Winter is in full swing here in Canada. It is a season to slow down; we are supposed to be resting more, sleeping longer, and taking the time to focus on ourselves and loved ones. This is not often the case, though. We continue to plow through the cold, finish our long to-do lists, and run ourselves down. With the lack of sunlight, the cold, and dark months, people are more at risk of catching a cold, and just feeling down and out.
Thankfully, there are so many great things to help keep the body healthy while we wait for longer and warmer days to be back. Essential oils are one way that I choose to keep myself, my family, and my clients, as healthy as possible.
When using an essential oil, it is best to use them aromatically or topically. To use them aromatically, you can add the oils to a diffuser, personal inhaler, add a drop to some jewelry, or just take a deep whiff right out of the bottle.
When using them topically, it is important that you dilute them safely. For a healthy adult, a typical dilution would be 3% to 5%. If using oils on children, they need to be diluted even more.
We know that germs are bound to come into the house. When someone starts to get the sniffles, I will often start to diffuse around the house to help ward off any floating germs.
If you don’t feel like making your own blend, most essential oil companies have a Protective Blend. Here is a blend that I created that is used mostly for coughing and warding off any lingering germs.
Master blend: 10 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) 10 drops Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) 15 drops Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) 15 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 15 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Add these oil to a glass bottle.
From the master blend, add 3 drops to a diffuser before going to bed.
From the master blend, add 10 drops to a 10ml roller bottle and fill the rest of the way with fractionated coconut oil. This is a 5% dilution which is good for adults.
For children over the age of 2, add 2 drops to a roller bottle and fill with fractionated coconut oil for a 1% dilution. For a topical blend, apply to the back along either side of the spine, and over the lungs.
Unfortunately with the shorter days also comes shorter tempers, feeling down and blue, and just an overall blah feeling. I love to use essential oils to help cut any tension building in the house and to lift up any stagnant energy that is holding us down. Citrus oils or grounding oils are both really lovely for this. Most oil companies have an Invigorating, Grounding, or a Joyful blend. These are great to apply topically or diffuse when we just need that extra boost of support.
Here is a diffuser blend that I have created and love to use. 1 drops Lime 2 drops Bergamot 2 drops Cedarwood 1 drop Ylang Ylang
If you chose to use this blend topically, it is best to avoid skin that will be exposed to sunlight for 12 hours, as some of the oils are photosensitive.
There are so many ways that essential oils can help the mind, body, and soul. Let your intuition guide you. Pick out an oil, breath it in deeply, and see how it makes you feel.
Always remember to use essential oils safely. Some essential oils are not safe for babies, children, or while pregnant. Consult a professional aromatherapist if you have health concerns before using essential oils.
Nikki has a passion to help empower women through pregnancy and beyond. She is a Certified Aromatherapist Health Professional, Registered Reflexologist, Childbirth Educator, Angelic Healer Practitioner, and working towards her Reiki Master. A mom to 2 spunky boys and currently on her second surrogacy journey, seeing first hand how western medicine has not always served her well, she ventured to open her own wellness office. Supporting people on their wellness journey has always been at her core and she uses holistic modalities to support and empower all who cross her path. Before venturing into her own health office, Nikki worked as a Child and Youth Care Worker and Addictions Counsellor. Find her at www.fraserholistichealth.com where she offers several levels of online training courses.
