Aromatherapy and essential oils can play a big role in prevention of your colds over the windy and cold seasons. They can also play a role in easing the symptoms once a cold has been contracted.
Prevention
Prevention begins in the air we breathe. By ensuring that essential oils are chosen in a room spray the air in your home can smell lovely, as well as be fighting the bacteria and viruses that are known to inhabit that air, and spread to your family members.
There are a few different essential oils that can be utilised to prevent infections, and my favourites are:
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Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Antibacterial (Staph and Strep infections), antiseptic (influenza)
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Antibacterial (Staph and Strep infections), antiinfectious (respiratory system), antiseptic (air), immunostimulant, antiviral (colds)
Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Antibacterial (Staph infections), antiinfectious (air, colds, influenza, respiratory system)
By making a blend in a bottle of springwater, this can be easily sprayed into the family and common areas in the morning, and again in the evening. As well as an evening spray in the bedrooms, or on the linen when making the bed daily. This will aid in boosting the immune system, as well as providing some antiseptic support for the air where bacteria and viruses ‘hang out’.
Cold Symptoms
Once a cold has established itself, then it’s time to support the body in quickly and efficiently breaking up the mucous, expectorating it out (coughing it out) and supporting the immune system to fight the cold itself.
Inhalation is a method of choice for delivery of the essential oils required when a cold is progressing. Inhalation can be through different methods.
- room spray
- steamer
- tissue
If you don’t own a steamer that can be used in conjunction with essential oils, then place the required amount of essential oil into a bowl of warm water, and breathe in the steam. Care is to be taken if you are considering holding the bowl for another person, when someone is upset, the bowl can be unexpectedly pushed from your hands, making a bed or area of rest very wet indeed, as well as yourself!
Massage is another method of delivery for essential oils when a cold is progressing. However, if the patient is not interested in undressing and being massaged, another great way to deliver the oils is to apply them, in a carrier oil, on the wrists, under the nose, or around the throat area.
Always ensure that essential oils are delivered in a diluted format, never place undiluted essential oils directly onto the skin!
Essential oils of choice for colds include:
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Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
Expectorant, mucolytic, immunostimulant
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata)
Expectorant, mucolytic
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Expectorant, mucolytic, febrifuge (assists with fever)
For more information on using essential oils within your daily life, visit http://www.sandravenables.com
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this blog are those of the author and should not be taken to constitute medical advice or imply treatment of any disorder. For all health conditions you must visit an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Natures Healing 