Essential oil blends for cough and congestion

When it comes to colds and congestion, breathing humidified air can help. Using a diffuser keeps air humid and is a great way to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Here I share diffuser blends for colds, as well as several essential oils that can support you during your illness.

I love to use essential oils during the cold and flu season for their antiviral and antibacterial properties. Diffusing them is one of the best ways to support wellness. The aromatic compounds that help plants flourish also support our bodies to keep us healthy.

What to Diffuse for a Cold?

Wondering what to diffuse for a cold? When you’re feeling under the weather, there are essential oils that can be used to help ease cold symptoms.The tops oils include eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon. Diffusing essential oils can do wonders for stuffy noses and sinuses.

Diffusing just one oil or a combination of essential oils for colds can be of assistance when sick. When in doubt, less is more when it comes to diffusing essential oils, especially with strong oils like clove and peppermint. Start with a few drops, and increase as needed.

Essential Oils for Colds and Coughs

Essential oils can assist with opening airways, clearing mucus, easing spasmodic coughs, relieving sinus pressure, plus they offer immune support to help your body fight off the offending organisms.

Here are 15 essential oils that can assist with a cold:

1. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is well known for its antibacterial and antispasmodic properties, but did you know that it can help fight colds? The eucalyptus tree produces a type of oil called cineole. This compound has been found to have antiviral properties, so when applied topically or inhaled, it can help relieve upper respiratory congestion. A few drops of eucalyptus oil could provide some much needed relief!

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is one of the most popular essential oils. It has a wonderful, fresh scent that can help you breathe easier and find relief from cold symptoms. Peppermint oil is commonly used for its benefits of feeling energized, uplifted and refreshed.

3. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon is a natural antibacterial that can help fight off bacteria that causes those pesky wintertime sniffles. It is also a natural antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory oil. It can be diffused or applied topically to help relieve symptoms of sore throat, congestion, coughs, headaches, fever blisters - the list goes on! Many people enjoy the combination of lemon essential oil in their diffuser with tea tree oil for relief of these symptoms.

4. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is a beautiful and fragrant essential oil that has been used to help alleviate cold symptoms such as congestion and coughing. It's great for anxiety, insomnia, and calming the nerves too.

5. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree essential oil is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent that can be used as a natural remedy for colds and coughs. It can help you feel less congested, reduce fever, alleviate sore throat pain, and loosen up chest congestion. It's also great against bacterial infections such as acne, ringworm, and athlete's foot.

6. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is an excellent choice for cold relief, as it is a natural decongestant and expectorant. Frankincense has many other uses too. It can be used topically on sore muscles and joints, mixed with carrier oil to make a skin moisturizer, added to bath water for relaxation and healing properties, or blended in your favorite DIY beauty recipe.

You can also combine frankincense with peppermint (another great essential oil for colds) in order to create an aromatic inhaler that will help clear sinuses while providing relief from congestion.

7. Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil is a powerful natural healer that can help fight off infection, pain and inflammation. Whether you're looking for relief from a sore throat or congestion, clove can assist. Use caution when applying to topically, this is a hot oil so it must be well diluted before applying onto the skin to avoid skin irritations.

8. Juniper Berry Essential Oil

Juniper essential oil can be used as a decongestant and to balance the body's immune system. Inhale juniper oil for colds by adding it to boiling water, cover your head with a towel, and breathe in deeply for 10 minutes. You can also diffuse juniper essential oils or use in an inhaler during the day. At night place two drops on tissue near your bedside table so you can inhale as needed throughout the night.

9. Ravensara Essential Oil

The winter months typically bring a plethora of cold symptoms. Ravensara essential oil is an excellent remedy for these pesky ailments. It is helpful in clearing congestion, reducing stress, and easing sinus pressure.

10. Cypress Essential Oil

Do you have a cold? If so, cypress essential oil could be the perfect thing for you! Cypress essential oil has been shown to be effective in treating respiratory problems like congestion. And it can also relieve pain due to arthritis or sore muscles.

11. Niaouli Essential Oil

Niaouli essential oil is a potent antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial essential oil. It's also used to aid with colds and coughs. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, niaouli oil can reduce inflammation in your nose and sinuses while relieving congestion.

12. Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme has been used in home remedies for colds, flu, headaches, sinus congestion, muscle aches and pains. It also has antibacterial properties that help fight infection. Thyme is known as an expectorant because it loosens mucus in the chest area which can then be coughed up or expelled from the lungs. Thyme oil may also help shorten the duration and symptoms of a cold!

13. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is known to be effective against the flu, but also can help with common cold symptoms like congestion and sore throat. When applied topically, it can also alleviate pain from headaches or rheumatism. The scent of bergamot is invigorating and uplifting, which makes using the oil an enjoyable experience even when you are feeling under the weather.

14. Pine Essential Oil

Pine essential oil is another great way to soothe an irritated throat or respiratory system. It can also be used as a natural air purifier by diffusing the oil in your home. It is commonly used as a natural cleaner in homemade household sprays too. Pine's natural anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for relieving sinus congestion, allergies, fever blisters, and more. The pine scent is invigorating and will instantly make you feel better.

15. Cajeput Essential Oil

Cajeput essential oil is a natural remedy for colds. You can mix a couple drops of the cajeput oil with a carrier oil and put  on your chest and back to combat symptoms such as coughing, congestion, fever and more.

The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract while also relieving pain and discomfort.

While this is a large list of essential oils for colds, there are even more that can support respiratory health.

Alternative Ways to Use Essential Oils Aromatically

Besides diffusing the above oils into the air, here are some other things you can try:

• Using an aromatherapy inhaler
• Adding to steaming bowl of water and inhaling
• Try a diffuser necklace
• Simply add a few drops to the shower floor right before getting into shower
• Place a drop in palm of hand, rub palms together and deeply inhale the aroma
• Use in a car diffuser when driving

A great way to help your body fight off the cold is by diffusing essential oils. Try one of these diffuser recipes for colds.

Add essential oils recipes below to diffuser with recommended water for your diffuser tank. Read more about diffusing essential oils. I like to use a 100-200 ml water tank diffuser but you can use whatever size you prefer.

Diffusing Essential Oils Safety Guidelines

Diffuse 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time, read more about how long to diffuse essential oils.

Using essential oils can improve a person’s emotional, physical, and mental state. For best results, make sure you use pure essential oils and learn how to use them properly.

When using essential oils topically on the skin, be sure to dilute with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. It is best not to apply undiluted essential oils onto the skin.

Is Peppermint Oil Good for Colds?

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are a number of ways to help ease symptoms and speed up recovery. One popular home remedy is peppermint oil. peppermint oil is said to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties, making it a good choice for treating colds. Some people apply peppermint oil directly to the chest or throat, while others add a few drops to a diffuser. If you do decide to try peppermint oil, be sure to diluted it well and avoid using it if you have sensitive skin.

Where to Buy Essential Oils?

Essential oils are great because not only do they make you feel good physically but mentally as well. I love having them around since they have so many benefits like clearing the air of bad odors and improving moods by releasing calming scents in your home or office!

We are frequently asked what essential oil brand we like, here are some of our favorites:

• Barefut Oils
• Rocky Mountain Oils
• Plant Therapy
• Spark Naturals
• Edens Garden
• Aromawest

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