Its officially winter, which means cold and flu season is in full swing. Almost everyone sees their fair share of illness at this time of year. Frequent hand washing, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of rest can help you avoid the worst of it, but it's good to have a back up plan in place, just in case you do catch a virus. Making essential oils part of your sick-day care routine can help you feel better, faster.
It's best to begin treating cold and flu symptoms as soon as they crop up. Waiting until you have a full-blown illness can make it harder to make headway against the virus. Most essential oils work by way of aromatherapy to help clear sinuses, settle an upset stomach, or give you some extra energy.
Eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, and tea tree oils are all good choices for a cold or flu remedy. Cinnamon and cloves can add a spicy touch that is very helpful as well. Peppermint oil contains menthol that can soothe your throat and clear your sinuses. These oils can also help open the bronchial tubes to give lower respiratory relief. One of the quickest ways to get relief from these natural remedies is to add drops of the essential oils to a hot bowl of water, move your face close to it and drape a towel over your head while you breathe deeply.
In addition to the hot water method, you can also enjoy the relief of these healing essential oils in other ways. You can mix up your favorite concoction and put it in a little bottle to carry with you. Simply pop the top and take a whiff whenever you feel like you need it. Adding a few drops to your tissues can also deliver the much-needed relief. Adding a few drops to a humidifier can disperse the oil throughout an entire room. Besides helping to alleviate the physical symptoms of a cold or flu, diffusing these essential oils into the air can help to rid your living space of illness-causing germs. Using aromatherapy with essential oils all season long can help you avoid getting sick in the first place.