Kick Colds & Flu to the Curb

Killing germs and staying healthy naturally is not just a fad, myth nor is it difficult. The air inside our home is 2-5x more polluted than the air outside. The Environmental Working Group tested 21 different cleaning products, air fresheners and cleaning sprays, and found they emitted more than 450 chemicals into the air including a number of compounds that are linked to asthma, developmental and reproductive harm or cancer. Children are more vulnerable to the effects of these.

Helpful activities to minimize the effects and length of a cold or flu and avoiding all together:

1. Wash Hands often – with antibacterial soap or essential oils

2. Drink lots of water – flush toxins from the body

3. Get enough sleep

4. Eat lots of fruits & vegetables – Vitamin C & antioxidants

5. Exercise- Get Up & Move- help your body rid itself of these germs

For those wishing to complement their treatment with natural remedies, or alternative methods without antibiotics, using essential oils have been effective for thousands of years. Essential oils for colds have been used for years for their antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. The practice of using essential oils for flu symptoms not only help treat the condition, but also help manage stress and improve fatigue often accompanied with being sick.

A few natural, effective remedies:

Sore Throat/Cough – Peppermint, melaleuca (tea tree), clove, lemon, lavender and oregano. Peppermint used because of its high concentration of menthol and potent antiviral characteristics, should only be used on adults. Lavender is preferred for toddlers, safe in small amounts in a diffuser. Melaleuca is known for its powerful antiseptic and antifungal properties. Can be used topically, internally or through a diffuser or steam inhaler.

Recipe homemade cough syrup:

1 drop each essential oil: Lemon, Orange, Frankincense, 1 Peppermint and 1 tsp. honey.

Mix oils with honey and swallow for soothing relief.

Sinus Pain/Congestion- Peppermint, Lavender, Lemon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary. Rosemary essential oil helps clear congested airways or nasal passages. With antibacterial and pain relieving qualities, rosemary can be added to a diffuser, a bath or directly inhaled.

Stuffy Nose – Eucalyptus essential oil; used topically or inhaled.

Other essential oils can be used for treating other symptoms, aches/pains, etc.

Boost Immune System, defend and protect your body with garlic, ginger and frankincense, to name a few.

Flu Bomb- Veggie capsule with 2 drops each, essential oil: OnGuard, Melaleuca, Peppermint, Frankincense, Lemon. Put oils in veggie cap, swallow with water about every 4-6 hours, or as needed. Really helps minimize symptoms and helps the body heal, naturally, without all the side-effects from other drugs.

Citrus essential oils are great for cleansing, purifying, sanitizing and killing germs and are mood uplifting. Cinnamon is another oil proven to be powerful antibacterial/ativirals among essential oils. Great for cleaning door-knobs, the toilet, countertops, appliances, floors and more. Cinnamon keeps surfaces bacteria free and smells wonderful.

The flu can be and is very tiresome, painful and not fun, however, with the right arsenal in your cabinet, you can prevent or minimize the symptoms while improving your health.

It is important to limit sugar, alcohol and processed foods.

Essential oils have been around for centuries and offers a plethora of health benefits, from cleaning and cooking to physical and emotional health. Be sure to verify the grade of your essential oil: food, aromatherapy or therapeutic grade. Essential oils can be used topically, internally and aromatically. But not all oils are organic and safe, so use them responsibly and do your homework.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, please consult your primary care provider before using these products. They are based on personal usage, testimonies and some scientific studies by independent third party labs.