Essential Oils for Cold Symptoms
There is no cure for a common cold. Colds are caused by viral infections, so antibiotics don’t help. Modern medicine will tell you to take it easy, stay hydrated, and do what you can to ease symptoms like sore throats, coughs, stuffy noses and clogged nasal passages, until you feel better. Using essential oils may be a part of that plan, says Amanda Lattin, chair of aromatherapy at the American College of Healthcare Sciences. Essential oils are a great natural remedy for colds. It can help to relieve cold symptoms and reduce the duration of a common cold. As always, if the symptoms become severe or do not improve, check in with a doctor. The following ten essential oils can help alleviate cold symptoms and support the healing process:
Ten essential oils to support a common cold
| Essential oil | Description | Safety guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Frankincense | As one of the oldest known essential oils, frankincense has incredible antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties—all of which can drastically shorten your cold or flu. Frankincense it said to be a natural remedy for lungs. It is extremely useful for reducing stubborn coughs, congestion and other respiratory issues. | Suitable to diffuse from aged 6 months Suitable for topical use from 2 years |
| Cedarwood | Cedarwood is an expectorant known for its ability to loosen phlegm and a sedative that reduces runny noses, coughing, and watery eyes. A great way to loosen up congested airways is by breathing in the woodsy, musky scent of cedarwood essential oil | Suitable to diffuse: 6 months and older Suitable for topical use: 2 years and older |
| Lemon | Lemon essential oil is a decongestant and has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory as well as immune-boosting properties. It’s fresh, uplifting vitamin-c infused scent can help reduce the most common cold and flu symptoms. Lemon essential oil can ease a sore throat, coughs and congestion and body aches. | Suitable to diffuse from aged 6 months Suitable for topical use from age 2 years |
| Lavender | Lavender has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, immune-boosting, and antiviral properties. When it comes to cold symptoms, lavender oil’s most important properties are its ability to boost the immune system and to loosen the phlegm that causes breathing issues and coughs. This oil is especially helpful in clearing up a stuffy nose and alleviate congestion. | Suitable to diffuse from aged 6 months Suitable for topical use from age 2 years Avoid diffusing around cats |
| Tea tree | Tea tree (also known as Melaleuca) essential oil is popular for its antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. These properties make it a great oil for shortening colds and flu as well as alleviating most of the symptoms associated with colds and flu. Tea tree oil can relief coughs, break up congestion and sooth sore throats | Suitable to diffuse from aged 6 months Suitable for topical use from 2 years Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Oregano | Oregano essential oil has immune-boosting, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. All these properties come together to combat infections, make your immune system stronger to prevent illness and to alleviate certain symptoms associated with colds and flu. It is especially helpful for relieving a sore throat. | Suitable for use from 2 years old Avoid diffusing around cats |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamon oil has antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. It is known to benefit the respiratory system by reducing the symptoms of colds and flu, such as a sore throat, nasal congestion and headaches. | Suitable to use from 2 years old Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Eucalyptus Globulus Eucalyptus Radiata | Eucalyptus is a decongestant and has anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties. It contains a high amount of the oxide called eucalyptol, which loosens mucus secretions, relaxes muscles, and opens the airways for easier breathing. The menthol in eucalyptus can help ease both sinus congestion and chest congestion by acting as an expectorant. Eucalyptus is the same ingredient contained in many over-the-counter chest rubs used to treat coughs and congestion. | Eucalyptus Globulus and Radiata: not suitable for children under 3 years. Never use around nose or mouth of children Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Peppermint | Peppermint is a stimulant, and it has antiviral, antimicrobial as well as antibacterial properties. It is a good choice to help with several symptoms that are common with winter illnesses. Peppermint will help alleviate chest, throat and sinus congestion. Peppermint oil is made up mostly of menthol and menthone. The potent presence of menthol is one of the reasons it’s commonly used in OTC (over the counter) medicines. Since the nervous system reacts to menthol, peppermint can be used as an effective pain reliever to soothe those annoying body aches and pains that often come with being sick. Menthol can also numb or ease sore throats while acting as a decongestant. Peppermint can also relax the windpipe’s bronchial muscles to prevent coughing and breathing difficulties. | Not suitable for children under the age of 6 years old. Never use around nose or mouth of children Avoid diffusing around pets Always dilute it with a carrier oil |
| Rosemary | Rosemary is a decongestant with antibacterial properties. It is an excellent mucolytic essential oil that breaks up sinus, lung and circular congestion. Rosemary is also high in ketones, and that'll make you feel better when you have a stuffy nose or cough. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it also good for relieving a sore throat. | Not suitable for children under 6 years |
Quick reference to cold symptoms
| Cold Symptoms | Essential Oil |
|---|---|
| Cough | Frankincense, Cedarwood, Lemon, Lavender, Tea tree, Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Rosemary, Peppermint |
| Sore throat | Lemon, Tea tree, Oregano, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Peppermint |
| Congestion (nasal, sinus or chest) | Frankincense, Cedarwood, Lemon, Lavender, Tea tree, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Globulus, Eucalyptus Radiata, Rosemary, Peppermint |
| Runny nose | Cedarwood, Lavender, Rosemary |
| Slight body aches & mild headache | Lemon, Cinnamon, Peppermint |
| Immune boosting | Frankincense, Lemon, Lavender, Tea tree, Oregano, Cinnamon |
Essential oils are a helpful addition to any winter survival kit but buying all ten of the above oils can get expensive quickly. If you can only purchase a couple, choose ones that have multiple benefits and are suitable for your family composition. You can also consider the following essential oil blends:
If you opt for essential oils as a more natural way to ease cold symptoms, always make sure that you only use pure, high quality essential oils and always adhere to safe use guidelines
| Name | Blend of | Safety guideline |
|---|---|---|
| RC | A blend of Spruce, Cypress, and three types of Eucalyptus oils (E. globulus, E. radiata, and E. citriodora) | Not suitable for children under 3 years. Never use around nose or mouth of children Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Thieves | A blend of lemon, eucalyptus radiata, cinnamon, clove, and rosemary. | Not suitable for children under 6 years Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Melrose | Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), naouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum). | Not suitable for children under 6 years Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Breath again | This blend combines Peppermint, Myrtle, and Copaiba with four different types of Eucalyptus | Not suitable for children under 10 years Avoid diffusing around pets |
| Raven | A blend of Ravintsara, Peppermint, Eucalyptus Radiata, Lemon, and Wintergreen essential oils. | Suitable from age 18 years Avoid diffusing around pets |