During the frigid winter months, there is always the potential for several unique health concerns that are common during this time of year to come about. The inclement weather tends to keep people indoors in crowded areas, where they are more susceptible to sharing viruses and bacteria. The cold, dry air can often lead to dry skin and chapped lips. And the shortened winter days with less sunlight can occasionally contribute to a depressed mood.
For each of the many wintertime problems, there are several common essential oil recommendations that can help prevent or ease the symptoms of these winter maladies.
Skin Care
With the cold dry air that is common during this time of year, there is always the potential for dry and/or chapped skin. To help alleviate chapped skin, D. Gary Young recommends using a blend of equal parts rosewood, patchouli and geranium placed in a body lotion (Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide, page 480).
Other oils that can be combined with lotion or vegetable oil for dry skin include davana, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, neroli, patchouli, roman chamomile, rosewood and sandalwood.
Lavender oil is great for all around wellness. I use it on my face for winter wind burns. —Jeanette Jolley, California, USA
Dry and cracked hands in the wintertime are a problem, so mixing a few drops of Lavender with hand lotion really helps keep them from cracking open and bleeding. —Karen Thomas, Pennsylvania, USA
Dry/Chapped Lips
Cold, dry air can often lead to dry, cracked lips if steps are not taken to help prevent it. One natural solution is to blend a few drops of geranium and lavender oil, and to combine this with either a natural aloe vera gel, or in a natural lip-balm recipe. Other oils that can be used to care for the lips include German chamomile, lavender, lemon, and melaleuca (tea tree). It is also important to keep yourself well hydrated during this time of year.
Air Purification
With an increase in burning of wood, coal, and heating oil to keep warm, and cold air keeping air pollution closer to the ground, there is typically a higher amount of air pollution in the air than normal during the winter months. This increased pollution can lead to several different respiratory problems. According to Connie and Alan Higley, authors of the Reference Guide for Essential Oils, "Diffusing essential oils in the home or work place is one of the best ways to purify our environment. The anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties of the oils, along with the negative ions and oxygenating molecules that are released when essential oils are diffused all help to reduce chemicals, bacteria, and metallics in the air" (page 311). Several oils they recommend for air purification include cypress, eucalyptus, fir, grapefruit, lavender, lemon (to sterilize the air), lime and rosemary.
Peppermint oil is a favorite which I…diffuse to kill bacteria and freshen the air—especially during wintertime when doors and windows cannot be opened. —Karen Thomas, Pennsylvania
Colds
There are many different viruses that can contribute to the symptoms that are commonly associated with colds. According to the Higleys, several essential oils that can be used to help combat these symptoms include blue cypress and fir for aches and pains, and eucalyptus, ravensara and peppermint for nasal congestion and respiratory problems. These oils can be diffused or applied to forehead, temples, back of neck and chest, or place 4 drops in 1/2 cup of hot water and place nose and mouth over opening and breathe (Reference Guide for Essential Oils, page 356).
For a sore throat, "Dr. Penoel recommends applying a trace of melaleuca alternifolia to the tip of the tongue and swallowing. This works best when done immediately upon noticing a sore throat. Repeat every minute until the throat feels better. Then apply it behind the ears and down under the jaw line. After repeating this a few times (every 5-10 minutes), massage a couple drops on the back of the neck to relieve any blockage" (Reference Guide for Essential Oils, page 356).
My daughter was complaining of a sore throat. I put a drop of lavendula angustifolia in a glass of water and had her gargle. She rated her sore throat at a (4) out of a scale of 0 no pain to 10 very painful. She gargled three times with the lavender water. She left to run her errands. She called me ten minutes later [saying] that her sore throat wasgone. —Barbara Lemke, Wisconsin
Lavender & Bergamot combined in distilled water: I learned about this combination in the herbology course as a preventative to combat flu and cold during their ‘season’. It worked and smelled good too. —Maria, California
Oregano [is] great when I feel the first sign of a cold or flu. One drop in a glass of water, and it prevents anything from taking hold. The taste is not good though! —Suzanne, California
I use Thieves for colds, flu and if I feel like I am coming down with something. I also put a drop in water and gargle. My 5 year old granddaughter also will gargle with this. —Barbara Lemke, Wisconsin
If I start to feel a cold or sore throat coming on I put a drop [of Thieves] under my tongue every 4 hours and I don’t get sick. I use it for disinfectant in the kitchen. —Leler Murphy, Tennessee
Thieves works well when getting a cold. One time in particular when starting with a stuffed up nose and sore throat, a couple drops of Thieves dropped directly in the mouth which was immediately felt as the oil moved right to the sore spot in the throat. The Thieves oil brought on a tingling feeling there and within a half hour the throat felt perfectly fine. It’s important to catch symptoms immediately for fast and lasting relief. —Karen Thomas, Pennsylvania
Flu
Like a cold, there are several different micro-organisms—typically viruses, but also bacteria and others—that can contribute to the symptoms we typically associate with the flu, or influenza. According to Shirley and Len Price, essential oils that are effective on influenza-causing viruses include rosewood, lime, lemon, cypress, eucalyptus (globulus and radiata), helichrysum, niaouli, black pepper, ravensara, sage, clove bud, and thyme phenol (Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, pages 106-107).
To help treat the symptoms of influenza, D. Gary young recommends mixing 1/4 cup Epsom salt with 2 drops Eucalyptus radiata, 6 drops frankincense, 3 drops helichrysum, 6 drops spruce, 15 drops ravensara, and 1 drop wintergreen, placing this in a hot bath while it is filling, then soaking in the bath until the water cools (Essential Oil Integrative Medical Guide, page 357).
One Sunday after church a friend commented that I looked "exhausted." I thought that strange because I had gotten a good night’s sleep. I walked over to a meeting for a mission trip I would be participating in, and an hour later I started getting a headache and felt something happening to my throat. About 30 minutes later I knew I was coming down with the flu as the headache and sore throat intensified and I started feeling shaky. Fortunately I had Peppermint, Oregano and Thieves in my truck, and as soon as I got in, I rubbed several drops of Oregano on my feet, rubbed Thieves on my neck and throat, and put several drops of Peppermint in my water and started drinking it. By the time I got home the headache and sore throat had lessened. That evening and for the next several days I took by capsule a combination of Lemon, Mountain Savory and Oregano three times a day. While I could tell my body was fighting an infection (as indicated by my desire to take naps), the oils completely stopped the flu in its tracks and the headache and sore throat never returned. —Kevin Dunn, California
Thieves oil is a wonderful oil to use with feeling under the weather. I use it to fight off the flu with high temperatures. Usually with in hours my temperature has gone down. —Jeanette Jolley, California
Frostbite
When time is spent outside in frigid temperatures, frostbite can occur on fingers, toes, or other parts of the body. When frostbite occurs, it is generally recommended to get into a warm area, then to re-warm the affected area with warm (not hot) water. You should never rub the affected area to re-warm it as this can actually cause further damage to the surrounding tissue. Severe frostbite requires medical attention. For minor frostbite, aromatherapist Valerie Ann Worwood also recommends gently massaging 5 drops geranium or lavender into affected area, then when the person is completely warm, gently massaging the area with 4 drops geranium and 2 drops clove diluted in 1 tsp. vegetable oil (The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, page 33).
Wintertime Blues
During the winter months, a decreased amount of sunlight from the shorter days and darker weather can occasionally lead to a glum or depressed mood. Several essential oils that are often recommended for helping to lift the emotions and combating a depressed mood include bergamot, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, melissa, neroli, orange, onycha (benzoin), ravensara, Roman chamomile, rose, and sandalwood. These oils can be diffused into the air, or inhaled directly.
Orange has wonderful uplifting effects. I've found this oil to be beneficial [when] working through trying issues in my life, or just helping [me] through a difficult day. —Alyson Krayl, New Jersey
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