Christmas Aromas and Anti-Virals!

As it is almost Christmas time, but also as there seems to be a lot of colds and flu about (as well as Covid still around us), I thought I would concentrate this months blog on giving some information about Essential Oils to use at Christmas, to evoke that wonderful warm festive feeling, as well as some Essential Oils to help protect you and your loved ones this season.

Essential Oils for Christmas Time

There are some beautiful Essential Oils that immediately make us think of Christmas! Our sense of smell is a strong one, and its lovely to bring a little of these aromas into our homes at this time of year.

Please note that under all the Essential Oil descriptions, I have noted any Safety Data to be aware of. Some oils are contra-indicated completely for certain conditions (i.e. you should not use), where others are just ‘use with caution’.

Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Fol)

This oil is a powerful circulatory stimulant and digestive remedy. It is analgesic and carminative, as well being antimicrobial, antiviral and antispasmodic. It is a very powerful oil, so only a few drops should be used, as it may be too strong and overpowering for some. When used wisely though, it is extremely invigorating and warming, and can bring comfort and strength. Please note: This oil should not be used with babies, children or for those with damaged skin. It also should not be used in pregnancy or during menstruation, and should not be used long-term by anyone, but particularly those taking anticoagulant drugs. A lovely warm, Christmas aroma, used in moderation.

Clove (Syzygium Aromaticum Gem)

This oil shares very similar properties to Cinnamon Leaf above. It is also a powerful circulatory stimulant and analgesic, and is also warming and strong in its effects. It has a powerful antibacterial action and is a great antirheumatic. Please note: This oil is totally contraindicated with babies and children (just 5-10ml of pure essential oil ingested can be fatal to a child), and it also should not be used on those with damaged skin. Like Cinnamon, it should not be used in pregnancy or during menstruation, or used long-term by anyone, but particularly those taking anticoagulant drugs. Another lovely, warm, Christmas aroma, used in moderation.

Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri)

This oil is probably the one I would take with me to a desert island if I was only allowed to choose one! It is one of the safest oils we have, and one of the best for dealing with stress-related conditions. It is rejuvenating, healing, wonderful for emotional support, and is calming and centering. It is also lovely for elderly people (probably why I like it so much!) and is useful when dealing with bereavement and trauma. A wonderful link to the Christmas story, being one of the gifts brought by the wise men, and definitely my absolute favourite Essential Oil. Frankincense also blends beautifully with most other oils.

Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis)

Orange is a wonderful nerve tonic, uplifting, yet still calming and relaxing, which leads to a wonderful sense of wellbeing. I’m yet to meet someone who doesn’t like the smell of this Essential Oil! It is great for the Lymphatic and Digestive systems and is really refreshing – a brilliant tonic. It is also useful for headaches and migraines, and also helps with poor concentration and fatigue. It is a safe oil for everyone, and very popular with children too. It blends beautifully with all the traditional Christmas smells – and oranges themselves are often pierced with clove buds, to make lovely pomander balls at this time of the year. These are thought to bring good luck, and are used by many different cultures around the Christmas and New Year period.

A lovely Christmas Essential Oil Blend of these for a healthy adult that I would recommend (taking any relevant safety data above into account), would be 30ml of whatever Base/Carrier oil is your preference – I use Sweet Almond – then add:

5 drops of Sweet Orange

4 drops of Frankincense

2 drops of Cinnamon

1 drop of Clove

Or if you can’t use them all, or would like to use different Essential Oils of your own choosing instead, then use a combination (up to a total of 12 drops) per 30ml of Base oil. You can make these up into massage blends yourself, as shown above, or you can apply them to your pulse points on your wrists and your temples, or use them in a warm bath.

Anti-Viral Essential Oils

There are many Essential Oils that help to support our immunity. Massage itself also boosts our white cell production, so in itself is a good support in this. The blend of Essential Oils I am going to recommend are the ones listed below – Eucalyptus, Lemon and Tea Tree. They will not stop you getting a virus, or other coughs and colds, but will give you a little extra protection when you need it most, and help with any symptoms.

Please note that under all the Essential Oil descriptions, I have noted any Safety Data to be aware of. Some oils are contra-indicated completely for certain conditions (i.e. you should not use), where others are just ‘use with caution’.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)

This oil works hard to support our Respiratory and Immune Systems, and is helpful for asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, coughs, colds, chills, fever and chest infections. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, as well as being an analgesic, decongestant, expectorant, immuno-stimulant and is antirheumatic. It can also lift the spirits by clearing mental stagnation. It is non-toxic, non-sensitising, and non-irritant, and is safe for almost everyone. Please note: It is not suitable for babies or young children though, and is believed to perhaps antidote homeopathic remedies.

Lemon (Citrus Limonum)

Lemon oil is cleansing, toning and uplifting, and is an airborne antiseptic which is also useful when there are germs around. It is bactericidal, antiviral, decongesting, and is an immunostimulant, as well as being fungicidal and a great Lymphatic and Digestive tonic. It can uplift the mind, and is safe for just about everyone. Please note: The only safety data with this oil is that is can be slightly phototoxic, so please avoid strong sun exposure after application (not likely to be too much of a problem in winter!).

Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)

This oil is a powerful antimicrobial and Immune System stimulant. It is antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and an expectorant, as well as being a great analgesic and general tonic. It is useful for asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, coughs and colds, chest infections and chills or fever. It is non-toxic, non-sensitising and non-irritant, and is safe for almost everyone. It has more physical than mental properties, but is brilliant at this time of year. Please note: This oil is not suitable for those with hypersensitivity.

A lovely Anti-Viral Essential Oil Blend of these for a healthy adult that I would recommend (taking any relevant safety data above into account), would be 30ml of whatever Base/Carrier oil is your preference – I use Sweet Almond – then add:

4 drops of Eucalyptus

4 drops of Lemon

4 drops of Tea Tree

Or if you can’t use them all, or would like to use different Essential Oils of your own choosing instead, then use a combination (up to a total of 12 drops) per 30ml of Base oil. You can make these up into massage blends yourself, as shown above, or you can apply them to your pulse points on your wrists and your temples, massage them into the upper chest areas for inhalation, or use them in a warm bath.

So all there is left to do, is to wish you and your loved ones all the very best for the Christmas period, and to wish you all a very happy, healthy 2024.