Essentials for fighting the flu

By Julie Smith

Since so many people are struck with the flu and terrible colds I am interrupting our series on digestion to give you some information that you can use as ammunition against those nasty viruses floating in the air.

If you aren’t familiar with essential oils, this will give you a little insight to their properties and their value. If you aren’t using them to fight the crud … why not?!

Essential oils are the life blood of the plant and are some of the oldest and most powerful therapeutic agents. Essential oils have an ancient history. Even Baby Jesus was given the essential oils of frankincense and myrrh. The Holy Bible includes over 1,301 references to essential oils, aromatic oil-producing plants, and there application.  Essential oils have many healing properties – they aren’t just for aromatherapy.

Lavendar

We don’t use Benadryl, Tums, or other over the counter medications and rarely do we use antibiotics. We use God’s medicine – essential oils.

Essential oils, in their pure state, are some of the most concentrated and potent extracts known.  They are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hormone-balancing, and anti-fungal. They can have a great impact on the central nervous system, can help relieve pain, muscle tension, and can even be used to fight depression.

Essential oils have a unique chemical structure – one that can penetrate cell membranes, travel through the blood and tissues, and can enhance cellular function. Essential oils can even change miswritten DNA or delete bad DNA.

Viruses and bacteria don’t get immune to them as they do with some antibiotics due to the oils chemical structure.  I have seen AMAZING results using essential oils!  

So, what essential oils are good to fight this nasty crud going around? 

The following essential oils are antiviral:  oregano, thyme, basil, blue cypress, lavender, cassia, cinnamon bark, clove, melaleuca  (tea tree), mountain savory, frankincense, ravensara, lemon, and one of my favorites a blend called Thieves Oil.

Antibacterial oils include, but are not limited to: Oregano, thyme, basil, citronella, cardamom, cassia, cistus, clove, eucalyptus, geranium, lemon, melaleuca (tea tree), mountain savory, palmarosa, peppermint, ravensara, and rosemary.

There are several ways to apply essential oils, including applying them directly to the skin. Many are safe to apply directly on the skin, but when applying to children, dilute with a carrier oil (olive oil or coconut oil).

Use 15-30 drops essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil. Always apply first to the bottom of the feet. This allows the body to get used to the oils and the feet contain the largest pores on the body.

A good rule of thumb when applying essential oils is to only apply one or two single oils or blends at the same time. More is not always better!!

I like to put oils on an inflicted area and use a warm compress to drive the oils into the tissues. Rub 1-3 drops of desired oil on the location, cover with a hot, damp towel and let towel sit for 10-30 minutes, depending on the issue.

Essential oils added to the bath are a great addition!

My daughter recently had the flu. I mixed up a flu blend, put the oils in the bathtub and she was only down for 24 hours.

We also use the Raindrop Technique to combat viruses and bacterial infections.

If you get essential oils in your eye DO NOT FLUSH WITH WATER!

Water will drive the oil deeper into the tissues, causing much irritation.  Simply rub a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut, etc.) around the eye (not in the eye) and the essential oil will slowly lose its potency. The essential oils will not harm you, but it will sting if you get them in your eye

Using essential oils in a diffuser in your home is an excellent way to clean the air of unwanted bacteria, fungus, mold, and unpleasant odors.  The oils may even improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity, improve digestive function, help with weight management, stimulate neurotransmitters, and relieve headaches. Simply inhaling therapeutic grade essential oils has health benefits!

A NOTE OF CAUTION: When using essential oils, make sure you know your source!

Are the oils you are using cut with synthetic chemicals? Are they the first distillation or fifth? If they are not the first distillation, they have lost most of their healing properties.

Are they steam distilled or cold pressed? Just because the label says “Pure therapeutic grade essential oil” doesn’t mean it is 100% oil. In fact, FDA guidelines allow for an oil to be labeled “pure” while only containing 5% essential oil!

Does the company you are purchasing your oils from use a gas chromatograph machine to test the chemical structure of the oil? Does it test for synthetic chemicals in the finished product? Is it sourcing its raw product from organic or wild harvested material?

Do your homework before purchasing essential oils.

Most essential oils found in health food stores are not 100% essential oil … they are cut with a synthetic chemical, rendering the therapeutic benefits null and void and sometimes harmful.

The price of the product is usually a tell-tale sign of the oil's value.

Don’t be fooled by a $7-$10 half ounce bottle of lavender. It’s probably not 100% lavender oil.

I use Young Living Essential Oils (www.youngliving.com/smit6526). No other company offers the variety of single oils or blends. I also trust the source.

There are other reputable companies on the market but none that offer the variety of oils.

Essential oils offer many health benefits … benefits you should add to your arsenal. Don’t let the crud get you down … fight back with nature’s medicine and kill that nasty cold or bacterial infection!

Sources

D. Gary Young, N. (2006). Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide. Essential Science Publishing.

David Stewart, P. D. (2005). The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple. God's Love Manifest in Molecules. Marable Hill: Care Publishings.

David Stewart, P. D. (2003). Healing Oils of the Bible.  Marable Hill: Care Publishings.