For some of us, winter isn’t just about the holidays, the cold weather also brings along with it coughs, colds, flu and other seasonal illnesses. But what if we could use something as simple as an essential oil in our homes to help keep these illnesses at bay?
What is an essential oil
Essential oils are highly volatile substances that are extracted from plants. These oils have been around for centuries and have been used in spiritual rituals, for medicinal purposes, as a fragrance and for skin care for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that essential oils were in used in ancient India, Persia & Egypt. By the middle ages essential oils were even used in medieval pharmacies.
Even today many holistic and native medicine practices utilise essential oils and plant extracts to create remedies. For example, ayurvedic medicine which is becoming more popular in Western culture has been around for thousands of years and has been using plant extracts to make medicines and treat people for various health concerns.
Modern science is always exploring and researching more into essential oils to find out how they can benefit us and there are many studies that show essential oils used correctly and safely can be a huge benefit in helping to keep us well.
What I personally love about essential oils is that one oil can go from being a beauty product to a rescue remedy for emotional health or physical health. A great example is Lavender, which is amazing for the skin due to its ability to help repair, but it can also be used to relieve stress, for insomnia, and it’s one of the few essential oils that can be used neat on cuts and scrapes.
Today there are thousands of different brands of essential oils available on the market, however, it is important to note that not all essential oils are made equally. To truly reap the benefits, essential oils should be pure and made to a high quality.
Always look for a manufacturer whose product is organic, and therapeutic grade because these come from plants grown free of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. If an oil is labelled as extract or fragrance only it is not therapeutic and may not be suitable for use on the skin. An easy way to ensure quality is to look for the soil association’s approval of the product.
Always check for the plant’s Latin name on the label, and never consume an essential oil unless it has been preblended into a suitable form by a qualified person.
Here is a list of essential oils I find particularly beneficial during winter and how they can help.
- Feeling Sad (trigger those happy hormones) – Sweet Orange, Coriander, Pine, Grapefruit
Negativity – Sweet Orange, Clary Sage, Neroli, Pine
Stressed – Geranium, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Basil
Anxious – Lavender, Clary Sage, Sandalwood, Juniper Berry
Need to relax – Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary, Chamomile
Tantrums – Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Rose
Wakeup – Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Basil, Black Pepper
Antibacterial – Eucalyptus, Geranium, Thyme, Cinnamon Leaf
Antiviral – Eucalyptus, Lemon, Bergamot, Peppermint
Coughs – Frankincense, Eucalyptus Radiata, Sandalwood
Immunity – Cinnamon, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage
Decongest – Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint, Basil
(Purifying) Flu – Eucalyptus, Lemon, Black pepper, Tea Tree, Lavender
To start off your wardrobe of oil I would recommend, Lavender, Geranium and Eucalyptus especially for winter because together they do give you multiple benefits. And these oils do last a long time because a little bit goes a very long way.
If you are wondering where to purchase a high-quality essential oil click here to check out our soil-certified, organic and therapeutic-grade tested oils.
Safety recap
- Always follow the manufactures instructions
- Never exceed the essential oil measurements provided in recipes
- never consume an essential oil unless it is certified as food grade.
- Do not use on infants and babies 3 months or younger, and always ensure the essential oil chosen for a child is suitable.
