With the Swine Flu fury taking a heavy toll both physically and psychologically, the best thing one can do is make all the efforts to keep off the disease, rather than getting into a panic mode. Here are some aromatherapy preventive measures to keep Swine Flu at bay.

A blocked lymphatic system, characterised by congestion in the chest, lungs and throat gives a favourable environment for the swine flu virus to breed. Aromatherapy provides the way out by detoxification and cleansing of the lymphatic system, thereby reducing the chances of the virus attack.

Method: Add 2-4 drops of Eucalyptus, Basil, Rosemary and Juniper berry in boiling water or a steamer. Take hot nasal or facial steam like this, 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes as it will help to decongest the E&T zone.

Method: A normal person as well as someone who has already begun to feel the symptoms of swine flu can indulge in a clinical pedicure and massage basil oil around his shins and below that region. This can also help in doing away with congestion in the lymphatic system, thus leaving you free from virus.

While it is important to sanitize your home, you are most likely to encounter the virus in the outside environment, while at work, using public transportation, shopping, at school, etc. If you live in an area where the flu is known to be spreading, carry a bottle of essential oil (or better yet, a blend of essential oils) to use prophylactically throughout the day.

If using public transportation, apply a dilute blend of eucalytpus , niouli, tea tree, hyssop decumbens and/or palmarosa along the "glands" at the side of your neck (which are actually lymph node chains) before and after travel.

If wearing a mask is a necessity, you may place one or two drops of undiluted essential oil on the front of the mask, reapplying during the day to refresh. Inquire about the appropriate type of disposable mask before purchasing, as not all masks provide the microfiltration necessary to protect from viruses.

Make your own antiseptic soap for home or workplace. Add 10 drops of tea tree or niaouli to 2 oz. of unscented liquid soap. Once the flu epidemic has passed, go back to using your regular soap, so bacteria and viruses don't have a chance to develop resistance to the essential oils.

During your morning shower, apply two or three drops of eucalytpus niouli, tea tree, hyssop decumbens or palmarosa to a wet washcloth and friction all over the body. You'll get a mini-immune boost for the day ahead.

Use a few drops of essential oil on a moistened tissue or paper towel to clean your office phone receiver, door handles and any other surfaces that come in frequent contact with other people. Eucalyptus, Neroli, Tea Tree, Lavender, Rosemary, Clove are all useful oils.

Two or three drops of any of the above-mentioned essential oils may be placed on a tissue or cotton ball and carried in your pocket for inhalation throughout the day.

At the point where the first symptoms of illness are felt, all the defence mechanisms of the body will be working at full tilt, and an antiviral essential oil will reinforce that effort. Eucalyptus, Lavender and most especially Tea tree act in two ways, by both attacking the virus itself, and by stimulating the immune response. This can be enough to prevent any further proliferation of the virus in the body, so the bout of illness progresses no further.

Keep this information handy in the event that swine flu returns this autumn as anticipated. In the interim, make sure to have a small stock of antiviral essential oils on hand.