“This article was originally published in the September 2018 issue of AromaCulture Magazine (www.aromaculture.com) and has been adapted for use here with permission from the publisher.” Written by Sharon Mayberry, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
We all know about “cold and flu season”, but it seems that more often, people are suffering from colds and flu all through the year, even in summer. Using essential oils in various delivery methods can alleviate symptoms and lessen the duration of discomfort.
When my clients come to me for relief from cold or flu, especially if they are experiencing a lot of congestion, my first recommendation is almost always a stock steam blend. When used at the first sign of congestion, a “tent method” steam can really clear head, nasal and chest congestion and often can get rid of a cold or flu before it really has time to become a full-blown illness. I advise clients to bring a large pot of water to boil, remove from heat, and while still super steamy add one or two drops from stock blend to water, tent head with a towel, and breathe deeply for 5 to 10 minutes. If possible to do this 3 to 4 times a day, this method can really “clear out the junk”. I advise keeping tissues nearby while steaming, as a lot of mucous will be expelled. I have found the following to be a great stock blend to keep on hand:
In 2 ml vial, blend the following:
Cajeput (Melaleuca leucadendron var. cajeputi) – 20 drops
Eucalyptus smithii (Eucalyptus smithii) – 5 drops
Niaouli ct 1,8 cineole (Melaleuca quinquenervia ct 1,8 cineole)- 5 drops
Siberian Fir (Abies sibirica) –20 drops
Cajeput, distilled from the leaves, twigs, and branches, is a softer, gentler alternative to Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). It has a very high oxide content, which makes it a great anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and mucolytic oil. Eucalyptus smithii, distilled from leaves, is generally very high in 1,8 cineole, so this is a great oil to help break down congestion. It also offers immune support and is anti-bacterial. Niaouli ct 1,8 cineole is distilled from leaves, twigs, and branches, and has approximately a 60% 1,8 cineole content. Niaouli is a great immunity booster and offers protection from flu, viral, and bacterial illnesses. Siberian Fir is a gorgeous oil distilled from the needles and pine cones of the tree. It is high in monoterpenes and also has a generous ester content. Siberian Fir offers lung support and is a great expectorant. If my client doesn’t have time to use the tent method, I suggest that they place a drop or two of this blend in their shower for some relief. This blend, due to its high 1,8 cineole content is not recommended for use with children under 10 years of age, as it can cause CNS and breathing problems in young children. Additionally, care must be taken with asthmatics. [i]
Diffusing a stock blend is another effective tool to help combat cold and flu. I generally recommend diffusing a cold and flu blend intermittently, diffusing for 15 to 20 minutes, turning off for an hour, and repeating throughout day. This method helps alleviate symptoms without overtaxing the body. Especially if there are other people in the household, I try to add essential oils which offer air cleansing components to assist in keeping others healthy, as well. Depending on your client’s specific ailments, there are so many oils to choose from, but this is one of my favorite, general blends to choose from when clients have congestion and general cold and flu symptoms:
In 5 ml vial, blend the following:
Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) – 25 drops
Pinon Pine (Pinus edulis) – 15 drops
Cedarwood (Virginia) (Juniperus virginiana) – 35 drops
Black Spruce (Picea mariana) – 30 drops
Orange (sweet) (Citrus sinesis) – 25 drops
Ghandi Root (Homalomena aromatica) – 15 drops
Hemlock, distilled from the needles of the tree, is high in soothing esters and monoterpenes. Hemlock essential oil offers great respiratory support, is mucolytic, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and acts as a decongestant. Pinon Pine offers a soft, sweet scent to the blend, and is distilled from the resin, needles, twigs and branches of the pine. At an over 80% monoterpene content, it is very strengthening, a great expectorant, mucolytic, a decongestant, and offers anti-bacterial, anti-infectuous, and anti-oxidant properties. Cedarwood (Virginia) is distilled from the wood. It is an anti-infectuous, expectorant, and mucolytic oil, which also offers a lovely aroma. Black Spruce, distilled from the needles, has a very significant camphene content which makes it a powerful mucolytic, as well as helping with over-all respiratory issues and also has anti-oxidant properties. Orange (sweet), is cold pressed from the rind of the fruit. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and is a great air purifier, as well as having a pleasant, happy scent. Ghandi Root, distilled from the rhizomes, offers immune support as well as being anti-bacterial and anti-infectuous. The blend gives a lot of support to the person suffering from cold and flu as well as helping to keep others healthy in the home.
Inhalers are probably my favorite delivery method for so many intentions, and they really can help with cold and flu. I love that they offer almost immediate relief, are portable, discrete, long-lasting and inexpensive. Again, the oils I choose really vary based on each client’s specific need, however, I find the following to be a good, basic recipe:
Fragonia (Agonis fragrans) – 4 drops
Opopanax (Commiphora guidotti) – 2 drops
Xanthoxylum (Zanthoxylum armatum) – 2 drops
Fingerroot (Boesenbergia pandurata) – 2 drops
Ravintsara (Ho Leaf) (Cinnamomum camphora ct 1,8 cineole) – 5 drops
Fragonia, distilled from the leaves, is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and strengthening oil. This is a gentle, safe oil, and is anti-asthmatic. Since colds and flu are often accompanied by headache, I look for oils which also are analgesic when blending inhalers for this intention. Opopanax is distilled from the resin of the tree, and is a great expectorant, as well as having anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties. Xanthoxylum is steam distilled from the fruit of an evergreen tree. It is a great choice for cold and flu, as it is analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-viral and acts as an immuno-stimulant. Fingerroot is distilled from the rhizomes of the plant, and really helps support lung and airway activity, particularly in the case of cold and flu. It is also an analgesic and anti-inflammatory oil. Ravintsara has a fabulous, head-clearing and opening aroma. It is distilled from leaves, and is analgesic, anti-infectuous, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and works as a decongestant and expectorant, and is supportive of the immune system. These oils combine beautifully together to really help clients breath easier and feel instant relief. This recipe should be used on adults only, as it contains a generous amount of 1,8 cineole. For children 5 years of age and older, I would recommend the following to be used in an inhaler:
Lavender (Bulgaria) (Lavandula angustifolia) – 1 drops
Lemon (Citrus limon) – 1 drop
Rosalina (Melaleuca ericifolia) 2 drops
Sitka Spruce (Picea sitch) – 2 drops
Topical chest rubs can also provide relief, especially when children are heavily congested during nighttime hours. In general, I usually don’t suggest that clients with children under 5 years of age use essential oils directly on their little ones, but in this case I have made an exception. My reasoning for this is that I would rather have children use a properly diluted blend (less than 1%) than have their symptoms worsen and have to turn to a course of antibiotics or have the parents become desperate and reach for an over-the-counter preparation which often are high in camphor and 1,8 cineole content. This children’s chest rub has proven to be gentle, yet very effective, and provides an extra little nudge to get the little ones back to feeling better. Ingredients and preparation are as follows:
Ingredients:
(Carriers)
Beeswax (Apis mellifera) – 1 oz
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinesis) – 1 oz
Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera) – 6 oz
(Essential Oils)
Black Spruce (Picea mariana) – 2 drops
Siberian Fir (Abies sibirica) – 2 drops
Orange (sweet) (Citrus sinensis) – 2 drops
Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) – 2 drops
Melt Beeswax with Jojoba Oil. Add Coconut Oil until melted. Add essential oils, stirring completely, and pour into four 2 oz jars. Keep refrigerated when not using regularly to extend shelf life.
When using for congestion, I recommend applying small amount to child’s chest and bottoms of feet, if desired (make sure they wear socks – feet will be slippery). I advise to use on children for no more than ten days. I also prepare an adult version of this at a 3% dilution ratio using same carrier oils with the following essential oils, to be applied in same manner:
Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) – 20 drops
Siberian Fir (Abies sibirica) – 25 drops
Balsam Copaiba (Copaifer officinalis) – 20 drops
Kunzea (Kunzea ambigua) – 20 drops
Ravintsara (Ho Leaf) (Cinnamomum camphora ct 1,8 cineole) – 25 drops
Lavender (Bulgaria) (Lavandula angustifolia) – 25 drops
The benefits of Hemlock, Siberian Fir, Ravintsara, Black Spruce and Lavender have all been discussed above. Balsam Copaiba, distilled from resin, is a great oil for promoting healthy lung function relating to congestion, and also is an immune booster. Kunzea, distilled from the twigs, leaves, and flowers of the shrub, has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, analgesic, and decongestant properties. The chest rub can offer a lot of relief during times of cold and flu.
These are a few ideas of how essential oils can help your family and your clients manage cold and flu related illnesses. All recipes can be tailored to suit their specific needs and preferences, but these provide a good template for you to utilize. Of course, always check for any contraindications before using essential oils.
[i] Tisserand, Robert and Young, Rodney, “Essential Oil Safety”, (Churchill, Livingstone Elsevier 2014)
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