Immune Support with Essential Oils
Essential oils' biological effects on humans are complex; nonetheless, research into their immunomodulatory qualities and possible application in infectious disorders continues. Several studies have shown that certain EOs have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties that could help the immune system.
The immune system is made up of different cells that defend us against numerous threats such as physical traumas and viruses. There are two types of immunity in the immune system: innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity, the body's initial line of defense against an intruder, consists of physical and chemical barriers such as the skin and stomach acid, and it reacts promptly to threats. In comparison, because it involves specialized systemic cells that destroy pathogens the body has previously encountered, the adaptive immune system responds more slowly and keeps us from getting sick in the future.
Essential oil characteristics that benefit immune health
The chemical ingredients contained in EOs determine their immune-supportive capabilities. To investigate the benefits of essential oils on human immunological health, more controlled research studies on humans are required. In vitro studies on essential oils for immunity, on the other hand, can provide useful information.
Antimicrobial
Essential oils' antibacterial properties are determined by the metabolic events that take place within the bacterial cell. Because EOs are lipophilic (meaning they dissolve easily in fat), their chemical constituents can easily enter bacterial cell membranes, disrupting processes including energy production, nutrition digestion, and structural molecule formation.
Antifungal properties
Certain essential oils have been shown to break the cell walls of several fungi, resulting in the fungus' death. Essential oils may enter the mitochondrial membranes of fungal cells, influencing their electron transport system and, as a result, modifying the fungal cells' protein, lipid, and nucleic acid composition.
The following EOs have antifungal activity:
Fennel Clove
Lemon Garlic
Lemongrass
Oregano
Thyme Rosemary
Candida acutus, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Rhodotorula rubra, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are among the fungi that these EOs may target.
Antiviral
Essential oils' antiviral properties are still being researched. Certain EOs may interfere with the viral envelope (the virus's protective outer layer), preventing it from reproducing and disturbing other vital activities. (23)
Essential oils that are antiviral include:
Tea tree oil Eucalyptus Thyme
These essential oils for immunity may target the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, rhinovirus, influenza virus, adenovirus type 3, and other viruses, according to studies.
Several essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical makeup of the EO, which varies based on the region where the plant was produced and the oil extraction procedures utilised, determines these qualities. (28) The following five essential oils show one or more of the immune system health impacts mentioned above.
Clove essential oil is number one.
Clove essential oil is extracted from the dried flower buds of clove trees native to Indonesia, which belong to the Myrtaceae family of plants. Clove essential oil has been shown to have immune-supporting properties such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties.The phenylpropanoids carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, and cinnamaldehyde are the primary components of clove essential oil. These and other components present in clove essential oil, such as terpenes and flavonoids, have been shown to benefit the immune system.
Researchers used an in vitro system that imitated a disease micro environment of inflamed skin cells to assess the effect of clove essential oil on 17 protein biomarkers that play a role in inflammation and tissue healing. Clove EO inhibited the spread of sick connective tissue cells and exhibited less pro-inflammatory biomarkers at particular concentrations, according to the researchers. Clove essential oil may offer anti-inflammatory and tissue remodeling capabilities in human connective tissue cells, according to their findings.
In another investigation, mice were given clove essential oil orally after being inoculated with blood cells from another animal. The findings showed that, depending on the dose, critical functions of the mice's adaptive immune response were recovered, that clove EO activated the mice's immune system.
2. Essential oil of eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil is extracted from the leaves of Eucalyptus globules trees, which are native to Australia and belong to the Myrtaceae family of plants. The immune-supporting properties of eucalyptus essential oil include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. A monoterpene called 1,8-cineole is the major ingredient in eucalyptus EO that has immune-supporting properties.
Researchers discovered that Eucalyptus globulus EO had antibacterial action against Escherichia coli (a bacteria linked to urinary tract infections and diarrhoea) and Staphylococcus aureus (a pathogen linked to serious skin infections) in an in vitro investigation. These findings may pave the way for more research into the use of natural antibiotics to treat diseases caused by these two types of bacteria, such as pneumonia, endocarditis (heart valve infection), and bone infections.
Researchers investigated the effect of eucalyptus EO on innate immune cells in an animal study that used both in vivo and in vitro methodologies. They discovered that eucalyptus EO stimulated phagocytosis, a mechanism by which innate immune cells eliminate microbial infections and apoptotic cells.
Both plants feature white flowers with golden centres that resemble daisies, although the Roman variation grows larger than the German type.
Other differences include the fact that German chamomile stems are not hairy, whereas Roman chamomile stems are.
German chamomile is sometimes known as Hungarian chamomile or wild chamomile.
Chamazulene is the active ingredient in German chamomile oil that makes it so beneficial to your skin.
Other chamomiles, as well as other chamazulene-containing oils like yarrow, floral oils like lavender, and citrus oils like bergamot and lemon, combine nicely with German chamomile essential oil.
Unfortunately, this approach frequently backfires, since the skin produces more sebum to compensate for the shortage of sebum caused by overwashing or excessive chemicals.
In fall and winter, the scent of cinnamon bark is reminiscent of the holiday season.
Cinnamon essential oil is ideal for use in diffuser blends for aromatherapy to invoke feelings of security and comfort, and for dilution with carrier oils for topical use.
Aromatherapy Diffuser is a budget air supply aroma tool.
Use it as sparoom diffuser, humidifier, essential oil burner.
