The efficacy of Aromatherapy in prevention of herpes simplex virus infections

Abstract

The results of the research conducted in the recent years demonstrate that essential oils obtained from some plants show strong virucidal activity against many pathogenic microorganisms and thus they may play a supportive role in the prevention of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Among others, these viruses may infect the central nervous system – most commonly via the airborne route or through a direct contact with the affected skin (HSV-1) or as a result of virus transmission via the genitals, the genitourinary tract, anus and the skin of the inferior parts of the body (HSV-2). The purpose of our work was to present aromatherapy as a safe method supporting the medical prevention of infections caused by the herpes simplex viruses. This work has been written based on a narrative review of the world scientific literature.