When the weather turns chilly and the sniffles start to set in, there's nothing quite like the comforting embrace of essential oils to ease your cold symptoms. Inhaling essential oils through diffusers not only fill your space with delightful scents but can also provide relief from congestion, coughs, and overall discomfort. In this blog post, we'll explore a collection of tried-and-tested diffuser recipes designed to help you combat the common cold and its bothersome symptoms. So, let's dive into the world of essential oils and discover the perfect blends to soothe your cold.
Understanding Essential Oil Inhalation
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being. When inhaled, these oils can affect our mood, alleviate stress, and provide relief from common ailments like colds and congestion. Diffusers are an excellent way to disperse essential oils into the air, allowing you to enjoy their benefits in your home or workspace.
Tried-and-Tested Diffuser Recipes
Now it's your turn to try out our favorite essential oil diffuser recipes to erase colds and get you back on your feet fast.
Cold Buster
- 3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 drops Peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil
This powerful blend is your go-to recipe for knocking out cold symptoms. Eucalyptus opens your airways, peppermint provides a cooling sensation to ease congestion, and tea tree oil has natural antiviral properties to help fight the cold virus.
Citrus Splash
- 3 drops Lemon essential oil
- 2 drops Orange essential oil
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
Citrus oils like lemon and orange are packed with immune-boosting antioxidants like d-Limonene. They can also help uplift your mood while lavender's soothing qualities provide comfort during your cold.
Congestion Crusher
- 3 drops Rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops Frankincense essential oil
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
Rosemary supports respiratory health with 1.8 cineole (eucalyptol), while frankincense helps reduce inflammation. Lavender rounds out the blend with its calming properties, promoting a peaceful night's sleep even when you're feeling under the weather.
Immune Defender
- 3 drops Cinnamon essential oil
- 2 drops Clove essential oil
- 2 drops Ginger essential oil
Spices aren't just for the kitchen; they can also help alleviate cold symptoms. Cinnamon, clove, and ginger essential oils create a warming and invigorating blend that can help clear congestion and boost your energy.
Calming Comfort
- 3 drops Chamomile essential oil
- 2 drops Bergamot essential oil
- 2 drops Cedarwood essential oil
When colds leave you feeling drained, this blend can provide a sense of calm and relaxation. Chamomile soothes, bergamot uplifts your spirits, and cedarwood offers grounding support.
More Inhalation Techniques
Don’t forget there are many ways to inhale essential oils to take advantage of their therapeutic benefits. Here are several ways you can safely inhale essential oils:
Direct Inhalation:
Direct inhalation involves inhaling essential oils directly from the bottle or your hands.
- Place a drop or two of essential oil onto a tissue, cotton ball, or the palm of your hand.
- Cup your hands over your nose and mouth, or simply hold the tissue or cotton ball near your nose and breathe deeply.
Steam Inhalation:
Steam inhalation can provide a powerful boost of essential oils when added to hot water.
- Boil a pot of water and pour it into a bowl.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to the hot water.
- Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel to trap the steam, and inhale deeply. Be cautious not to get too close to avoid burns.
Aromatherapy Jewelry:
Aromatherapy necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry items are designed to hold essential oils.
- Place a drop or two of your chosen oil on the jewelry's diffusing wood, stone, or bead.
- Wear the jewelry throughout the day to enjoy the scent.
Check out one of our favorite aromatherapy bracelet below.
Conclusion:
Harnessing the power of essential oils through aromatherapy is a wonderful way to alleviate the discomfort of a cold. These diffuser recipes offer a natural and pleasant alternative to over-the-counter medications. Experiment with these blends, adjust the ratios to your preference, and find the combination that works best for you. With a little aromatherapy, you'll be breathing easier and feeling better in no time. Stay cozy, stay well!
Stay Inspired. Stay Connected.
Seeds of Thyme is dedicated to providing education about the use of essential oils. This information is intended for educational purposes only and not as medical advice. Always consult with a health practitioner before starting any new health regimen.
Research and References
- Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163989/
- Inhaled 1,8-Cineole Reduces Inflammatory Parameters in Airways of Ovalbumin-Challenged Guinea Pigs https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1742-7843.2010.00622.x
- Frankincense--therapeutic properties https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27117114/
- Effects of Lavender on Anxiety, Depression, and Physiological Parameters: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34775136/
- An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and women https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16298774/
- Limonene: Aroma of innovation in health and disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29427589/
- Effects of Ginger and Its Constituents on Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation and Calcium Regulation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3604064/
- Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8036487/
- Effects of bergamot ( Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.) essential oil aromatherapy on mood states, parasympathetic nervous system activity, and salivary cortisol levels in 41 healthy females https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25824404/
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) May Have Antidepressant Activity in Anxious Depressed Humans - An Exploratory Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600408/
