THE BIG 5 Essential Oils for Colds, Flu and Coughs
With the change of seasons, especially entering the winter months, the common cold, flu, sniffles and coughs can be prevented or staved off by building a healthy immune system. In winter, with less time spent outdoors or in the sunshine, the common cold, flu and coughs are highly contagious. Throughout the year and specifically as we enter winter, these essential oils’ special properties can help prevent bugs and hold them at bay.
Consider using a combination of several of these essential oils in a diffuser, necklace, adding to chest rubs and cough ‘candies’. Essential oils that have antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties have been used traditionally in aromatherapy to treat congestion, coughs, colds and flu. Some are used as natural decongestants and even to reduce fevers.
COLDS
To help colds we must kill bacteria and fight against viral infections, help reduce fever and decongest the lungs and nasal passages. These oils help to detoxify the body whilst decongesting the mind. These oils share antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal activity. Essential oils with high cineole content have also shown to help ward off colds.
COUGHS
Essential oils may soothe the throat and ease congestion that can cause coughs. The cineole in some essential oils may help break up mucus helping to relieve coughs. Menthol in peppermint cools and sooths the throat. Carvacrol and camphene in Pelargonium sidoides (aka South African Geranium) are also compounds that may assist in the relief of coughs. All of these can be used for chest and sinus massages, diffused for steam inhalation, dropped into a bath, or used on a warm compress.
FLU
Some of these oils’ chemical constituents are antiseptic, meaning they prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and the spread of bacteria, fungus and viruses. These oils may show antiviral activity helping to relieve the symptoms of flu, and to also help boost immunity.
Whether it’s for a refreshing shower or a soothing massage, men’s essential oils come in all kinds of different smells, from spicy or woodsy to sweet and subtle.
IMMUNE BUILDING
The immune system is a complex network within the body that protects us from pathogens, viruses, bacteria or any other harmful organisms. With age, our immune system naturally declines, thus the need to support it with vitamins, exercise and additional inputs, like these health-supporting essential oils.
RESPIRATORY SUPPORT
These essential oils are great for soothing the throat and easing the lungs. Containing compounds that are known to reduce inflammation and clear away mucus, studies have shown that compounds like menthol in peppermint oil can ease breathing, relax the bronchial muscles. In addition, Tea Tree oil’s combination of hundreds of compounds have shown unique ability to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria that cause sinus and respiratory infections.
THE BIG 5
Thus, this brings us to our top 5 essential oils that apply to all of the categories above, and are great to consider for health throughout the year, or to specifically target any of the ailments above!
1. TEA TREE
2. LEMON
3. BERGAMOT
4. GERANIUM
5. EUCALYPTUS