Can I Use Essential Oils to Prevent Colds and Flu?

As winter approaches, most fear the onset of a cold or flu. Changing some of your day-to-day habits might help prevent or delay either of these. But did you know that along with some simple changes, you can also use essential oils to prevent colds and flu? You don’t have to wait for the symptoms to start fighting them off. There are several of the essential oils that can prevent colds and flu and they work in a variety of ways. Some boost your immune system so your body can fight them off naturally others disinfect the air. Many oils also have anti-viral properties that can help kill the virus before it has time to attack your body. Here are some ways you can use essential oils to prevent colds and flu.

Ways to Use Oils for Preventing Colds and Flu

 There are a few quick ways to use aromatherapy to help you stay as safe from colds and flu as possible. Essential oils have different properties and characteristics and some of them specifically have decongestant, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. Please remember that aromatherapy and using essential oils doesn’t replace medical care and cannot replace your medications that are prescribed by a medical professional.

Diffusing Essential Oils

Diffusing essential oils regularly, especially those with antibacterial and antiviral properties can help keep your immediate environment free of microbes that make you sick. If you do get sick, diffuse oils that are expectorants and decongestants to help clear out the respiratory and nasal congestion. If you do not have a diffuser or you are traveling and can’t take one along, try making a room mist by adding anti-viral and anti-microbial oils to a spray bottle with distilled water. Choose anti-viral essential oils like tea tree, lemon, cinnamon, and eucalyptus essential oils.

Make Your Own Cleaner

You can make your own natural cleaner that is anti-viral and antibacterial. All you’ll need are the EOs of your choice and some basic household items. It’s cheaper than commercial cleaners and safe from harmful chemicals. Here’s how to make it:

• Put 2 liters (or quarts) of water in a bucket and add two tablespoons of baking soda.
• Add two tablespoons of vinegar to the mixture.
• Put 5 to 10 ml of the essential oils of your choice into the mixture to create a powerful cleanser. Mix it all together. Suggested oils include lemon essential oil, tea tree EO, eucalyptus essential oil, and lavender oil. Use any combination of these oils to make an effective cleaner.

Stimulate the Immune System Using Essential Oils

The properties of essential oils make them excellent choices for preventing colds. But they do not necessarily help boost or stimulate the immune system. An immunostimulant affects the immune system. One herbal example is echinacea. This herb doesn’t have any antibacterial properties, but it does help boost the immune system, so it responds appropriately when exposed to viruses. There are a number of essential oils that are known to help boost and strengthen immunity. These include:

• Bergamot EO– This essential oil can recharge the central nervous system and stimulate energy. Renewed energy itself can indirectly help strengthen immunity.
• Eucalyptus EO– This EO stimulates the immune system because it enhances the antibodies. It also helps reduce inflammation.
• Frankincense EO– Use frankincense oil to boost the immune system. It helps increase white blood cells and reduces inflammation which is one of the primary risk factors linked to chronic diseases.
• Rosemary EO– Rosemary essential oil has a detoxifying effect which can help strengthen natural immunity.
• Niaouli EO– increase your circulation and stimulate immunity with this powerful essential oil.

Safe Use of EOs

Here are a few tips to remember when you start using essential oils.

1. Don’t use the same oil, blend, or combination of essential oils for longer than seven to 10 days. The body starts building up a tolerance to it and they are not as effective. Switch between different oils with similar properties. To avoid becoming immune to certain oils, alternate single oils and blends every two weeks.
2. EOs are not just one-and-done and just a few spotty applications won’t provide the boost your immune system needs. Using oils regularly either on a daily basis or at least three to four times a week for the most benefit.
3. One of the most effective uses of essential oils and aromatherapy is to apply them to the soles of the feet right before bedtime. Don’t shower for at least seven hours after applying the EOs to the feet.
4. Remember that all essential oils do not have the same properties and not all of the fight viruses. All essential oils are antibacterial in nature, but only some of them offer anti-viral protection.
5. If you are using oils on or around children, use half the recommended amount.

Other Actions to Take to Prevent Colds and Flu

Besides using essential oils to prevent a cold or the flu, there are some other things you can do in addition. Along with using antibacterial and antiviral EOs, here are some ways to protect your body.

• Get adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation affects immunity negatively and chronic sleep loss makes you more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains equips your immune system with the vitamins and minerals it needs for a strong immune response.
• Wash your hands frequently. Use essential oils to make your own antibacterial soap. Then, wash your hands often and regularly to help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
• Drink plenty of water. Keeping the body hydrated is important for equipping and strengthening the immune system. You should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. If your immune system is challenged, you need more like 12 8-ounce glasses of water a day.