3 essential oils for colds and other winter ailments

Peppermint essential oil for immunity against colds

Peppermint essential oil (aka Mentha x piperita) is a powerful ally for preventing and relieving winter discomforts (1).

It helps to support the immune system with its revitalising action, immunomodulating activity and potential antiviral and antibacterial properties (2-3). Also, it is invaluable in cases of bronchial or nasal congestion.

The latter property is explained by the presence of several active substances: menthol, menthone, neomenthol and iso-menthone.

However, this oil should be used sparingly and with caution, as some of its components have powerful effects. In particular, menthol can be dermocaustic (i.e. cause burns to the skin and mucous membranes) and menthone can be neurotoxic.

Inhale peppermint essential oil for relaxation

To clear your airways in the event of a winter ailment, prepare a refreshing, decongestant blend by combining these 3 essential oils in a 5 ml roll-on:

• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil;
• 4 drops of real lavender essential oil;
• 10 drops of lemon essential oil;
• then dilute the contents by filling the roll-on with sweet almond vegetable oil.

Inhale the mixture, taking approximately ten 5-second breaths each time. Repeat regularly throughout the day.

Apply peppermint essential oil as a decongestant

For colds and other winter ailments, you can also apply essential oils topically. In a 30 ml bottle, prepare a decongestant and mucolytic (mucus-thinning) mixture:

• 40 drops of peppermint essential oil;
• 40 drops of eucalyptus radiata essential oil;
• 40 drops of ravintsara essential oil;
• then dilute the contents with sweet almond vegetable oil.

Taking care not to touch the eyes (keeping them closed) and to avoid the mucous membranes, apply 10 to 15 drops of this mixture to the sinus areas, 3 times a day, for 5 to 10 days, depending on how the treatment progresses.

To clear the nose, you can also put 1 or 2 drops of peppermint on a paper handkerchief, to be inhaled from time to time.

Peppermint essential oil as a powerful dietary supplement to boost immunity

As the internal use of essential oils carries risks, choose a reference food supplement containing peppermint essential oil rather than a homemade blend.

This will help strengthen your immune defences, weakened by winter ailments, and provide a significant boost to your body’s natural protection (4).

For greater effectiveness, opt for synergies, organically produced oils and supplements contained in oil-filled capsules (three characteristics shared by the immunostimulant Organic Defense Mix organic supplement, which combines essential oils of peppermint, oregano, lemon and Chinese cinnamon).

Thyme essential oils for winter ailments

Two essential oils of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) are excellent for ENT health:

• Thyme CT thujanol (potentially antimicrobial and immunomodulating);
• Thyme CT linalool (potentially antibacterial and soothing, milder and easier to use, broad-spectrum).

They are based on a broad class of active substances including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and, as their names suggest, thujanol and linalool respectively (5).

Thyme essential oil for throat and chest massage

If you have a cough or hoarseness, prepare a soothing, decongestant blend by mixing the following 3 essential oils in a 5 ml bottle:

• 10 drops of CT thujanol thyme essential oil;
• 10 drops of thyme CT linalool essential oil;
• 20 drops of eucalyptus radiata essential oil;
• then dilute the contents with sweet almond vegetable oil.

Carefully apply 6 to 7 drops of this mixture to the skin in the throat area, including the lymph node area. Repeat the massage 3 or 4 times a day for 5 days (unless irritation occurs).

As a preventive measure, you can also massage the upper chest with the mixture, repeating the operation once a month in winter, or during epidemic periods.

Warning: there are other thyme essential oils that are not compatible with this type of recipe. Thymol thyme essential oil, for example, causes skin irritation.

The effectiveness of ravintsara essential oil for colds

Highly prized for fighting germs of all kinds (6), ravintsara essential oil (aka camphor tree or Cinnamomum camphora) is a must-have in any aromatherapy kit.

It's easy to use and effective in a number of ways: diffusion, aromatic baths, dry inhalation, etc.

Its properties are based on its exceptional composition, particularly the presence of eucalyptol and sabinene.

Ravintsara essential oil for anti-microbe diffusion

In an essential oil diffuser, mix a few drops of ravintsara essential oil and lemon essence (an aromatic extract extracted from the zest).

Diffuse for 20 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day, in the main room of the house.

You can use this as a preventive measure to clear the air, or even more so in the event of an epidemic (cold or other).

Ravintsara essential oil in an aromatic bath to combat winter ailments

Need to relieve congestion and want to relax while revitalising yourself?

Pour 2 tablespoons of black soap into a small bottle, followed by 10 drops of ravintsara essential oil, 5 drops of niaouli essential oil and 10 drops of Scots pine essential oil.

Then run this mixture under the bath tap to emulsify and create an aromatic bath. The water temperature should not exceed 42°C. Stay in the bath for around a quarter of an hour, taking deep breaths.

Use ravintsara essential oil as a dry inhalation

For a blocked or runny nose, prepare a respiratory blend of ravintsara essential oil, eucalyptus radiata essential oil and lavandin essential oil.

Put a few drops of this mixture on a handkerchief and inhale several times a day.

For wet inhalation, choose balsam fir or eucalyptus radiata essential oils. Add one of the two oils to a bowl of simmering water, then breathe for 5 to 10 minutes under a towel, keeping your eyes closed and taking care not to irritate your mucous membranes. If you suffer from asthma, do not inhale without medical advice.

Warning: essential oils must be used with certain precautions and require the supervision of a health professional. They are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or children under the age of 7.