Most people living in cities spend 90% of their time inside buildings, where they're surrounded by a mix of tiny organisms like viruses, bacteria, molds, and other microbes. Scientific reports published by the NIH show essential oils can reduce the amount of virus by 53%. This group of organisms, called the indoor microbiome, mostly comes from us and our pets, but also includes microbes from outside that we bring in, water from our plumbing, soil, and from the air conditioning or heating systems. In recent months, people around the world claim they felt nauseous, had uncontrollable vomiting, or had flu-like symptoms after breathing in what some are calling a "mysterious fog."

Why essential oil use matters to your clean indoor air

Being around these microbes can lead to health problems like breathing problems or allergies. Constant irritation can also lead to increased inflammation in your body which brings another set of health problems like asthma and autoimmune diseases.

Some harmful microbes you might have in your home, car or office include bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi like Aspergillus fumigatus, and viruses like the flu, Ebola, or the one that causes COVID-19, according to scientific literature published in this National Institute of Health (NIH) article. These microbes can spread through the air we breathe or by touching things that are contaminated.

Hospitals and places that handle food use special methods to kill these germs, like UV light, air ionizers, or chemical sprays, but these are expensive and not practical for use at home. However, air purifiers with HEPA filters work well at home and in schools, offices, and hospitals to clean the air of these microbes.

Also, using the vapors from essential oils like rosemary, cassia, clove, or red thyme can fight germs in the air, providing a second way to keep your home's air cleaner, when paired with an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

“Studies have shown that eucalyptus essential oil and its major monoterpenes have enormous potential for preventing and treating infectious diseases caused by viruses.” 

Daniel Mieres-Castro, et al.

Here’s how your home and auto air can benefit from purifying the air with essential oils.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil, primarily known for its compound 1,8-cineole, was extensively studied for its antiviral properties. Research shows that eucalyptus oil can make airborne viruses harmless or inactivate the virus when the oil is put in a gel and allowed to evaporate. Or when the oil is placed in water and delivered through an aromatherapy diffuser or spray bottle.

For instance, studies have shown that eucalyptus oil vapors (evaporated, sprayed, or diffused into the air) can significantly reduce the numbers of culturable aerosolized coronaviruses, bacteria, and fungi in controlled environments.

Vapor is a substance, like an essential oil, that’s diffused or suspended in the air, especially one that is normally liquid or solid.

The oil's volatile compounds (chemicals that easily evaporate in the air) interact with the viral envelope (outer layer of a virus), disrupting the integrity (completeness of the virus’s DNA) of the virus and rendering it less infectious. This makes some essential oils reduce airborne viral transmission in indoors.

I spray eucalyptus essential oil in distilled water on the tile in my shower for a refreshing steam that opens the sinuses.

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary essential oil contains compounds like α-pinene, camphor, and 1,8-cineole, which contribute to its antimicrobial activity. Though less directly studied for its effect on aerosol viruses, rosemary oil's general antimicrobial (virus killing) properties could theoretically extend to aerosolized (airborne) viruses. Its ability to stop bacterial growth in a test tube means it might also impact viral particles in the air, particularly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions which could help in managing secondary infections or inflammation from viral exposure.

In other words, rosemary essential oil can reduce inflammation and additional respiratory infections caused when you’ve been exposed to a virus.

I use rosemary essential oil in distilled water as a natural bathroom air freshener.

Clove Oil

Clove oil, with its high eugenol content, has potent antimicrobial effects. Studies have shown that clove oil can reduce a virus’s ability to infect you when mixed in suspension or when its vapors are present. The oil's strong antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties suggest it could be effective in reducing microbes in the air, including viruses. Its use in aromatherapy could potentially decrease the presence of airborne bacteria and viruses, making it a valuable addition to making your air germ-free.

“Management of infectious diseases caused by viruses, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2, the medicinal use of essential oils obtained from Eucalyptus trees has emerged as an antiviral alternative.”

Daniel Mieres-Castro, et al.

Thyme Oil

Thyme oil is rich in thymol and carvacrol, both are known for their antimicrobial activity. Research shows that thyme oil can prevent the replication of certain viruses like feline coronaviruses in laboratory settings. When vaporized, thyme oil could potentially disrupt the lipid envelopes of aerosol viruses, similar to other essential oils with similar compounds. This could lead to a reduction in the amount of airborne viruses, providing an additional layer of protection against respiratory infections.

“The essential oil vapours were able to reduce the numbers of aerosolised the coronavirus MHV-1 and the bacterium E. coli by ≥50% and the reduce the number of aerosolised A. flavus spores that could germinate by ≥66%.”

Parthasarathi Kalaiselvan, et al.

Practical application and benefits of essential oils therapy

- Air Purification: Using diffusers or vaporizers to release essential oils can help cleanse the air of pathogens (germs). The volatile compounds in these oils can interact with aerosolized microbes, potentially inactivating them.

- Respiratory Health: Inhalation of these oils can also offer symptomatic relief for those with respiratory issues, easing congestion and supporting respiratory function, which indirectly aids in reducing the spread of viruses by alleviating symptoms like congestion, headache, coughing and sneezing.

- Synergistic Effects: Blends of these oils might provide enhanced antimicrobial effects due to the synergistic interactions between their active components, offering a broader spectrum of activity against different kinds of microbes, including viruses.

- Natural and Eco-friendly: Essential oils provide a natural alternative to chemical air fresheners and disinfectants, reducing the environmental impact and potentially decreasing the risk of chemical resistance in microbes.

Cautions and Considerations:

While essential oils offer promising benefits, it's important to use them carefully. They should be diluted in water or a gel like aloe vera properly for inhalation or diffusion to avoid irritation. Also, the effectiveness can vary based on the concentration, exposure time, and specific virus strains.

In conclusion, essential oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, clove, and thyme carry potential benefits in managing aerosol viruses through their antimicrobial properties. However, they should be seen as part of a broader strategy for air sanitation rather than a standalone solution. Their use should be combined with other preventative measures like ventilation, air purification, and personal hygiene to achieve the best results in reducing the risk of viral infections.

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