Spring is almost here…and hopefully, that means that we can say goodbye to feeling stuffed up and upset stomachs.

I don’t know about you, but this has been a brutal winter for my family.  Apparently, we put the welcome sign up for all the nasty little bugs circulating around our community.

If you are looking for essential oils that help with seasonal threats that cause congestion, dry coughs, and runny noses check out my post 5 Essential Oils to Help When You Feel Under the Weather:  Part 1 (Easier Breathing).

The first three oils in the following list can be helpful for normal morning sickness as well.  If you are having morning sickness that seems extreme please contact your doctor.

Stomach Flu

When people say they have the flu they are typically referring to stomach problems and actually have viral gastroenteritis.  Having “influenza” actually means you have some type of respiratory bug.

There are numerous types of viruses that cause the stomach flu including norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, and enteric adenovirus.  You can catch a virus by it being in your food or water, touching an object that has the virus on it, or touching somebody that has the virus.

If you are looking for natural ways to breathe easier when feeling sick then you will want to read my post 5 Essential Oils to Help When You Feel Under the Weather:  Part 1 (Easier Breathing).

Stomach Flu Symptoms –

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Low-grade Fever

If you would like to read more about the viral gastroenteritis check out this informative article from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

5 Essential Oils for Upset Stomach

Check out the following essential oils and blends that can help with stomach discomforts.

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.  Digestion Blend –

Digestion blends are typically made from Ginger, Peppermint, Caraway, Coriander, Anise, Tarragon and Fennel.

Blends for digestion help ease feelings of queasiness and can help to reduce gas, bloating, and occasional indigestion and stomach discomfort.

This blend can be applied NEAT, which means a carrier oil is not necessary.  And it can also be added to beverages (in a glass or metal container) to help support a healthy gastrointestinal tract.  I have had good results by massaging this blend on my abdomen when I have had stomach discomfort.

2.  Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is one of the most versatile oils available.  It has so many great uses.  I personally carry peppermint oil beadlets in my purse at all times!

This oil is steam distilled from leaves of the Mentha piperita plant and has an intense and minty aroma.

Taking one or two drops internally of peppermint oil can help to reduce occasional stomach upsets.  This oil can also help to minimize occasional gas, indigestion, and bloating.

Adding peppermint oil to a cold pack or a foot bath can help you to cool down if you are feeling overheated.

A few oils that Peppermint blend well with include Wild Orange, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lemon, Rosemary, and Ylang Ylang.

This blend should be diluted if applying topically and you should also avoid using it at night time because it is a stimulant.  Peppermint oil can also cause a decrease in milk supply so consider that before using it if breastfeeding.

3.  Ginger Oil

Ginger oil is steam distilled from the roots of the Zingiber officinale perennial herb. This oil has a sweet yet fresh and sharp spicy woody aroma.

Diffusing ginger oil can help to support a feeling of balance and stability.  Using this oil internally can also help to minimize feelings of gas, indigestion, and bloating and can help to maintain healthy digestion.

Ginger oil blends great with Cinnamon, Cardamom, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Rosemary, and Vetiver.  

This oil can be used aromatically, internally (great for cooking), and topically.  If used topically make sure to dilute with a carrier oil because it can cause skin sensitivity.

4.  Basil Oil

Basil oil has a spicy herbal scent.  It has been compared to the aroma of anise which is licorice-like.  And yes I just smelled my sweet basil plant to see if that is true…and yes it is.  Ha!

Using basil oil can minimize gas and ease stomach discomforts.  It also helps to maintain healthy gastrointestinal health and functions.  This oil can help support your immune system functions and responses.

Basil oil blends well with Bergamot, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lime, Peppermint, and Rosemary.

This oil can be used aromatically, internally (another great oil for cooking), and topically.  If used topically make sure to dilute with a carrier oil because it can cause skin sensitivity.  Use this oil with caution if you are pregnant or have epilepsy because this oil can act as a relaxant if used too much.

5.  Black Pepper Oil –

Peppercorn berries from the climbing vine Piper nigrum are steam distilled to produce this spicy and musky essential oil.  Black pepper oil is commonly found in Protective blend soft-gels.

Taking one or two drops of black pepper oil can assist with digestion and also supports healthy colon functions.  This is another oil that can help support your immune system functions and responses.

Black pepper oil blends well with Cardamom, Sweet Fennel, Geranium, Juniper Berry, Lemongrass and Ylang Ylang.

This oil can be used aromatically, internally (yet another great oil for cooking), and topically.  If used topically make sure to dilute with a carrier oil 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:

• Massage oils over the abdominal area.
• 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).
• Make sure to never place oils in eyes or ears.  Also, do not apply “warm” oils like Peppermint or Ginger near eyes.

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

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

I hope this helps!  If you have any questions let me know.

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

5 Essential Oils to Help When You Feel Under the Weather:  Part 1 (Easier Breathing)

5 Essential Oils to Help with Anxious Feelings

3 Easy Ways to Use Essential Oils

Reading to enter the world of essential oils?  Check out my shop Here.