Winter Blues & Snotty Things
With Winter fast approaching that means that the cold and flu season is almost upon us. Now is the time to understand your respiratory system and what you can do to avoid getting sick or to assist you in a more rapid recovery. The benefits of essential oils and herbs have been talked about throughout the ages.
The Respiratory system consists of the nasal passage, the larynx, the pharynx, the trachea and lungs. The human being depends on the ability to utilise oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide, and respiration is the exchange of these two gases in the body. The lungs are extremely efficient at allowing the exchange of gases between air and fluid, throughout its fine system of blood capillaries.
As with all imbalances in the body, diet, exercise and quality of life have a profound influence. If you are going to place your body in a position where it is exposed to physical and emotional toxins and pollutants, it is going to respond with respiratory system ailments. Smoking for instance, physically taxes most body systems and in particular the respiratory system, but at the same time being emotionally stressed can trigger an asthma attack. So physical and emotional stresses on the body can reflect in ailments.
Aromatherapy can assist in accelerating in the healing process. With the respiratory system, we can encourage the elimination of toxins, relax breathing, tone debilitating tissues and relieve underlying symptoms feeding the problem.
Plant Essentials have designed a range of products using natural, plant based products to help you fight those nasty winter colds & flu head on as well as selling a variety of herbs, teas and essential oils to strengthen your immune system and kill the bugs.
The Immune System.
Twenty-four hours a day, your immune system is fighting a war to protect you from millions of microorganisms. The fact is that these micro – organisms are merely trying to survive as well. The impact of these organisms on your body will be decided by the state of your physical and emotional health and your immune system. Viruses and bacteria are very adaptable and can multiply within any host; they just require a comfortable environment. The cleaner and more balanced your lifestyle the less chance you will have of housing these uninvited guests.
Echinacea is a herb fantastic for acute immune system ailments, but not as effective for chronic. Astragalus is also a fantastic herb for chronic immune system ailments. Both of these herbs should not be taken continually. Consult your naturopath for assistance in determining your correct dosage.
Dietary Considerations:
- A 3:1 Alkaline diet to acid diet is recommended to prevent the build up of toxins. Alkaline forming foods are fruits and vegetables.
- Elimination of refined and processed foods, sugars, wheats, salts.
- Reduction / elimination of stimulants – tea, coffee, alcohol.
- Elimination of suspected allergens – dairy, wheat, preservatives.
- Regular exercise, no smoking, “breath in life”.
Asthma
Asthma is the reversible narrowing of the bronchioles (small air tubes), by inflammation of the mucous membranes or contraction of the muscular walls of the diaphragm. This results in difficulty in breathing, wheezing and coughing will occur if excessive mucous is present.Hayfever
Symptoms, like runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes all can be from hayfever. There can be antigens like dust, pollens, powders, and insecticides etc that can grab sensitive people. It does not matter what the antigen, symptoms need to be relieved, so if you know that you are sensitive to an antigen, stay away and work on immune system.
Herbs: Chamomile, Echinacea, Elder flowers, Marshmallow root.
Essential Oils: German Chamomile, Myrtle, Thyme, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Pine, Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint.
Method: Inhalation, Chest rub.
Sinus
This is the bacterial infection version that comes from inefficient drainage of nasal mucosa and commonly runs with or after colds and flu or hayfever. Symptoms can be headache and toothache, loss of smell, tenderness over face areas, pressure build up in head.
Herbs: Fenugreek, Echinacea, Elder flowers, Marshmallow root.
Essential Oils: Cajeput, Aniseed, Ginger, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Pine, Spike Lavender, Frankincense, Lemon, Peppermint.
Method: Inhalation, Chest rub.
Sore Throats
This can come from anything that is irritating the sensitive mucous membranes at the back of the throat. Irritants can be as simple as cigarette smoke, dust, fumes etc through to infections and abrasions. Chronic coughing can also irritate the throat.
Herbs Teas: Sage, Echinacea, Thyme, Licorice root, Marshmallow root.
Essential Oils: Cajeput, Ginger, Sandalwood, Thyme, Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Lemon, Tea Tree.
Method: Inhalation, Throat and Chest rub.
Herb Teas: Relaxants like Vervain, Chamomile, Passion Flowers as a preventatives.
Essential Oils: Cypress, Atlas Cedarwood, Aniseed, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Pine, Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Lemon, Mandarin, and Peppermint.
Method: Inhalation (not over steam), Chest rub.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is the inflammation and or obstruction of the bronchi (breathing tubes) that lead 
to the lungs. Symptoms that can be present are coughing and expectoration, fever, back and chest ache, sore throat and breathing problems. Acute bronchitis usually follows an upper respiratory system infection (cold/flu), and chronic results from a frequent irritation of the lungs, not an infection.
Herb Teas: Licorice Root, Ginger, Thyme, Echinacea, and Marshmallow Root.
Essential Oils: Cypress, Basil, Cajeput, Atlas Cedarwood, Aniseed, Ginger, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Thyme, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Pine, Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Lemon, Mandarin, Peppermint.
Method: Inhalation (not over steam), Chest rub.
Coughs
Coughs can be the resulting symptoms from asthma or bronchitis or from your body simply trying to eliminate a blockage. Either way, we do not want to suppress the cough, but we do want to relax breathing and assist the elimination of the blockage. If it is a build up of mucous, essential oils like Aniseed, Myrrh and Frankincense are excellent, combined with Cypress to regulate breathing.
Herb Teas: Licorice Root, Ginger, Thyme, Echinacea, and Marshmallow Root.
Essential Oils: Cypress, Atlas Cedarwood, Aniseed, Ginger, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Thyme, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, and Peppermint.
Method: Inhalation, Chest rubs.
Catarrh (snot)
Catarrh is the fancy name for good old snot. This occurs either from the body trying to 
eliminate an excess of toxins in the diet and environment from the mucous membranes, or a faulty elimination of toxins by the usual organs, i.e. liver.
Herbs: Ginger, Fenugreek, Echinacea.
Essential Oils: Cajeput, Atlas Cedarwood, Aniseed, Ginger, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Pine, Frankincense, Lemon, Peppermint, Ylang Ylang.
Method: Inhalation, Chest rub.
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Recommended Products
Plant Essentials Breathe Essential oil blend contains eucalyptus, peppermint, kunzea, cajeput, tea tree, lavender, aniseed & ginger essential oils. Use as an inhalation for the temporary relief of respiratory problems such as coughs and colds, flu, sinusitis & mucous congestion.
Breathe Herbal Tea is a great fortifying blend ideal to keep those winter ills and chills away. Contains elderflower, sage, peppermint, chamomile, Echinacea, olive leaf, cinnamon, thyme and yarrow.
Essential Oil Blends - made with 100% pure essential oils
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