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Beat Winter Ailments with Essential Oils!

2018-01-24 ShanghaiWOWeng


Wondering what all the hype is regarding essential oils? More than ‘nice smells,’ there is actually a scientific basis to their usage, especially therapeutic grade oils such as Doterra* or Young Living brands. The olfactory senses are an oft-overlooked conduit for reducing ailments, and essential oils (if used correctly) have the power to assist in physical, mental and emotional healing as well as contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing. How? Check out our quick reference to beating some of winter’s most common ailments using oils! (*The names of oils used in this article refer to the Doterra brand oils, other brands could differ).


Common Winter Ailment #1: Feeling Cold and Chilly



Use: Ginger



Therapeutic properties: Ginger provides anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, digestive and decongestant benefits.

Drink: 2 drops Ginger and 1 drop of Cinnamon (in lieu of sugar) with a cup of warm water to keep you feeling warm throughout the day.

Rub: If your extremities (fingers and toes) feel chilly, apply a couple of drops onto the palms of your hands mixing with a little fractionated coconut oil or unscented moisturizer and massage directly onto the soles of your feet. Rub onto your lower back and abdomen areas in the morning and evening to warm up your insides, also perfect for digestive problems or if coming down with a cold.

Eat: Use it when cooking and baking instead of fresh ginger, or add into your favorite cold Taiwanese desserts for a flavor burst! 

Additional benefits: Massage onto sore muscles with fractionated coconut oil for warming relief or diffuse it, or drink with warm water for feelings of nausea, motion sickness or morning sickness.


Common Winter Ailment #2: Sniffles, Colds, the Flu and Sore Throats



Use: On Guard 



Therapeutic Properties: Known as the ‘protective blend’ comprising of five oils, it is a germ killer and immune booster. 

Drink: 2 drops with a teaspoon of honey to stop a sore throat quickly, including strep.

Rub: Apply directly to feet before bed to give your body a super immune boost. Mix with fractionated coconut oil and apply along the spine to keep healthy during the flu season.

Additional Benefits: Diffuse throughout the day at home and in the office to fight off airborne pathogens. 


Common Winter Ailment #3: Dry Skin/Psoriasis/Eczema/Chapped lips



Use: Geranium, Tea Tree and Peppermint oils



Therapeutic Properties: Various, see ‘additional benefits’ below.

Rub: For an extra moisture boost, after showering, add a few drops of Geranium and Peppermint to your body lotion or body oil and apply as usual. Apply with Tea tree and Lavender to your affected psoriasis or eczema areas dilute with Vaseline for areas around lips. Further apply lavender directly on clean cuts, wounds and blisters to help heal and prevent scarring from skin ailments. 



Additional Benefits: Tea Tree cleans and disinfects so you can apply behind and around the infected areas to treat ear problems, acne and pinkeye, or rub it on your throat to help ease symptoms of bronchitis, cold and flus and affected areas and feet to help with hives, rashes and itchy eyes. Geranium helps to speed up the healing and regeneration of tissue if applied to wounds. Massage this directly on your abdomen for premenstrual blues and low libido or apply under armpits for a natural toxic free deodorant! For additional benefits of Peppermint


Common Winter Ailment #4: Headaches, Post Holiday or Winter Blues 



Use: Peppermint



Therapeutic Properties: Promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing, digestive health when taken internally and/or applied topically on the abdomen. It also repels bugs naturally.

Rub: Directly onto your temples, the back of neck, cup your hands and inhale it deeply (being careful to avoid contact with eyes). You can also diffuse peppermint in the morning or after the 47 31667 47 14941 0 0 2979 0 0:00:10 0:00:05 0:00:05 2979 “lunchtime slump” for a fresh uplifting and energizing experience. No diffuser? Simply open the bottle and take deep breaths to inhale the vapors.

Additional Benefits: It is a natural fever reducer - add a few drops of peppermint into a small spray bottle (30ml) and spray directly on body all over. It also helps with nausea – add 3 drops on a cotton ball and stick in the air vents of your car or crazy Didi ride. Out of breath mints? Dab a little peppermint oil directly on finger and place on roof of your mouth. Indigestion? Apply 1-2 drops directly on your abdomen and rub in circular motions. 


Common Winter Ailment #5: Pollution



Use: Air Repair or Easy Air



Therapeutic Benefits: Both blends of oils, they maintain feelings of clear airways and easy breathing. Air Repair (only available in China) has microbial cleansing properties and Easy Air minimizes the effects of seasonal threats and can promote a restful nights sleep.

Diffuse: Air Repair alone or mix Easy Air with Lavender, Orange or Lemon

Rub: Place a couple of drops of Easy Air in your hand and rub on back of neck, chest, the top of your cheeks, along the bridge of your nose and cup your hands to inhale the vapors.


Common Winter Ailment #6: Itchy Scalp with Dandruff 



Use: Tea Tree, Rosemary, Cedarwood and Lavender

Therapeutic Properties: Various, see ‘additional benefits’ below. 

Rub: a few drops of Tea Tree, Rosemary, Cedarwood and Lavender oils directly onto your scalp with fractionated coconut oil and leave for a minimum of 20 minutes. Do a regular shampoo then enjoy the invigorating sensations and scents and no more flakes!



Additional Benefits: Cedarwood has a natural calming effect for anxiety, simply inhale the smell or apply directly to the back of your neck and/or bottoms of feet. 



Lavender can be combined with lemon oil and peppermint oil in the palms of your hand and deeply inhaled to combat allergies and hay fever symptoms. It can also stop nosebleeds if applied to the bridge of the nose. Tea Tree has topical cleansing and purifying properties. 


Winter Ailment #7: Dry hair



Use: Geranium, Lavender and Rosemary

Rub: Add 3 drops of each (10-15 drops in total) of one or a combination of Geranium, Lavender and/or Rosemary and rub it all over your scalp, especially focusing on problem areas. You can also add it to your conditioner and wash it out as usual. Rosemary also helps with hair loss as well as moisturizing. 



Additional Benefits: Rosemary can also be used to apply to your chest for respiratory infections and problems, and applied to bottoms of feet for prostate issues, liver and kidney issues. Diffusing rosemary helps with memory and focus. For additional benefits of Lavender and Geranium refer to ailments #3 and #6 above. 


Common Winter Ailment #8: Winter and Holiday Overindulgence



Use: Cinnamon



Therapeutic properties: Cinnamon promotes healthy digestion and immune function while providing a strong, uplifting aroma. 

Drink: 2 to 3 drops a day in a large thermos, or 1 to 2 drops in a large cup of warm water.

Rub: Onto cold feet with fractionated coconut oil or an unscented moisturizing balm to increase blood flow and bring warmth. You can also mix with ginger.

Eat: You can add cinnamon and maple syrup to plain oatmeal for a flavor boost while enjoying the health benefits.

Additional benefits: Ingesting cinnamon oil also helps with upset stomach & vomiting, and it is a great detox for ear nose throat and lungs to clear phlegm. It also helps with water retention, and is a blood sugar balancer.


IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS: 


  • DO NOT USE essential oils on children under 10 years of age without the proper guidance of a certified oil coach. 

  • For any oil sensitivities, stinging, pain or into eyes – rinse out/off using fractionated coconut oil NOT water. 

  • This list is only for use with therapeutic grade oils such as Doterra or Young Living brands.

  • This article is meant to illustrate the potential benefits of using essential oils for common winter ailments, and is not to be relied on in lieu of medical advice. 


Interested in the essential oil lifestyle? Contact Doterra certified instructor Carol Tan for further information and free oil workshops. (Wechat: carolktan).


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