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Aromatherapy for Colds and Flu

 

 

Cold and flu season is upon us!

by Susan Thomas


Many of us fall ill this time of year and the cold and influenza viruses can knock us off our feet for days or weeks. Although there are many allopathic remedies for minor cold and flu symptoms, there are also natural alternatives for home treatment of common cold and flu discomforts. Serious cases of colds and the flu should be reported to your physician but there are gentle, natural ways to bolster the immune system and comfort symptoms for these common maladies.

Aromatherapy is a great way to help combat colds and flu, boost the immune system and comfort symptoms when feeling under the weather. If your mom ever used a vapor rub on your chest or back to help with a cold or cough, you’ve already used aromatherapy for these infections! Most of these products contain camphor, eucalyptus and other anti-infectious essences as ingredients. These tried and true natural remedies have a long history for helping us feel better and are increasingly being investigated by the scientific community for their healing properties.



E. Citriodora

Aromatherapy is based on the science and art of using genuine and authentic essential oils for health. Essential oils are the basis of aromatherapy treatment and are the product of distilling herbs, trees, flowers, roots and resins from plants. These essential oils help to protect the plant from predators and diseases. Many of the plants used in aromatherapy are also used in herbal medicine. Aromatherapy may be viewed as concentrated herbal medicine since the distilled oils are much more concentrated than the undistilled herbs and plant materials. Because of this great difference in concentration, essential oils are not taken internally. Rather, they are applied to the body in a variety of ways, to help the essential oils absorb into the bloodstream and travel to the body system they have an affinity for healing.

Quality of the oils is an important factor when using them for healing and applying them on the body. Using organic oils is a good idea if they are available since applying pesticides to the skin can cause reactions and decrease the healing properties of the plants. Essential oils should be blended into a base or carrier since some of them can be quite irritating if applied directly to the skin. A qualified aromatherapist uses quality essential oils to treat physical and emotional conditions using blends of specific essences to help with primary and secondary symptoms. For example, if a client has a cold and can’t sleep because of being congested, the aromatherapist would likely make a blend of oils with some to help with the cold symptoms and others to help with the sleeplessness.

Tea Tree

Prevention is the best medicine! All essential oils are antibacterial to some degree, while others are antiviral and others antifungal. A few have all three properties. Some essential oils that are especially good for treating cold and flu symptoms are tea tree, eucalyptus, camphor and rosemary.

Tea tree oil is becoming well known for its germ killing and anti-infectious properties. Some hospitals are now using tea tree as a disinfectant since essential oils show no evidence of becoming resistant to certain strains of bacteria like some other products and antibiotics are. Using tea tree to fight infections after they start is an effective way to help reduce symptoms and lessen the duration of the illness. Tea tree oil is also helpful as a preventative measure. It can be used in footbaths, baths, massage oils, inhalers, lotions, shampoos and diffusers to cleanse the air. Tea tree’s healing properties include: anti-infectious, anti- inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, fungicidal, expectorant and immuno-stimulant. These properties make it one of the best choices for fighting colds and flu. Blending tea tree with oils such as lemon (disinfectant), and lavender (antibacterial) is a nice combination to balance the healing properties of each as well as the slightly medicinal aroma of tea tree. Tea tree is also immune boosting and excellent for use during cold and flu season as prevention. A few drops of essential oil will suffice as a little goes a long way in aromatherapy. Oils should always be dropped into a carrier such as Epsom salts for baths and footbaths, massage oil for baths and massage, or lotion to apply to the body.

E. Globulus

Eucalyptus is well known for treatment of colds and flu and its aroma is generally associated with treatments for these conditions. Eucalyptus is analgesic, antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, expectorant, fever reducing and warming, all excellent for fighting infection. It is important to know the difference between the various Eucalyptus varieties available since it is such a potent essence. Eucalyptus globulus (also known as Eucalyptus blue-gum – the “gum tree” in Australia) is generally used for treating illness as it is stronger and more potent than some other varieties. It should not be used on children. E. radiata is more appropriate for everyday use since it is milder and not as irritating to the skin. E. radiata can be used on children sparingly but still may cause irritation if not diluted into a carrier sufficiently. Eucalyptus citriodora is also known as lemon Eucalyptus and is excellent for infectious diseases since it is antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, an expectorant and fungicidal.


Camphor

Camphor is a predominant ingredient in many commercial cold preparations. Of course aromatherapists prefer to use the organic, natural variety rather than the synthetic one many products contain. Camphor is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal and expectorant. It is responsible for the “vapor action” associated with many cold and flu products. Camphor should not be used with children due to its possible sensitizing skin reaction. Note that white camphor is safe for use while brown and yellow camphor are toxic and carcinogenic and should not be used in aromatherapy. A recent request from Health Canada and the new Nationals Health Products Directorate has called for labeling and secure packaging of health products with high concentrations of camphor and eucalyptus oils to ensure safety.

Rosemary

Rosemary may seem like a strange choice for dealing with colds and flu but it has many useful properties. It is analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic (relieves muscle spasms), fungicidal and increases circulation. Blended with frankincense, cedarwood or pine, it would make a great chest rub to help with a cold and cough.

Most of the essential oils that are indicated for these infections are good for the immune, respiratory and digestive systems. Many of these oils are also analgesic and can reduce pain and inflammation as well as bring down a fever. A brief list of other essential oils that are good for treating cold and flu symptoms follows:

Now, how do we get these oils onto and into our bodies where they can do the most good? Fortunately there are a multitude of methods for application. Here are some suggestions:

Safety considerations: never apply essential oils to skin directly, always use a carrier base and be mindful of dropping them into water as they will float on top. Many of the oils listed for colds and flu can be very sensitizing to the skin.
In B.C. we are lucky to have a Registered Aromatherapist (RA) designation for Aromatherapy practitioners. Aromatherapy is one of the only complimentary therapies to have gained this designation in the province and North America. This ensures that an Aromatherapist with this designation has met specific criteria for training in Aromatherapy. To find a Registered Aromatherapist in your area, visit the BC Alliance of Aromatherapy at www.bcaoa.org


Susan Thomas (BHK) is a Registered Aromatherapist, certified Reflexolgist, Doula and certified Personal Trainer. If you would like more information or to book a consultation or treatment please contact her at:

BodyWorks Wellness Systems 604-941-6609
bodyworkswellness@telus.net .