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Plant essences derived from herbs, seeds, and leaves were the first medicines of our ancestors. In the modern world, we often look to pharmaceutical drugs instead of the tried-and-true natural remedies that work more slowly, but usually more effectively, than drugs and antibiotics – but when it comes to cold and flu, essential oils such as oregano, cinnamon, frankincense, lemon, eucalyptus and peppermint are prized by healers and naturopaths.
How Essential Oils Work: Intelligent Chemistry
Essential oils contain hundreds of molecules that work together to kill viruses and bacteria and to support our bodies’ health. Unlike drugs, viruses do not develop resistance to essential oils because each batch of oil is unique depending on a growing season’s temperature range, wind, rain, time of the harvest, and more. For this reason, oils can be more effective at beating cold and flu than drugs – and they continue to work long after a virus would have developed resistance to antibiotics.
For more information, see Intelligent Chemistry.
Using Aromatherapy Oils When You Feel Sick
When it comes to cold and flu, use oils early and reapply frequently! It’s easy to fend off a cold with a bit of cinnamon or oregano essential oil if you notice it early enough – when your cough or sore throat starts, but before you get sick – and you apply the right oils every few minutes or every hour.
If you’ve already got a full-blown cold or flu, the oils can help to speed your recovery, but you may need to use them more aggressively to see results – internally, in water or capsules*.
Essential Oils for Cold and Flu: Best Essential Oils and How to Apply Them
Oregano - One of the most popular essential oils for treating everything from cold and flu to warts, oregano is considered a “hot” oil (it will heat up and tingle) and should be used cautiously. Do not apply to the face or throat without diluting it first with pure olive oil or another fatty oil. If you do get some on your face, dilute with butter or oil, NOT water! Oregano is best applied on the back, shoulders, and the bottoms of the feet.
Lemon - Lemon is great for boosting the immune system from within. Take a drop or two in every glass of water throughout the day, or use in capsules. Lemon is photosensitive so it should not be applied to skin.
Cinnamon - Another hot oil, cinnamon is great for boosting the immune system and has been shown to support the pancreas and digestive system (in Chinese medicine, the pancreas/spleen relates to the immune system). Apply on the feet or inhale.
Frankincense - One of the most powerful immune-boosting oils, real frankincense does not come cheap ($80-100 for 15mL) but it’s worth its weight in gold. Frankincense is mild on the skin and can be applied anywhere. For persistent colds, fill a capsule with 10-20 drops of frankincense and take on an empty stomach*.
Peppermint and Eucalyptus - These oils are cool and soothing and are known to clear the respiratory system and ease breathing. They can be applied directly to the neck, throat, chest, and back to open the lungs or inhaled to soothe the sinuses. Peppermint and eucalyptus are safe to apply on the skin.
For more directions, see "Essential Oil Application" (coming soon)
Preventative Medicine: Boosting the Immune System with Essential Oils
The same essential oils that you might use to treat a virus, cold or flu can be used as prevention. If your workplace is contaminated or half your child’s class has been sick this week, now might be a good time to start using oils. You can apply them less often but just as you would for a cold.
A drop of oregano oil on the bottom of your feet in the morning, or lemon in your water glass at lunch, can go a long way in boosting your immune system and preventing you from catching the office cold.
See also:
* Warning: Do not use any product internally unless you are certain of its source and purity. Only certified therapeutic-grade oils are safe for internal or topical use. Other oils may be toxic. Be aware that labeling may be misleading.
The information contained in this article is not intended to diagnose any ailment or prescribe treatment. Please consult your doctor or naturopath before attempting to use any natural product internally.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
