A few nights ago, it was like a scene from a movie in my house.  The kind of movie that if you are watching you would laugh at, but if you were in, you would cry.

The girls and I had been feeling under the weather, but I thought we were on the mend.  We were preparing for bedtime and in a matter of a few minutes my little one started vomiting from coughing too hard, one of my dogs also threw up in the living room, and then, to top it off… my step-daughter sprayed me in the face/eye with carpet cleaner as she asked me “How do I spray this?”.

My first reaction was to be overwhelmed and maybe a little angry, but then I was reminded of a story I had read that day of another mom losing her baby.  Every mom’s worst nightmare.

It brought me back into the right frame of mind.  Yes, we’re sick.  Yes, this sucks.  But it will pass.

Even so, that doesn’t help you physically feel better in the moment.

In this post, I am going to write about what the common cold really is and some essential oils that can help against seasonal and environmental threats and just help with easier breathing.

5 Essential Oils to Help When You are Feeling Under the Weather:  Part 2 will be about essential oils that can help you feel better if you are feeling unwell in regards to stomach issues.

What are common colds?

Common colds are upper respiratory tract infections that are caused by viruses.  The medical term for a common cold is “acute rhinitis”.  Think rhino, big nose, congested red nose.

Colds are passed by touch, for example, dirty hands that have the cold virus touching mucous membranes.  Your eyes, ears, the inside of your nose, the inside of your mouth, your lips, your tongue, your urethra and your rectum are mucous membranes.

What are the symptoms of a common cold?

Common colds and the flu are treated somewhat differently, and because of that, you will want to figure out from the following symptoms if a cold is in fact what you have.

Common Cold Symptoms –

• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Dry Cough
• Runny Nose

5 Essential Oils for Easier Breathing

Check out the following essential oils that can help with easier breathing.

Disclaimer:  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

1.  Protective Blend

Protective blends are typically made from Wild Orange (or Lemon), Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary.  A protective blend is also sometimes called an Immunity Blend.

Protective blends help to maintain healthy respiratory function and to minimize seasonal threats.

This blend should be diluted if applying topically and you should also avoid sunlight/UV rays for 12 hours after applying directly to skin.  This is personally my favorite blend to diffuse.  This blend can also be taken internally.

Read my post 3 Easy Ways to Use Essential Oils if you are considering using essential oils internally.

2.  Respiration Blend

Respiration blends are made from Laurel, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Lemon, Ravensara, and Cardamom.  

Respiration blends are also helpful to minimize seasonal threats.  This type of blend supports feelings of easy breathing and clear airways.

This blend can cause skin sensitivity so consider using a carrier oil for children and those with sensitive skin if applying topically.  Diffusing a respiration blend at night can help support a restful sleep.

This blend can be applied NEAT, which means a carrier oil is not necessary.  Although I would use a carrier oil for children and people with sensitive skin.  Using a carrier oil also helps bottles of essential oil last longer.

3.  Cardamom Oil

This oil has surprisingly become one of my favorites.

Cardamom oil is steam distilled from dried seed pods from perennial herbs that have been used medicinally and as a spice for 2000 years.  It is also very popular as a spice or as an oil for cooking.

It is also an oil that is beneficial for promoting clear breathing and supports respiratory health.  If taken internally it can help with occasional stomach trouble.  Cardamom is also great for relaxing muscles.  And diffusing this oil can give a room a cool and refreshing aroma.

A few oils that Cardamom blends well with include black pepper, cinnamon, and lavender.

This blend can be applied NEAT, which means a carrier oil is not necessary.  With this oil, I would also use a carrier oil for children and people with sensitive skin.

4.  Melaleuca Oil (a.k.a. Tea Tree Oil)

Melaleuca or tea tree was originally used by Aboriginal people of Australia and is now made by steam distilling leaves and branches from this bushy tree.

This oil supports healthy immune function and protects against seasonal and environmental threats.  It also to maintain healthy respiratory and lung functions and can help encourage feelings of easy breathing and open airways.

You can add a drop or two of Melaleuca to water, citrus drinks or a veggie capsule to support healthy immune system function.

A few oils that Melaleuca blends well with are bergamot, cypress, and lavender.

This blend can be applied NEAT, which means a carrier oil is not necessary.  With this oil I personally would also use a carrier oil for children and people with sensitive skin.

5.  Eucalyptus Oil

There are quite a few Eucalyptus Oils, but the most commonly used one is Eucalyptus Radiata, and that is the one I will talk about today.

Eucalyptus oil is made by steam distilling the leaves of the river white gum tree that grows up to 100 feet tall.

This oil is another great oil for maintaining open airways and clear breathing.  Rubbing this oil on your chest and breathing in deeply for rejuvenating vapors.

Purifying properties of eucalyptus oil make it wonderful for cleansing the air and surfaces.

A few oils that blend well with Eucalyptus Oil are rosemary, lemon, and juniper berry.

Eucalyptus should be diluted when using because it can cause skin sensitivity.

How to use essential oils for seasonal threats?

The following essential oils or blends can be used topically and aromatically.

And if you are interested in taking essential oils internally please read more about that here.

If you want to use the above oils topically chose from one of these options:

• Apply one of the following oils be applied behind the ears.
• Across the forehead.
• Under your nose.
• Apply to reflex points or nerve endings on the feet or hands.
• On the suboccipital triangles (the indention to the side of the base of the neck).

If you want to use the above oils aromatically chose one of these options:

• Use a diffuser.
• Place drops of oil in hand and breathe in.
• Place drops of oil on a piece of clothe and breathe in.
• Open essential oil bottle and inhale directly from the bottle.

I hope this helps!

If you want to learn more about essential oils read my posts –

3 Easy Ways to Use Essential Oils

5 Essential Oils to Help with Anxious Feelings

 

Interested in Essential Oils?  Shop Here.

Also, check out this special from Ultimate Bundles with a great selection of e-books about herbs and essential oils.