Essential Oils for Cold and Flu

There is no "cure" for the common cold or the flu, but there are tools available to increase self-care as you wait for the virus to run its course. One effective method of self-care is using essential oils as a topical rub or for aromatherapy. Essential oils can help alleviate your flu symptoms, especially by clearing your nasal passage and reducing headaches and body aches. Some oils have antiviral benefits to help treat infections and reduce fever.

COLD AND FLU PREVENTION, FIGHTING, AND HEALING PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS

• Antiviral
• Antibacterial
• Antimicrobial
• Astringent
• Anti-inflammatory
• Disinfectant
• Warming
• Aid in Circulation
• Expectorant
• Pain-Relieving
• Natural Immune System Support

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS WITH COLD AND FLU

Inhalation is the most beneficial way to use essential oils for a flu. You can inhale essential oils by sniffing the bottle directly or adding a few drops of oil to a cotton ball or handkerchief. This method helps clear your nasal passages so you can breathe better. The oils may also help you sleep better and destress.

You can add a few drops of essential oils to:

• hot bathwater
• a bowl of hot water for steam inhalation
• a diffuser
• a carrier oil, for massaging the head, neck, or feet
• hot compresses

BLOCKADE SYNERGY BLEND

Blockade fights off outside threats, and will continue to support a healthy immune system by helping your body get back to its natural state from the seasonal threats that have you down. Kills is also an excellent sanitizer. Read more details.

• Diffuse to help purify the air in your home or as a throat spray to soothe a sore throat.
• Add a few drops to water and gargle for sore throat.
• Add to a carrier oil, or use Blockade Roll-On and apply to the bottom of the feet of family members before going to bed to prevent the illness from spreading.

NOTE: Try our Kid's Blockade for very young children. It is blended at just the right ratio for your littlest little one, and without the cassia, but with all the great benefits.

IMMUNE SYNERGY BLEND

Immunity Synergy Blend encourages a healthy immune system response.

• Diffuse, or add to your favorite carrier oil at 3% dilution and apply topically to the wrists, back of neck, or top of feet.

Try our child safe,  Immune Kids, for very young children. It is blended at just the right ratio for your littlest little one in mind.

DEEP BREATH SYNERGY BLEND

Deep Breath is especially formulated for use during chest congestion and minor respiratory distress.

Note: For children, try our child safe alternative, Huff & Puff.

Steam Inhalation For Congestion

• Add several drops of Deep Breath essential oil to a bowl of hot, steaming water
• Place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl and inhale the steam until all the oils have dissipated.
• Repeat several times per day as needed.

Hot Compress For Congestion

• Microwave a dampened washcloth and the add several drops of Deep Breath Synergy Blend.
• Place the washcloth on your chest for fast relief.

Diffuse For Clogged Airways and Congestion

• Add several drops to a diffuser of humidifier.

NOTE: Try our child safe, Huff and Puff, for very young children.

TUMMY SOOTHE

If it's the stomach bug that has infiltrated your family, try Tummy Soothe. Tummy Soothe is especially formulated to relieve nausea, diarrhea, gas, and other stomach issues.

• Directly inhale aroma by using an inhaler, or by inhaling aroma directly from bottle.
• Apply directly to stomach area and massage in.

NOTE: For children, use our child safe Better Belly

Lemon (Already in Blockade) (Already in Immune)

Lemon essential oil is antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which makes it ideal for fighting viruses as well as reducing cold and flu symptoms such as coughing, congestion, swollen glands and body aches. Lemon essential oil has long been considered a cure-all fruit and essential oil, especially for treating the flu and for reducing fevers. It is also a great treatment for fatigue as it is an energizing essential oil.

Clove Bud (Already in Blockade)

Clove Bud Essential Oil is known to have very powerful anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. It effectively neutralizes germs coming from a variety of sources. It treats a variety of health disorders including toothaches, indigestion, coughs, headache, aching muscles, stress, blood impurities and asthma. Clove is also excellent for the respiratory system, by supporting our sinus and lung health and promoting expectoration. The combination of both Clove and Cinnamon is excellent for the respiratory system, by supporting sinus and lung health and promoting expectoration.

Eucalyptus (already in Blockade, Immune, and Deep Breath Synergy Blends)

Eucalyptus essential oil comprises about 72% eucalyptol making it an efficient remedy for chesty coughs and to ease breathing. *Do not take eucalyptus essential oil orally, as it can be toxic.

To Relieve a Stuffed Up Nose: Use several drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a diffuser, with steam inhalation, a hot bath, or even a vaporizer.

Cinnamon Cassia (Already in Blockade)

Cinnamon is a powerful anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-bacterial oil, that can also zap out contagions on contact. The combination of both Clove and Cinnamon is excellent for the respiratory system, by supporting sinus and lung health and promoting expectoration.

Rosemary (Already in Blockade) (Already in Immune)

Rosemary is cultivated globally not only because of its culinary fame, but because of its medicinal benefits due to its high camphor content. Rosemary essential oil is good for relieving cold and flu symptoms because of it is a warming oil, reduces aches and pains, aids in circulation, and relieves nausea.

Frankincense (Already in Immune)

Frankincense essential oil is ideal for treating cold and flu because of its natural cold-fighting properties, such as being antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and an expectorant.

Tea Tree (Already in Immune)

Tea tree essential oil is antiseptic, antiviral and antimicrobial. Use this essential oil for colds as it diminishes coughs, bronchial congestion and sore throats. Tea tree essential oil is also an excellent, natural disinfectant, so you can use it to kill germs on surfaces and in the air.

Pine (already in Deep Breath Synergy Blend)

Pine essential oil is antibacterial, analgesic, diuretic, antiseptic, and energizing. It clears the nasal passages and soothes sore throat.

Peppermint (already in Deep Breath Synergy Blend and Tummy Soothe Roll-On)

Peppermint essential oil is is cooling and effective for soothing headaches, chest congestion, soothing nausea and upset stomach, and reducing fever.

Peppermint is high in menthol, which is beneficial for treating congestion, stuffed up airways, and relieving body aches and pains.

• Apply a small amount on your temples and forehead to combat head pain
• Apply to bottoms of your feet to reduce fever.
• Rub on your chest for soothing relief of chest congestion.
• Inhale aroma and/or apply to belly to relieve nausea.

CAUTION: Peppermint should not be used near the airways of children, and should be used only when properly diluted as per age consideration.

Lavender (already in Deep Breath Synergy Blends)

Lavender essential oil is a favorite scent amongst the essential oils and has been so for centuries. Lavender has a refreshing aroma; the stems and leaves give camphoraceous notes that are often softened by floral sweetness from the flowers. It’s helpful for respiratory ailments and symptoms such as influenza, colds, sinus congestion and coughs. Lavender essential oil can also help when phlegm is trapped within the lungs and sinuses.

Ginger (already in Tummy Soothe Roll On)

Ginger is a natural digestive stimulant and also is good for treating colds, coughs, the flu, rheumatism, aching muscles and joints, fights viral infections by slightly raising the body temperature which makes it harder for viruses to survive.

Lemongrass (already in Tummy Soothe Roll-On)

Lemongrass is analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, deodorant, diuretic, fungicidal, and sedative which is why it is good for colds and flu relief. It is known to ease stomach pains and relieve headaches, colds, the flu and rheumatism.

CAUTIONS:

Quality: Be sure to buy your essential oils from a reputable source. Fragrance oils can do more harm than good, especially with respiratory concerns. All of our oils are third party tested and are 100% pure and undiluted unless specified for skin use, as in roll-ons.

Potency: Essential oils are extremely potent. Avoid taking essential oils by mouth. You also shouldn’t use a concentrated amount.Dilute essential oils with carrier oils such as coconut oil, avocado oil, castor oil, or others. Essential oils require a different dilution rate depending on many factors. Please contact us for detailed instruction when in doubt. Consider taking one of our essential oil classes that we offer.

Pregnancy: Talk to your medical practitioner if you have any concerns about essential oil use. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you may want to avoid using essential oils without the guidance of an aromatherapist and medical practitioner.