Find Out All the Benefits of Using Essential Oils for Common Cold

If you are like me, you probably hate catching the cold. The sneezing nonstop, runny nose, sore throat-just everything seems to make it worse. I have been there and know just how frustrating that can get. Sometimes you’re just looking for some easy, natural way to feel better. That’s where the essential oils come in. Let’s dive into how they help combat the common cold symptoms.

Essential oils are the organic extracts of plants. They are very often used for their therapeutic properties. If you have ever walked through a field of lavender or smelled fresh eucalyptus, you know just how certain plants can calm and soothe. Essential oils capture all that goodness and put it into a bottle.

Essential oils have been used for many centuries due to their versatile purposes: nourishing skin, and strengthening one’s psyche, among others. Yes, they can be used in alleviating a cold. They cannot cure it, yet they will make you a bit more comfortable.

You have probably heard of eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil when it comes to cold relief. These oils, among a few others, help clear up congestion, reduce headaches, and even help improve your sleep when you’re under the weather. Let me share with you how they work.

• Eucalyptus Oil: A Breath of Fresh Air

Eucalyptus oil, when one’s nose is clogged up, cinched tightly shut, may feel like a lifesaver. The active ingredient of cineole serves well in its remedy for respiratory illnesses. Even just inhaling it, one breathes a little easier.

You just need to add a few drops in a bowl of hot water and inhale that steam. This I have done when my congestion was so bad that, practically, I could hardly breathe; all of a sudden, it was as if I breathed again, air reaching my lungs. Besides, it gives off a fresh scent, leaving everything a little cleaner.

• Peppermint Oil: Cooling Relief

Peppermint oil is yet another on the list of favorable cold symptom relievers. It is the menthol in it that gives the cooling sensation one feels when using it. I like to rub a diluted version of peppermint oil onto my temples when I have a headache or onto my chest when I am feeling congested. The instant relief given makes it easier to relax.

And the best part? You can take a couple of drops and add them to a diffuser so that it gives off a nice scent around your room. It not only clears airways but also creates freshness in your space and makes it fresh and calming for the senses.

• Lavender Oil: Relax and Recover

Lavender oil is perhaps not the first oil one would turn to when catching a cold, but it will be very effective. Lavender has a reputation for its calming properties, and when you are sick, rest is an urgent need to recover well.

Whenever I have a cold and am feeling uneasy, I sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on my pillow. It works for me to fall asleep, sleep faster, and sleep longer. Let me assure you that when one is sick with a cold, nothing works as well as a good night’s sleep.

Now, before you get into using all those essential oils, here are a few things that you have always got to remember. Always make sure you dilute them with some sort of carrier oil before putting them into the skin, for it will prevent irritation. Also, do a patch test first; some people have super sensitive skin or can develop allergic reactions, and in such cases, the minute you feel any burning or itching, you immediately have to wash it off.

As for inhalation, don’t overdo it: a couple of drops in a diffuser or steam bowl will do. Sometimes more is not better, and you would not want to overwhelm your senses.

Last but not least, do not take essential oils internally without consulting any healthcare professional. The reason is that several oils are toxic if ingested internally.

Essential Oil Blends for Cold Relief

Sometimes, the combination of just a few different essential oils creates an even stronger remedy. I love mixing eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender together when I am feeling the start of a cold, because the comfort, decongested feeling, and calm all mix together. Let me share a few that work wonders:

Steam Inhalation Blend

• 2 drops eucalyptus oil
• 1 drop of peppermint essential oil
• 1 drop of tea tree oil

Add these to a bowl of hot water, lean over it, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam. It’s like a mini sauna for your sinuses. I’ve used this at times when I’m feeling completely stuffed up, and within minutes, I could breathe more easily.

Bedtime Blend

• 3 drops of lavender essential oil
• 2 drops of chamomile essential oil
• 1 drop eucalyptus oil

Diffuse this blend into your bedroom before bed. It clears the airways while it calms the mind, helping you to easily slip into sleep. And if you have ever been awakened all night by a cold, you can appreciate how priceless that is.

You may wonder why essential oils and not traditional medications for colds will be used. Actually, my reason is straightforward: going natural. I just do not want to depend upon those synthetic medications every time I catch some sickness. Sometimes the medications come with side effects such as drowsiness or stomach upset. Essential oils, on the other hand, are soft and natural.

Besides, with essential oils, it is not only that they just alleviate the symptoms, but they relax me, and while I am sick, peacefulness also matters.

A few months ago, I caught the worst cold. My constant running nose, sore throat, and headache were just getting worse with each passing day. I tried another remedy without using over-the-counter medications: essential oils. I prepared a blend for a steam inhalation for myself with eucalyptus and peppermint oils; it was sensational.

It was not only opening up my sinuses but offering a relaxing effect. That night, I had put the lavender oil on my pillow. Voilà. I slept one of the best night’s sleep I’d had in days. The next morning, I was much better. Since then, essential oils have been my first-aid therapy or solution whenever I feel unwell.

Other Essential Oils You Can Try

Along with eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender, here are some more essential oils that can help support symptoms of a cold:

• Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antimicrobial properties, this oil will help you battle nasal monsters to ward off the cold. Very good for inhalation with steam or diffusing.
• Lemon oil is refreshing, but it rejuvenates the immune system. I love putting a drop in my diffuser during the day to keep my atmosphere clean and fresh in every form.
• Thyme Oil: Perhaps contains the most potent antiviral properties, and it can be taken in via the steaming of the product for the cleaning of your respiratory tract.

It might, however, irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions in some. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil or carry out a patch test, if you ever use them on your skin. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any health complications in the background, it is better to consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils.

Next time you catch a cold, instead of reaching for medications right away, take a considerate try with essential oils. They bring in natural relief and clear up blockages, relaxing you further. In my experience, they made a huge difference to me in managing the symptoms of a cold. You’ll be surprised how a few drops of these oils will make you feel a lot better.

And to help you relax, and give your body much-needed rest while colds do pass, don’t forget a massage can, too. You can book a session to come in and relax at more experience.