Why Disease is Prevalent
The role of a healthy immune system is to guard against disease, but a compromised immune system will likely give hints that it is not doing so well. Cues such as chronic inflammation, mucous build-up, skin lesions, and on-going fatigue all are signals that the immune system defenses are weakened. Weakening these humoral and cell-mediated defenses, known largely as B and T cells, can result in the onset of disease. Once a body has acquired a disease, the capacity of the immune system to maintain wellness is reduced and thus a vicious merry-go-round is created.
Using Essential Oils for Immune Support
In these modern times, many are familiar with the stress-relieving qualities of aromatic essential oils and for certain oils, awaken a fatigued body or mind. Well-established research indicates that essential oils are dynamic antimicrobials. Such characteristics are helpful in supporting a fully functional immune system; stress and non-beneficial microbes are known to weaken the immune system’s army of defenses. Few are aware that essential oils can actually strengthen the capacity of the immune system directly to fight off foreign invaders.
Fighting off Disease
Using essential oils to affect the immune system directly is gaining ground in research arenas. For the past two decades, promising research has pointed to the anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils. There is growing evidence that most diseases stem from inflammation. Recent research is currently looking at specific immune mechanisms that are enhanced by essential oils.
Melaleuca Gives a Boost
At the Laboratoire de Botanique in France (2006) researchers were able to identify that Melaleuca alternifolia was able to regulate the amount of inflammatory-causing secretions found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In so doing, natural anti-inflammatory agents, known as cytokines, were still able to be created and thus boosting the body’s ability to protect and restore itself. This in itself is quite a finding, especially for individuals suffering from conditions associated with chronic inflammation.
Engulfing Pathogens with Niaouli
In our magnificently crafted bodies, we have what is called natural killer cells, or NKs. Their job is to kill viruses and diseased cells such as cancer cells. At Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan (2006), scientists found that phytoncides (essential oils from wood) increased NK activity and restored activity when cell lines were damaged (purposely induced). Researchers proposed that the reason for this effect is that phytoncides induce immune cells that destroy unwanted cells and microbes – perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin respectively.
Redirecting the Immune Response
At Zhejiang University Medical School in China (2006), scientists looked at the ability of ginger essential oil to regulate immune system functions. Using mice (bless them for their sacrifice), these researchers were able to identify that ginger essential oil can exert suppression of T lymphocytes (a component of the cell-mediated immune response) in cases where such a response is actually harmful to the body, such as with chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases (like Crohn’s disease).
Concluding Thoughts
The level of complexity of our immune system is astounding. This collective network composed of organs, cells and proteins seeks to protect the body from bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses, as well growth of tumor cells. Those designated with such a task need to remain healthy and fully capable. When the well-being of this system is compromised, recent research suggests that essential oils are capable of stimulating the immune response or redirect its energies when necessary.
The author regularly employs pure aromatherapy essential oils and Bach flower essence therapy in her practice.
