Essential Oils & the Coronavirus

With so many focusing on what to do to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from reaching their home, I’ve seen and heard a lot of things. For this article I’m going to talk about essential oils and the coronavirus.

But first, I think it’s critically important for you and I to do one thing. Stop and take a deep breath.

Remaining calm and focusing on the things we can do will be incredibly beneficial to our immune system. We can talk about this more later, though.

For now, I know you have questions about essential oils…

THE FACTS – Essential Oils

First, you need to know and understand that this virus is new. So new, that there are nostudies on any essential oil or any essential oil constituent that prove efficacy in prevention or treatment of the virus. NONE.

I wish there were, truly I do.

As I mentioned earlier, many are trying to sell essential oil blends to prevent or be used in the treatment of this virus. Without any research proving efficacy for prevention or treatment, you could be wasting your hard-earned money that you may need for other things.

The fact is that the FDA regulates both cosmetic ingredients and drugs. In order to use in beautification products (lotions, lip balms, diffusers, etc.) the label and seller can make NOT claims of therapeutic use.

So, “if someone starts selling with Coronavirus claims then they have stepped beyond what they are legally allowed to be doing…(Aromapologist, 2020)” with regards to essential oils.

If an essential oil were labeled as an antiviral, it would first need to be approved by the FDA. In fact, “Under the law, drugs must meet requirements such as FDA approval for safety and effectiveness before they go on the market (FDA, 2017).”

If there were to be approved essential oils for the treatment of this virus, the seller would not just be a representative, a seller, or any ole aromatherapist sadly. They’d be heavily regulated and would require specific dosing measures. Depending on its classification, it might be classified as an “Over the Counter” (OTC) drug or one where it can only be bought with a prescription from a licensed physician.

What can you do?

The most effective means of preventing the spread of the coronavirus so far has been proper handwashing (CDC, 2020).

The next thing that we are starting to see is social distancing. Many grocery stores offer a delivery service or pick up option so you can limit your exposure. Social distancing will hopefully allow us to “flatten the curve (Forbes, 2020)”

Remember when I said to stop and take a deep breath earlier? Yep. You need to do that. Remain calm, take a few minutes if not more each day to do self-care, meditation, nature walks or whatever helps you to eliminate stress.

We know that when our nervous system is taxed by stress, that we can be more susceptible to catching any kind of cold. So please, take a deep breath and try to find the things that you can do to feel better.

Finding a new rhythm for what is happening now is difficult, but together we can get though this. 

How can I use essential oils to help me?

Have you ever found an essential oil that when you breathe it in, it just feels good? Essential oils can be used to help soothe our emotions and help us to relax. In other words, if it makes you feel good to diffuse a particular oil/blend, do so. (Just be mindful of others that may or may not have contraindications to the oil/blend you choose.)

For now, grab your favorite bottle of essential oil (or oils) and get back to the “feel good moment” the magic of the aroma helps us to feel. If you need help creating a blend, do reach out to me.

Until next time, remember to take a deep breath, relax your jaw and shoulders and inhale the aroma of your favorite essential oil or blend.

References:

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (2017, December 5). Aromatherapy. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/aromatherapy

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). CDC Handwashing and Sanitizer Fact Sheet. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf

Forbes, T. H. (2020, March 13). Why Everything Is Closing For Coronavirus: It's Called 'Flattening The Curve'. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2020/03/13/why-everything-is-closing-for-coronavirus-its-called-flattening-the-curve/#89b03956e2b1

Aromapologie, LLC. (2020, March). https://www.aromapologie.com/

Other References Related to Washing Hands & Hand Sanitizers:

The Dirty Truth About DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipes. (2020, March 9). Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://kaylafioravanti.com/the-dirty-truth-about-diy-hand-sanitizer-recipes/

Business Insider, M. de G. (2020, March 6). Photos show why hand sanitizer doesn't work as well as soap and water to remove germs. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-photos-why-you-should-wash-hands-with-soap-water-2020-3

Wilson, J. (2020, March). DIY Hand Sanitizers: What Could Go Wrong? Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://aromaticelements.com/diy-hand-sanitizers-what-could-go-wrong/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, September 17). Show Me the Science – When & How to Use Hand Sanitizer in Community Settings. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Guide to Local Production of Hand Sanitizer. Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf