Essential Oils and Remedies To Naturally Protect Yourself from the Coronavirus
Written by Faith Frankenfield, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist and Certified Holistic Wellness Practitioner
The following is a comprehensive list of essential oils and other remedies that you can use to naturally protect yourself from the Coronavirus, cold and flu, and what to use if you have been exposed or start experiencing symptoms. Be wise. There is a place for antibiotics, disinfecting wipes, and cleaners during a pandemic. While there are fears about long term carcinogenic affects when using these items, the threat of short term bacteria and viruses is currently greater.
If you do not have any essential oils on hand, I recommend purchasing from Floracoepia as they specialize in wild crafted essential oils. This is important because oils distilled from herbs grown in the wild have the purest form of chemical constituents and are more effective. They tend to run out of items so if you can’t find what you are looking for there, I also like Aromatics International. They are reasonably priced and I appreciate that they not only test every batch, they publicize the results and their store is updated with that information.
COVID Pneumonia, and Flu Defense:
Have you ever noticed that the rate of illness decreases during the summer and early fall? My naturopath sent me some great information on protecting from COVID from his friend Dr. DiMaggio. He relays keeping the body warm, particularly your throat, chest and stomach, is a defense against COVID. He points out that looking at the numbers, places with the warmest climates have the lowest outbreaks.
While you can’t control your climate, you can naturally protect yourself from the Coronavirus by nourishing your body with foods and supplements that have warming properties. In particular, Dr. DiMaggio relays that raising your Basil Metabolic Rate for 30 minutes or more gives you a good chance of preventing disease. He makes the following recommendations for supplements and remedies:
Infrared Light (Joove)
Curcimin: Found in Cayenne Pepper
Green Tea: Increases BMR and metabolism
Anti Viral supplements: Take Colloidal Silver and Nano Zinc for three days straight
HOT bath for 30 minutes: You can add essential oils and mineral salts listed below (do not use phenol oils in bath tub as they will burn and be careful of citrus oils)
Basil, Cinnamon, Clove, and Oregano Herbs: Add these to your foods as they contain phenols which have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. *But please note that in essential oil form, the phenols are too concentrated and can become toxic. A little goes a long way with phenolic compounds.*
Essential Oils for Viral Flu/Bacterial Infections:
Thieves/Legends or other oil blends containing Cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary and lavender (anit-bacterial/antiviral/anti-fungal):
I have been vocal with my clients about not using Thieves and similar essential oil blends every day. It’s like bringing a gun unnecessarily to a fist fight. However, this was created to use during a pandemic and now is the time to pull it out. Use at low concentrations and infrequently unless you are sick or have been exposed to COVID. Why the caution? Cinnamon and Clove found in these blends are particularly high in PHENOLS which become toxic with overuse and overwork your kidneys and liver. (Thyme, Oregano, Basil, and Cassia essential oils are also very high in Phenols and need to be used with caution) They are safe to use in very low concentrations for short periods of time but avoid using these oils every day. *Note that eating basil, cinnamon and oregano will be great for your body because the herbs are not concentrated like essential oils.*
HOW TO USE:
For prevention, create a mild version of this blend that is safe to use every day by eliminating cinnamon and clove and just using eucalyptus, lemon, rosemary and lavender. This is a blend that is safe to use every day without causing toxicity. If you have a weak immune system or are exposed to the flu, add back the cinnamon and clove and start out at a low concentration under 1% and gradually build up from there. Use for two weeks and then take a two week break and use the mild version.
Individual Oils:
Top notes: Basil, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Myrtle, Orange, Tea Tree
Mid Notes: Cypress, Fir, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa
Base Notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Cinnamon, Clove, Helichrysum
Bronchitis:
Top notes: Basil, Clary Sage, Lemon, Orange, Tea Tree
Mid notes: Cypress, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Peppermint, Rosemary
Base Notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Helichrysum, Sandalwood
Nausea:
Top Notes: Lemon, Orange, Mandarin, Tea Tree
Mid Notes: Chamomile, Fennel, Lavender, Melissa, Peppermint
Base Notes: Ginger, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Day to Day Immunity Builders:
These are safe and highly important to take daily during cold and flu season. You do not need to take every one of these supplements daily, but I recommend a combination of Vitamin C, D, B6 & E to naturally protect yourself from the Coronavirus.
Vitamin C: 1000 mg per day
Vitamin D
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E
Immune Builders when you are on the verge of getting sick:
If you are feeling sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick, naturally protect yourself from the Coronavirus by adding in elderberry or echinacea along with garlic and gargle with salt and apple cider vinegar.
Supplements and Remedies:
Vitamin C: 2,000 mg per day
Elderberry
Echinacia
Bone Broth
Garlic
Ginger
Probiotics (take daily)
Zinc
Gargle with pink Himalayan salt or apple cider vinegar
Antiviral supplements: Nano Silver, Zinc, Selenium
Herbs: Astralgus, Licorice root
Saline nasal flush: Use a saline rinse that has been specifically created for your nose like the one from NeilMed. Use distilled water and make sure to sterilize
Sleep: At least 7+ hours a day
Individual Essential Oils for when you are on the verge of getting sick with a common cold:
Top Notes: Grapefruit, Lemon, Myrtle, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus
Mid Notes: Chamomile, Fennel, Lavender, Melissa, Peppermint, Rosemary.
Base Notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Ginger, Myrrh
Essential Oils to use when you are sick:
Cough expectorant/antispasmodic blend: Lavender, Chamomile, Basil in LOW concentration (antispasmodic), Cypress, Helichrysum
Headache blend: Lavender, Peppermint
Decongestant Oils:
Top Notes: Lemon, Tea Tree, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus.
Mid Notes: Melissa, Rosemary, Marjoram, Cypress.
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Benzoin, Cedar, Myrrh
Sore Throat Blend: Peppermint, Myrrh, Frankincense
Essential Oils for Allergies:
Top Notes: Lemon, Myrtle, Tea Tree, Orange, Eucalyptus
Mid Notes: Chamomile, Cypress, Fir, Fennel, Lavender, Melissa, Peppermint.
Base Notes: Benzoin, Cedar, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Frankincense
Emotional Wellness
Your emotional health contributes to your physical health and can naturally protect yourself from the Coronavirus! Stay positive and meditate on scripture and God’s goodness. Peace and Joy raise your body’s vibration which helps fight and prevent disease! Flower essences are also beneficial to your emotional health, in turn preventing disease. My favorites from Freedom Flowers are Stay Calm, Joy, Peaceful Sleep, and Stress Less.
Tips for Creating Essential Oil Blends
When creating an essential oil blend, remember to use a combination of top, middle and base notes. Top notes enter the blood stream the quickest but only last in the body a few hours. Base notes last in the body for up to 48 hours but take longer to enter the bloodstream. Essential oils and supplements are best used at low concentrations, several times a day. Rather using essential oils undiluted, add to a lotion or body oil starting at a concentration of 5% and increasing every few days. Massaging a diluted blend all over the body is more effective than spot treating on your feet etc. undiluted because it will get in to your blood stream more quickly. As a guide, 24 drops of an essential oil in an 8oz bottle is equal to a 2% dilution.
