Many people suffer year-round with the flu or the common cold. Everybody searches for fast, effective relief from cold and flu symptoms. What many people don’t know is that you can get fast, soothing relief from the symptoms ailing you by using natural essential oils. This guide will show you how you can use essential oils for natural symptom relief. With so many children’s over-the-counter medicines being recalled, using an essential oil as an alternative health choice could be the fast relief you’ve been looking for.
Essential Oils Can Help Relieve Common Colds
Essential oils are the natural extracts from the flower, leaf, bark or root of the plant or tree. They are used in many different products including fragrance oils, skin creams, room sprays and many others. They can also make a great alternative to traditional medicines and it’s important to know the types of oil that can help relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Here is a comprehensive list of essential oils, along with their scientific name: Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) , Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Lavender (Lavendula officinalis), Lemon (Citrus Limonum), Marjoram (Origanum marjorana), Peppermint (Mentha piperata) , Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).
Research the essential oils you plan to use to ensure you don’t have any conditions an essential oil may react badly with or make worse. You may have to look up the oil by its scientific name. Test all essential oils on your skin before using them to ensure it won’t give you a rash or other allergic reaction. Skin tests are simple: Add one drop of essential oil to 1/2 tsp. of base oil, then apply the mix to the inside of your arm, covering it with gauze to leave that area undisturbed. If you see or feel any itching, redness or burning sensation, just rinse the area with soap and warm water.
How to Use Essential Oils for Flu Like Symtoms
Here’s how to make them work. Add 4 or 5 drops of essential oils to a bowl of hot water for steam inhalation, or into a vaporizer or a spray bottle with warm water in it. This will get the essential oil vapors into the air and then your nasal passages and lungs where the oils will do the most good.
Once the essential oils are dispersed into the air, an additional chest rub can be used to relieve symptoms. First mix 1 oz. base oil with 20 drops of essential oil. Then apply the chest rub mix to the neck and chest up to three times a day. It’s most effective in the morning, at midday, and before bedtime. After you apply the essential oils chest rub, wear breathable clothing like cotton for best results.
A chest rub sample mix that smells great is to mix 1 oz. base oil with 6 drops of eucalyptus oil, 5 drops of rosemary oil, and 5 drops of geranium oil. Remember, along with the essential oils and fragrance oil, make sure to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and take vitamins to help get over the flu or cold.