Winter Essentials: 3 Must-Have Essential Oils for the Cold Season
As the weather changes, it can bring along some unwelcome health effects like nasal congestion, coughing, and muscle aches. Alongside scarves, gloves, and sweaters, consider adding certain essential oils to your shopping list. These oils can strengthen the body, reduce stress, and foster a pleasant home environment with a lovely scent.
Winter brings with it many challenges: cold, early dark evenings, and of course, seasonal illnesses like flu and colds. Essential oils can be a wonderful tool for adding calmness, improving health, and increasing the sense of well-being at home. Just a few drops of the right oils can ease breathing, aid restful sleep, and even provide protection against infections. To prepare you for winter, we've gathered three basic oils. Each offers its unique benefits.
- Eucalyptus: For Respiratory Relief
Eucalyptus oil is known for helping ease the respiratory tract and can be a wonderful first aid in the cold season. A few drops in a burner, bath, or applied to the chest (with a carrier oil) can help release congestion and reduce coughing. Tip: Prepare a bowl of hot water with a few drops of eucalyptus, cover your head with a towel, and try to breathe in as much steam as possible. It's perfect for releasing your breath during a cold and congestion.
Note:Regular eucalyptus oil is not recommended for children under age 3, which many are unaware of. There is an oil called Eucalyptus Radiata, which is safe for use from birth. You can put one or two drops in the children's room, or mix a drop of this oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil (like olive oil) for massaging a congested infant's chest.
- Lavender: For Calm and Good Sleep
Winter can bring on stress, especially on cold and dark days. Lavender oil is known for its calming properties, assisting in better sleep as its gentle scent relaxes and reduces stress.
Tip: Add 2 drops of lavender near your bed or in a vaporizer – it will improve the quality of your sleep..
- Tea Tree: Disinfecting and Cleaning
Tea tree is a crucial essential oil due to its antibacterial properties. It's effective for cleaning and disinfecting, making it especially suitable for the home environment.
Tip: For surface disinfection, make a mixture of half a cup of water, half a cup of vinegar, and 10 drops of tea tree oil – put it in a spray bottle and spray the desired surface. You can also add a few drops to the floor washing water, along with the active detergent, or drip 3 drops into an electronic diffuser that works on a water base. It's excellent for purifying the air in the home.
Winter can be challenging, but with a little preparation, it can be a more peaceful, warm, and healthy time. The three essential oils we suggested – eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree – offer health benefits and a sense of calm. Regular use in the right amounts will create a pleasant atmosphere in the home, ease the body and mind, and give winter a new and more optimistic hue.
Do you use essential oils? Share with us in the comments.
