Aromatherapy, the Common Cold, Flu and Seasonal Allergies

It's March, Spring is right around the corner and with it comes allergy season but right now we are not yet finished with cold and flu season. When you are suffering from a cold, the flu or allergies, runny noses, tearing or itchy eyes, cough and general feelings of sickness are all easily helped with aromatherapy. And, believe it or not, you have probably used aromatherapy in the past to help. If you have ever used Vicks Vaporub, a hot cup of peppermint tea, Hall's throat lozenges or Tiger Balm you have used aromatherapy. What all these products have in common are menthol (the primary constituent of peppermint), eucalyptus and camphor (both of which contain eucalyptol which gives them their scent). These compounds are used as decongestants, to reduce mucus, ease sore throats ( anti-inflammatory) and are anti-microbial and immune system stimulants. Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oils also aid in reducing temperatures and muscle aches.

In allergies, two essential oils that are helpful are Frankincense and Chamomile and, if you think of it, chamomile has a long history of soothing itchy, irritated skin such as in the hand cream Glysomed. Frankincense also has a long history for treating asthma and coughs as it promotes deep and even breathing and is also an expectorant. Frankincense is now being added to skin care products for its anti-inflammatory properties because of its usefulness in helping in rashes, redness, and aging skin. Look for frankincense in the ingredients as Boswellia. 

But what are some of the easiest ways to use pure essential oils to help when you are feeling like death warmed over from a cold, flu or allergies?

An Aromatherapy Bath or Shower

For coughs, stuffy noses, a cold or the flu, a steamy bath with 8 to 10 drops ( either singly or combined) of eucalyptus, frankincense and lavender oils in the water before bed will help with aches and pains as well as breathing. The lavender essential oil also helps to promote sleep, relaxes achy muscles and is good for coughs because of it's bactericidal effect. If you are time crunched or too tired to wait for a bath, an aromatherapy shower using peppermint and eucalyptus or frankincense and eucalyptus are useful for coughs and noses and you get the added benefit of the steam from the shower.

Steam Inhalation

If most of your symptoms are from a stuffed nose or lung congestion, the old stand by of draping your head with a towel over a steaming bowl of water for about 5 minutes is always a good option. Adding 2-3 drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, frankincense, or a combination of two or all three to the water will help with congestion, cough, and ease breathing. Personally, I find the combination of eucalyptus and peppermint highly reminiscent of Vicks and very relaxing. Use cooler water if you have rosacea because if the water is too hot it can increase redness and irritate the skin.

Compresses
Compresses are done by putting 8-10 drops of essential oil(s) in a bowl of cool (anti-inflammatory) or warm water (pain relief) and using a washcloth, cotton ball or cotton pad (what you use depends on what you have in the house and the size of the area to be treated), placing it in the water and wringing the cloth out so that it is wet but not dripping and placing it on the area to be treated. Replace the compress when the temperature changes and repeat for about 30 minutes.

For hives, a compress of frankincense and chamomile is cooling and soothing. You can also use this combination in a bath.

For itchy eyes, I do not recommend using essential oils but using cold chamomile tea as a compress and placing it over the eyes. It is very soothing and will reduce the inflammation about the eyes as well as itching. Even a cold teabag of regular tea will do as it is cooling and contains caffeine as well as tannin which reduces swelling and tightens the skin (also good for tired eyes).  Mind you, be careful of using chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed, some people react to chamomile because it is related. To check if you are sensitive, place some cold tea (or an essential oil) on a cotton swab and apply the swab to the inside of your wrist and observe the spot for 24 hours. Any redness or itching means on the spot where you applied the substance means that you probably are sensitive and that you should not use it.

Lotions/Creams

Adding essential oils to your favorite lotion, unscented lotions or creams are another easy way to get the benefits of essential oils. Add 1-3 drops of essential oil to an amount lotion about the size of a grape in the palm of your hand and apply.  Some examples are: frankincense and/or chamomile for skin irritations, eucalyptus and peppermint as a chest rub for congestion and, frankincense as a daily massage for asthma. 

Enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and hopefully you will be feeling better in no time.

How to do an Aromatherapy Shower

Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. What then are you going to do when you want to have an aromatherapy bath and no time? An aromatherapy shower! All you need is 1-3 essential oils and a plug or something for the drain.

How to Do It

After you have hopped into your hot shower (you need the steam),  put the plug into the drain and put 3-8 drops of your essential oil(s) into the shower through the running water from above. Enjoy the steam for about 2 minutes or until you can't smell the essential oils anymore.  Pull plug etc. You can do this either at the beginning or end of your shower.

Why this works (In a nutshell) 

There are three ways that essential oils get into the body to affect it: The nose, the skin and the lungs. Essential oil molecules tend to be very small and are easily absorbed through the skin into the body where they have a therapeutic effect on different body systems. These molecules,  being so small, are also easily aerosolized in steam so when you inhale they enter the lungs and thus into the body. In the nose,  essential oils affect the limbic system, a part of the brain that affects emotions and physiologic responses such as blood pressure and heart rate.
So here you are standing in about 2 inches of water (skin), inhaling the steam (lungs, nose) enjoying the scents (nose) of the essential oils.

Some Suggested Blends

• 3 drops Eucalyptus and 5 Grapefruit: Great in the morning to perk up, clear the lungs and make the day seem more cheerful.
• 4 drops Eucalyptus and 4 Peppermint: Smells like Vicks Vapor Rub, great for colds and bronchitis.
• 2 drops Clary Sage, 3 drops Lavender and 3 drops Bergamot: Good for before bed and want a good night's sleep after having a bad day.
• 3 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Peppermint and 3 drops Lemon: Good for cold season and when you need to be alert, gets the mind going.

General Safety Tips
Never use essential oils undiluted on the skin. Always dilute essential oils.
Consult a qualified aromatherapist if you are pregnant or have a complex medical condition.
Use extreme caution when using essential oils on small children and use the safest and most gentle oils in the lowest dilutions.
If in doubt, consult a qualified aromatherapist.