How to Prevent and Treat Cold Symptoms with Essential Oils

Last night I met a beautiful successful woman in business, who was suffering from a cold. She shared with me that she had been sick for a number of weeks and just couldn’t shake it. I admire her resilience for being out promoting her business even while she was unwell. She is dedicated to her clients and their success.

It is this very dedication to others which can be our own downfall when we don’t prioritise self-care as part of our daily routine.

The thing is we are all time poor, but the impact of getting sick really does take away from our ability to thrive in our lives and business. Looking after yourself has to be a non-negotiable in your day.

Here are a few simple and quick ways you can use essential oils to boost your immune system and treat cold symptoms if you do get the dreaded lurgy.

Prevention is obviously better than cure. Support the immune system with energising, refreshing and uplifting essential oil blends with antibacterial and antiviral properties.

A great immune boosting blend to diffuse in the home or office is 1 drop sweet thyme, 2 drops palmarosa, 2 drops bergamot and 1 drop niaouli.

Diffusing essential oils is much more than just experiencing a pleasant aroma. Diffusing essential oils helps to eliminate airborne microbes, lift your mood, balance your body energetically, all of which contribute to boosting the immune system.

Get some quality sleep. Have a dedicated wind down routine in the evening; have some quiet time free from technology at least one hour before bed. Spend time in quiet reflection, journal, read inspirational stories, spend quality time with your loved ones. Calming, balancing, soothing and stabilising the nervous system allows the body and mind to rest and restore building your immune response.

Add 20 drops of sweet orange, 5 drops of lavender, 5 drops of petitgrain, 5 drops of sandalwood and 5 drops of roman chamomile to 100mls of distilled water in a PET spray bottle. Shake bottle well before lightly misting bed linen, curtains and room prior to going to sleep.

If you have come down with a cold, essential oils are wonderful healing tools to relieve some of the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.

Headache blend – Blend 3 drops of lavender and 2 drops of peppermint in 20mls of raw organic coconut oil and gently massage into base of the skull, temples (be careful not to get near the eyes), and bottom of feet. Use broad gentle strokes and take slow deep breaths.

Chest rub – (adults) Blend 2 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of niaouli, 2 drops lavender in 20mls of coconut oil. Rub into chest, back and bottom of feet, put socks on feet and try to get some rest.  Safety tip do not use eucalyptus essential oil and niaouli on children under 10 with respiratory issues. Alternative recipe for children; 2 drops mandarin, 2 drops lavender and 2 drops frankincense in 20mls coconut oil.

Bath blend – there is nothing like a soothing warm aromatic bath to make you feel better when you have a cold. A restorative blend is 2 drops of lemon, 2 drops of niaouli, 2 drops of lavender in 15mls of coconut oil and 1/2cup of magnesium bath flakes. Soak for up to 20 minutes breathing gently and deeply.

For tips and hints on how to use essential oils in your everyday routine for improved health and wellbeing why not join my Facebook group Healthy Vibrant Living, here or attend my FREE event in East Brisbane to support Natural Medicine Week here.

Yours in Living Well,

Kim