With the fluctuation of temperature comes common sicknesses. It has always been a mystery to me why people get sick in certain seasons. I guess there are many factors contributing to that, such as lack of sunlight, and colder temperatures. This is sure to put your body into a state of stress thus reducing your immunity. So instead of getting the flu shot and taking a whack of pills for the common cold consider taking a holistic approach to boosting your immunity. Below are some immune boosting essential oils to help give your body a kick start when it’s feeling down.
How does your Immune System work?
Top Immune-Boosting Essential Oils
If we pay attention to our bodies, we should know that these minor issues such as a cold and fever are just cues telling us we need to do something to improve our state. Taking a Tyenol or Advil just numbs our senses. If we are aware we can react. Below are some great essential oils you can use to help stimulate your immunity.
Frankincense
Frankincense oil is collected from the Boswellia sacara tree that originates commonly in Somalia. It has antiseptic properties, meaning it disinfects areas by removing viruses and bacteria. Since it is an antiseptic, it is great for your hygiene. It helps prevent issues like tooth decay and bad breath. You can also apply it to any wounds to prohibit infections. Frankincense is often used to soothe headaches, treat fatigue, and nausea and stop drastic mood swings. Overall, Frankincense is an oil with many positive contributions to help you strengthen your immune system.
Tips to Use Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil is the A-Z of all oils that can aid in boosting your immunity exponentially. Some people even claim it prevents and neutralizes Cancer cells, although of course, conventional studies will not support those claims. Ways you can use Frankincense oil is a couple drops in a vaporizer or in your bath water. Like all the oils here it must be diluted with a carrier oil.
Sage
Tips to Use Sage Oil
Sage oil will irritate the skin so you must dilute it with a carrier oil. You can add a couple drops to an oil diffuser or a vaporizer. Another great way to use Sage Oil is to add a couple drops in bath water to help soothe sore muscles and calm nerves.
Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb native to temperate western and southwestern Eurasia and the Mediterranean region. You may have heard about the benefits of oil of Oregano as it has gained widespread popularity across North America. It is has an antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive properties.
Oil of Oregano cleans and disinfect wounds, soothes inflammation, treat respiratory conditions such as chest congestion, colds and flu.
Tips to Use Oregano Oil
Great to use relieve the common cold and flu conditions, pills are available or in a diluted form. You can pick up this oil from health shops to ensure safe consumption and potency. Take 4-6 drops orally each day behind the tongue for best absorption until symptoms dissipate. You can also rub a couple of drops of diluted oil on affected areas of the skin to reduce infection and inflammation.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid mint plant, found in originally in Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now cultivated all around the world. This essential oil is dated back thousands of years, it has been “documented back to 1,000 BC and has been found in several Egyptian pyramids”. (Dr. Axe) No doubt the ancients believed in the powerful abilities of this herb. Relieves sore muscles when used topically. It also has antimicrobial properties so it can help freshen bad breath and soothe digestive issues.
Tips to Use Peppermint Oil
It has cooling properties so instead of popping a Tylenol whenever you have a fever try this: Dab a couple drops of essential oil on the bottom of your feet and rub it in. Within a couple minutes your fever will begin to reduce. This is great to use for small children. Another alternative is dabbing a couple drops on a wet facecloth and placing it over your forehead, avoid the eyes since this may burn the eyes.
I hope you found these tips useful in helping you tackle the common cold and flu. Nowadays we become too dependant on doctors to relieve our common sickness. Too often doctors will prescribe you antibiotics which can make it even harder for your immunity as all the good bacteria dies with antibiotics. By using these simple methods above you can nip sickness in a bud before it even begins to start and boost your immunity as a result.
For more essential oil tips see my other posts.
Want to try something different? How about boosting your immunity using acupressure points? Check it out >>here<<
Have you tried any of these essential oils? Leave your thoughts below in the comments!
I’ve been a huge believer in the health benefits of essential oils for years. I love all of the ones you’ve listed here, especially peppermint. Peppermint is also great for supporting digestion, as you probably know. Two others that I believe are great for boosting the immune system are lavender and eucalyptus. Have you found these to be helpful as well?
Thanks for the comment and the extra tips! I use lavender for headaches and sleep but never knew it has immune boosting properties. Interesting about that, and with eucalyptus I use for respiratory issues but it can very powerful to use so I need to dilute it heavily to prevent burns.
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for great tips about how to use essential oils. I normally buy a cheap one form pound land and put it in a vaporiser. I was really surprised that frankincense was so good and also sage. I am glad you gave advice on how to use as well. I Wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I have a question though can i mix sage and frankincense in my vaporiser? Also what is a carrier oil?
Thanks very much,
Freddy
Hi Freddy! Thanks for the comment! You can mix both, they are both earthy smells so it might not be the best to smell though. It is good to have oils that complement each other like a ctirus and an earthy smell would be nice. Carrier oil is a type of oil you can dilute the essential oil, you can use differen’t types such as almond oil, vegetable oil, olive oil and more. Hope that helps. Cheers!
Hi Dawna, you have some interesting natural tips that I have not heard of before. I see your suggestion of these boosters is focused on oils but do these oils help the immune system externally, with absorption through the skin?
As a kid and even as a young adult I used to get sick all the time. Since then I’ve been taking vitamin C to enhance my immune system. I’m curious about your thoughts on vitamin C. Thanks for the great article.
Andy
Hi Andy, thanks for the comment! Yes it is good to absorb them through your skin if diluted. Some oils can irritate your skin and some are fine but it usually is best to dilute unless otherwise stated. You can dab a couple drops on the wrists and back of knees. It is a good spot for absorption. Vitamin C is great for boosting the immune system, but taking too much can be hard on our bodies so always ensure you go with the recomended dosage. Zinc is amazing for boosting your immunity as well. Cheers.