Crisp, autumn walks, gorgeous colors, cozy sweaters and everything cinnamon and pumpkin are all signs that Fall has arrived.
Fall is also the start of "cold and flu season." When September rolls around, I start checking my stock of essential oils, herbs for tea, and other supplements so I'm prepared when sickness strikes.
Today, I'm sharing my top 5 essential oils to help you feel well this season. I've also included average prices per 10ml bottle (based on some of my favorite suppliers - comment if your curious about affordable essential oil companies).
**Note: This is not professional medical advice. I'm not a medical professional.
Bay Laurel Essential Oil ($14-20 for 10ml)
Bay Laurel is a less common oil, but it's on my "never run out" list! Bay Laurel is very effective at supporting the lymphatic system, which is responsible for carrying toxins and waste away from body tissue. Lymph fluid also full of disease-fighting white blood cells and boosts cellular immunity. I love to use it topically along the sides of the neck when I feel a cold or cough coming on. That tickle in my throat or bit of nasal congestion is my signal to grab the Bay Laurel! Dilute 10-12 drops in a 10ml roller of carrier oil so it's ready to go when you need it!
Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil ($10-$12 for 10 ml)
Eucalyptus Globulus works great in place of this variety (and it's the most common), but I love the Radiata variety as it's not quite as pungent. Similar to Bay Laurel, this is my-go when we're coming down with respiratory symptoms. It's opens the airways, loves on the immune system, and can help thin and loosen mucous when applied topically to the back and chest. I love to combine Bay Laurel and Eucalyptus for colds, coughs an flu. Combine a few drops of Eucayptus in your palm with a teaspoon of oil and massage all over the chest, upper back, and on the sides and back of the neck. Use it in an inhaler - or sniff straight from the bottle - for some congestion relief.
Lemon Essential Oil ($7-10 for 10 ml)
Drip drop this into your diffuser and run it all day! Lemon is cleansing and purifying. It's a mood lifter, too! If sickness is upsetting your tummy, many find that it eases nausea and stomach upset simply by inhaling the aroma. It can be helpful to cut through respiratory gunk when inhaled, so it marries perfectly with either Bay Laurel or Eucalyptus. It's a great one for inhalation, but it can be used topically as well. A word of caution: lemon is photosensitive and can cause skin irritation with sun exposure. To avoid this concern, shop for steam-distilled lemon essential oil. Cold-pressed lemon essential oil (by far the most common) is very photosensitive, while steam-distilled lemon is not.
Tea Tree Essential Oil ($11-12)
Tea Tree and Lemon are both cleaning heroes! When you want to get rid of the ick, turn to tea tree: it's antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and basically anti-all-the-things. You can dissolve tea tree oil in 20-25% 190 proof alcohol, allow to sit for 1-3 hours, then mix the solution with 75-80% distilled water. Add to a spray bottle and use it to wipe down "hot spots" - high-touch areas that are collection spots for germs - like light switches, door handles, etc. Add tea tree to a diffuser to purify and cleanse the air in your home. Combine tea tree with any of the above oils for an excellent respiratory inhalation blend, or add some of the blend into unscented hand soap, dish soap, or laundry soap for added cleansing and odor-elimination.
Ginger Essential Oil ($13-15)
Ginger has so many uses, especially this time of year. It can be used to settle an upset stomach or motivate a sluggish digestive system. You can take advantage of ginger's digestive properties by applying a couple drops (diluted in carrier oil) to the stomach, or ease nausea by simply inhaling the aroma. Ginger's warmth can soothe achy, sore muscles and ease tension. It's slight spiciness can also be beneficial when cold symptoms strike, helping to clear congestion in the nose and the chest. It adds a nice touch to a holiday diffuser blend - try two drops clove, one drop cinnamon, four drops orange and a a couple of ginger!
I would never want to be without these oils during the cold and flu season, and I hope this list was helpful if you're looking for a place to start.
What are your go-to oils during the cold weather months? Share with us below!