Aromatherapy for Colds
Make your own home remedies for colds and flu... and feel better!
Lots of people use aromatherapy for colds, even if it's just a mentholated chest rub. But essential oils have healing properties far beyond simple decongestants.
Aromatherapy cold home remedies can relieve your aching muscles, soothe your throbbing headache,
clear your stuffy nose, and give you a healthy boost of energy when you really need it. Or help you sleep if your misery is keeping you awake.
Of course, it goes without saying that the most critical thing you need is REST! Have a nice warm aromatherapy bath and curl up in bed. Hot tea and chicken soup are also excellent natural remedies for flu - but you already know this...
Aromatherapy for Colds & Flu
Aromatherapy Tea for Sore Throat, Sniffles and Head Congestion
Try making this quick, easy tea to soothe your sore throat and help clear your stuffy nose.
- Fill a mug with boiling water.
- Add a splash of lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best) and a spoonful of honey.
- Add one drop peppermint essential oil and let sit for a minute before you drink it
(or the peppermint fumes will make your eyes water.)
Optional: add a pinch of cayenne pepper to really warm you up.
Delicious aromatherapy for colds and flu - germ-killing, immune-boosting and throat-soothing!
Note: it's important to use an essential oil that's safe for internal consumption - most brands are not. I personally use doTERRA essential oils because they're clean, safe and pure. Read your bottle label carefully for safety instructions before using your pepprmint in this recipe. Click to see why quality is important.
Best Essential Oils for Colds & Flu
Benzoin, cedar, coriander, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, helichrysum, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, marjoram,
naiouli, oregano, palmarosa, peppermint, petitgrain, pine, ravensara, rose, rosemary, sage, spearmint, spruce, tea tree, thyme
More Cold Home Remedies
Make Your Own Aromatherapy Inhaler
This is one of the handiest natural cold remedies you can make because you can take it to work (if you must go!) and use it whenever you need to take a breather.
Pour a teaspoon of salt or menthol crystals in a very small dark glass or PET plastic bottle and add 15 drops Eucalyptus and 5 drops Rosemary essential oil. Put the cap on and shake the bottle to mix everything together.
To use, take three long, slow, deep breaths of the aroma, trying to inhale through your nose. Take a short break, then take three more deep breaths. Do this up to three times.
Aromatherapy for Colds & Flu
The Dish on Commercial Vapor Rubs
In a nutshell - they're BAD for you!
Commercial chest rubs are usually made in a base of petroleum jelly (also commonly known as Vaseline) which often contains cancer causing impurities. In fact, petroleum jelly has been banned from use in cosmetics in Europe for that reason.
Here's a healthy, inexpensive alternative you can make yourself.
Aromatherapy Chest Rub for Coughs and Chest Congestion
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (30g) shea butter or virgin coconut oil
- 1/3 cup (75ml) jojoba or olive oil
- 15 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 7 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops Cedarwood essential oil
- 1 drop Thyme essential oil
Directions
- Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
- Place the shea butter or coconut oil in a medium sized heat-proof glass measuring cup (such as Pyrex.)
Place the measuring cup in the water and warm slowly over a low heat until the butter is melted.
-
Remove from the heat and stir in the jojoba or olive oil.
- Pour the oil mixture into a
dark glass or PET plastic jar. Drop in the essential oils.
- It's best to wait at least 24 hours after blending to let the chest rub 'cure' if you can.
Remember to keep the bottle in a cool, dark place.
Caution: Thyme essential oil may irritate sensitive skin, which is why it's at a low concentration. If your skin is exceptionally sensitive, leave it out. Also, do not use eucalyptus if you have high blood pressure or epilepsy.
Handy Hint: You can make this into a massage oil by replacing the shea butter or coconut oil with jojoba or any other
carrier oil of your choice. Graepseed oil absorbs fairly quickly.
What Next?
I hope all these recipes and remedies have got you inspired... to make some chicken soup... jump into a hot bath... or take a look at some of these related pages for more interesting facts and recipes on aromatherapy for colds...
Antiviral Essential Oils
Aromatherapy Diffuser Recipes
Eucalyptus Epsom Salt Bath
Lavender Bath & Body Oil
Pain Relief Massage Oil
Aromatherapy Remedies Main Page
Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Aromatherapy for Colds
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