5 Antiviral Essential Oils To Add To Your Medicine Cabinet
For many folks, the autumn season means pumpkin spice, seasonal activities like football games and corn mazes and planning for autumn holidays – but unfortunately, autumn also means that cold, flu, and virus season is in full swing. Often, cooler temperatures means close quarters with other people, making airborne illnesses easy to spread, and with touch contact, it’s just as easy to pick up a virus or bacteria; a 2015 study of 26 medical students found that they touched their faces 23 times an hour, making transmission too easy.
Why Use Antiviral Essential Oils
One way to break the virus cycle is through effective use of essential oils, which can offer several different methods of combating viruses:
- A 2022 study has shown that some essential oils disrupt the membranes of viruses, effectively destroying their infectious abilities.
- Similarly, a 2021 study showed that certain essential oils prevent the ability of viruses to bind with cell receptions, inhibiting their abilities to interact and replicate.
- In 2022, scientists released a study noting that the use of certain essential oils can prevent viruses from replicating at different stages of their life cycle, effectively shortening their infectious abilities and improving healing.
Which Antiviral Oils to Use – and How
Not all essential oils are created equally; for information on the importance of using quality oils, Inshanti has created our own how-to when it comes to purchasing oils. Likewise, each oil has its own distinctive properties, and it’s important to be educated on which oil to use and how to use it, depending on the specific needs of your situation.
Below is a list of some of the most well-known and effective antiviral essential oils, including an overview of their properties and a general guide for harnessing their benefits.
Ravintsara – known for its antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, ravintsara is exceptional at handling sinus problems, the flu, and bronchial congestion. Diffuse it to decrease airborne viruses, or blend 3–4 drops ravintsara and 3–4 drops of eucalyptus radiata with 1 oz. of carrier oil into a massage blend and rub into neck and chest area as a preventative measure when cold and flu symptoms appear. As a bonus: ravintsara is helpful in stabilizing emotions and combating shingles and herpes zoster.
Saro – sourced from Madagascar, this unique oil (also known as mandravasarotra
essential oil) not only boosts an enticing fragrance, with floral and lemony notes, but is a powerhouse at targeting and preventing bacterial and viral infections. Diffuse it or add it to cleaning products to purify your home or add it to a massage blend for your chest and neck to ease sinus congestion or relieve the symptoms of colds and the flu. Thanks to its aroma and decongestant abilities, Saro is also great to add to the bath or used for a facial steam – add approx. 5 drops of oil to the bowl of hot water. With a towel, cover and place head over bowl, breathing in through nostrils and mouth to get steam into both head and chest for 5 minutes or longer.
Hyssop – known for aiding in healing respiratory infections and wounds, promoting healthy skin appearance, and improving digestion and joint pain, Hyssop is celebrated as one of the strongest antiviral essential oils. With a unique flowery, minty aroma, Hyssop will uplift your spirits and support recovery from respiratory infections.
Melissa – also known as lemon balm, pure melissa essential oil, distilled from the
plant’s flowers and leaves, can be pricey, but it’s so powerful that you can add it to a carrier oil at a 1:100 ratio, making it one of the best oils to invest in. A multi-purposeful oil, Melissa’s antiviral strength can make it a great weapon against herpes blisters and shingles, and it can also be used to soothe your digestive tract, menstrual cramps, and headaches and support restful sleep.
Ho Wood – with a high linalol content, a key ingredient in many commercial skin care products, Ho Wood not only boasts a lovely floral aroma, but also strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It can be used to help keep your skin clean and combat acne, as a support for your immune system, and as a way to ease a racing mind.
At Inshanti, we believe in educating you on your options so that you can make choices to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy – even when viruses are flying around. For more information on anti-viral essential oils and their uses, contact us through our website or stop by!
As a bonus – during October 2025, we’ve made it even easier to visit during Lancaster’s Best Kept Secret Tour, Inshanti will be open extra hours: October 9-25, Wed – Sat, 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Stop by and together, let’s make this fall more about happy memories and less about sick days.