Whether you've got a case of the sniffles or the flu from hell, aromatherapy is a gentle, effective way to ease your symptoms. The term aromatherapy implies that it's all about pleasant aromas, but that's not the case. While most essential oils are definitely aromatic, their medicinal qualities are just as important as the their ability to evoke pleasure through scent.

When we hear about aromatherapy, it may conjure up glamorous images of outrageously priced spa treatments instead of puffy-eyed cold sufferers. But practicality is a definite virtue of the use of essential oils. Aromatherapy doesn't discriminate in its effectiveness between high-end facials or the common cold.

Not all essential oils are created equal, that is to say those that are labeled "essential oils." Some are cut with vegetable oil. This may seem confusing since the term oil implies some type of vegetable pressed product. In the case of essential oils, this term means the liquid that is extracted from the distillation process of the plant material.

Make sure you read the bottle and buy from a trusted manufacturer. Tisserand Essential Oils and Young Living Essential Oils are both high quality trusted brands among many others.

Who can resist this most popular purple lady? Lavender has been used for centuries for its healing, anti-infectious and perfume properties. This herb is well known as well for its relieving effect of aching muscles and insomnia.

Some uses of lavender are:

• Put 3-4 drops of quality essential oil in your vaporizer when you have a cold.

• Use 8-10 drops in a hot bath for sore muscles.

• You can also 20 drops in 2 ounces of a carrier oil such as almond or grapeseed to use as a massage oil especially at the joints where we tend to feel it most with the cold and flu.

Do you remember how miraculous those vapor rubs slathered on your chest by your worried mother seemed to be. One moment you were either coughing nonstop or could barely breathe through your nose. After a few minutes, depending on the severity of your cold, you could at least breathe through one nostril and stopped fearing that you might cough up a lung. If you remember this, then you will understand how healing eucalyptus can be.

Eucalyptus is indigenous to Australia and is known widely for it's wound healing and anti-infectious properties along with an antitussive effect.

My grandmother told us that putting vapor rub on our feet would clear up a cold. It turns out this may not be such an old wives tale. The popular Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus oil, which helps to cool the body along with the other properties mentioned.

Uses of eucalyptus oil for your cold are:

• Mix 5-10 drops of the essential oil with 2 tablespoons of petroleum jelly and rub into feet.  Cover with socks and leave overnight.

• Use 3-4 drops in your vaporizer to help with breathing during the day or night.

• Put 8-10 drops in a warm bath again to help with breathing and lowering fever.  You can cut this in half and also add 4 drops of lavender oil to your bath for relaxation and muscle relief.

Besides helping us get through those embarrassing halitosis moments at social functions, peppermint has a myriad of healing properties. It shares similar effects as eucalyptus including being an anti-infectious agent and helps with breathing. It's well known for easing upset stomach especially in the form of a tea brewed from peppermint leaves.

Cold and flu uses for peppermint essential oil:

• Dab a drop or two on your temples for relief of headaches.  You can cut this with vegetable oil if you prefer.

• Use in a full bath, foot soak, or vaporizer to help with indigestion, breathing, and muscle aches.

Any of these oils can be mixed with Epsom salts for added therapeutic effects in a bath. A diffuser used especially for aromatherapy is a great way to use essential oils all year round.

Try one or all of these oils the next time you are feeling a cold or the flu come on. Lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint are all excellent remedies to have on hand for a variety of cosmetic and practical health uses.