Well here we are, smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. If you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid falling victim to the winter germs so far, you certainly know a few people who haven’t been. Of course, staying hydrated and eating well will do wonders for your immune system and will help you fight off germs, but that isn’t always enough. Sometimes no matter how careful you are, you find yourself or someone in your family sick. Today I thought it would be fitting to share some natural cold & flu remedies that you can use instead of, or congruent with, over the counter medicines to help you feel better faster.
Essential oils have been used for centuries so it is quite funny to me that they are considered an “alternative” medicine since they have been used far longer than most mainstream medicines.
A few weeks ago Thursday Plantation sent me this super cute Cold & Flu Emergency Kit equipped with Tea Tree, Lavender and Eucalyptus oils and a towel.
These three oils will serve you so well in the winter months (and all year round) for a whole host of uses both when ill and well.
Epsom Salts
One of the easiest treatments you can make to have on hand is scented Epsom salts. Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choosing to a dish with a carrier oil (grapeseed oil, olive oil, fractionated coconut oil etc.) to dillute it and then add the whole mixture to a bottle filled with Epsom salts, put the cover on and give them a shake. Now, the next time you need a relaxing aromatherapy soak you will be ready to go.
Epsom Salts with:
Tea Tree – helps with aches and pains.
Lavender – helps you destress, relax and prepares you for a more restful sleep.
Eucalyptus – the stream from a warm bath with eucalyptus scented Epsom salts will help with congestion and other respiratory issues.
Homemade Balms
With a few inexpensive small containers from the dollar store, coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils you can make your very own balms for various ailments.
A simple mixture of shae butter, coconut oil and eucalyptus oil will give you your own homemade vaporub. A lavendar balm will help to reduce and relieve stress and anxiety and makes a great addition to your bedtime routine. And I like keeping a team tree balm on hand for minor cuts, scrapes and bug bites.
I find these balms are best stored in the fridge where they are kept cool and in a solid state, and helps to lengthen their shelf life.
I like to melt the coconut oil and shae butter in the microwave to melt, then add a few drops of essential oil, stir, and then pour into a small container.
Aromatherapy Inhalers
Finally, I really enjoy having my own DIY Inhalers.
You can purchase empty inhalers inexpensively online, then to make your own inhalers it is very simple. All you need to do is add a few drops of essential oil to the wick that goes inside the inhaler, insert it, pop on the cap and you’re done. This way you can easily carry one in your bag, car, or pocket to have on hand when you need it. These are similar to the vicks inhalers they sell, but because you are making this one yourself you know exactly what is inside. Adding eucalyptus will work like those vicks inhalers, lavender is wonderful for those who suffer from stress and anxiety, and while not discussed in this post, I personally like to keep a peppermint inhaler with me for use when I am coming down with a headache.
Even if you’re not a DIY-er, these all natural products are so easy to make there is no reason not to have some on standby.
If you find yourself ill and you haven’t made any further than purchasing the oil, don’t fear! There are still lots of ways you can use them to help you. Adding eucalyptus oil into a face towel to relief a stuffy nose, or add to a diffuser to inhale during the day to boost immunity. Add a few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil a bottle of distilled water to make a disinfectant spray.
[Tweet “Kick cold & flu symptoms to the curb with these DIY aromatherapy products #TPWinterRescue”]
Add lavender oil to an unscented night cream and stir well. The scent will help relax you at bedtime helping you to have a more restful sleep. Placing a drop of lavender oil behind the ears or around the navel can help alleviate symptoms of nausea.
Have a sore throat? 1 drop of tea tree oil into a glass of warm water and gargle but don’t swallow.
Cold sore keeping you down? Put a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton swab and gently apply it directly to the cold sore. Apply 3-4 times/day to help the cold sore heal.
Add a few drops to a bowl of hot water with a small towel inside. Place the warm scented towel over your nose and mouth and breathe in. The antibacterial and antiviral properties will help relieve nasal infections.
These are only a few of the many, many uses for these three oils, visit www.thursdayplantationcanada.ca/100uses for more ways to use these three fabulous oils.
Thursday Plantation essential oils can be purchased at Walmart, Rexall, Whole Foods Market, Most Loblaws Supermarket locations, Well.ca, Goodness Me, Nature’s Emporium, and The Big Carrot.
You can find them online on Twitter @thursplantation, Instagram @ThursdayPlantationCanada and on Facebook at Thursday Plantation Canada
Disclosure: Thursday Plantation sent me this complimentary #TPWinterRescue kit, all opinions expressed are entirely my own. This post contains affiliate links, any purchase made through an affiliate link will earn me a small commission.
where do you get your other ingredients like the shea butter from??
Good old Amazon 🙂