Essential Oils to help Prevent & Treat Colds, Flu, and other Infectious Diseases

I woke up with a slight cold this morning. I immediately jumped into action with the Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Pine Needle and Lime. I am feeling much more clear, happy and my sneezing stopped. Since many of you may be getting that uncomfortable tickle, I though I would post about aromatic ways to ease your ills. Getting sick is no fun. Once those cold and flu germs settle in your body, it's often hard to shake them. We lose valuable days and weeks, and miss out on many of life's blessings. Preserving health and vitality during the cold season is possible. A few drops of essential oil can very well prevent over a pound of pain. There are a variety of essential oils that can kill germs in the air; boost the immune system; and facilitate healthy lungs and sinuses. Some excellent curative and preventative oils are: Eucalyptus, Teatree, Pine Needle, Peppermint, Spearmint, Lemon, Lime, Thyme, Rosemary and more.   Keep reading to learn about which essential oils and methods of aromatherapy work best when treating colds, flu, and other infectious diseases. Essential Oils for Healing and Prevention of Disease Allspice: Warming, sense-enhancing, allspice is used to treat: chills, congested coughs, and bronchitis. It has been known to enhance positive feelings and reduce stress. The herb, allspice is named such because it is said to taste like a mix of cloves, juniper berries, cinnamon and black pepper. Similarly, it's scent is a multi-layered spice. Anise: Licorice sweet anise oil must be used in strict moderation as it is known to produce a narcotic effect when overused. It is employed as an expectorant and to strengthen the immune system against the common cold. It is also used to treat nervous conditions and migraine headaches. Balsam - Peru:  Heavily vanilla balsamic, this essential oil is warming, opening, and comforting. It has expectorant qualities and is used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and coughs. It can also produce a relaxed mood. Basil: Basil's fresh herbaceous scent can heighten focus and bring comfort to body and spirit. It has expectorant qualities and is very helpful when treating colds, fever, flu, and other infectious disease. It can also be used to help lift bad moods and clear the head. Cinnamon: Hot and sweet; cinnamon oil warms, stimulates and revives tired nerves. It is often used to strengthen the immune system against colds, flu, and infectious disease. It eases chills, and can create a cheerful mood. Clove Bud: Spicy, sweet oil that inspires the mind and memory; clove bud oil often eases mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion. Its scent is warming, cheering, and welcoming. It is especially comforting during the cold season as it has expectorant, antiviral, and antibiotic qualities. Cypress: This strengthening oil has a clean, evergreen scent. It is cleansing, comforting, and may be used as an antiseptic. It is sometimes used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and spasmodic coughing. Eucalyptus: Clean, camphoraceous eucalyptus oil is great for helping to ease headaches, exhaustion and respiratory ails. It helps open up sinuses and can be used to strengthen the immune system again many common ills. Ginger: Spicy, hot and earthy, this oil energizes and warms. It is used to treat chills, colds, flu, fever and infectious disease. Hyssop: Sweet yet camphoraceous hyssop oil has a spicy warm undertone, Hyssop oil is used to stabilize blood pressure, help ease cold and flu, and relieve nervous tension and fatigue. Lavandin Grosso: This oil is a cross between true lavender and spike lavender. It's scent is similar to true lavender, but more herbaceous. It may be used to treat bronchitis and whooping cough. It also strengthens the immune system. Like lavender, it can help to heal a host off ills, including migraine headaches, anxiety; depression; and feelings of fear, anger, aggression, and irritability. Lemon: Lemon has a light, clean citrus scent which can enliven us. It is often employed to help fight infections during the cold and flu season. It can act as restorative and general tonic. It's recommended to help asthma, throat infections, and bronchitis. Lime: The powerful scent of sweet, tangy lime oil can pep us up. It has similar healing properties to lemon essential oil. It is often employed to help fight infections during the cold and flu season. It can act as restorative and general tonic. Myrtle: Myrtle is an ancient biblical herb. It's sweet and herbaceous with a pleasing medicinal undertone. When diffused into the air Myrtle may aid in preventing infectious diseases. It acts as an expectorant, and a bactericidal. It is used to ease asthma, bronchitis, and chronic coughs. It is relatively gentle, so it can be used to treat children. Peppermint:  Cool and clean, peppermint oil has been known to ease headaches, nervous stress, nausea and the common cold. It is used to remedy numerous respiratory conditions, including: asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and spasmodic coughs. Pine Needle: With a fresh, clean turpentine-like aroma, pine needle oil works as an expectorant, antiseptic, and restorative. It's used to help with fatigue and stress, while strengthening the immune system against colds and flu. It's scent may help with motivation and concentration. It is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, and sore throat. Rosemary:  Rosemary is the herb of love and remembrance. It may help with memory and concentration as it has been said to strengthen both the brain and the nervous system. It has also been used to: aid the immune system in fighting infections, relieve headaches, fight nervous exhaustion, and treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. Spearmint: Cool and minty, this essential oil is the most gentle of all the mints and can be used for children. It works as an antiseptic, decongestant, and expectorant. It treats asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Its scent is said to be comforting to the head, thus it is often employed for tension and migraine headaches. Teatree: Teatree is a clean, camphoraceous oil. Much of what is known about the healing properties of teatree oil was learned from its long history of use by the aboriginal people of Australia. Scientifically it is shown to be active against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It works to rid the air of disease, while acting as expectorant. It is used help respiratory ails such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. Thyme: This fresh, herbaceous oil is can be employed to treat headaches, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throats, and tonsillitis. It may be used as a preventative against colds and flu. It is said to revive both the body and mind.
The Diffuser Method:One pleasant way to utilize the science of aromatherapy is the diffuser method. There are plenty of fancy diffusers, but my favorite is the simple and inexpensive tea-light diffuser. This is a small device with an opening at the bottom to put a tea-light candle and a bowl at the top which holds essential oils and water. As the candle heats the oils and water, you will notice steam rising and you'll smell healing scents wash through the air. I like to boil my water before putting it in the bowl so the oils start vaporizing faster. Add 6-10 drops of an essential oil or essential oil blend mixed with water in the bowl of the diffuser. First prepare the oil and water in the bowl and then place the lit candle. Once all the water and oil has evaporated blow out the candle. Important Safety Guidelines: Never use oil directly on flame. Essential oils are highly flammable when exposed directly to flame. Always fill the bowl before placing the candle to avoid flammable spills. Other ways to vaporize essential oils: Add 3 to 6 drops of EOs with the water in a humidifier. Eucalyptus, Pine Needle, Teatree, Lemon and other clear cool oils are best when using this method. Boil a pot a steaming hot water. Turn off flame, add 5-10 drops of essential oil and stir. Place head over pot using a towel over your head to direct steam toward your face. Breath deeply through your nose until your sinus feel clear and you feel decongested. Avoid spices oils when using this method as they should only be used in minor amounts when in contact with skin. Fill a Pyrex (or other suitable) bowl with hot water and 10-20 drops of essential oils. Place on your radiator to keep water warm. This will help humidify the air and kill germs. The Massage Method   Use for: Muscle aches and tension as well as to increase positive moods and lesson negative emotions. We all know massage feels great. It is a way is ease stress, increase circulation, and give ourselves a chance to relax. The Greek physician, Hypocrites, known as the "Father of Medicine," studied the effects of essential oils. In approximately 400 B.C., he wrote, "The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day."  -Mix 15-20 drops of essential oil or an essential oil blend with 2oz of Jojoba or Sweet Almond, Grape Seed or another fixed oil to make a healing massage oil. Only use up to 3 drops of spice oils. The Bathing Method Use to: treat muscle aches and tension,  ease sinus and respiratory complaints, and improve mood. With simple natural materials and a bathtub you can create your own healing haven at home. Water alone holds a great deal of power to restore and balance the body. When we add additional therapeutic elements, that power grows. Epsom and sea salts sprinkled in the water not only cleanse, soften, and exfoliate skin; they also pull toxins from sore muscles and stimulate circulation. With these two basics alone you can create a curative and beautifying treatment. Essential Oils mixed into your tub not only surround you with exquisite scents; they may well solve numerous specific ailments, be they physical, emotional, and/or aesthetic. The heat rising from a warm bath opens our lungs, and facilitates deep breathing. Our pores open allowing toxins to flow out. Our muscles relax and we feel good.  - Mix 6-15 drops (depending on the size of your tub) of an essential oil or essential oil blends with ½ cup of Epsom and/or Sea Salt. Mix in bath, and then step in. (only use a few drops of spice oils if any)   To learn more About Aromatherapy, please visit, Kameleon Healing Aromatherapy at www.Khealing.com