We at Glimja love essential oils.
We use them in our Humio, in aroma lamps, in skincare, in steam baths and in the bath. Essential oils have many uses and each has its unique quality and gift.
With a small home medicine cabinet of essential oils at home, you can get natural support for colds and enjoy their fantastic scents. Here are 9 hacks we think work best.
A brown glass bottle with essential peppermint oil and fresh peppermint leaves on a wooden table.
1. Cold steam bath for stuffy noses and coughs
This is an old proven home remedy that works. Essential oils that are suitable for this are peppermint, eucalyptus and ginger.
Add a few drops of essential oil to boiled water in a pot, they should be dropped in when the water has just been boiled.
Breathe in the vapors under a towel.
Note: it's important to keep your eyes closed the whole time as it otherwise stings quite badly.
A few minutes under the towel morning and evening provides relief.
2. Apply to the chest for coughs
If you have a sore throat or develop a cough, you can apply essential oils diluted in oil to the chest and upper back. It opens the airways and energizes.
Ingredients
2 dl olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, sesame oil, avocado oil or almond oil.
20 drops eucalyptus oil opens the airways (use only 4 drops for use on small children).
20 drops peppermint oil (not for small children).
10 drops essential rosemary oil (not for small children).
Mix everything in a dark glass jar with a lid, store in a cool place.
3. Apply black cumin oil to the chest
Yes, it's not an essential oil but we included it as a hack anyway since the scent is almost as potent as an essential oil.
Massage diluted or pure black cumin oil directly on the chest. Feel free to place your hands over your nose and breathe in the aroma.
The scent of the oil is said to be muscle-relaxing and soothing for troublesome coughs and labored breathing.
4. Gargle tea tree for sore throat or when a cold is coming on
Tea tree is anti-bacterial and antiseptic. Perfect for clearing the throat of harmful things.
Fill half a glass with water and drop in 3 drops of tea tree oil, stir.
Gargle a couple of times.
Spit out!
Take another sip and rinse around in your mouth.
Spit out!
5. Gargle lavender for sore throat
Lavender is soothing and antibacterial. Therefore works excellently when you have a sore throat.
Mix 3 drops of lavender oil in 3/4 glass of water and stir.
Gargle with the mixture to soothe sore and tender throat.
Spit out!
6. Relaxation at bedtime
Sleeping and resting is important when you have a cold but it's not the easiest. Lavender can help you through its calming and relaxing properties.
Drop 2-3 drops of lavender oil on a tissue and place on the pillow so you can breathe in the scent.
7. Relieve headaches with peppermint and lavender
If you have a headache, you can apply a homemade herbal salve to your temples. Peppermint relieves headaches and provides relief during colds. Lavender is calming and relaxing.
Ingredients
1/2 dl coconut oil
1 teaspoon shea butter or cocoa butter
10 drops essential peppermint oil
1 drop essential lavender oil
Place coconut oil and shea butter or cocoa butter in a double boiler and melt gently until it's liquid.
Add the essential oils.
Pour into a small glass jar and let cool.
Use a little of the salve on your temples.
8. Soothing bath with eucalyptus and peppermint
Add a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint to the bath for colds or breathing difficulties.
You can of course use other essential oils too depending on what you're looking for. If you want more energy, for example, choose rosemary (not for pregnant women). If you don't have a bathtub, do a foot bath.
9. Purify the air with a room spray
Make a scent spray with water and essential oils and spray in the room to purify the air and keep germs away. It freshens the air and supports breathing.
Add 1-2 dl water and 20 drops of any essential oil to a spray bottle.
Shake the bottle thoroughly before each time you spray.
Essential oils that are good for this are, for example, peppermint, lavender, cedar, rosemary, lemon. But most work depending on what you want.
Rosemary purifies the air and strengthens concentration.
Cedar reduces stress.
Bergamot counteracts fatigue and creates a cheerful atmosphere.
Lemon vitalizes and sharpens the mind.
Things to remember with essential oils
Pure essential oil is highly concentrated and should never be used directly on the skin.
Do not use during pregnancy without knowing that it is an oil suitable for pregnant women.
Do not use for children under 3 years.
Always store them out of reach.
Do you have questions or other great tips on how to use essential oils? Feel free to share them in a comment!
