Our 3 Must-Have Essential Oils for Winter

With Father Winter upon us, bringing with him gifts of dry skin and compromised immune systems, now is as good a time as ever to introduce essential oils into your home. With so many different types and blends of oils out there today, it’s hard to know WHICH oils you should purchase. However, during the winter season there are certain threats to your health you’ll want to combat; this is where you can narrow the list down to the best oils I believe you should keep on hand.

In my home, we defuse the oils into the air with either a nebulizer or an oil burner. Diffusing essential oils in rooms and houses can lower the count of airborne germs, making this a great way to reduce risks of infections. In addition, I always make sure to have a full bottle of essential-oil-infused winter hand soap.

• Frankincense

There is a reason why Frankincense was gifted by the Wise Men when Jesus was born. It is an incredible immune-boosting and purifying oil, with properties that can help to not only prevent illness, but fight it off as well. Frankincense oil has anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, digestive, diuretic and expectorant properties. The History Channel wrote an interesting article called, The Wise Man's Cure: Frankincense and Myrrh. If you have the time, it’s definitely worth the read.

I have a 3 year old who was born with several heart defects. The doctors prepared me to have a child who catches illnesses quickly and said when she did, she would be sick longer than most children. I am happy to say she has only been sick about 3 times her entire life! I credit not only her perseverance, but also a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and ESSENTIAL OILS. *Disclaimer: Do your research before using oils on children.* The couple of times she has had a cold, I put a few drops of Frankincense in her bath water and voila – no cold in less than a day. I always couple Frankincense with my second favorite oil…Lavender

• Lavender

My favorite random fact about Lavender: the Latin name of Lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash”. Lavender oil can aid in urine flow, pain relief, hair care, cancer and blood circulation. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on its ability to aid in respiratory disorders.

“…Lavender oil is widely used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or is applied on the skin of the neck, chest and back. It is also added to many vaporizers and inhalers that are commonly used for colds and coughs. The stimulating nature of lavender essential oil can also loosen up the phlegm and relieve the congestion associated with respiratory conditions, speeding up the recovery process and helping the body naturally eliminate phlegm and other unwanted material. The vapor of lavender essential oil also has antibacterial qualities which can battle respiratory tract infections…” -Organicfacts.net

When I’m looking for an immune-boosting, uplifting blend, my go-to is Lavender and Peppermint

• Peppermint

The health benefits of Peppermint oil include its ability to treat indigestion, headaches, respiratory issues, nausea, fever, pain relief and much more. Peppermint acts as an expectorant and may provide relief for colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis. I always have peppermint on hand in the winter to help clear the sinus, as well as provide an uplifting feeling during those dreary winter days.

If you choose to apply these oils directly to your skin, make sure to always dilute them in a carrier oil such as:

• Jojoba Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Olive Oil
• Shea Butter

Application to the back of the neck, wrists and temples are the most recommended. However, if ever in doubt, apply the oils to the bottoms of your feet. This can be done by either using your hands, or a roller ball.

Here’s to staying healthy!