With the flu season upon us, it is important to keep an eye out for all those nasty viruses floating around. There are many ways to prevent illness, from practicing good hand washing techniques to getting your annual flu shot. If you are looking for something a bit different consider using products that are a bit more natural, we love to use essential oils. Essential oils have long been revered for their health benefits, and promoting great immunity is among them! Here are some of the top essential oils to consider as you try out this natural wellness technique.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil is a wonderful detoxifier. Detoxing helps rid your body of toxins that will hinder your immune system. Lemon is made of 68 percent d-limonene, and may support a healthy circulatory system. Put a few drops into a glass of water each morning to reap the benefits of this amazing oil.
Clove
Clove essential oil is incredible in promoting a healthy immune system. The cloves that the oil comes from are well known for having an extremely high antioxidant level. Antioxidants allow your body to fight off viruses and other ailments.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil does not directly affect your immune system; however it does promote good sleep. Lavender calms the body and relaxes the mind, encouraging your body to sleep restfully. Sleep has a profound effect on your immune system and allows your body to recover and restore. Without quality sleep, your immune defenses will be compromised.
Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil is incredibly useful in warding off illness. It’s antibiotic and disinfectant properties aid in killing viruses, fungi, and preventing germs from growing. Using this in your bath water or soaps will help protect your skin from infection as well as giving both your hair and skin a shiny appearance.
Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil is a natural antiseptic. Ingesting it can help prevent your body from contracting infections. You can also use it on wounds to kill bacteria and germs and promote healing. Even the fumes from burning Frankincense will kill the bacteria that it comes into contact with.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil and Geranium leaves (rose-scented Geranium only) also contains antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-fungal compounds. This makes for a great flu and cold remedy if you believe you are getting sick or have been exposed to someone who is. Drink a cup of Geranium tea for an extra boost to your immune system.
Not sure how to best utilize essential oils? There are a variety of ways to use them that will be beneficial to your overall health and well-being. Diffusers are tools that disperse the oils into the air giving everyone in the household the aromatic benefits. Sprays can be made where a diluted amount of oil is mixed into water or other liquids and used to instantly spray a room. Many oils can be applied topically on various areas of the body, can be administered during a massage or dripped into a warm bath. Those with sensitive skin should test the oil carefully beforehand.
Lemon, clove, lavender, bergamot, frankincense, and geranium are just a few of the essential oils that promote a healthy immune system. When using essential oils, be conscious of quality. For more information on other essential oils and their many natural health benefits, check out this list from Organic Facts.
At the Wellness Collective, we incorporate essential oils in all of our services because we know the power these simple oils can have on overall health and well-being. If you’d like to learn more about our essential oils from one of our staff, please contact us or ask at your next visit!