Essential oils to fight winter infections

ByMichel TurbideProfessor and lecturer in aromatherapy source infonaturel.ca

(BACTERIA, VIRUSES, etc.)

Winter is fresh air, falling snow, silence, and the sound of our footsteps when it is very cold. But there are infections that spoil our pleasure. Fortunately, essential oils protect us from these winter infections.

The ENT infection virus (cold-flu-sinusitis) is transmitted from one human to another.This transmission occurs through the respiratory tract and through the skin.mainly through the hands. It is the fine droplets rich in virus from coughs and sneezes that are responsible for this propagation.

The virus infects the body by entering it and attaching itself to the respiratory cells. It reprograms the cells and hijacks their activities, i.e. it multiplies them.

Aromatherapy

Here is a powerful approach to fight winter infections. In the age of super bacteria and mutant viruses, aromatherapy is now more valuable than ever. Oils work quickly, effectively and safely, provided they are used properly.

Viruses and bacteria are very sensitive to aromatic molecules. Some essential oils act indiscriminately on all viruses and bacteria. Moreover, essential oils have the ability to penetrate pathogenic bacteria and reach viruses. Then, their complexity, up to 300 different molecules can cohabit in a single oil, which makes them effective, from one application to another.

The Belgian pharmacist Dominique Baudoux mentions that essential oils are an effective alternative to drugs (against flu, ear infections,...) for the following reasons.

- Their natural synergistic mixtures fight and eliminate germs, without the possibility of generating resistance or reactionary mutations.

- They are tonic and stimulate the natural immunity via antibodies and the resistance of the body. This double action allows a faster return to health.

Prevention

A few rules of hygiene are necessary to prevent these infections. Among other things, it is necessary to maintain good health, eat well, take probiotics and supplements.

A preventive cream composed of essential oils can be applied to the hands and body as a protective antiviral, antibacterial and moisturizing cream. A little bit of essential oil is enough to provide this protection. The advantage over alcohol or liquid soap is that it does not destroy the bacterial flora of the skin, does not eliminate the sebum of the skin and does not dry out the skin. In fact, alcohol has the opposite effect, contributing to the fragility of the skin and making it lose its balance (loss of sebum), which often leads to cracking. (See section on suggestions).

Aerial diffusion of essential oils, which radiates germs into the air, is another way to prevent infection. Aerial diffusion, which is done with a diffuser or ultrasonic nebulizer, is recommended to sanitize the atmosphere of our home (common rooms, bedrooms) and our work environment (offices). The essential oil gives off a good smell, purifies the air of surrounding microbes and sends energy (negative ions) into the air.

Many disinfectant essential oils can also be added (a few drops) to shampoos, liquid soaps, shower gels and cleaning products to control germs.

Care of winter infections

For effective care, it is the application of essential oils on the skin that is the most effective, because a greater quantity of oil is absorbed and its action is faster.

By applying the oil to the skin, the skin absorbs it and the small blood vessels carry it to the infected lungs. In case of sinusitis or otitis, the essential oil is mixed with vegetable oil and this mixture is applied to the sore and infected area.

Choice of essential oils

To treat ear infections (cold, flu, sinusitis, otitis...) it is important to choose essential oils that are antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant and mucolytic.

Essential oils that include oxides (1.8 cineol), such as eucalyptus radiata, noble laurel and lavender aspic, are preferred. These antiviral oils are not aggressive on the mucous membranes, they are mucolytic (they reduce mucus) and antibacterial.

Warning

When used to treat, it is even more important to use quality essential oils, with an organic certification.

In addition, a physician or health care professional should be consulted to assess the illness and its severity.

French and Latin names of essential oils

MENTIONED in this text

Clove Eugenia caryophyllus
Eucalyptus radiata Eucalyptus radiata

Laurier noble Laurus nobilis

Lavender aspic Lavandula latifolia t.s. cineol

Lavandin super Lavandula hybrida super

Peppermint Mentha x piperita

Palmarosa Cymbopogon martinii

Scots pine Pinus sylvestrie

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ml= milliliter 25-30 drops = +- 1 ml 5 ml = 1 tsp 30 ml = 1 tbsp