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Essential Oils for Colds

Since we have talked about Elderberry Syrup and other alternatives to using over the counter medicines, let’s talk about another thing I LOVE … Essential Oils!

Essential oils can be used for anything and everything, like cleaning and also to help us feel better.

There are quite a few of essential oils out there to help with cold like symptoms. Here are a few of our favorites we use at home!

1. Peace & Calming 

This is an oil that can be used for more then just sickness, but is a great support when you or your little one is not feeling well! This essential oil is a blend of several oils and promotes relaxation and peacefullness. It’s perfect for a young child who may have trouble sleeping. This blend is only available through Young Living Essential Oils.

It can be used as a topical or aromatic (in a diffuser) use. I have used this oil for both uses and I love the scent! I most commonly rub this oil on the bottoms of Monte’s feet. It can also be applied onto the wrists and outside of ears.

2. R.C. 

This oil is a blend of several essential oils that help support the respiratory system. It’s a great oil to have on hand to help with congestion and seasonal allergies. Hence, R.C. = Respiratory Congestion! This blend is only available through Young Living Essential Oils.

It can be used as a topical or aromatic (in a diffuser) use. I have used this oil several times for Monte. I first apply coconut oil then place a few drops into the palm of my hand and apply it to his chest, back, and bottoms of his feet.

3. Eucalyptus 

One of my favorites! I purchased a rub called Tea Tree Therapy Eucalyptus Chest Rub, at Whole Foods which has Eucalyptus oil in it. It is similar to the well known Vapo Rub, but it’s a bit safer.

It can be used as a topical or aromatic (in a diffuser) use. I generally diffuse this oil, because I apply the rub that has Eucalyptus oil in it, to Monte’s chest and back. You can make your own rub, at home, by mixing coconut oil and a few drops of Eucalyptus oil in a glass container.

4. Thieves

Oh how I love Thieves! So many uses!! This essential oil is known for its cleansing properties. Remember all of the things I use it in to clean the house? Well, I use it to fight away colds and flus! Thieves is a blend of several essential oils. This blend is also only available through Young Living Essential Oils.

You can take this orally, by placing a few drops into a capsule to promote immune function. You can also diffuse this oil to help eliminate germs in the air. The smell of this oil is wonderful! So, diffusing is my choice!

What essential oils do you most commonly use to fight off colds and flu symptoms?

Clean with Thieves

Let’s talk about Thieves Essential Oil. You will learn quickly that I am a huge fan of essential oils for various things and various reasons. Today, I want to tell you about one of my favorite essential oil blend from Young Living Essential Oils, Thieves!

Thieves is well known for its cleansing abilities and “is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health”. Due to it being known for its cleaning abilities Young Living offers a household cleaner, spray, wipes, lozenges, toothpaste, hand soap, mouthwash, and more!

The essential oils included in this blend are: clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus radiata, and rosemary. With all these combined you can imagine it smells wonderful!

Since having Monte I get concerned about the things his little fingers touch and what he puts into his mouth. Thieves is all natural and extremely safe, so I feel much better using this product as my go to for cleaning then other common household cleaners.

Here are a list of various things I use Thieves for:

1.Homemade Laundry Detergent

Most homemade laundry detergents pretty much include the same things, depending on what you are looking for. If you check out my Pinterest board here you will find several different recipes, ways to store, etc. It comes down to how much you want to spend, what you are looking for, and the ease of making it.

This recipe includes …

3 cups Borax

3 cups Super Washing Soda

3 bars of Ivory bar soap

15-20 drops of Thieves essential oil

1. First you add the Borax and Super Washing Soda to a bowl or canister you are using.

2. Then grate the bars of soap.

3. Combine the grated soap with your mixture.

4. Then add your Thieves essential oil.

This lasts us about 3 months if you use 1-2 scoops per load. I also love it because I can use it on my sons clothes too. It doesn’t cause any rashes for him. Before I started making this we were using Dreft for all his clothes, but that stuff can be expensive so I tested it out and it works well!

I bought all of these ingredients at once and have made the detergent twice now and still have some leftover, which means this is also VERY inexpensive to make!

2.  All-Purpose Cleaner

Instead of using the actual essential oil I use the Thieves Household Cleaner which you can purchase here. With the household cleaner you just add a little bit to whatever concoction you are making up. You can add as little or as much as you want. On the back of each bottle it lists a dilution ratio that you can follow if you want.

All-Purpose Cleaner 

Small amount of Thieves household cleaner

Fill rest of the bottle up with water

** I need to get some cuter labels for my bottles!**

3. Cloth Diaper Bin

If you use cloth diapers you know how stinky that can get. When I take out all of the dirty cloth diapers and liner, I place about 3-5 drops of Thieves essential oil on the bottom of the bin. It helps take away the smell instantly! It also absorbs onto the bottom of the cloth liner when I put it back in, which makes it last a bit longer.

4. Shower Cleaner

 You have probably seen this image and pin floating around Pinterest. This is where I got my idea!

Instead of dawn dish soap, I use the Thieves cleaner! I put a very small amount in the handled sponge and then fill the rest with vinegar. It is soooo easy to keep up with cleaning the shower/bath this way. I just keep the sponge in the shower at all times and about once a week I will take it and do a big scrub down. You can also take it out of the shower and scrub down your sink area too.

What are some of your favorite DIY cleaners?