and lavender. They’ve been show. to fight everything from cold and flu viruses to cold sores!