1 FluGuard EASY BREATHE CARE FOR KIT

Essentials oils should never be used in undiluted form nor taken internally except under qualified supervision..

Find out more

Swine Flu Facts as at 23.7.09


Swine flu is fast becoming a global pandemic   

The number of people consulting their GP in
the UK because they think they have swine flu
has almost doubled in one week.
The Department of Health say an estimated
100,000 people in England sought help in the
past week, up from 55,000 the previous week.
There are now 840 people in hospital with the
virus, of which 63 are in intensive care.
Most people with the virus in hospital are
aged 16 to 64, with 435 cases, followed by
the under-fives, with 169 cases.

Related Links
Department of Health

Among those aged over 65, 149 people are in hospital and there are 87 cases among young people aged five to 15.

The website address for the National Pandemic Flu Service for England is www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu and the phone
number is 0800 1513 100.

Swine flu - How essential oils can help you manage the risk of
serious co-infections
a personal note by Ian Brealey

I can say without fear of contradiction that certain essential oils have proven
antimicrobial properties.

Throughout history people have been encouraged to inhale aromatic substances at
times of infection.  Aromatic plant material was burnt in public squares.  The name
perfume comes from the latin per fumen (through fire).  Today we have essential oils
which contain aromatic chemicals for us to inhale and essential oils components continue
to provide the basis for synthetic anti-flu medications.

My own household contains a happy smiling 4 month old baby and as you can imagine
we are taking every precaution to avoid infection and ensure we are in good shape to
fight the infection and combat co-infection leading to complications.

Personally I am taking a mix of 5 oils including peppermint, hyssop and thyme, pine and
eucalyptus.  This mix was developed by Shirley Price and is called Easy Breathe Winter
Chills.  I place two drops (no more, less is more in aromatherapy) in my morning and
evening cup of tea.  The hot tea vaporises the oil so I get a good inhalation into my lungs.
I am not asthmatic or on medication nor am I an epileptic and I have access to the advice
of the Sp college principal Louise Carta who trains aromatherapists for IFPA
membership.  Sp essential oils come with a safety leaflet advising on their use.  In brief
Always read the leaflet.

I carry a nasal inhaler stick with drops of this mix for use in the day.

I also vaporise Star Anise, Pine and Lemon essential oils.  Vaporisation is useful for
combating airborne infection.

Sp carry Star Anise oil which is a revered oil in China and Vietnam where it is made.  
This oil is credited with anti-viral properties.  The principal constituent is anethole (upto
85% in a good quality oil).

Tamiflu® is reputedly made from starting materials derived from Star Anise. The obvious
question, whether there could be essential oils to protect from this condition, is not easily
answered. Tamiflu and Star Anise were key weapons in the fight against Bird Flu in
2005/6.  

Certainly essential oils have proven effectiveness against common infections like strep
throat and a particular feature of a pandemic is for the flu virus to amplify the effects of
what are common ailments into a life threatening situation.  In one case in the UK this
month a 15 year old girl with tonsilitis died of swine flu.  therefore it is wise to have on
hand essential oils with a track record of effectiveness against both viral infection and
bacterial infection such as streptoccus.

Some facts:

The substance gained from Star Anise which serves as the starting material for
Oseltamivir (the active principle of Tamiflu®) is Shikimic acid. Shikimic acid itself is a key
precursor for the biosynthesis of the amino acid Phenyl alanine, which consequently is
further derivatized towards Cinnamic acid and the known Phenyl propanoids of essential
oils. (Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy 2006).

The efficacy of essential oil components and whole essential oils against many different
virions, including influenza, has been repeatedly documented and is part of the practical
experience of many aromatherapy practitoners. Because essential oils and their
constituents cannot be patented, large scale further research is not lucrative to 'for
profit' entities and therefore does not happen and we are left with small scale but
nonetheless compelling evidence.  This evidence is based on a scientific research
procedure whereby bacteria are cultivated in agar dishes.  Essential oils are dropped in
the centre of the dish and zones of inhibition are measured.  It is thought essential oils
work by blocking the receptors microbes use to attack healthy cells.


Conclusion:

In the long run those essential oils which are strongly antiviral (multi component
synergies) will provide better and better lasting protection against these conditions, as
the virus can quickly outwit the single substance drugs by slight changes in one or more
of its various components.

At Sp we are of the opinion that stocking essential oils which are antiviral and at the
same time very mild, so they can be used liberally if needed without creating irritation, is
certainly a wise measure (Our preference for and for use in consultation with professional aromatherapists is Thyme thuyanol and Hyssop decumbens).  Eucalyptus Globulus can be harsh.  For children we recommend the use of Eucalyptus Staigeriana
For a vaporiser we would recommend star anise, pine and lemon.

To find out more we recommend this article

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/star-anise/

 
Ian Brealey 23.7.09

Shirley Price International College of Aromatherapy

Viral & Respiratory              
Infections CPD with Marion
Fewkes on Monday 5th
October 2009 at the Shirley
Price International College
of Aromatherapy, About
Marion: below, Synopsis:
below Venue: Odstone Hall
Warwickshire
Charge: £80 - Book this
course

Viral & Respiratory infections

The arrival of the H1N1 virus – or “swine flu” –
caused quite a stir during the summer of 2009 and
forecasts of its increase during autumn and winter months
generated considerable concern. On this course
students will study the most appropriate and effective
aromatherapy approaches to the prevention and
treatment of viral infections and the respiratory system