Facing Influenza With Essential Oils

You have probably seen the billboards and the TV ads asking the question "Are YOU the face of influenza?" To me, this question has victim written all over it. Don't get me wrong, we should definitely be concerned about contracting the flu, but should not fear it. With its dramatic tone and ominous black and white photos, the influenza awareness campaigns really play up the fear factor in a very subtle way. If one pays close attention, this campaign is actually an advertisement for vaccines.
My question would be "Is your immune system ready to face influenza?" Powerful bacteria and virus fighting essential oils are a great asset to your medicine cabinet for supporting the immune system. Here are some of the simple things that can be done to assist the body's natural defenses:

#1 Pray for your immune system and for the protection of your loved ones health many times daily. Do not be afraid, only believe!

• Wash hands often, and avoid using unwashed hands to touch eyes, mouth, or nose. Cover nose and mouth with a sleeve or tissue if possible when sneezing or coughing. Avoid close contact with individuals that are not well.


• In between washing, use a natural hand sanitizer with germ fighting essential oils such as Young Living's Thieves Waterless Hand Sanitizer. Avoid Purell, Dial, and many other common commercial sanitizers since soaking up all those synthetic chemical antibacterial agents and perfumes through our skin isn't promoting good health!


• Get enough restful sleep.


• Avoid sugary foods, this is especially tough during the holiday season. Sugar promotes acid and mucus production in the body. This can throw off proper ph levels which then creates a welcome environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive. NO high fructose corn syrup! Daily probiotics before bed encourages healthy intestinal flora with good bacteria.


• Be aware of psychoneuroimmunology, the study of how emotional and other psychological responses influence the biochemistry of the brain, hormone production, and the immune response. Our thoughts affect our bodies' immune system responses. Stress, fear, and worry can lower the production of the cells needed to fight disease.


• Educate yourself about vaccine risks and think twice about getting the flu shot. As with many vaccines, the often permanent damaging effects to our health can be much worse than getting the disease/virus.


• Maintain proper Vitamin D and antioxidant supplement intake as well as eating a healthy diet rich in essential fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidant fruits and vegetables.

Diffuse, diffuse, diffuse!
If you don't have a high quality cold air diffuser in your home yet, now is the perfect time to get into the practice of diffusing essential oils daily to create an unfriendly environment for the flu virus to hang out. Heating essential oils can damage the fragile therapeutic molecules, so candle burners, light bulb rings, and a pan of hot water on the stove are not good methods for diffusing. Some cold air diffusers like Young Living's Ultrasonic model have a built in timer. Running a diffuser in a central room of the home for 15 minutes every hour works well to disperse the micro fine oil mist and circulate it through the air where they can remain suspended for days. In very large homes, one diffuser is needed on each level for maximum therapeutic benefit.

Below are the essential oils that should be stocked in every home's medicine cabinet this fall!
Top virus-fighting essential oils for diffusing:
Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil Blend (see the full Thieves line of products)
Lemon
Ravensara
Tea Tree (melaleuca alternifolia)
Eucalyptus radiata
Top virus-fighting essential oils to apply topically:
Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil Blend
Young Living's Di-Gize Essential Oil Blend
Young Living's ImmuPower Essential Oil Blend
Peppermint
Mountain Savory
Oregano
Top virus-fighting essential oil supplements for internal use:
Young Living's Inner Defense Softgels
Young Living's Digest and Cleanse Softgels

DILUTE one EO single or blend 50:50 with a carrier oil and massage 2-4 drops on the chest, stomach, or lower back 2-4 times daily. Rotating singles and blends for each application works well so there aren't too many scents combining at the same time!
COMPRESS: Apply diluted oils above to lower abdomen and place a very warm damp towel 1-2 times daily.
Influenza Recipe for bath (from Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th edition)

• 2 drops Eucalyptus radiata


• 6 drops frankincense


• 3 drops blue cypress


• 6 drops spruce


• 15 drops ravensara


• 1 drop wintergreen

Stir above essential oils thoroughly into 1 cup of Epsom salt or baking soda, then add mixture to hot bath water while tub is filling. Soak in hot bath until water cools. If you have very sensitive skin do a hot foot soak with a quarter of the mixture instead of full bath.

Every person's immune system responds in its own unique way when exposed to a bacteria or virus. There are no guaranteed silver bullets that will make us invincible, however essential oils have proven to be very beneficial and effective before, during, and after illness. To get the full therapeutic potential, essential oils MUST be therapeutic/medicinal grade products and MUST be used consistently. Playing around casually with them here and there just won't be effective especially in the face of a tough virus like H1N1. Learn as much as you can and arm yourself with these powerful, natural virus-fighting gifts from nature! Ask me about getting a Young Living wholesale account so you can save 24% off Customer prices on all your purchases.

These tips are for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Anyone who has a compromised immune system or thinks they may have the flu should consult with their health care provider.