A Rich Tradition that Will Never Grow Old

Using Essential Oils for Colds

Have you heard about using essential oils for colds?  You most likely have but, if you’re like most people, you are a bit skeptical about their safety and wonder if they really work.  After all, it seems a little too easy and we all know that anything that seems too easy or too good to be true probably is.  Right?  Wrong.  Using essential oils to treat cold symptoms is easy alright, and pleasant too, but believe it or not, it really works.

There are a myriad of essential oils on the market today that will help combat colds so there’s a wide selection to choose from.  While using an essential oil is a super simple remedy, it’s not as mystical as you may think.  When you take a scientific look into the biological make up of each one and study the plant or flower they are derived from, it begins to make sense why they really do work.

Peppermint is one of the most popular essential oils used for a cold.  The base of the oil is from the hybrid peppermint plant that earned its roots in history long ago.  Once reserved for Greek and Roman royalty to adorn themselves with as crowns, peppermint adds a refreshing twist to teas and confectionaries and is excellent as an offense and defense against colds.

Peppermint’s potent anti-oxidant qualities enable it to potentially fight off a cold if taken early on. Comprised mainly of menthol, it is a natural pain reliever and counterirritant which makes it perfect for relieving cold symptoms if you do get them.  It can be taken orally, like in a soothing hot tea, through aromatherapy or can be applied topically since it activates receptors in the skin that reduce or illuminate pain.

Eucalyptus is another top contender when it comes to using essential oils for colds.  Traditionally, it is from the leaves of the Eucalyptus globulus that render this amazing oil that dates back to 1852 when a Victorian botanist discovered the oil had the tremendous ability as a disinfectant agent against such diseases as Yellow Fever.

Eucalyptus essential oil is packed full of powerful good things making it a super effective anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, astringent, analgesic and an expectorant.  Plus, it breaks up phlegm, decongests, and boosts immunities.  No wonder it’s one of the best essential oils to have on your side when you are fighting a cold.

To use eucalyptus essential oil for a cold, you can inhale it by way of a vaporizer, infuser or simply by sniffing a cotton ball that has been doused with it.  You can also apply it directly to your chest or under your nose just like you would a menthol vapor-rub. Another trick is to mix it with a carrier oil and massage it onto your feet.  You’ll be clear in no time.

Lavender essential oil is lovely when it comes to warding off a cold.  It is oozing with anti-oxidants that pump your immune system up to full throttle. It is a floral-spicy scented oil made from the spikes of the lavender plant, rich in linalool which has been clinically proven to reduce stress.  Since stress worsens symptoms of any illness and lowers your resistance, lavender essential oil reins in prevention of colds.  But, that’s not the only reason.  It also contains a vast supply of anti-oxidants not to mention it is an analgesic, antiseptic
and excellent expectorant.

Over 2000 years ago, the herb was used not only to fight a cold and for medicinal purposes but also to preserve mummies in Egypt and to fight Malaria later on.  It is a truly remarkable and multi-tasking oil that can be bathed in, breathed in and even drank or eaten in reasonable amounts. If a cold is reaching to get you, you might want to think of reaching for lavender.

Cinnamon essential oil is derived from the bark and/or leaves of the Cinnamomum species of trees.  It has been coveted for centuries.  In fact, so much so that it has been at the root of a number of wars.  Why such a ruckus over this spice?

Cinnamon is used as a flavoring for food as well as for burning in incense.  It’s effectiveness for medical remedies is almost unsurpassed although in some ways, it is just now being realized for its mighty universal powers.  Cinnamaldehyde, a key ingredient in cinnamon oil (especially that which is derived from bark), is such a strong anti-oxidant, it is used to keep steel from rusting.  Keep in mind that an anti-oxidant not only keeps things from rusting, it also fights oxidation in your body which is caused by free radical damage, like colds and diseases.  It is also an anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.

To effectively use cinnamon oil to wage war on a cold, you can place a few drops with a carrier oil and soak your feet in it or even your entire body.  Many find relief for a sore, achy throat by mixing a dab with warm water and gargling or swallowing it.  It can be rubbed on once mixed with a carrier to sooth sore muscles that often accompany a cold.  Just the rich spicy scent is enough to get your body thinking “well” thoughts.

Frankincense is yet another essential oil that is fabulous at fighting off a cold.  The same oil that is said to have been given to the Christ-child in the beginning of the New Testament Bible, is the same that was also historically burned as incense in religious rituals and worn by Egyptian women as eyeliner.  It was used medicinally throughout the ages and still is till this day.

Unadulterated Frankincense essential oil is rich in boswellic acids which are triterpenoids which are thought to be effective against cancer.  They are, for sure, a great defense for fighting colds. The oil can be consumed orally, through aromatherapy, applied to the skin via a carrier oil or can be made into a soaking solution for a bath.  It is known to break up congestive phlegm, clear your lungs and respiratory system and has super high immune boosting qualities to help in prevention from a cold or to lessen and shorten the duration of one if you do contact it.

Lemon, rosemary, thyme, sandalwood, tea tree, German chamomile and garlic essential oils are all conducive for keeping a cold at bay too.  Like the other essential oils we covered, each brings its own special characteristics and powers to the table when it comes to warding off a cold.  If you feel a cold coming on, you can pick one or even mix it up and make an essential oil blend.  No matter how you chose to do it, you just can’t lose when you are using essential oils for colds