8 Ways Lavender Can Keep You Free from Colds and Flu this Winter!

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Lavender has to be one of the most romantic and beautiful scents in the entire world. One whiff will bring back memories of hot summer days, walking in fields of wildflowers, listening to bees hum and lavender flowers swaying in the breeze.

However, lavender is much more than just a pleasing scent; it’s also one of the most powerful medicines in the plant world. It provides a calming element, yes, but did you know it’s been used since time immemorial for everything from burns to insect bites, infections to shingles, menstrual cramps to scabies and everything in between?

Lavender has properties that can fight off infectious diseases, including colds and flus. Back in the middle ages, those who tended lavender fields seemed immune to the plague. Why? Although they weren’t aware of it at the time, lavender is an outstanding bactericide and stimulates your body to create more white blood cells, giving you top notch immunity against harmful bacteria and viruses.

So with all the different strains of flus we have around today, it would be smart to protect yourself.

Here is a list of the top 8 ways you can use lavender oil to protect yourself this winter.

1. Air Sanitizer

Everyone knows that germs travel through the air and this is an excellent way to stop them dead in their tracks. In a pot of simmering water, or in a nebulizer, place several drops of lavender essential oil. Allow it to disperse for at least 30 minutes. This method allows both the air to be disinfected and everyone in the room will have their immune system boosted.

2. Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

Combine 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel along with 3 tablespoons of grain alcohol, with 10 drops of lavender oil. Place all in a small, plastic, leak proof bottle. Shake well and use several times a day for a portable source of protection!

3. All Over Body Protection

Enjoy a nice hot bath with the benefits of lavender oil. Add 6 to 8 drops of lavender oil to a half a cup of Epsom salts, then mix well in the bathwater. Not only does this relieve aching muscles and melt away stress, you will be getting a boost to your body via both the steam and the direct application to your skin. Read also about the effect of lemons on skin.

4. Have a Massage

Mix 5 drops of lavender oil with 10 ml of almond oil. You can massage yourself or have someone else massage this directly into the skin. The lavender will be quickly absorbed into your blood stream, thereby giving you all the benefits directly.

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5. Antiseptic Soap

Using an empty liquid soap dispenser, add 20 drops of lavender oil and 8 ounces of Castile or other neutral liquid soap. Shake well and use often during the day. Washing your hands is one of the best ways of stopping the spread of germs.

6. Disinfecting Spray

Add 40 drops of lavender essential oil and 2 cups of water to a spray bottle. Mix well before each use. You can spray almost anything, such as toilet seats, door handles, table top telephones, and bathroom countertops. Take this along with you when you travel to hotel rooms to avoid picking up anything the previous guests may have left behind.

7. Lavender Tissues or Hankies

Get some instant relief, and instant immune boosting properties, by adding 1 – 3 drops of lavender oil to a travel size package of tissues or to your hankie.

8. Power Blend

Below is a blend of oils that has said to have been used by those who would rob graves during the Black Death in the 14^th century. This mix of oils will provide you with an important blend of antiviral and antibacterial properties.

The people at Mountain Rose Herbs say that this mix will stimulate the respiratory and immune systems as well as provide you with a good defense against most colds, flus, sore throats, as well as other more serious respiratory problems.

10 drops of rosemary essential oil
15 drops of lavender essential oil
20 drops of cinnamon essential oil
25 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
35 drops of lemon essential oil
45 drops of clove essential oil

Mix well and add 6 to 8 drops to one ounce of almond, olive, jojoba, or apricot kernel oil. Never use essentials oils directly on your bare skin and remember to use organic oils. Find out how personal care products are harming you.

Sources:

Happymoneysaver.com

Hollyhocklife.org

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