What essential oils are effective for upcoming seasonal colds? The power of essential oils in the cold season.
The best essential oils for seasonal colds and viruses
What essential oils have universal antiviral properties that can help our immune system cope with the attack of unwanted guests of our body?
To increase the effectiveness of the use of oils in the cold and flu season, it can be diluted in any base oil and use the resulting mixture to rub the chest — this will facilitate the discharge of sputum from the lungs and accelerate recovery.
(1) – “Essential oils (EOs) are chemical substances, mostly produced by aromatic plants in response to stress, that have a history of medicinal use for many diseases. In the last few decades, EOs have continued to gain more attention because of their proven therapeutic applications against the flu and other infectious diseases.”
Real lavender has a mix of molecules that can not only provide antiviral, anti-infective and immunomodulatory properties, but also calm our nervous system, relieve stress and set us up for recovery.
Tea tree is a powerful anti–inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent. It is effective for ENT diseases: colds, rhinitis, flu, sore throat, sinusitis, otitis, herpes. Tea tree essential oil has a special feature – it can work not only in synergy with medicines, but also in antagonism. Therefore, if you are already taking medications on a regular basis or for a cold, consult with your doctor before using this oil.
Black spruce. The essential oil of this plant has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant properties. It is an excellent antiseptic for the air. Black spruce will be effective for sinusitis, otitis media, bronchitis. This oil has proved especially good for dry cough, which occurs at the beginning of the disease.
For the same purpose, we can use cypress essential oil. However, black spruce, like other coniferous oils rich in monoterpenes, has contraindications: it is not recommended for children under 3 years of age, as well as for women in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
Eucalyptus is radiant. The essential oil of this plant has antiviral, antibacterial and immunostimulating properties. But it is especially appreciated for its mucolytic and expectorant properties, which are more or less characteristic of all essential oils rich in the molecule cineol-1,8, which has the ability to dry.
However, oils rich in cineol have contraindications: it is not recommended for children under 7 years old (in children under 4 years old it can cause seizures) and in the first trimester of pregnancy. For asthma, dry irritating cough and tracheitis, we change eucalyptus for coniferous essential oils.
Peppermint oil
Mint essential oil has a beneficial effect on the indicators of physical activity and human performance, and also has the property of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchi. This in turn can make breathing easier if a person has a cough.
Oregano oil
The essential oil contains a high concentration of the compound carvacrol, which effectively fights infections, helps to cope with sore throat and cough, as well as improve the protective functions of the body.
The oil can be used as an aromatic substance for inhalation or a warming mixture with the addition of base oils. In any case, it will benefit the body.
Thyme oil
Thyme oil effectively reduces anxiety, helps to overcome stress and cope with seasonal melancholy. Just add it to the aroma lamp and enjoy the enchanting aroma.
Bergamot oil
The body’s ability to resist respiratory viral diseases largely depends on how it copes with stress. It’s no secret that diseases attack when immunity is lowered.
Studies have shown that just 15 minutes of inhaling the fragrance of bergamot significantly lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.
Cinnamon oil
An exquisite oil with a pleasant warming aroma should be in every home. It will create a cozy atmosphere and help to get rid of pressing matters and problems, improve mood and reduce stress levels.
Cinnamon essential oil promotes immunity and helps to cope with respiratory diseases.
Sandalwood oil
In cosmetology, sandalwood oil is used in SPA treatments. It also restores tone, saves from emotional burnout. Sandalwood oil has antiviral, astringent, antiseptic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an excellent tool for fighting colds and flu.
What are the methods of using essential oils for infections and viruses? The power of essential oils in the cold season.
Aromatherapy is an excellent means of combating viral and bacterial infections, as well as an effective way to increase immunity and prevent colds.
Essential oils are a soft, light, pleasant and, most importantly, a strong and safe remedy for any cold.
Through the respiratory tract
It will be effective to spray 5 drops of essential oil with a diffuser for 30 minutes in the room where the patient is. This method is essential in the treatment of essential oils both in the event of an illness and at the prevention stage. Instead of a diffuser, you can use a napkin or an aroma lamp, which is better placed not next to the patient, but at a short distance. Do not forget that essential oils cannot be sprayed in a room where children under 3 years old, pregnant women and the elderly are present. While the diffuser is working, it is better for them to be in another room. If you have pets, the door should be ajar for them so that they can get out. Some essential oils (such as conifers for cats) are acutely toxic to animals.
Essential oils diluted in a certain proportion in vegetable oils are applied locally to the places of inflammation: on the nose for sinusitis and rhinitis, behind the ears for otitis media, on the throat for sore throat, on the chest for tracheitis. You can also apply the mixture along the spine and on the feet. You can get acquainted on the Internet with the scheme of acupuncture points of the foot and do reflexo massage with essential oils.
Inhalations with essential oils for colds
Simple medicinal mixtures for inhalation:
Pour 5 cups of boiling water into a bowl (saucepan), cover with a towel and only then add 2-3 drops of essential oil or aromatic mixture. Inhale deeply through your nose and mouth for 5-10 minutes (close your eyes). After hot inhalation, rub your feet with undiluted essential oil, wrap up well and go to bed.
eucalyptus oil + tea tree oil (1:1);
lavender oil + pine oil (1:1);
rosemary oil + thyme oil (1:1);
lavender oil + eucalyptus oil (2:1);
eucalyptus oil + thyme oil (1:1).
Complex medicinal mixtures for inhalation:
Healing fragrance for colds (1):
Tea tree essential oil 2 drops,
Lavender essential oil 2 drops,
Eucalyptus essential oil 2 drops.
Healing fragrance for colds (2):
Eucalyptus essential oil 1-2 drops,
Tea tree essential oil 1-2 drops,
Sage essential oil 1-2 drops,
Peppermint essential oil 3 drops.
Healing fragrance for colds (3):
Eucalyptus essential oil 2 drops,
Lavender essential oil 2 drops,
rosemary essential oil 1 drop,
Peppermint essential oil 1 drop.
Healing fragrance for colds (4):
Thyme essential oil 1 drop,
peppermint essential oil 1 drop,
Eucalyptus essential oil 1 drop,
Clove essential oil 1 drop.
Healing fragrance for colds (5):
Spruce essential oil 1 drop,
peppermint essential oil 1 drop,
rosemary essential oil 1 drop,
Thyme essential oil 1 drop,
Cypress essential oil 1 drop.
Aromatherapy is a whole world of scents, scents of health and the healing power of herbs and flowers. Use these wonderful gifts of nature, breathe and enjoy!
Aromatization of rooms with a cold. The power of essential oils in the cold season.
How to aromatize rooms:
To aromatize the premises, it is better to use aroma lamps. It is necessary to pour a little water into the lamp tank and add a few drops of essential oil (2-3 drops per 5 square meters of the room). Put a round candle on the bottom and light it. Flavor the room for half an hour. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.
Essential oils for aromatization and disinfection of the room: tea tree, pine, fir, cedar, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, sage, lemon.
Medicinal mixtures for aromatization of rooms with a cold:
Cleansing fragrance for home (1):
Tea tree essential oil 4 drops,
Lavender essential oil 2 drops,
Eucalyptus essential oil 1 drop,
Thyme essential oil 1 drop.
Cleansing fragrance for home (2):
Tea tree essential oil 2 drops,
Pine essential oil 2 drops,
Lavender essential oil 1 drop,
Peppermint essential oil 1 drop.
Cleansing fragrance for home (3):
Bergamot essential oil 2 drops,
Tangerine essential oil 2 drops,
Sandalwood essential oil 2 drops,
Sage essential oil 1 drop.
A cleansing fragrance for the office:
Lavender essential oil 5 drops,
Eucalyptus essential oil 3 drops,
Mint essential oil 2 drops.
A cleansing fragrance for the car:
Lavender essential oil 2 drops,
Lemon essential oil 2 drops,
Rose essential oil 1 drop,
Mint essential oil 1 drop.
Aromatic baths for colds. The power of essential oils in the cold season.
How to take aromatic baths:
For one bath, use 5-15 drops of essential oil or a mixture of essential oils. Pre-oil must be mixed with a small amount of 3.53oz of any emulsifier (milk, kefir, bath foam, sea salt). The water temperature in the bathroom should be 98.6 F. You need to take a bath for 5-15 minutes. After the end of the procedure, do not rinse or dry off, but immediately wrap yourself in a towel. If you have a cold, it is advisable to put on wool socks after a bath, wrap yourself warmly in a blanket and sweat thoroughly.
Essential oils for cold baths: juniper, fir, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, thyme, pine, spruce, lemon, rosemary, tea tree, sage, cinnamon, mint, frankincense, cedar, etc.
Healing Cold Bath (1):
Tea tree essential oil 2 drops,
Thyme essential oil 2 drops,
Lemon essential oil 3 drops,
Clove essential oil 1 drop.
essential oils for colds and flu
Healing Cold Bath (2):
Eucalyptus essential oil 5 drops,
Tea tree essential oil 3 drops,
essential oil of Spruce or Pine 3 drops.
essential oils for colds and flu
Healing Cold Bath (3):
Lavender essential oil 5 drops,
Chamomile essential oil 5 drops,
Eucalyptus essential oil 8 drops.
Aromatic massage and rubbing for colds:
How to do an aromatic massage:
To prepare a massage mixture, take 3-5 drops of essential oil or a mixture of essential oils per 1 teaspoon of base oil (sunflower, olive, peach, etc.). Before using the massage mixture, it can be slightly warmed up. Rub the mixture with slow movements into the chest, back, neck, rub the heels thoroughly. Wrap up the patient and let him lie down.
Essential oils for massage for colds and coughs: lemon, spruce, pine, cedar, juniper, eucalyptus, rosemary, myrtle, clove, etc.
Mixtures for massage and rubbing for colds and flu: The power of essential oils in the cold season.
Massage mixture for colds and coughs (1):
Eucalyptus essential oil 5 drops,
Pine essential oil 5 drops,
Thyme essential oil 5 drops,
Rosemary essential oil 5 drops,
Lemon essential oil 5 drops,
any vegetable oil 3 tablespoons
essential oils for colds and flu
Massage mixture for colds and coughs (2):
Tea tree essential oil 4 drops,
Eucalyptus essential oil 3 drops,
Lavender essential oil 3 drops.
any vegetable oil 1 dessert spoon.
essential oils for colds and flu
Massage mixture for colds and coughs (3):
Tea tree essential oil 2 drops,
Eucalyptus essential oil 2 drops,
Mint essential oil 5 drops,
any vegetable oil 2 tablespoons
To make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment, consult a doctor.
You will be pleasantly surprised by how soft, smooth, and well-groomed your skin can become in just a few days of such care.
(2) – “In conclusion, essential oils are an integral part of natural products with medicinal potential for the management of illnesses such as influenza (flu) and other respiratory diseases. There is an urgent need to exploit nature for more novel anti-influenza agents, vis a viz conducting preclinical and clinical evaluations on established antiviral EO compounds, for the development of newer influenza drugs.”
(1,2) – National Library of Medicine (US); Essential Oils and Their Compounds as Potential Anti-Influenza Agents; Ayodeji Oluwabunmi Oriola and Adebola Omowunmi Oyedeji; Published online 2022 Nov 12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9693178/
