This winter use aromatic Essential Oils to keep the bugs at bay and fight off the flu

Eucalyptus

Helpful in 2 ways, Eucalyptus not only helps fight off flu by killing viruses, it also helps when flu has taken hold, by loosening mucous and helping you cough it up and clear it out, reducing congestion.

Lemon

Lemon is antiviral, and works well to kill airborne viruses.  It is also a great antiseptic oil, as are all essential oils.

Tea Tree

Well known for its wonderful antimicrobial properties, Tea Tree can help disinfect hands, surfaces and rooms.

Antiviral Spray

For a protective antiviral spray, blend Eucalyptus, Lemon and Tea Tree to use in rooms where many people come together and may spread the flu. The spray can also be used to disinfect surfaces.  I take my eucalyptus, lemon and tea tree spray to the gym! See How to use essential oils for instructions on how to make a spray. This blend also works well in a vaporiser or diffuser, at home or in the office, to gently and constantly keep the air virus free.

Lavender

This oil is sometimes referred to as a ‘first aid kit in a bottle’, it is an awesome oil that helps with flu not only because it is antibacterial, but also because it can reduces pain, and helps with you to get some healing sleep by reducing unproductive coughs.

Peppermint

When you feel as if you can’t breathe, Peppermint is the go- to oil!  The menthol in peppermint is like a gust of wind through the lungs. It is also antiviral, antibacterial and helpful with pain. To relieve symptoms of congestion, use Eucalyptus, Lavender and Peppermint in a steam inhalation twice a day at the first sign of cold and flu.  If needed, you can also blend these 3 oils into a little body cream and use as a chest rub.

Atlas Cedarwood

If cold or flu has taken hold, and causing a lot of coughing, and your mucous is not clear, Cedarwood can be used undiluted (adults only, not with children) on the chest 3 times daily for up to 3 days. This can be done in addition to the steam inhalations above. If your mucous is not clear after 3 days or symptoms have not eased, it’s time to see a naturopath or herbalist. If you get more than 2 colds in a year, or your flu symptoms continue for more than 10 days, I recommend seeing a therapist who can help you boost your immune system.

Aromatherapist Maria Mitchell

Maria Mitchell is a qualified Aromatherapist and Herbalist whose passion has led her into teaching, and writing about the healing power of Aromatherapy. You can learn more about Maria here

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Thursday Plantation Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oils

Find out more and shop online for these great quality Thursday Plantation Essential oils here