Stay Healthy with Essential Oils: 3 DIY Ways to Boost Immunity During Cold & Flu Season
As we move into colder months, many of us are looking for natural ways to protect ourselves from the common cold and flu. If you're someone who values holistic health and wants to support your body with plant-based solutions, essential oils might be your new best friend this season. Essential oils have been used for centuries to help us feel better when we have a cold, boost our resilience, and create a comforting atmosphere in your home.
Here are our top three ways to use essential oils to stay healthy, fend off colds, and build resilience for the season ahead.
1. Diffuse Essential Oils for Protection
A powerful way to help support clearer breathing and create a healthier environment at home is by diffusing essential oils. Inhaling essential oils can provide relief for a blocked nose and help reduce airborne pathogens. Not only does diffusing essential oils smell wonderful, but it can also offer incredible benefits for your overall wellness during cold and flu season.
Our Top Picks for Diffusion:
- Eucalyptus Oil: Known for its refreshing and head clearing properties, eucalyptus oil is fantastic for opening a blocked nose. It soothes away puffiness, fortifies our resilience and can help ease breathing, making it a perfect essential oil for a stuffy nose.
- Peppermint Oil: Peppermint’s high menthol content makes it ideal for supporting clear breathing. It’s cooling and invigorating, which can be particularly helpful if you're feeling a bit sluggish or stuffy.
- Tea Tree Oil: This powerful oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties, which can help reduce the amount of microbes in the air, keeping your environment fresh and clean.
How to Use:
- Add 5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil (or a blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree) to your diffuser. For extra resilience, try running your diffuser in high-traffic areas of your home, like the living room or bedroom, for at least 15–20 minutes a few times a day. This DIY cold prevention method can keep the air fresh and provide a sense of ease.
2. Create a DIY Chest Rub for Coughing Relief and Boosting your Resilience
If you’re experiencing a tickle in your throat or a stuffy nose, a DIY chest rub made with essential oils can offer soothing relief. Commercial rubs often contain synthetic ingredients, but making your own natural version with essential oils provides the same comforting warmth and respiratory benefits without any added chemicals.
Our Top Picks for Cough Relief:
- Lavender Oil: Lavender is calming and gentle on the skin, perfect for a chest rub that helps relax the body and ease respiratory discomfort.
- Oregano Oil: This oil has antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help the body fight off infections. It’s a powerful essential oil for cough relief and cold treatment at home.
- Peppermint Oil: Again, peppermint oil shines with its ability to open airways and soothe the respiratory system.
DIY Chest Massage Rub Recipe:
- 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil)
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 1 drops oregano essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix these ingredients in a small jar and rub a small amount onto your chest and neck. Breathe deeply to let the essential oils take effect, soothing away stuffiness and supporting easier breathing. This is a simple, comforting cold remedy at home that uses only natural ingredients to give you relief.
3.Create an Essential Oil-Infused Cleaning Spray for a Healthier Home
Another important aspect of staying healthy during cold and flu season is maintaining a clean home environment. Using a DIY essential oil cleaning spray is a fantastic way to swap out harsh chemicals for natural disinfecting solutions that support a holistic lifestyle. Many essential oils, such as tea tree and lemon, have germ fighting properties that can effectively clean surfaces.
Our Top Picks for Cold & Flu-Fighting Essential Oils for Cleaning:
- Tea Tree Oil: A powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria, viruses, and mold.
- Lemongrass Oil: Known for its uplifting scent and antibacterial properties, lemon oil adds a refreshing boost to your cleaning routine.
- Clove Oil: Another potent antimicrobial essential oil that can offer protection during flu season.
DIY Essential Oil Cleaning Spray Recipe:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 7 drops lemongrass oil
- 7 drops clove oil
Combine these ingredients in a spray bottle, shake well, and use it on surfaces such as countertops, door handles, and bathroom fixtures. Not only does this essential oil spray smell amazing, but it also helps keep your home as a healthier place to be during flu season. This is a simple and effective way to incorporate a protection remedy at home by creating a cleaner environment and atmosphere naturally.
Our Favorite Essential Oil Hacks to Boost Resilience
To build resilience and prevent from getting sick, here are a few quick essential oil hacks:
- Inhale Directly: Place a drop of eucalyptus or peppermint oil on a tissue and inhale throughout the day to keep airways clear and feel healthier.
- Make an Essential Oil Roller: Create a personal essential oil roller with oils like lavender, tea tree, and rosemary to apply on your wrists and neck as a portable protective boost.
- Create a Home Remedy for Skin issues: Tea tree oil is also a fantastic home remedy for skin trouble thanks to its many remarkable wellness boosting properties. Simply dab a diluted drop of tea tree oil on the area that is in trouble to help it get better.
Final Thoughts:
These small steps can make a big difference in building resilience and staying healthy during the colder months. Essential oils for when we feel sick from colds, coughs, and flu provide an excellent natural alternative to support your wellness goals. Incorporate them into your daily routine, and you’ll be taking a proactive approach toward a healthier, more holistic lifestyle all season long.
From creating a DIY cold treatment at home to using essential oils to protect your environment, there’s so much potential in these little bottles.