It seems that nearly everyone I know has been either fighting or recovering from a cold or flu these last few weeks. And many of my clients have been asking how essential oils can help them prevent or heal their illnesses. There are a few things you can do to prevent yourself from catching a bad cold:

• Diffuse eucalyptus essential oil at home to clean and purify the air.
  
• Take a "winter bath" once or twice a week with the following aromatherapy blend to boost your immune system and keep you healthy during the chilly winter:
  

  In a 10-ml bottle, pour the essential oils first and then add an organic vegetable oil to fill:
  

  • 15 drops of Ravensara
    
  • 8 drops of Rosemary
    
  • 6 drops of Thyme officinalis
  
  Pour a big package of Epsom Salts into the bathtub and add your aromatic blend. Make sure you allow at least 20 minutes to breathe in the vapors, adding more hot water as needed to keep steaminess at a maximum. Wrap yourself warmly when you get out, and enjoy a hot herbal tea prepared with Echinacea and Ginseng.

Do you already feel a cold coming on? Have you been experiencing chills, mild fever, headache, stuffy nose, dry sore throat, and fatigue? To help you battle your cold or flu, take a hot bath with the following aromatic recipe once or twice a day if necessary.

In a 10-ml bottle, pour the essential oils first and then add an organic vegetable oil to fill:

• 15 drops of Ravensara
  
• 10 drops of Rosemary
  
• 8 drops of Thyme officinalis
  
• 8 drops of Eucalyptus

Pour a big package of Epsom Salts into the bathtub and add your aromatic blend. Make sure you allow at least 20 minutes to breathe in the vapors, adding more hot water as needed to keep steaminess at a maximum. Wrap yourself warmly when you get out, then treat yourself to a good hot soup such as Miso Green Onion, Hot and Sour (Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai), or good ol' Chicken Soup.

Don't underestimate the power of soup! In one study, participants who consumed chicken soup experienced an increase in the flow of nasal secretions (when compared to just plain hot and cold water). The taste and aroma is believed to be part of the therapy, as well as the inhalation of the vapors. In another study, researchers found that chicken soup had anti-inflammatory properties, even when extremely diluted.

Also, drink plenty of orange juice (rich in vitamin C) and purchase echinacea-goldenseal tincture that you will take according to the directions on the bottle.

But foremost...rest, rest, rest!

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In Good Health,
Francoise Rapp
www.AromAlchemy.com

(c) Francoise Rapp. Internationally renowned aromatherapist and alchemist, Francoise Rapp, shares her expertise in using essential oils to heal and revitalize body and mind at AromAlchemy.com. Highlights include aromatherapy classes, recipes and aromatic treatments for health and wellness, and a free weekly newsletter. Discover the power of aromatherapy!