Alleviating
With
Aromatherapy
When Spring springs, we sometimes get
confused as to whether the symptoms we are
experiencing are due to the common cold or
due to seasonal allergies. Remember that
colds are caused by viruses, while seasonal
allergies are immune system responses
triggered by exposure to an allergen—often
pollen and grass come Spring. These two
conditions may share some symptoms, such
as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, fatigue,
nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat.
That is why essential oils that address cold
symptoms also can alleviate allergy
symptoms, as well.
Essential oils are powerful gifts provided by
nature to support and sustain us. These
potent oils are extracted from various parts of
plants and trees, including stems, leaves,
bark, roots, buds, and fruit. The use of these
oils is called aromatherapy, and there are
many methods to make use of these essences,
including through massage creams/lotions,
hot baths, oil diffusers, and spray mists. Below
are two very simply, yet helpful aromatherapy
remedies when allergy season blows in with
the winds of March. I use four of my favorite
multi-purpose oils for the remedies, though
you can use a combination of two, or others.
Make sure you use therapeutic or
aromatherapy grade oils:
Eucalyptus-Good for colds, flu, sinus
congestion and more
Peppermint-Good for colds, flu, coughs,
headaches and more
Tea Tree-Good for colds, flu, cold sores,
coughs and more
Lavender-Good for coughs, flu, headaches,
sore throat, insomnia and more
Immunity Steam Bath
I combine four of my favorite allergy blends
for this steam bath. I use a special pot just for
this purpose, so I won’t have any concerns of
ingesting any residue of the essential oils. Fill
a small pot with water. Add a drop each of
eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and lavender
oils. On the stove, bring the infused water to a
steam, though not a boil. Remove the pot off
the stove and lean over it—about 10 inches—
holding a towel over your head, creating a tent
to keep the oil vapor in. Make sure you close
your eyes. Breathe deeply for approximately
two minutes. Caution—do not use this method
if you have asthma.
Immunity “Smelly”
Adding essential oils to a napkin or paper
towel is an easy way to inhale the scent for
several hours. I call these concoctions
“smellies.” Simply add one drop each of
peppermint, tea tree, and lavender oils to the
paper napkin/towel. Place it on your
nightstand or under your pillow to help enjoy
a more restful night’s sleep. The next day, you
can add a drop of eucalyptus and place the
smelly in your purse or pocket to pull out as
needed to assist with decongestion.
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