Sniffles & Sneezes: A Natural Alternative

Ah, fall. Colorful leaves, warm sweaters, bonfires, pumpkin everything, and the beginning of cold and flu season. People seem to be getting sick earlier than normal this year so I thought I would tell you about a natural alternative to the conventional cold meds! Eucalyptus (globulus) oil.

Did you know that it takes approx. 50 pounds of eucalyptus to get just 1 pound of oil? Originally from Australia, these trees are some of the tallest in the world. The essential oil comes from the leaves and is exceptional when treating colds. Not only does it have expectorant properties (breaks up mucus), it’s also detoxifying, antiviral, and antibacterial. Because of this, eucalyptus oil is really great for treating all sorts of respiratory illnesses including bronchitis, cold/flu, sinus infections, and pneumonia. And if you’re not the one who’s sick, it’s great to diffuse in the house to get rid of all the germs and keep everyone else healthy!
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I recently created a “Vicks” type blend which worked really well when applied to the chest and bottoms of the feet (really great absorption points to get things into the bloodstream quickly) before bed. The achy, congested, tired feelings were gone the very next day!
While eucalyptus is great for illness, it should not be used on children under 6, nor should it ever be used if you have high blood pressure or are epileptic (seizures) as this may trigger negative responses. And as with all essential oils, you should never ingest them under any circumstances.
I hope the sniffles stay away indefinitely, however this is something to consider trying if/when you get sick this winter! Stay warm my friends!