EPIDEMICS AND BACTERICIDES

Fragrant plants have protected against infectious diseases since ancient times. The most striking example is the waves of plague that swept through Europe from the Middle Ages to the end of the 17th century. Many written sources attest to people who worked with aromatic plants or oils and escaped the plague when others around them were dying from the epidemic. The most protected were those who worked in lavender fields, gardeners who cared for medicinal herbs, furriers and glove makers who scented their skin with essential oils. For many centuries, infection was believed to cause bad breath, so attempts were made to neutralize it with a pleasant aroma; however, we know today that those fragrant plants are also powerful bactericides and some of them antiviral agents.

So, vaporizing some strong bactericidal and antiviral essential oils at home is a real protection against infection during epidemics. Clove, eucalyptus, and yarrow oils are most suitable for disinfecting rooms. Jean Valnet writes that as soon as the Dutch settlers eradicated all the clove trees, the Moluccas were swept by waves of previously unknown epidemics, and the natives of Australia used eucalyptus to protect themselves from time immemorial. A blend of clove and orange oil that smells like the pleasant scent of traditional dry perfumes and has anti-infective properties. Lavender, rosemary, evening primrose or thyme oils are also perfect.

We would like to emphasize that aromatherapy treatment does not suppress or mask the symptoms of the disease. It can be used as a prevention