Here we are in the middle of what has been an incredibly mild winter.
We worked hard, played hard, and celebrated like mad from Halloween to New Year’s. And we may have overdone everything, exhausted ourselves trying to do it all, and in turn we may have weakened our immune system. And it is also the time of year that everyone passes around the winter bugs.
That means that now is the time for a little self-love and taking good care of ourselves to insure we have WINTER WELLNESS. You have to take care of yourself first before you can effectively take care of anyone ese….just like the airlines tell you to put on your oxygen mask first and then help others.
Yes, there are things we can do all year round to stay healthier like making sure we get enough quality sleep….exercising….eating well… etc. But using essential oils can also be another tool in your wellness toolbox….
For immune support, my go to oil is doTERRA’s OnGuard oil, also known as the Protective Blend. And there is a reason it is one of the most popular oils at dōTERRA. A drop in a hot cup of tea when I am feeling a little under the weather not only tastes great but I know I am giving myself an extra helping hand. I also frequently use doTERRA’s lemon, tea tree, and oregano.
• OnGuard: this blend is a powerhouse for immune support. It contains oils that
support the immune system. There is an entire line OnGuard products and they
are fantastic.
• Lemon: not only is this oil excellent for cleaning surfaces but when you add it to a
diffuser, it helps to cleanse the air of impurities as well. Added bonus – it is also
known to be a natural mood booster.
• Tea Tree: although it can be intense, this is a versatile oil I have come to love.
Topically, it is a cooling oil so is great in conjunction with peppermint if you are
overheated, etc. Like lemon, it is a great oil to reach for when you are looking to
clean and purify surfaces and the air.
• Oregano: Most of us think of oregano as a spice associated with pizza, spaghetti
sauce, etc. As an oil, it is very high in antioxidants and is excellent at supporting
the immune system when used internally. It has antiviral, antibacterial, and
antifungal properties making it a powerful tool in the fight against the winter bugs.
If you apply this oil topically, it is considered a “hot” oil so you will definitely want to
dilute it with a carrier oil.
For respiratory support, I reach for these oils frequently: Breathe, eucalyptus, peppermint.
• Eucalyptus: this oil is useful for helping to clean the air and surfaces. I diffuse it in
the winter with peppermint and lemon and get a great mood booster from the
lemon but the eucalyptus helps with clear breathing and it wonderful if you are
stuffed up.
• Peppermint: a clean, crisp scent that I love to diffuse to help with easier breathing.
It is also very energizing at the same time. I love it diffused with a citrus oil.
• Breathe: doTERRA’s wonderful blend of oils that truly work hard to help me breathe
a little easier. I diffuse and I use the Breathe “stick” on my chest and beneath my
nose and it works so fast and so well.
DIFFUSING. I am a huge fan of using cool mist diffusers – I have them in my car, at work and in my home. During the winter months, when immune systems are being tested by everything that is being passed around, I am diffusing oils that support the immune system and oils that promote easier, more open breathing. Almost any combination of the oils listed above work very well. 1-2 drops of a few oils is sufficient. And with diffusers, the wonderful part is that everyone in the area benefits. Also, even if the diffuser shuts off, the microdroplets of water with the essential oils stay suspended for hours after the diffuser quits, so you will still be enjoying those benefits long after the diffuser shuts off.
TOPICAL: anytime I am having respiratory issues and need breathing support, I apply doTERRA’s Breathe to my chest in some fractionated coconut oil or apply their Breathe stick. You can also apply any of the oils to your feet, back of neck, spine, in fractionated coconut oil, to get extra support as you need it.
INTERNAL: NOTE: THE ONLY OILS I WILL EVER USE INTERNALLY ARE FROM dōTERRA AND THEY ARE LABELLED AS SAFE FOR SUPPLEMENTATION.
This rollerball is another great way to give yourself or your family members a little extra support….
IMMUNE ROLLERBALL
One of my absolute MUST-HAVE’S is a FLOOT roller ball for Immune Support.
Use a 10ml roller ball and add:
• 10 drops Frankincense
• 15 drops Lemon
• 10 drops OnGuard
• 10 drops Tea Tree (aka Melaleuca)
Fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil.
Apply as needed to back of neck, chest, spine, bottoms of feet.
STEAMING CUP
If you get knocked down and are fighting the fight but need some extra oomph, or you feel something coming on and want to head it off at the pass…..this recipe is amazing and will have you back on your feet in no time. Don’t use this every day for more than 4 or 5 days – you want to give your body a break from the oregano as this is pretty intense stuff.
In a large 16 oz mug, filled with HOT HOT HOT water….add the following:
• 1-2 drops Frankincense
• 1-2 drops Lemon
• 1-2 drops OnGuard
• 1-2 drops Oregano
• 1-2 drops Thyme
• 1-2 drops Peppermint or Cardamom
• 1 T honey
Put a towel over your heat and breathe in the steam. It will probably make you cough a little and your eyes water a little but let it work for you.
When it has cooled a little, sip it all down. I usually have one in the morning and one at night if I feel something coming on - and I love it. I haven’t been sick enough to stay in bed or home from work in YEARS.
Please feel free to reach out to me with questions or if you are curious – I would love to hear from you. If you feel as though some of these oils might be beneficial to you, reach out to me, I am happy to share some with you. You will be amazed at the results you get….
Shannon Kirby
dōTERRA Wellness Advocate
406-930-2174