Coughs, sneezing and sore throats will always be followed by the inevitable question: “Have I caught a cold?!”

The beginning of a cold is generally accompanied by a feeling of weariness. But there are things you can do to combat this! It is important to prevent the virus from spreading around the entire body. In order to repel its effects as early as possible, it is a good idea to increase immunity, relieve throat inflammation, and remove phlegm. Most importantly, you should warm up the body and take as much rest as you can.

I’d like to introduce the most effective essential oils to deal with a cold.

One of the human immune cells is a cell called the natural killer cell (NK cell). This cell patrols the whole body and attacks as soon as it finds cancer cells or virus-infected cells, working at the forefront of the immune system. Increasing the function of NK cells is the key to raising immunity.

Natural killer (NK) cells – Japanese manga

Forest bathing has been scientifically proved to be effective for relaxation and recovery from fatigue, and alpha-Pinene, one of the fragrance components of the forest, has been reported to have the effect of enhancing the function of this natural killer cell.

Alpha-Pinene is contained in essential oils extracted from evergreen conifers with a strong green tone, such as pine, cypress and juniper. When your physical strength is weakening due to fatigue brought on by a cold, the fragrance of these essential oils increases the immune power of the body and helps to repel the cold virus.

A sore or itchy throat is often the first symptom of a cold. To reduce this kind of respiratory inflammation, a coniferous essential oil rich in bornyl acetate is highly recommended, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

It is recommended you inhale essential oils such as fir and cypress. Although they have a similar forest scent to those mentioned above, they are characterized more by a mild and gentle fragrance than those containing a large amount of α-Pinene. The relaxation effects of forest bath are often said to be due to a high concentration of bornyl acetate.

The main ingredient of benzoin essential oil, the sweet smell of vanilla is said to be useful for antitussive expectorant action to calm coughs.

We need to make it easier for the body to discharge cough-inciting sputum and mucus from our systems as soon as we can. This will also help to expel the virus. The oxide 1,8 cineol is believed to be effective to relieve this.

1,8 cineole is the main component of Eucalyptus essential oil, although there are many species of Eucalyptus so they won’t necessarily contain this component. For cold symptoms, two types of Eucalyptus oil are recommended – Eucalyptus Globulus and Radiota. Eucalyptus Radiota has a lower cineole ratio and a mild aroma, so if you only have mild cold symptoms it may be the best choice. To make its efficacy towards the condition as wide as possible, it is key to select “gentle” essential oils first. This is the same with medicine. Remember, always “less is more”.

Eucalyptus globulus

Aromatic bath salt for the beginning of cold symptoms

Ingredients and how to make:

• Essential oils
  Eucalyptus Radiata 1  
  Fir 4
  Benzoin 1
• Himalayan salt – 5 to 6 tbsp

Mix the essential oil blend and Himalayan salt evenly.

Himalayan salt is believed to enhance the metabolism of the body and help respiratory diseases such as asthma. Half-body bathing at around 40 degrees would be ideal. Place a towel on the shoulders to keep your upper body warm.

When you have a cold, your physical strength is in decline. Half-body bathing is recommended, as it does not overly drain your body’s strength.

Keep your body warm after the bath and go to bed to get a good night’s sleep! Do not forget to drink water and take vitamins to keep your body hydrated and fight against this unwanted virus!