Head Colds

The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world. The common cold is a self-limiting illness caused by any 1 of more than 200 viruses. The common cold produces mild symptoms usually lasting only 5-10 days.

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of cold viruses do not spread through the air and seldom are transmitted from airborne particles expelled when someone with a cold coughs or sneezes. The primary means of spreading a cold is through hand-to-hand contact or from objects that have been touched by someone with a cold. The typical transmission occurs when a cold sufferer rubs his or her nose and then, shortly thereafter, shakes hands with someone who, in turn, touches his or her own nose or eyes. Alternatively, virus transmission often occurs via doorknobs and other hard surfaces, such as handrails, supermarket trolleys, office telephones, and computer keyboards. 

How to treat a cold? To date, no specific cure has been found for the group of viruses that cause the common cold. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses, and are of no use in treating a cold. It seems unlikely that a single antiviral medication will be discovered in the near future that can target the over 200 different cold viruses. That is true in part because the viruses genetically change (mutate) each season just enough to prevent the development of a specific treatment for that virus.

The good news is that you can take several steps to alleviate the symptoms once you have contracted a virus. Congestion: Drink plenty of fluids to help break up your congestion. Drinking water or juice will prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist. You should drink at least 8-10, 8-ounce cups of water daily. Fluids might include water, sports drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger ale. Your mother's chicken soup really can help!! Cola, coffee, and other drinks with caffeine work to increase urine output when your goal is to increase fluids in your system. Inhaled steam may ease your congestion and drippy nose. Hold your head over a pot of boiling water and breathe through your nose. Be careful. If the steam burns your nose, breathe in more slowly. You can put a pot or tea kettle on a trivet on a table and hold a towel around the steam and your head.

Alternative therapies can work very well to help relieve cold symptoms. A number of essential oils can help in different ways to relieve the symptoms of colds, coughs and blocked up nose.

The oils which are recommended to help colds Lavender, Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Niaouli, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Tea Tree and Thyme. The two most useful methods for using essential oils are inhalations and a bath although massaging the chest and throat areas can also be beneficial. Steam inhalation using Eucalyptus essential oil, Peppermint essential oil, Rosemary essential oil and Tea Tree essential oil (or any combination of these four oils) can help to clear the nasal passages and soothe the inflamed mucous membranes whilst at the same time the essential oils can help to kill many bacteria. The hot steam itself is also a hostile environment for viruses.

At night time it is a good idea to use Lavender essential oil combined with one of the above as Lavender can aid sleep. Another good way to enhance sleep is to have a warm bath using Lavender and Marjoram essential oils and place a bowl of Lavender oil in the bedroom. When you first feel the effects of a cold then bathing with Tea Tree oil can sometimes help to stop the cold developing. Peppermint essential oil has warming and stimulating properties and so it can help the chilly feelings which often accompany a cold, runny nose, sneezing and fever. Peppermint can also be used for cooling feverish conditions and Peppermint essential oil can also induce sweating which can help to reduce fever in a natural way. Used in steam inhalations it can help to clear the nasal passages and sinuses.

The practice of burning Rosemary essential oils on hospital wards to help to combat infection was a practice which has been carried out for many years in France until very recently. Rosemary essential oil is renowned for its piercing qualities which make it valuable for respiratory problems including the common cold, catarrh and sinusitis. Tea Tree essential oil has many uses but for colds try burning it in a diffuser or oil burner and also use in a bath to help the body fight the infection. Niaouli is a good oil to use for respiratory infections where they affect the chest, throat or nose and is good used in chest rubs (diluted in a carrier oil). It can work as a powerful stimulant so it is best not used at bed time.  

Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus Globulus (10ml)

Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

£4.50

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£3.30

Marjoram Essential Oil - Origanum Marjorana (10ml)

Marjoram as we might expect can help with the digestion. It is useful for bruises and chilblains. Marjoram can also have a warming effect on the mental and emotional level and can help people suffereing from grief.

£7.50

Niaouli Essential Oil - Melaleuca Viridiflora (10ml)

Niaouli is non-irritant and antiseptic so is great for treating wounds especially where they are infected. Try it for asthma, coughs and catarrh as well as urinary infections.

£3.00

Pine Essential Oil - Pinus Sylvestris (10ml)

The most common use for Pine is for bronchitis, catarrh, sore throat and infections of the chest. Good in steam inhalations. Also try it for digestive problems.

£3.50

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemarinus Officinalis (10ml)

Rosemary is believed to have a refreshing, invigorating affect on the skin and can be used for a variety of skin and hair problems. It is good for stiff and overworked muscles, Steam inhalations with Rosemary can be good for catarrh and sinusitus. Rosemary also has a strong connection with the central nervous system and can help with memory and mental clarity.

£3.50

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Melaleuca Alternifolia (10ml)

Tea Tree - the ultimate antiseptic which is a truly wonderful oil to keep in. Use it for veruccaes, thrush and warts, acne, rashes and dandruff. Try it for resipratory problems such as coughs and catarrh and use it to help with viral infections and increase the boxes immune system.

£4.00

Peppermint Essential Oil - Mentha Piperita (10ml)

Peppermint has a lot of different uses including acne and itching skin, palpitations and neuralgiz, catarrh and colds and to aid clear thinking as well as having ties with the digestive system.

£3.50