Overview of the Research on Mechanisms and Application of Essential Oil of Aromatic Chinese Medicinals in Prevention of Respiratory Infectious Disease
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2025.06.015
- VernacularTitle:芳香中药精油外用防治呼吸道传染病的作用机制与应用研究概况
- Author:
Wan Ling LI
1
;
Xinxin WU
2
;
Xiaolei LI
2
;
Mingzhao HAO
3
;
Fang ZHANG
2
;
Yue ZHANG
2
;
Haoyue LI
4
;
Jing ZHAO
2
Author Information
1. School of Chinese Medicine，The University of Hong Kong，Hong Kong，999077
2. Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
3. China Institute for History of Medicine and Medical Literature，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
4. International Cooperation Department， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
respiratory infectious disease;
aromatic Chinese medicinals;
essential oil from Chinese medicinals;
external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;66(6):638-644
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Aromatic Chinese medicinal essential oils are volatile oils extracted from aromatic Chinese herbs， which can prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases through multiple synergistic mechanisms including pathogen inhibition， immune regulation， and inflammatory response regulation. Essential oils are primarily used externally on the body to prevent infections and alleviate symptoms through methods like inhalation， smearing， topical application， bathing， gargling or as a suppository. They can also be utilized in the environment for disinfection and air purification， through methods like diffusion， vaporization， or spraying. The external application of essential oils extracted from Chinese aromatic herbs has the advantages of convenience， quick absorption， and simultaneous influence on both the body and mind. However， there are still challenges and deficiencies in aspects such as the positioning of functions， indications， safety， and the research on the mechanism of action. It has been proposed to combine the theory of aromatic Chinese medicinals with the characteristics of essential oils， and formulate prescriptions of Chinese medicinal essential oils under the principles of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation， and prevent and treat respiratory infectious diseases efficiently， accurately， and safely， thereby expanding the clinical application of aromatic Chinese medicinals and the preventive theory of traditional Chinese medicine.
