This has been the worst cold and flu season in years.
“As of Feb. 10, a total of 43 states continued to experience widespread flu activity, down from 48 the week before, according to the latest surveillance report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” 1Flu Season Shows First Signs of Slowing WebMD
The incident map from CDC is also alarming. CDC flu surveillance map
I know because I have had the flu or a severe upper respiratory infection twice, once in October, and again in January. I am still fighting a sinus infection as a result. I was having headaches, fever, chills and general malaise. I was desperate at one point to open up my head and nothing seemed to work. I tried several over the counter medicines, an finally wound up in the Doctors office. I am currently on a broad spectrum antibiotic and hopefully on the road to wellness. Even though I do not go to the doctor unless desperate, I RECOMMEND being checked out by a Doctor or a secondary provider if you are suffering from flu like symptoms or symptoms of a sinus infection. These can be very dangerous!!! The secondary infections that result from a cold or flu should not be ignored.
So what else did I do? I used my Essential Oils to relieve some of the symptoms.
To relieve the congestion, a couple of times a day I boiled water, poured it in a glass bowl and added Eucalyptus oil – two drops, Arborvitae oil – two drops then carefully inhaled the steam. It really helped, relieved the pressure and allowed my sinuses to drain. So you ask , why those oils? Here is my rationale:
All of this information is taken from Modern Essentials The Complete Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils Ninth Edition Available from Amazon.com
Eucalyptus Oil Properties -Analgesic, Antibacterial Anticatarrhal *, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiviral. Eucalyptus is used in rubs for symptom relief. This oil can be applied neat, with dilution (recommended for children and sensitive skin) or diffused or inhaled.
*Anticatarrhal combats catarrh or inflammation of a mucous membrane in humans or animals; especially : one chronically affecting the human nose and air passages.
Arborvitae Oil Properties – Antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic. This oil can be applied with dilution or diffused.
Other oils that can be added to this are Rosemary, antibacterial, anticatarrhal Thyme highly antibacterial, Peppermint antibacterial, antiviral (prepare to be opened up) and Cinnamon. Although I used Cinnamon in my mixture, and (inhaled carefully!!!) this oil is best applied with dilution to the feet or chest as it might irritate the mucus membranes. Cinnamon has very strong antiviral and antibacterial properties.
As a side note, when my chest aches as in pleurisy, I rub Thyme neat (without dilution) on the affected areas and the ache goes away. I smell like a pizza, but I feel much better.
So I hope this helps you. If you want more information visit doTERRA Essential Oils
Or contact me at linda.leath@gmail.com
Thank you for reading this!!!! Stay Healthy!!!!
Exploring Wellness 