It is that time of year again! Everyone is getting sick with a cold or the flu.
So what should we do? Stay inside and not go anywhere? There are some people, like young children, older people, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions that are at higher risk for complications from the flu. These individuals should do everything they can to stay inside and away from others.
Essential Oils – How They Can Help
Essential oils are the basic materials of aromatherapy. They are derived from the fragrant essences of many plants. These essences are produced in the cells of the plant using energy from the sun, air, soil, and water. When the plant is crushed the essence or oil scent is released.
These beautiful oils are extracted by distilling, pressing, tincturing or macerating. Each type of essential oil has a different chemical composition that affects how it smells, how it is absorbed, and how it is used by the body. Even the oils from varieties of plants within the same species may have chemical compositions different from each other. The same applies to plants that are grown or harvested in different ways or locations.
Essential oils are very concentrated, hence very powerful. As an example is it takes 220 lbs of lavender flowers to make about 1 pound of essential oil. The chemical composition of plants determines their benefit. Example: peppermint contains menthol which aids in relieving digestive issues.
Studies suggest that the potent active ingredient in peppermint oil, menthol, helps to calm spasms in the muscles which helps alleviate nausea, indigestion, bloating and IBS symptoms. Another example: Digitalis, a traditional western medicine for the heart, was originally extracted from the plant Foxglove. The use of D. purpurea extract containing cardiac glycosides for the treatment of heart conditions was first described in the English-speaking medical literature by William Withering, in 1785.
Basic Cold Formula For The Bath
Thyme Linalol 2 drops
Tea Tree 2 drops
Eucalyptus Radiata 2 drops
Geranium 3 drops
Cardamom 3 drops
Add 5 drops of the blend to a teaspoon of an oil such as grapeseed, sunflower, or jojoba
Draw water, immerse yourself, add the mixture to the bath, lay back and deeply inhale while relaxing.
Elderberry Syrup
Multiple clinical trials have been published on the ability of elderberry to shorten the length of time we suffer from cold or flu symptoms. Top 3 health benefits of black elderberry:
- Enhanced cytokine levels: our immune system communicates with cytokines
- An antioxidant boost – antioxidants protect our cells in various ways
- Slowing down a virus – data suggests elderberry can suppress viral activity.
You can find Elderberry Syrup at The Pantry By Stone Hollow Farmstead.
The Pantry by Stone Hollow Farmstead Flu Buster Program
- Flu Buster Hot Tea – Shortening of colds and flu
- Urban Moonshine Elderberry Syrup
- Botaniko Tulsi Hydrosol – A must for fighting cold and flu germs. Spray hands after grocery shopping, keep kiddos hands clean, wipe off phones. It is your water-based essential oil. Use when oils aren’t appropriate.
- Botaniko Decongest Essential Oil – Inhalation – Apply under the nose to decongest. Roll into hand and rub hands together, inhale with long deep breaths. Use in the steam shower by rubbing on chest and torso and let hot shower infuse and diffuse oils
- Balneo therapy – Add 4-5 drops into a drawn hot bath. Immerse your body and inhale the oils as they diffuse.
