The Common Cold, Disease & Inflammation – Essential Oils & Ways To Help Yourself
The Positive Snowball Effect
Web Links in Cold Blog: please note that you can click on anything marked in bold which will take you to the appropriate internet site.
So I start writing a little blog about Golden Milk, it leads to a slightly larger blog about The Common Cold & Natural Remedies, then I get into my favourite arena, the use of essential oils – & we have a whole extra blog…
I love the creative process!
Incidentally the cover image is to match that on Conditions Part I: The Common Cold & Natural Remedies, where I showed you scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the cold virus. This cover is of the Thyme plant – the brown blob is actually a droplet of essential oil being secreted from the scent glands of the plant. Another image from Peppermint (another cold-busting essential oil) is given at the end of this blog. I love SEM images, they make just about anything look beautiful as well as being fascinating in their sheer depth of detail.
Essential Oils
So as this is my area of expertise, Aromatherapy, I am going to delve down in a little more detail as to how these marvellously clever little natural essential oils can help us combat the Common Cold.
Blending should always be carried out with regards to safety cautions for each oil, to an appropriate percentage & preferably by a qualified aromatherapist – please feel free to contact me for any advice on anything in this blog or to order a blend.
There are many excellent essential oils we can use to help us with colds & viruses. They can assist with:
- prophylactic – cold prevention
- symptoms – relief & improvement
- healing – helping you to get better, quicker
Properties
You’re looking for oils with the following properties:
Peppermint is used extensively in the treatment of the Common Cold
- Antibacterial (destroying/suppressing bacteria)
- Antimicrobial (destroying/suppressing microbes)
- Analgesic (pain relieving)
- Anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation)
- Antiseptic
- Antitussive (relieving coughs)
- Antiviral (supressing viruses)
- Bactericidal (destroying/suppressing bacteria)
- Expectorant (easing coughs)
- Febrifuge (reducing fever)
- Immuno-stimulant (stimulating/increasing immune system)
- Rubefacient (warming)
Colds Generally
We covered the main symptoms of colds in general in Conditions Part I: The Common Cold & Natural Remedies
Oils: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Peppermint, Ravensara, Tea Tree, Thyme
Try using essential oils to help make you feel well & overcome the symptoms of the Common Cold
Application:
- Blend (diluted in oil) – massaged into throat, chest or back
- Chest rub (diluted in balm) – massaged into throat, chest or back. I am happy to make one for you – please click here. Alternatively, although I am not keen on the use of Paraffin wax, Vicks Vaporub is otherwise an excellent alternative with Eucalyptus, Camphor & Menthol oils
- Diffuser – I would recommend buying one online (Amazon) or if you prefer to see in a store they are available from Neal’s Yard Remedies stores or online. I use the brand Zen. Simply put water in up to the line & add 5-10 drops of essential oil, switch on & inhale. Can also be used safely overnight. Alternatively you can use an electric or traditional candle oil burner.
- Foot rub (diluted in balm) – massage into feet before bed & put on some bedsocks – it really works! (Vicks Vaporub can also be used here too)
- Inhalation – use a steam bath. Fill a bowl with boiling water, sprinkle on 1-4 drops of essential oils, remove glasses/contact lenses & keeping eyes closed cover head with a towel and inhale for 5-10 mins. Alternatively, use an inhaler cup (easily purchased on Amazon) with just 1-3 drops. They’re purpose-made, work better and are pretty cheap at c. £5. Can be repeated up to 8 times/day.
- Reflexology – My friend & colleague Jackie Garwood at Chamomile Reflexology can answer any questions you may have on this subject, but as a treatment Reflexology may be able to provide benefits for those suffering with a cold (although, as with massage, treatment is contraindicated if you have a fever/Influenza).
Thyme is one of the main essential oils which Aromatherapists use when treating colds: antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitussive, antiviral, bactericidal, expectorant, fungicidal, immuno-stimulant, nervine, rubefacient, tonic – the list is extensive
Cold Sores
Oils: Tea Tree, Ravensara
Application: These are fantastic antivirals – apply a drop directly to the cold sore on a cotton bud, Q-tip or finger. Please ensure you wash your hands afterwards so that you don’t spread the cold sores further or pass on to others. I have found that treatment with oil early enough can stop a cold sore from developing. The healing rate is also increased, my cold sores used to last 10-12 days, but with essential oil treatment this is usually 4-5 days.
Coughs & Catarrh
Oils: Bay Laurel, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Chamomile (German or Roman), Cedarwood (Atlas or Deodar), Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Peppermint, Ravensara, Tea Tree, Thyme
Application:
- Chest rub (diluted in balm) – massaged into throat, chest or back
- Inhalation – see Colds Generally section above
Nose & Sinus Issues
Oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Thyme
Application:
- Blend (diluted in oil or lotion) – massaged into sinuses, or book with me for a Facial Massage or Indian Head treatment which can really help to clear & drain the sinuses
- Inhalation – see Colds Generally section above
Throat Issues
Bottom to Top: Peppermint, Thyme & Basil – all essential oils which can be used for Cold Relief
Oils: Aniseed, Eucalpytus, Myrrh, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Thyme
Application:
- Blend (diluted in oil) – massaged into throat
- Gargle – 1 drop of oil in a cup of warm water, or in 5mls of alcohol (such as Vodka) in a cup of warm water. Rinse & swill around mouth, gargle to back of throat & spit out. Safety: Never swallow any essential oils
- Throat rub (diluted in balm) – massaged into throat
- Throat pastilles: At just 60p per packet Jakeman’s Throat & Cough Sweets represent incredibly good value for money. They really do work & although also containing sugar their ingredients are natural including Aniseed, Menthol & Eucalyptus oils. I can also recommend Neal’s Yard Remedies NYR Eucalpytus throat pastilles (also containing Mint, Propolis & Honey). Finally Buttercup’s Broncho-Stop pastilles are excellent, especially for tickly throat inflammation, their main ingredient is Thyme oil.
Blends
Blending should always be carried out with regards to safety cautions for each oil, to an appropriate percentage & preferably by a qualified aromatherapist – please feel free to contact me for any advice or to order a blend.
Chest Infections & Coughs
Application: Chest rub/balm (5% topical blend), diffuser, inhalation, massage (into chest & back)
- Thyme & Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)
Ginger is a yummy way to help yourself feel better – the essential oil is also very beneficial in cold treatment
Colds Generally
Application: Bath, Diffuser, Inhalation, Massage (especially to soles of feet before bed)
- Thyme, Ravensara & Bergamot
- Thyme, Lavender stoechas & Eucalyptus globulus (adults), Eucalytpus radiata (children, pregnancy or elderly) or Eucalyptus staigeriana (before bed)
- Ravensara, Eucalyptus radiata, Peppermint & Tea Tree
- Ravensara, Ginger & Clove Bud
Eucalyptus essential oil is used to treat many Cold symptoms such as blocked nose & sinuses, coughs & catarrh
Coughs
Application: Bath, Diffuser, Inhalation, Massage (into chest, back & throat)
- Thyme, Ravensara & Bergamot
- Thyme, Lavender stoechas & Eucalyptus globulus (adults), Eucalytpus radiata (children, pregnancy or elderly) or Eucalyptus staigeriana (before bed)
- Ravensara & Cypress
Ravensara, Eucalptus staigeriana & Cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica, more powerful) or Deodar (Cedrus deodara, gentler blend)
Immunity
Application: Bath, Diffuser, Inhalation, Massage (especially to soles of feet before bed)
- Ravensara, Bay Laurel & Peppermint
- Ravensara, Palmarosa, Niaouli & Lemon
Prophylactic/Preventing Colds
Application: Bath, Diffuser, Inhalation, Massage (especially to soles of feet before bed)
- Thyme, Ravensara & Bergamot
- Ravensara, Thyme CT linalool & Niaouli (more cleansing), or Lavender stoechas (more herbal blend)
- Ravensara, Black Pepper & Bergamot
- Ravensara, Pine & Tea Tree
Hopefully this second Blog will help you to find ways to help yourself feel well using Aromatherapy Essential Oils
If you have any questions, queries or need any assistance with Aromatherapy, Natural Remedies & Cold prevention, protection or relief (or anything else for that matter!) please don’t hesitate to contact me via my website or my Facebook page
Mint is also beautiful under the scanning electric microscope. Two oil glands with drops of essential oil sat on the leaf surface (blue) are responsible for giving this plant its characteristic aroma & providing us with the means to combat the Common Cold
