Does anyone Diffuse Essential Oils to help with cold and flu?

bcabrobin

Diffusing essential oils is one of the best ways to help relieve congestion from stuffy nose, runny nose, and pressure in the sinus area. Here is my families favorite blends : 3 drops Peppermint essential oil 3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil 1 drop Lemon essential oil add to diffuser. 

To help loosen up a chest cold: Breathe Easier–3 drops lavender, 3 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops peppermint

Smells like Vicks–2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops tea tree, 1 drop lemon, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop thyme, 1 drop peppermint. Hubby doesn't like this one.

Purify the air: 2 drops tea tree, 2 drops eucalyptus, 1 drop oregano, 1 drop cinnamon, 1 drop lavender, 1 drop sandalwood.

blevinandwomba

I don't use a diffuser, due to my cats, but I do use essential oils when I shower(put a few drops on the shower floor) or put some on a cloth and lay on my pillow before I go to sleep. I'll have to try some of your blends- I have chronic sinus issues.

spowell07

I love EO’s. I have both indoors cats and dogs and I do diffuse. I love a pre blended oil called Onguard. I use it as a foaming hand wash, mouthwash hand sanitizer and have used it in a glycerin cap to help fight off a stomach bug. For congestion rather it’s chest or head For adults I use 2 drops peppermint 2 drops oregano 2 drops lemon 2 drips lavender. Kids I use the same but I omit the oregano and reduce the peppermint to 1 drop. In the shower before congestion gets bad I like to use 2-3 drops of eucalyptus on the shower floor and diffuse 2 drops of a pre blended oil called breathe in the bathroom at the same time.

Linda Bittle

I use my diffuser sparingly. I have a cat and a small dog, and so I use my oils much as @blevinandwomba does. I keep a bottle of Breathe by the bedside, and inhale directly from the bottle when I need it.

Cats seem to have trouble processing many of the better cold and flu oils in their livers. This article seems good to me. I'd rather be cautious with my pets. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/

That said, I do have about 50 oils that I use. Many are flower scents, which I feel a little better about infusing. Rose is one that I like for relaxation. I make some highly diluted oils for pain relief - 6 or 8 drops of ginger in an ounce of the liquid coconut oil is great for wrist pain when I've overused it. (Old sprain that acts up sometimes.) And I've acquired some leather earrings, a leather bracelet, and a necklace with felt pads to use with my oils.

JodieDownUnder

We have a diffuser in the bedroom and make a homemade blend of lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint and tea tree. My partner suffers with asthma at times and we find this works well. I do rub either oregano or thyme EO onto the bottom of my feet if I feel a cold etc coming on and that works a treat.

Jens the Beekeeper

I do Not diffuse with a diffuser but if some of the kids get a cough we brew a Tea of some herbs including mint and lavender and some others I currently cant remember and let this evaporate.

Torey

@Jens You are getting the best of both worlds! Mild aromatherapy that is not contraindicated for anyone plus the benefits of taking the tea internally.

7207chablis

I use a diffuser often for my children. For colds I like a mix of EO called Esculape (in france). It is really effective. There is also a brand of EO that dissolve in water and can be drank without damaging the mucosa . It works very well. Once we start not feeling well I either use the one for viruses (called 3D antivir) or the one for bacterias (3D antibact). When they are taken right at the beginning they stop immediately the cold or whatever this is.

Torey

If anyone is interested there is a free intro to aromatherapy course (as well as a few other free courses) at: https://www.aromahead.com/courses/free-trainings

She is doing a free webinar today but I can't find the link. If you sign up for the newsletter you might get access.

Karin

I use essentiall oills to clear the air if colds are going around. We have cats but they don't seem to suffer any bad effects, mind you, I don't have a diffuser going all the time. Where we live we often get an awful smell from the local lake, especially in summertime, so I sometimes have the oil burner going to cover up that smell! My favourite oils for colds are lemon, eucalyptus and kanuka oils, as they are anti-bacterial and antiviral, also smell nice :)