The Best Essential Oil For Colds, Flus, Sore Throats, And How To Use Them

herbs and essential oils on science sheet

Photo credit: bigstock

Top of the flu season to you! Yep, it’s that time of year again, where people get together to exchange food, presents, colds, flu viruses, and sore throats, isn’t that nice?

You don’t have to take it, though. This is the time to call out the tough guys; essential oils. These aren’t there just to smell good; they fight germs and viruses and can really get you through these long cold months. Essential oils are little miracles in a bottle that will help prevent colds, sore throats, congestion, and help you feel better in a jiffy.

Keep reading so you that you can be prepared to bring out the heavy artillery the next time your relatives come to town!

 

1. Best Essential Oil for Colds

The absolute best oils to use in aroma lamps or diffusers to stop colds are:

  • Lavender
  • Rosemary
  • Eucalyptus
  • Peppermint
  • Camphor
  • Sage
  • Tea Tree
  • Thyme
  • Oregano

Keep your environment germ free by using a diffuser with 5 to 8 drops of any of the above oils. This is a terrific way to stop the spread of germs by killing them in the air and by breathing in their healing properties continuously.

essential oils with lemon and mint

Photo credit: bigstock

2. Best Essential Oils for Sore Throats

To ease those painful sore throats, the best essential oils to use are:

  • Lemon
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Tea Tree
  • Eucalyptus
  • Rosemary
  • Peppermint
  • Sage

Of course, the best way to use these oils for sore throats is to gargle with them. Add one or two drops to about 4 ounces (half a cup) of warm water and gargle for about 1 minute. Don’t swallow! Be sure to spit out the solution.

You can also inhale essential oils. Try adding about 2 drops of any of the above essential oils to the palms of your hands and rub them together. Cup your hands together over your nose and take in 4 to 6 deep breaths. Breathe in very slowly and very deeply for best results. You can make a “to go” bag by adding about 4 drops of your chosen essential oil to some cotton balls placed in a plastic zip lock bag. You can put this in your pocket or purse and use them anytime you like.

Essential oils also work well when used with steam. Place 6 or 8 drops of any of the above essential oils in a small pot of boiling water and drape a towel over your head, making a tent, and breathe in the steam for 5 or 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn your face. Find out also winter sore throat tea recipes.

Photo credit: bigstock

Photo credit: bigstock

3. Best Essential Oils to Reduce Fevers and Chills

For those annoying chills and painful fevers, the best essential oils are:

  • Black Pepper
  • Peppermint
  • Tea Tree
  • Chamomile
  • Lemon
  • Lavender

Using any of the above oils, add 2 or 3 drops in one teaspoon of a carrier oil such as jojoba, olive, coconut, sweet almond, or avocado oil. Read more about all coconut oil uses. Massage this mixture over the chest and then cover with a towel to enhance its effects. You can also apply it to the bottom of your feet and then cover them with socks before going to bed.

You can also apply a few drops to a cool compress and apply it to your forehead.

 

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Essential Oils Everyone Should Keep at Home

 

Some people enjoy a bath when they have chills or a fever. You can add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to 1 tablespoon of a carrier oil, mix well, then apply this mixture to your bath. Don’t place this mix under running water or the oils will evaporate quickly. Add it to the water just before you get in. Remember to breathe in the steam!

bottle of grapefruit essential oil - beauty treatment

Photo credit: bigstock

4. Best Essential Oils for Congestion

There is nothing more irritating than not being able to breathe. The best essential oils for stuffed up heads are:

  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Hyssop
  • Cedarwood
  • Frankincense
  • Tea Tree
  • Sandalwood
  • Eucalyptus
  • Peppermint

This is where a diffuser really comes in handy. Adding a few drops to a room diffuser will allow these healing oils to be breathed in and unclog blocked sinuses as well as kill off the bacteria and viruses that are causing the problems. Diffuse your bedroom at night to ensure you get the rest you need to heal.

You can also breathe these in via steam in a pot of water, a bath, or directly from the bottle.

Photo credit: bigstock

Photo credit: bigstock

5. Cold and Sore Throat Mix for Babies and Small Children

This is a very gentle, yet healing, salve that will help your baby or toddler breathe more easily, heal more quickly, and help them sleep better when they are sick.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Teaspoons cocoa butter
  • 3 Teaspoons of beeswax
  • 9 Teaspoons of coconut oil or olive oil
  • 5 Drops of Frankincense essential oil
  • 5 Drops of Tea Tree essential oil
  • 10 Drops of Lavender essential oil

Directions:

Melt the beeswax and cocoa butter in a double boiler. When melted, stir in the essential oils, coconut or olive oil. Mix well and remove from heat. Pour into a glass container and allow to cool completely before closing the lid. Apply this mixture to your baby’s chest, feet, or back twice per day.

Always buy organic, 100 percent pure therapeutic grade essential oils for best results.

//

One Comment

  1. Heather Blunt

    Oct 15, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    I’m really glad to read it all. I’m collecting now qll the information about essential oil’s efffect and benefits, so want to thank you!