Today, many people continue to use essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, lemon, turmeric, and ginger (either topically or in aromatherapy), as complementary therapies to help treat a wide range of diseases, noted a review published in August 2015 in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. So if you’ve been diagnosed with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a chronic viral infection that attacks the liver and causes inflammation, maybe you’re curious as to whether essential oils can help your symptoms. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that oral therapy is the first-line treatment for this disease, you may find that they make a soothing addition to your treatment regimen. RELATED: 10 Facts Everyone Should Know About Hepatitis C
How Might Essential Oils Help Hepatitis C?
There isn’t ample evidence supporting the use of essential oils or aromatherapy to treat hepatitis C. But small, observational studies, many of which were published several years ago, suggest these pleasant-smelling elixirs may deserve a spot in your medicine cabinet — next to your traditional treatments, that is.
Reduced Hepatitis C Symptoms
In a small study, published in the and conducted on 50 chronic carriers of hepatitis C, 64 percent of the 27 participants treated with essential oils in monotherapy saw an improvement in their symptoms. Benefits included a reduction in viral load and liver fibrosis, and negative testing one year after treatment. Among the 23 participants who used essential oils to complement antiviral medication (ribavirin or interferon), 20 completed the course of treatment. All of these patients tested negative for HCV at the end of treatment, with 14 remaining negative one year after treatment (the other six weren’t tested). Treatment lengths varied for both groups, but ranged from 24 to 48 weeks.
Stress Relief
One of the biggest potential benefits of essential oils is stress relief. According to the Mayo Clinic, breathing in plant oils stimulates smell receptors in the nose. These receptors respond by sending chemical messages from the nervous system to the brain’s limbic system, which affects mood. This can have a positive psychological effect, boosting your mood and possibly reducing stress. Any chronic condition, including hepatitis C, tends to increase stress levels, says alternative medicine expert Jaime Bacharach, who has an acupuncture and herbal certification and works at Maple Holistics in Sewell, New Jersey. Indeed, a hepatitis C diagnosis can have a huge psychological and emotional effect on you, per a past study. Learning to cope is important because stress can result in its own set of complications. Chronic stress can lead to stress-induced inflammation throughout the body, which can make hepatitis C symptoms worse and contribute to disease progression, warns CATIE, a Canadian source for HIV and hepatitis C information. “A lot of the natural remedies for hep C help mitigate the stress involved with the condition,” says Bacharach. “Diffusing essential oils can go a long way with reducing stress and helping you live a serene life.”
Better Sleep
The stress of living with hepatitis C can contribute to depression symptoms and poor sleep quality, too, which certain essential oils might also improve, according to the Mayo Clinic. Improving the quality of your sleep is important because brain fog and fatigue are common symptoms of hepatitis C, says the NHS. Too little sleep could worsen these symptoms. Still, know that essential oils aren’t going to cure hepatitis C — you’ll need traditional medication to help manage this condition. You should consult your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan. Left untreated, hepatitis C can cause complications such as scarring of the liver, liver failure, and it can even increase the risk of liver cancer, warns the Mayo Clinic. RELATED: The United States of Stress 2019
Which Essential Oils May Help You Manage Hepatitis C?
So which oils should you turn to for stress relief? Several oils may help you relax, but Bacharach speaks specifically to the benefits of lavender oil and clary sage oil, which past studies support. “Lavender oil increases your GABA levels, which calms the nervous system and can promote sleep, meanwhile clary sage oil helps reduce blood pressure, which in turn can reduce stress. Research shows that clary sage oil also interacts with serotonin and dopamine to relieve anxiety,” she says. But these aren’t the only oils you can use. Other options might improve liver health as well. In the aforementioned International Journal of Aromatherapy study, the essential oils used to help ease symptoms of HCV included:
RavintsaraLabrador teaCarrot seedLaurelThymeNiaouliHelichrysum
Why might these oils work? It all boils down to their purported anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, and the fact that some of these oils may have immune-stimulating benefits. For example, research published in May 2018 in the journal Phytotherapy Research highlighted the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in thyme, whereas a study published in the April–June 2017 edition of the International Journal of Pharma and Chemical Research found that carrot extract could possibly protect the liver from acute injury. RELATED: A Detailed Guide to Liver Disease
How Do You Use Essential Oils in Your Hepatitis C Treatment Regimen?
Although the International Journal of Aromatherapy study involved oral use of essential oils for hepatitis C, not all oils are edible. So only ingest an oil when the label says it’s safe for internal use, according to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA). Follow dose instructions carefully, keeping in mind that you’ll also need to dilute the oil with water or tea first. For oils not suitable for internal use, topical application is an option. Just make sure you dilute with a carrier oil (like almond oil, grapeseed oil, or jojoba oil) before applying to your skin, says NAHA. This can slow the absorption process and help prevent adverse skin reactions and irritation (itching, rash, burning, redness). You can also add a few drops of essential oil to bathwater. You can use a diffuser for aromatherapy, which involves combining an essential oil with water. This is one way to enjoy the aromatic benefits, as inhalation can help with anxiety, pain management, and improve sleep quality — which is essential when living with a chronic condition, notes the Mayo Clinic. If you don’t have a diffuser, place a few drops of essential oil near you, such as close to your bed or desk. Another option is to place a few drops of essential oil in a water-based solution, and spray the solution around your home. You’ll enjoy the aromatic benefits and deodorize your space at the same time. For the most part, essential oils are safe when used as directed, but the Mayo Clinic further notes that more research is needed to understand how these oils interact with medication. Talk to your doctor or an aromatherapist before using essential oils as a complementary treatment for hepatitis C. RELATED: What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?
A Final Word: What to Do Before Using Essential Oils for Hep C
Traditional antiviral therapies are highly effective for hepatitis C. In fact, more than 90 percent of people infected with chronic hepatitis C can be cured with 8-12 weeks of oral therapy, according to the CDC. While essential oils are no replacement for medication, you can use them to help ease your symptoms and feel better. But don’t use an essential oil (especially orally) without first speaking with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for your liver, and that it doesn’t interact with your medication.
