Using essential oils for cold care is fast becoming more popular than other well known remedies. In fact, there are a number of products available over the counter for relieving symptoms that are made with essential oils. One can easily utilize the oils themselves, which gives one the flexibility of several means of applying them.
There are a number of essential oils that have different healing properties. Many of them are helpful in treating the common symptoms of head and chest colds and different combinations of the substances will benefit different types of colds. The three most commonly used are peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender.
Eucalyptus has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties and is found in cough medications, throat lozenges, inhalants, and balms. Scientific research has also noted eucalyptus to actually stimulate white blood cells to increase their activity at fighting bacteria and viruses in the body. Eucalyptus oil can be dropped into hot water to create a steam inhalation for remedy a stuffy nose and other cold symptoms. Because eucalyptus has tremendous decongestant properties, applying a eucalyptus compress to the upper chest area will help to relieve a stuffy nose, and clear congestion in the chest.
Using peppermint oil is very good for helping to clear head congestion. Peppermint is about one third menthol and most individuals recognize the aroma as that ingredient used in balms that are commonly sold as cold remedies in drug stores. Lavender can be very helpful when you are not able to get a good nights rest due to a cold. A few drops in a warm bath will help you relax and offers antiseptic properties for healing.
Even though there are several ways to use these substances to care for a stuffy nose, head congestion, and nagging coughs, one of the best applications for coughs and congestion is inhalation. Setting up inhalation therapy is also very easy to do. In preparation you will need a bowl of boiling hot water, a towel, and the correct blend of oils.
After placing a number of peppermint and eucalyptus drops into the bowl of hot water, cover your head with the towel and bend over the bowl enclosing your head and the bowel with the towel. Start inhaling deep breathes for several minutes. Inhalation therapy works very fast to effectively clear congestion.
Additionally, bathing in a warm tub of water with a few drops each of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, is extremely therapeutic. The eucalyptus and peppermint will clear head congestion, a stuffy nose, and quiets coughs, and the lavenders calming properties are relaxing while its antiseptic qualities go to work. Calming the symptoms and relaxing the body, it is possible to get the rest needed to get better.
Using essential oils for cold care is a worthwhile alternative to the regular over the counter treatments — and proper selection may help you more than you expect. There’s something to be said for “prevention” as well; use of essential oils on a regular basis may in-fact prevent catching colds and flu in the first place. Further investigation is certainly warranted. You may find blends of oils designed specifically for both addressing symptoms and increasing immune system function. Use of pure essential oils for immune support and cold-care may be one of their greatest gifts to natural medicine.
The author is a co-founder of Ananda Aromatherapy Essential Oils. More information on the therapeutic use of essential oils can be found at The Ananda Apothecary.