Herbs and Essential Oils against the Flu and Viruses

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and its benefits go far beyond just a refreshing drink. Tea is widely known as one of the healthiest beverages, and drinking it has been considered a health-promoting habit for thousands of years. Today, evidence from numerous studies shows that tea, combined with a healthy lifestyle, can help promote a healthy immune system, fight inflammation, maintain a healthy heart, ward off disease, and have a lasting positive impact on your overall well-being.

Fortunately, there are several essential oils for colds and flu in children and adults that parents can use along with their favorite herbal teas and compresses to help them feel better during times of discomfort.

When a child is sick, it’s tempting to use large doses of essential oils to make them feel better quickly. However, this approach is counterproductive and can even be harmful. The safety of essential oils is especially important with children. Instead of using megadoses, keep the dosage low and increase the frequency of application, which is better for the child’s health as well as more effective in addressing the specific problem. This is true for all methods of essential oil application.

There are several common ways to use essential oils by diffusing them in our homes to create a pleasant atmosphere, as cleaning ingredients, internally by drinking them or adding them to food, or externally by applying them to the skin.

Essential Oils to Relieve the Discomfort of Respiratory Infections

Several essential oils, which are often intended for general antimicrobial or antiviral use, are often not safe for use on young children to treat illnesses or injuries. The same can be said for those that are marketed for use to relieve the discomfort that can accompany a respiratory infection.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosehip (Melaleuca ericifolia), peppermint (Mentha spicata), geranium (Pelargonium x asperum), and cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) are excellent choices for blends and for young children, as they can all help relieve occasional wheezing or coughing. Coniferous and other coniferous-rich oils, especially black spruce (Picea mariana), are good substitutes for eucalyptus (see cautionary notes below), and citrus oils—lemon (Citrus limon), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), and tangerine (Citrus reticulata)—are suitable for diffusion or blending with the other oils above. These essential oils are especially valuable during cold and flu season, as they can help support overall well-being when used in the environment during the winter months.

Techniques for applying essential oils for coughs and other respiratory problems

In the case of children, it is important that when using a topical mixture, such as an ointment, lotion or oil containing essential oils, we do not risk applying the oil or essential blend directly to the skin of the little "patients", but rather place them on the clothing around the affected area, but away from the eyes, mouth and the possibility of touching with fingers. For example, you can place some of the topical mixture on the back of the baby's clothing between the child's shoulder blades.

Also, if you or the child is sick and you have started a diffuser with essential blends, it is good not to let it run in the baby's room while they are there.

Another way to use essential oils is in the shower, such as in a steam room or sauna. Suitable for this case are those made of coniferous and citrus oils, which favor the respiratory tract. Also, if you have a bath, this would also be a very suitable method of recovery.

Although the scents we most associate with good upper respiratory health – Eucalyptus spp. and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) – are not the safest essential oils to use on young children under the age of 10, there are still quite a few essential oils that can be very helpful.