As winter approaches, certain essential oils are essential for the natural prevention and treatment of everyday ailments.
All you have to do is choose the ones that suit you best, and that are best adapted to the situation you're facing! In this article, discover the essentials in your first-aid kit to help you prepare for winter.
1. Boost your immunity with Ravintsara
Ravintsara means "all-purpose leaf" in Malagasy, hence the reputation and renown of this plant, whose essential oil is a must-have for young and old alike. It is excellent for fighting winter ailments and other viruses. With its antiviral, anticatarrhal, expectorant and antibacterial action, it can be used by the whole family as soon as a viral infection breaks out: respiratory tract, urinary tract, gynecological, oral and dermatological. Ravintsara is therefore ideal for viral influenza, herpes, shingles, chickenpox and gastroenteritis. In prevention, it is ideal for stimulating the body's natural defenses. It also has a neurotonic effect in cases of profound nervous and physical fatigue or sleep disorders.
Supporting natural defenses
Discover here the possible routes of administration for the use of essential oils. Note, however, that it is possible to combine different routes of administration if the need arises.
Cutaneous: 2 drops on wrists every morning, 5 days a week;
Oral route: From age 12, 1 Ravintsara bead before breakfast every day during the delicate period (5 days out of 7). For adults, 2 beads at the start of or during meals, 1 to 2 times a day.
Atmospheric diffusion: 10 to 15 drops of Essential Oil in an ultrasonic diffuser for 10 to 20 minutes (3 times a day).
Fighting the flu (viruses)
4 drops on the chest, 4 times a day for 5 to 7 days.
Ravintsara Essential Oil is also available in Essential Oil pearl format.
Find out more about pearls? Visit our article "Essential Oil Pearls".
2. Soothe your sore throat with Thyme vulgaris thujanol
We can't do an article on winter Essential Oils without mentioning one of our specialties at Pranarôm: thujanol thyme (thymus vulgaris CT thujanol). Grown only in the South of France, its high thujanol content makes it an Essential Oil with a very singular composition and a rare chemotype. Its anti-infectious, antiviral, immunostimulant and fungicidal properties are recommended for all throat and ENT-related ailments. Although its mechanism of action still remains a mystery, this Essential Oil is a must-have in the family kit of any discerning user!
How it works
As with Ravintsara Essential Oil, in the case of sore throats, it is possible to combine two routes of administration to reinforce the desired effect of Thyme vulgaris thujanol essential oil.
- Cutaneous route: from age 6, 2 drops of Essential Oil directly on the lymph nodes (3 to 4 times a day) as soon as the sore throat begins.
- Oral: from age 12, 1 pearl of Thyme vulgaris with thujanol at the start of or during meals, 1 to 3 times a day during the delicate period (5 days out of 7). For adults, 3 pearls at the start of or during meals, 1 to 2 times a day. Swallow with a little water.
Another tip: In the event of angina, laryngitis or tracheitis, dilute 2 drops of Essential Oil in honey, 3x /day orally as a remedy.
3. Calming end-of-year stress with Chamomile (Roman or Noble)
Noble Chamomile Essential Oil is a powerful essential oil to be used in particular for stress and anxiety, but also for emotional shocks, nervous disorders or even insomnia. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is also ideal for minor skin problems and irritations of sensitive skin that suffers in winter. Simply add 1 drop to your body cream.
How to use it
- Cutaneous route: From the age of 6, massage 2 drops of Essential Oil onto the inside of your wrist, then join hands like a cathedral and breathe deeply. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day as needed.
- Cutaneous route: 6 to 12 years: 1 bead at the beginning of or during meals, 1 to 2 times a day. From age 12: 2 beads at the start of or during meals, 1 to 2 times a day. Swallow with a little water.
If you prefer the scent of citrus fruits, Petit Grain Bigarade or Mandarin Essential Oils have excellent calming and relaxing properties when applied to the skin or diffused by scent. Mandarin Essential Oil is also available in an Essential Oil bead format for greater ease of use.
FIND A POINT OF SALE NEAR YOU
4. Relieve dry coughs with Balsam Fir
The buds of the Canadian Balsam Fir have been used for decades to relieve coughs. Its essential oil has very similar properties, but is much more concentrated.
How to use it
- Cutaneous route: From age 6, massage 2 drops of Balsam Fir Essential Oil on the chest or back 3 to 4 times a day (dilute with a Vegetable Oil). From age 12, massage 3 to 4 drops of Balsam Fir Essential Oil on the chest or back, 3 to 4 times a day.
- Atmospheric diffusion: 10 to 15 drops of essential oil in an ultrasonic diffuser for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 times a day.
5. Relieve blocked noses with Eucalyptus radiata
Refreshing, radiant Eucalyptus Essential Oil is a treasure straight from Australia. This Essential Oil has excellent antiviral and respiratory antiseptic properties. It is traditionally recommended for clearing the respiratory tract, since a blocked nose is one of the most frequent concerns as winter approaches. This is an Essential Oil you absolutely must have in your aromatherapy library!
Eucalyptus Radiant Essential Oil also invigorates the mind with its energizing effects. A general tonic, Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil is also known for its ability to clear the mind.
How to use
Cutaneous use
From age 6, apply 1 drop of Eucalyptus radiata Essential Oil directly to the sinuses (on the outside of the nose). This helps to clear the respiratory tract. Alternatively, dilute with a drop of vegetable oil before applying the essential oil to the sinuses.
Oral use
From age 6, take 1 drop on a neutral base 3 times a day; from age 12, take 2 drops on a neutral base 3 times a day.
Atmospheric diffusion
10 to 15 drops of Essential Oil in an ultrasonic diffuser for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 times a day, will have a positive effect on tired individuals.
6. Combating seasonal depression with Marjoram
Marjoram provides a valuable essential oil for any illness with a clearly established nervous origin. It is therefore recommended in cases of stress, difficulty falling asleep and anxiety. In these situations, it remains an essential product, restoring the patient's health by balancing nervous deviances.
Its anti-infectious effects make it ideal for diffusing during epidemics, general fatigue, seasonal depression or viral and bacterial infections.
How to use it
Cutaneous route
Apply 3 to 4 drops of this essential oil, massaged into the solar plexus and onto the inside of the wrists OR sublingually: 2 drops on a neutral base (3 x / day).
Precautions for use: Do not use these essential oils during pregnancy or breast-feeding, or on children under 6 years of age. Caution is also advised for asthmatics. For more specific advice (e.g. on babies, children, pregnant women, particular pathologies, etc.), ask a health professional for advice.
Our ready-to-use natural solutions
If you prefer ready-made solutions, consider our 100% organic AROMAFORCE "winter ailments" range.
This range offers products adapted to all winter ailments and individual preferences: Nasal Spray, Throat Spray, Respiratory Tract Syrup, Soothing Throat Lozenges, etc. We also offer treatments such as inhalation and massage with pectoral balm to ease breathing.
For toddlers, there are products in the PranaBB range, such as the natural defenses massage oil and the pectoral balm.
FIND A POINT OF SALE NEAR YOU
A few more tips to prepare for winter with essential oils!
As winter approaches, organic essential oils are powerful allies in boosting your immune system.
More and more families, concerned about their health and that of their children, are turning to these plants to relieve cold symptoms such as dry coughs and blocked noses.
For example, Tea Tree essential oil, available at affordable prices in Pranarôm packs, has highly antiviral properties.
Similarly, mixing a spoonful of honey with a few drops of Niaouli essential oil, appreciated by many for its expectorant properties, proves highly effective in soothing irritating coughs.
To relieve end-of-year stress, there's nothing like lemon essential oil, widely recognized for its calming effects.
It's also important not to underestimate SAD, a winter ailment, which can be alleviated with the use of peppermint essential oil, known for its mood-boosting virtues.
In conclusion, a rigorous selection of essential oils enables us to choose remedies that are suited to our bodies and prepare us gently for winter.
