Here in Queensland we don’t exactly experience what a lot of the world would think of as winter weather however even though the daytime temperature doesn’t dip much below 18 C here on the Sunshine coast, we still experience all the winter ills that colder climates do. In fact I don’t know if my memory is faulty due to living up here for 20 years or so, but it is my opinion that in actual fact we seem to suffer from the colds and flus that go around each year more than when we lived in the colder areas. My personal theory for this is that the virus’ and bacteria spread more easily and grow faster because of the warmer weather.
I have a few hints for coping with the misery that they bring.
As always it’s very important to keep your water intake up-espcially when you have a temperature.
At night I put a tissue that has a few drops of either Eucalyptus, Tea Tree or a blend of Cedarwood and Lemongrass oil inside my pillow case. The warmth of my head releases the oils and by breathing them in it eases the congestion and helps me to sleep.
If you have an oil burner or diffuser there are a few blends that I would suggest you use-however a word of warning. Always us a GOOD quality oil burner with a thick even glaze. The cheap ones have the potential to crack with the heat or to absorb oil and eventually can catch on fire. Also be careful where you place it- away from fabric that could blow onto it or where it could get knocked off the table etc. For the last few years we have been using an electric one that is totally safe as the temperature it works at is too low to burn anyone or anything and it doesn’t use water either-if you forget its on it doesn’t matter and it only costs a few cents a day to run.
For Easing blocked Sinuses:
2 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Peppermint
2 drops Tea Tree
To Ease Coughs:
4 drops Eucalyptus
4 drops Lavender
To Ease Coughs throughout the day:
2 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Lavender
Add 2 drops eucalyptus and 2 drops lavender to 4 teaspoons of our massage base oil and apply to the throat and chest (this will make enough for several applications).
To Combat colds and flu – day:
2 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Peppermint
2 drops Tea Tree
To Combat colds and flu – night:
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Tea Tree
To Breathe Easy at night
A very simple blend that will help ease sniffles, coughs and colds. Add 2 drops of Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil, 2 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil, 2 drops of Geranium Essential Oil and 2 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil to your oil burner. As you inhale the aroma you will find you breathe far easier.
Common Cold treatment using Lemon
Lemon is the most important among that many home remedies use for a common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily.
Common Cold treatment using Garlic
Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once daily. The soup can be prepared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, besides several other medicinal virtues. The oil contained in this vegetable helps to open up the respiratory passages. In soup form, it flushes out toxins from the system and thus helps bring down fever. Five drops of garlic oil combined with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be drunk two to three times a day. This has also been found to be very effective in the treatment of common cold.
Common Cold treatment using Ginger
Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. About ten grams of ginger should be cut into small pieces and boiled in a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. This decoction should be drunk when hot. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It may be taken twice daily.
To Ease a Sore Throat
A very old remedy for easing a sore throat is to suck a sage leaf -sage will deaden the pain. You can also make a gargle by doing the following
Half a litre of boiling water should be poured on a handful of sage leaves. When moderately cool, a little vinegar and honey should be added according to taste. A teaspoon of this mixture call also be taken internally at the same time
Sore Throat treatment using Cinnamon
Cinnamon is regarded as an effective remedy for a sore throat resulting from a cold. One teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon, boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder, and two teaspoons of honey can be taken as a medicine in the treatment of this condition. Two or three drops of cinnamon oil, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, also give immense relief.
I hope that these recipes and remedies will help you survive the dreaded lurgies…… and just think Spring is just around the corner 
when I have to turn the taps on etc with the right hand.
