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Essential Oils For Infections
For the garden-variety infection, essential oils are perfect and can actually be helpful against a wide range of infections. Of course, with this type of medical condition – which can turn fairly serious with certain types of infections – you should always consult with your doctor and about anything you’re using including essential oils. However, for many common infections, essential oil is preferable to taking antibiotics, which could reduce the body’s ability to prevent infections in the future.
What Is an Infection?
Any time that a pathogen gets inside of a human being and begins to reproduce and have a detrimental effect it is called an infection; Bacteria, parasites and viruses are all examples of an infection. Generally, the body’s immune system can get rid of an infection on its own. But occasionally, the immune system needs help and this often comes in the form of antibiotics. But there are many essential oils that can also help with infections.
What Are the Symptoms of Infection?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the symptoms of infection can be one or more of more than a dozen signs.
Essential Oils for Infection
Essential oils can be very effective treatments for infections depending upon the type. In fact, there are essential oils that work better than antibiotics in some cases; such as with infections that are antibiotic-resistant. You should always talk to your doctor if you suspect an infection and let them know that you are treating it with essential oils – and which ones you’re using. Many doctors will agree that essential oils are useful but it will depend upon the exact infection that you have.
For example, infections that are resistant to antibiotics can be treated with essential oils like tea tree oil and oregano, as described below, but you may be able to get an even more potent effect by combining essential oils.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been used for thousands of years to treat infections. You may know it better as Melaleuca. Tea tree oil is antibacterial – one of the best antibacterial essential oils – and is often recommended for the elderly and infants, or other people sensitive to antibiotics; for areas of the skin that are sensitive as well.
Oil of Oregano
When it comes to essential oil to fight infections there isn’t much better than oregano oil. The reason that oregano is so effective is that it contains a significant amount of a naturally occurring compound called cavracol. Oil of oregano is pretty amazing, with antifungal enacted bacterial properties as that almost no essential oils can match, but if it is not diluted properly it can burn the skin. It can be taken internally, as long as it is included with the carrier oil, to fight infection, and has also been shown to treat skin infection when applied topically.
Eucalyptus
Most people can identify eucalyptus oil by its menthol fragrance. When it comes to preventing infection however, it should be famous for all of the different attributes that it has to fight infection. Eucalyptus oil is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and helps to boost the immune system. There are four different types of essential oils under the general name of eucalyptus oils, and some particularly potent eucalyptus essential oils can even be used to fight serious infections like the staphylococcus infection. What makes eucalyptus oil so effective when it comes to infection is that it kills harmful bacteria while leaving the good bacteria that we need completely intact. Diluted in a carrier oil, eucalyptus can be used topically, as well as orally or in vapor form.
Rosemary
Another great essential oil for infections is Rosemary oil. Rosemary is already part of many cosmetic products but it has some major benefits that extend past its ability to fight infection. Rosemary oil is good for the brain, the hair and the skin. Treating skin infections is where Rosemary oil excels best. It can help with a number of skin conditions like eczema or acne, and can keep the it dry and eliminate oily skin.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass oil is actually one of the most effective treatments for yeast infections among all of the essential oils that are out there. Like many of the other treatments here, lemongrass oil is an antiseptic and kills all kinds of harmful things like bacteria, fungus and even insects if you have a paest problem. It is the antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities that make it such a good treatment for infections. You can use lemongrass oil on your skin but you should test a patch first because there have been allergic reactions reported, albeit extremely rare.
Cinnamon bark
Many people use cinnamon bark in order to treat infections. While these are not the cinnamon sticks that you see in your grocery store aisle, they are extremely close. Cinnamon bark essential oil is a natural antiseptic and disinfectant and it also has antibiotic properties that allow it to supplement your immune system. In diarrhea, which can be caused by an infection, it can also be treated with cinnamon bark oil and it is an astringent that will help you with the acne infection. Cinnamon bark oil cannot only kill bacterial infections on and in the body but it can even help to remove harmful bacteria from the air in the first place – as well as viruses. Many people put cinnamon bark oil on bites and stings from animals or insects to prevent infection as well.
Geranium
Often, geranium oil is used as part of an aromatherapy treatment but the reason the people use it so often is that it has enormous healing potential for both the physical and mental health. It is been used as early as ancient Egypt and can help with all sorts of skin conditions like acne as well as reduce inflammation in other areas of the body as well. And because geranium essential oil is an antiseptic but doesn’t irritate the skin, it is one of the best treatments for any sort of infection involving the skin.
Lavender
Even doctors agree that lavender oil is one of the best ways to fight infections without any side effects. That is the problem with most of the commercially available drugs that are for treating infection. They often have side effects that make them undesirable. But lavender essential oil not only has a delightful smell and is used in cosmetics and perfumes, but it may also be one of the best treatments – including anti fungal drugs on the market right now – to treat yeast infection and some skin pathogens like dermatphytes. There is research being conducted right now to see whether or not lavender can help those that have compromised immune systems such as in the case of AIDS patients or transplant recipients.
Roman Chamomile
The two most common types of chamomile are German chamomile and Roman chamomile, with the latter being particularly effective for fighting infections. And as you may have guessed, chamomile has been used since Roman times for infection, as well as a number of other treatments, and the plant has anti-inflammatory properties, can be used for insomnia, may be used to treat rashes and is particularly effective because it has antibacterial, anti-fungal and other properties that fight infection. Roman chamomile can be administered in several different forms including: brewing it in a tea, administering it as a salve and using it in airborne form.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is also used to treat infections. In the 1800s, scientists discovered that honey is a natural antibacterial agent. Honey actually protects against the damage that is caused by bacteria and it helps the body produce cells that repair damage caused by bacteria. Manuka Honey is also an anti-inflammatory, so it can help to reduce pain and there are a number of conditions besides infection that and Manuka honey can treat. Manuka honey is great for treating GI problems and reducing inflammation, but some also use it as a treatment for cancer, or to prevent cancer in the first place. Honey, somewhat ironically, is also used for treating diabetes and of course for infections. Some of the infections that Manuka honey treats most effectively include illnesses involving the ear, nasal passages, sinus cavities and the eye.