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Melissa Essential Oil and the Herpes Simplex Virus - A Personal Story

The Herpes virus is a difficult little bug; a so-called ‘incurable’ infection with painful skin lesions. The sores come and go, more frequenly for some individuals than others, and often flollow stressful life conditions where the immune system may be weakened. Allopathic medicine doesn’t yet have a cure for this disease, only pills and creamse that must be used regularly to keep outbreaks from recurring and to lessen their duration. Incurable, painful, sort-of ugly, and with great names like ‘oral-labial’ or ‘genital’, this can be one challenging illness.

This is a personal account - I had herpes outbreaks for several years, and had to deal with painful sores in my mouth and on my lips - sometimes so bad I thought my teeth were falling out! I’ve been through those internal struggles on how to break it to an intimate partner - thankfully their response was never as sever as I expected - hough it still seemed like a big deal to me. I regularly had those telling days of feeling a flu was about to hit, with several days of lesions to follow. What seemed the worst, being an athlete, was that training really hard tended to cause outbreaks almost for certain.

I tried prescription medicines as well as some natural routes. Lysine, a singular amino acid, helped somewhat, but not all the time. I used significant amounts of lip balm, as sun overexposure also tended to cause outbreaks as well. I thought “I’ve got a lot of years left - will I always have to deal with this?”

Then someone introduced me to essential oils, and I learned a little about their studied antiviral activity. I stumbled onto research performed with a certain oil known as Melissa. Melissa essential oil is distilled from Melissa herb, a plant with a long history in natural medicine. The plant yields a relatively small amount of oil compared to other aromatic varieties, so it’s cost seems a little high. But formal investigation has been being going on in Europe for many years applying the oil to herpes lesions, with very promising results. One company has even extracted a component of the oil and sold it in a prescription form (though I have not read of any evidence showing the extract works better than the oil itself).

The most encouraging statement regarding the use of Melissa on herpes was made by Dr. Dietrich Wabner, a professor at the University of Munich: he stated that a single application of Melissa may lead to a complete remission of the disease. A possible cure! I’d figured I had nothing to lose, so I tried a little bottle of the oil.

Searching further, I found a regimine for the oils’ use. Melissa might not lead to a complete remission in just one application - other healers were finding success when the oil was applied to the affected area when an outbreak felt ‘imminent’. The oil was applied perhaps three times per day during the outbreak; this was repeated the next several times the user thought an outbreak may be coming on, and through the duration of the skin healing. My outbreaks were usually on my tongue at that point (though they started on the palate of my mouth). I would get a very fatigued feeling for a few days, then my tongue would get what seemed like individual taste buds that would feel as though they were burnt (and yes, I have had medical confirmation as to their cause). I also had lesions on my lip, but not as often. So I began the Melissa oil program - just one drop in my mouth a few times a day - and thankfully I actually liked the taste!

It turns out I wasn’t one of the few with a complete remission occuring with the first application - though I didn’t really expect it. The essential oil did help, however - the outbreaks were shorter and less intense. Then, after perhaps 5-7 times, the outbreaks stopped all together. And life has certainly been no less stressful or physical - perhaps even the opposite! But I’ve had no more oncoming flu symptoms or sores on my lips or in my mouth - even after heavy sun exposure. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had an outbreak now.

For individuals who may have more sensitive skin than I, or have outbreaks in more sensitive places, Melissa essential oil can be diluted in a vegetable or nut oil (Hazelnut oil or Rosehipseed are commonly used) to 1/10th or even less of the total volume and be just as effective (some say that even 1% will work). It is important to note - and repeated many times in the literature - that taking any essential oil orally, or appliying undiluted to the skin, should be done with extreme caution - whatch your own reaction closely and proceed accordingly. I do not have experience with application to the genital variety of Herpes simplex, but the texts do not make a distinction - this may be where a carrier oil could come in handy. But whatever way it’s used, the system should be followed closely: apply Melissa 2-3 times a day to the affected area when an outbreak is on the way, and use it until the sores have healed completely. Follow this method for the next several outbreaks; there are no guarantees, but this may work for you or someone you may know - and what a wonderful thing it can be!

For sufferer’s of Shingles, another Herpes virus variety causing lesions of the skin, Ravensara (Ravensara aromatica, or ‘True’ Ravensara) oil has been used. Individuals have found relief using Ravensara in a 50-50 blend with Tamanu Nut oil. The Tamanu Nut sooths the skin during the healing process and keeps the Ravensara in contact with the sores. I have not heard of this offering a complete cure, but I have heard of this blend really helping relieve discomfort of this condition.

If you decide to try these natural methods, when buying essential oils, buy from a trusted source - Melissa oil particularly has been adulterated due to it’s high cost. The ‘fake’ mixture - a blend of Lemongrass and other essential oils oils - do not contain the same antiviral components. True Melissa is typically found in the range of $10 - $20 per milliliter, with organic varieties costing a little more. There are nearly twenty-five drops in one milliliter, and because only one drop is typically used for each application, a few milliliters (1/4 to 1/8th ounce) can go a long way. If you try this natural healing oil, or to recommend it to those in need, I wish the best of success!

Eric Cech is a contributor to aromatherapy oils sites, and works with the Ananda Aromatherapy essential oil company.

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5 Great Ways to Use Scented Oils and Incense To Keep Your

Your Own Mood.

One of the easiest ways to scent your home is with a good quality incense. Stick incense usually last
longer than cone incense and it provides an atmosphere of being laid back or relaxed. You can choose your scents to promote a stress relieving atmosphere with Lavender, probably the most widely recognized stress reliever for years. The mood can be picked up by introducing Cinnamon, Orange or Frankincense. An evening of romance can be aided by smells such as Rose or Jasmine. Ylang Ylang, Vanillas and some of the more Oriental scents have proved to have aphrosidisacal properties.

The ritual of burning incense is as old as man himself, starting with the recognition that if one threw
different woods or grasses or weeds into the fire one would get different smells. Soon, almost all
cultures created artistic little devices to burn incense in - clay pots, ceramic bowls, brass braziers.
Now Crystal Mountain Oils and Incenses has created a smoking bottle, a burner that hangs up away from children and pets (and drunk friends) and also keeps all the ashes and fires away from furniture and floor coverings ( www.crystalmountain-aromatics.com/incense/burners/hangingbottles.htm).

Oils have been used for centuries by most cultures. The knowledge was for the most part lost to
some of the western Europeans with the advent of Christendom. But thanks to the Arabic and
Oriental people the secrets were saved and are now are enjoyed world wide.

The benefits of the oils run from pure olfactory enjoyment to the treatment of a vast majority of
maladies to repelling of many noxious insects to a variety of other uses. Cedar, Citronella, Clove, Bud and Catnip are just a few of the insect repellants. Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lavender, Rosemary and Eucalyptus are just a few of the more well known therapeutics oils.

The art of Perfumery, or blending fragrances to create smells for various purposes, is also an
ancient part. It didn’t just start with “Chanel #5″ or “Love Potion #9″. I believe I read somewhere
that Louis the Fourteenth of France preferred the scent of Jasmine. Indeed, once a persons interest
is captured in olfactory bliss, the normal reaction is to immediately search for other pleasurable
scents. Often at our shoppe customers will search through the 130 or so oils looking for just the right
one, until sometimes their nose fails them and they have to step back until there sense of smell clears.

There are many ways to enjoy the oils. Most of them can be worn as a personal fragrance. Some you
may need to cut with a carrier oil. You can take this to the next step, and turn them into a massage
oil by mixing a few drops with a heavier oil such as grapeseed or sweet almond oil that is used as a massage oil base.

You may drop a few drops of oil on a hot surface - light bulb ring or a stovetop, for those that heat with wood. One of my favorite ways is to use a potpourri pot, either one heated with a candle or by
electricity, put a little water in the container and add a few drops of your favorite oil or favorite oils.
Apply heat, and set back and enjoy the pure unadulterated scent from the oil. I say favorites,
because I have found in the past 16 years that I have been involved with oils, that the more compatible oils you mix the better the scent gets.

On a hot day, a neat way to beat the heat is to take a spray bottle, fill it with water, add a refreshing
oil such as Peppermint or Orange, then spray it around the room. This same technique can be used to
refresh you bed. Simply turn back the covers, and spray your linens. You can broaden this buy adding other scents that you like.

You can keep your automobile fresh by adding a few drops of oil to a piece of leather and placing it on your dash in the sun. Oils are volatile, so heat activates them and amplifies their aroma.

Crystal Mountain Oils and Incense manufactures decorative aroma bottles that can be worn as a necklace or you can hang them in your auto, and make for some enjoyable crusin’. You can see them at www.crystalmountain-aromatics.com/jewelry/index.htm.

Ok, if this is more than 5 ways, please excuse me, and just try them all anyway. And, oh yeah, we hope you get addicted. We did. And as far as we know there is no 12 step program, at least we hope not.

“Help us make the world a better smelling Place”

Larry Murley has been blending oils and making incense for almost 20 years. He loves his trade and spends a great deal of time trying to create new scents and making the world smell better. He and his wife Kerry sell thier creations at Arts & Crafts shows and online at http://www.crystalmountain-aromatics.com.

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We, as human beings have been given the wonderful gift of 5 senses, which most of us use every day without even thinking about it. Let us give some attention to how we react to the various things that touch our senses.

The fragrance of a home-baked apple pie may bring back memories of Grandma’s kitchen and feelings of comfort or happiness. How about the scent of a deep, red rose? Does it bring of thoughts and feelings of
Love, with the memory of your first anniversary with your significant other? Or the sight of an intricately beautiful, wild violet bringing with it, feelings of wonder and awe. Or maybe someone walks past you wearing the same perfume your Mother used to wear and you are instantly in touch with the feelings of safety, warmth and love of family.

There are so many ways we are touched emotionally, mentally, physically by items coming in contact with our senses. Like the music on the radio that takes us back to childhood, the smell of sheets that were dried outside on the clothes line, the touch of velvet that was your first prom dress. The taste of your favorite ice cream reminds you of your high school days with friends. Your senses carry you far beyond the very moment of contact, bringing with them the enhancement of spirit. These senses trigger our nervous system, relieving depression, revitalizing, uplifting, and giving us an all-over feeling of well-being.

This is what aromatherapy does and much more. Using pure essential oils from a wide assortment of plants, flowers, fruits barks and roots, produces compounds that can be used to affect mood and health. These are more widely accepted for use in the alternative and holistic medicine fields. Aromatherapy actually dates back thousands of years probably first used by the Egyptians. These can be used in a variety of ways; by inhaling the essence, using the oil as a massage or compress and with proper direction of a professional, ingestion.

Just as a suggestion, we believe you should at least give it a try. Beside the fact that you will feel better, it could carry you off to some distant past with wonderful memories and feelings!

Member of the American Hypnotherapy Association, Member of CAMA, Hospice Volunteer Instructor/National Trainer for the Twilight Brigade Compassion in Action. Executive Chair of the Atlanta Chapter.

Sandy Hatfield ©Harmony Grove Marketing, Inc. 4/2006
http://www.scentsaroma.com

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