Aromatic Botanical Prevention of Winter Viruses
The winter months often present a challenge for our health in the northern hemisphere since illnesses such as colds, flu, covid and other respiratory infections proliferate. Often, it’s difficult to identify which bug we’re dealing with, as viruses tend to mutate and change over time. Plunging temperatures, lack of sunshine and being cooped up indoors can significantly reduce our body’s immunity and resistance to disease. This also provides the ideal environment for germs and viruses to spread along with their associated pathogens!
The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract with symptoms that can include sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, sore throat and fatigue. Flu presents many of the same symptoms as a cold but is usually accompanied by a fever, aches & pains and can also affect the lower respiratory tract, including the lungs. The symptoms of flu can be more severe and last for several weeks so it’s vital to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids alongside other treatments. Covid presents similar symptoms to flu, but the effects are not only dependent on which new strain is circulating but also on the inherent immunity of the person, making older people more at risk. Bronchitis is a bacterial infection which is often triggered by the cold or flu virus, with persistent coughing being the main symptom, affecting both the chest and lungs.
Essential Oils via Inhalation
The most effective way to counter this downward trend over the winter months is to use essential oils via inhalation to combat any signs of infection before it can take hold. Natural aromatics have been used to prevent and treat airborne pathogens for centuries. For example, in Finland it was traditional to hang a lump of camphor around the neck as a preventative measure during epidemics and in its native Southeast Asia, camphor was known as ‘King of Healing Plants’ due to its ability to ward off infectious disease.
This is also the time of year to tune into our inbuilt nesting instincts and make our home into a health-enhancing sanctuary. Investing in a good quality vaporiser – an electric one such as our Stadler Jasmine or Mia diffusers or a simple ceramic oil burner – is a cost-effective way of warding off contagious illness whilst simultaneously creating a welcoming and fragrant environment at home. We don’t need to wait for spring to feel brighter and boost our mood when the days are short, since aromatherapy can offer us natural immunity support, plus provide practical way to overcome the winter blues.
How Essential oils Benefit our Respiratory System
Essential oils are perfectly adapted to treating respiratory illness as their volatile nature means that as they are inhaled, their bio-active constituents reach both our upper and lower respiratory tracts directly. This ensures that aromatic inhalation is one of the most powerful and effective methods for treating respiratory infections and naturally preventing the spread of air-borne germs. A single essential oil can have a wide range of properties and actions, depending on the balance of its numerous active constituents. Several essential oils are brilliant at keeping winter bugs at bay used individually, such as eucalyptus, rosemary or tea tree – arming us with more resilience to disease by fighting infection and simultaneously supporting immunity. Peppermint oil, being cooling in effect, can also help combat fever.
Decongestant and expectorant oils, such as ravensara and sage are effective way at clearing the head and can relieve congestion and chesty coughs used in vaporisers – while frankincense and sandalwood help deepen the breath and relieve any tightness in the chest or throat. Aromatics that are anti-inflammatory, such as lavender and chamomile, can help reduce pain caused by a sore throat due to infection. These essential oils are also soothing in effect, ensuring we feel rested and sleep well, which is vital during bouts of illness. Overall, essential oils offer excellent complementary support to our whole respiratory system – clearing airways, reducing inflammation and promoting restful sleep, so we can recover quickly.
The Power of Blending Essential Oils
To get a more all-inclusive therapeutic action, it can often be beneficial to use a blend of oils to deal with winter illnesses where several symptoms are present simultaneously.
Inhaling oils that are antibacterial such as eucalyptus, rosemary or pine needle work well in combination with oils having an antispasmodic action, such as peppermint or clary sage for combatting persistent coughing or bronchitis. Other aromatics such as camphor, clove bud or cinnamon leaf, for example, can be overpowering used alone in vaporisers, but are valuable when used in combination with other prophylactic oils – so are best used as ‘boosters’ alongside other oils in a blend.
It’s always important to support the nervous system by providing soothing and uplifting effects alongside treating the various physical symptoms. Most of us tend to experience a dip in mood and a feeling of lethargy when we catch a cold or virus, so treating our emotional symptoms alongside the physical ones is key to aiding a quick recovery. Deeply relaxing oils such as lavender or vetiver can also contribute to recovering from winter illnesses by grounding and calming a restless mind, while spicy aromatics, like ginger, exude warmth and comfort. Ginger is renowned for clearing cold, damp and mucus from the entire system and can also be drunk as a warming tea.
To make it simple, I’ve created a range of ready-to-use diffusion blends to provide a range of preventive actions – Clear Head, Defence and Mountain Air – available together in our Winter Wellness trio-set. Why not protect your health and that of your family by providing a winter shield against airborne infections by adding a few drops daily to a vaporiser at home?
My Top 5 Winter Companion Essential Oils:
Eucalyptus oil is anti-viral, bacterial and boosts immunity– it clears the head, break down mucus, relieves blocked noses and imparts a fresh, opening sensation as you breathe it in. For a steam inhalation to relieve congestion, add 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of steaming hot water, place a towel over your head and breathe deeply for 3-5 minutes, keeping the eyes closed.
Peppermint oil is cooling and helps combat fever, headaches and sinus discomfort that so often accompany flu. Drinking plenty of peppermint tea is also good to help relieve these symptoms. Peppermint oil has a bright, refreshing quality which helps wake us up when we feel low and foggy headed. Use the oil in vaporisers or simply blend 2-3 drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of almond oil and rub this into the back of your neck and chest.
Lavender oil is my go-to remedy for promoting restful and restorative sleep. Cold symptoms often worsen at night – and we can’t recover well without sleeping soundly. Lavender helps us feel at ease and relaxed which is what our immune system needs for repair. It also has good bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to ease constricted airways or soreness. Add a few drops to a diffuser before bedtime or simply apply a few drops to your pillowcase – don’t worry it won’t stain the material.
Rosemary oil is my personal favourites for preventing winter bugs, especially if we manage to catch them right at the onset! This oil has excellent anti-viral and bactericidal properties, which helps combat the spread of respiratory infection by killing airborne germs. To make a steam inhalation, add a few drops to a bowl of boiling water and breathe in the vapours deeply for 3-5 minutes, keeping the eyes closed. Or make a chest rub – see instructions for peppermint oil above.
Tea Tree oil is the perfect anti-dote to all kinds of respiratory and infectious illness which has been subjected to a great deal of scientific research in the last few decades, validating its powerful bactericidal, anti-viral and immune boosting qualities. It has been found to be an effective germicide at only 4 parts essential oil to 1000 parts water! To protect from germs and prevent airborne bugs from spreading to others in the same vicinity, use this oil in a vaporiser throughout the day both in the home as well as in the workplace.
Winter Bug Essential Oil Blend
To combat colds, congestion, coughs & flu – use in a vaporiser or via steam inhalation. All these essential oils are in our ‘Daily Essentials’ & ‘Organic Daily Essentials’ trio-sets.
- 3 x drops Rosemary essential oil
- 2 x drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 x drop Lavender essential oil
Winter Blues Essential Oil Blend
This blend targets both winter germs and low energy, leaving your space feeling fresh and healthy. Use in your diffuser in your main living area each morning to set an uplifting mood for the day.
- 3 x drops Lemon essential oil
- 2 x drops Peppermint essential oil
- 1 x drops Lavender essential oil