Every mama knows that croupy coughs, ear aches, and sinus headaches can be hard to beat, especially with lingering winter weather.
Today, I want to share four of my favorite ways treat respiratory sicknesses with essential oils.
Use a Vaporizer
I honestly don’t know how any mama survives without a vaporizer!
As I write, we have two vaporizers going, one in each of our children’s bedrooms.
I have no doubt that the essential oils being released into the air will make a huge difference in how well my children (and my husband and I) sleep tonight!
My favorite essential oils for the vaporizer: Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and Breathe oil blend.
How to do it: I simply fill a clean vaporizer with hot water and add 2 or 3 drops of essential oils. You can use any of the oils I mentioned above on their own, or combine the Eucalyptus and Tea Tree oils.
We use Vick’s 1.5 gallon vaporizer.
2. Make Your Own Ear Drops
Like most moms with young children, I’ve treated many ear aches and infections!
By far the most soothing and effective oil you can use can be made right in your own kitchen.
To make your own ear drops:
Gently warm 4 tablespoons olive oil in a sauce pan over low heat.
Remove from heat and add 1 to 2 drops each: Grapefruit Seed Extract essential oil, Eucalyptus essential oil, and Melaleuca essential oil. Stir to combine.
Pour into an amber medicine dropper.
To use: gently massage warm oil around the outer ear. (Do not place oils directly into ear!)
3. Soothe a Sore Throat
Tea Tree essential oil is amazing for a sore throat! It’s anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties can stop a sore throat in its tracks!
Simply suck a drop of Tea Tree oil off your finger, or place a drop of essential in a cup of hot tea. (My favorite is Double E Immune Boost tea from Bulk Herb Store.)
A word of caution: Never use essential oils internally unless they are medicinal grade and are safe for consumption! Most of the “pure” essential oils sold in health store are NOT safe for internal usage. I recommend doTerra’s therapeutic grade essential oils.
4. Make a Chest Rub
To relieve congestion or tightness in the chest, try this simple salve (very similar to Vick’s Vaporub, only it’s completely natural!):
To make a chest rub:
Gently warm about 1/4 cup coconut oil in a sauce pan. Remove coconut oil from heat and add five or six drops of Breathe essential oil blend from doTerra. This oil blend contains some of the best essential oils for respiratory support, including laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree and lemon.
To soothe a nighttime cough, rub a little of this salve on the bottoms of your feet before you go to bed!
These are just a few ideas help you use essential oils to improve your health and keep your family healthy all autumn and winter long!
Here’s to living and loving well-
xoxo,
Kristy