How to Use Essential Oils for Cold Symptoms

Many people suffer from the common cold and everyone searches for relief from their symptoms. Here is how to use essential oils to naturally relieve your symptoms. Essential oils are especially good for children with colds now that many cold medicines for children have been pulled off the store shelves.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Essential oils
• Base oil
• Small container

1. Know the essential oils to use for cold symptoms:
   Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
   Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
   Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules)
   Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
   Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
   Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)
   Lemon (Citrus Limonum)
   Marjoram (Origanum marjorana)
   Peppermint (Mentha piperata)
   Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
   Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
2. Research the essential oil(s) you choose to make sure you don’t have any health conditions that you shouldn’t use that essential oil with.
3. Test all essential oils on the skin before use to make sure that you won’t have a reaction to the essential oil. Do a skin patch test: mix one drop essential oil in 1/2 tsp. base oil, apply to the inside of your arm and cover lightly with gauze to leave the area undisturbed. If any itching, redness or burning occurs rinse the area well with soap and lukewarm water.
4. Add 4 to 5 drops of essential oils to a vaporizer, bowl of hot water for steam inhalation or spray around the room from a spray bottle with warm water in it. This will allow you to get the essential oil vapors into your lungs and nasal passages where they will do the most help.
5. Once you have the essential oils in the air, a chest rub solution can be used to help relieve symptoms. For every ounce of base oil add 20 drops total of essential oil. Mix well.
6. Apply the chest rub to neck and chest three times a day. It’s best right away in the morning and right before bed and once in the middle of the day. After you put the oil on, wear a warm piece of clothing on like a sweater or turtleneck.
7. Along with the help of the essential oils get plenty of rest, fluids and vitamins to help your body get over the cold.

Tips & Warnings

• Sample cold relief blend-4 drops each of eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint and rosemary essential oil.
• Cold rub sample-1 oz. base oil with 6 drops eucalyptus, 5 drops rosemary, 5 drops geranium and 4 drops peppermint added. For children use 2 oz. base oil and the same amount of essential oils.