Using essential oils in cold and flu season

It’s easy to use inhalers for a cold, read more to learn how.

Let’s start with making inhalers for healthy adults, using a total of 15-20 drops of essential oils.

For a cold, I love the conifers–pines, firs and spruces because most of them smell like a Christmas tree!

The therapeutic component of an essential oil is what makes it work. In conifers one of the components is a-pinene. A-pinene is antiviral and b-pinene is antibacterial, both are antispasmodic. Great for chest congestion when dealing with a cold or flu.

So, with that in mind, try this Three pine inhaler for adults:

5 drops Norway pine (Pinus resinosa) a-pinene @ 44%; b-pinene @ 34%
5 drops Pinon pine (Pinus edulis) a-pinene @ 37%; b-pinene @ 9%
5 drops White pine (Pinus strobus) a-pinene @ 27%; b-pinene @ 40%

• To make an inhaler: place the cotton wick in a bowl. For an adult add 15-20 drops of essential oil to the bowl. (for children, use 7-8 drops.
• Move the wick around with a clean tweezers to soak up the oil. Place the wick in the tube of the inhaler-the part with the holes. Put on the cap, snapping it tightly and put the tube in the case, twisting closed. Label the inhaler.

For children over 6 years of age, use 7-8 drops:

You can substitute Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) for Norway pine; Conifers such as Black Spruce (Picea mariana) or Siberian fir (Abies siberica) for pines.

An Antiviral inhaler for a spasmodic cough–For adults:

For kids over 5 years of age (using 7-8 drops):
3 drops Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) a-pinene @ 40%; b-pinene @ 32%; camphene @ 3%
2 drops Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) terpinen-4-ol @ 41%; a-terpinene @ 10%; y-terpinene @ 21%
2 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) a-pinene @ 54%; d-3-carene @ 23%
1 drop Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) 1-8-cineole @ 23%; linalol @ 45%

What is a-terpinene? and what is cineole?
Camphene breaks down mucus. Terpinene-4-ol is antiviral, antibacterial and antispasmodic. A-terpinene and y-terpinene are antiviral and antispasmodic. d-3-carene breaks down mucus, 1-8-cineole is an airborne antimicrobial, an antiviral, and breaks down mucus. Lastly, linalol is an airborne antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, and an immunostimulant.

To boost immunity for adults and children over 6:
5 drops Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) linalol @ 27%; linalyl acetate @ 45%
2 drops Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) 1-8-cineole @ 23%; linalol @ 45%
5 drops Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) d-limonene @ 96%
3 drops Geranium (Pelargonium x asperum) geraniol @ 15 %

The addition of geranium blends nicely with the lavender, the geraniol component is an airborne antimicrobial and antibacterial. Knowing the therapeutic components helps determine what essential oil to use.

Happy blending,

Crystal