It’s only May and we hear the Byron westerly wind is icy (we are currently overseas). Our prediction is we are in for a long, cold, East Coast winter. Running a business that involves hosting workshops and events, travelling extensively and speaking regularly at domestic and international conferences means we have to keep in optimum health. Every business owner’s worse nightmare is getting sick.

First and foremost, preventive measures are the best for fighting off the cold and flu season. Lots of good food packed with nutrition, reducing your toxic load, exercise (our daily ritual when at home is walking from our house up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse) daily meditation (reduces your stress load) and getting lots of good quality sleep.

We like to use essential oils as part of our first line of defence. Whether you’re new to essential oils or looking to try new oils, this list identifies some of the go-to oils for common cold and flu symptoms.

Oregano – A recent study shows that Oregano Oil dramatically reduces symptoms of upper respiratory ailments including coughs and sore throats. Always dilute this hot oil with a a carrier oil. Best rubbed on soles of your feet before going to bed. You can also diffuse.

Eucalyptus – supports chesty coughs and eases breathing. Most effective way to use Eucalyptus is when you are showering to put a few drops on the floor of the shower and let it rise into your nasal passages with the steam and feel your airways clear.

Lemon – the ultimate throat soother. Place a drop on a teaspoon of honey and swallow. Lemon assists in loosening mucous and can be added to a bowl of steaming water and inhaled. If steaming water is not readily available, you can always apply 1- 3 drops on a tissue and inhale up to four times a day – convenient if you are flying, travelling or in a meeting, or tucked away in the kid’s pockets while at school.

Easy Air – is a blend of essential oils including Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara, and Ravensara. Our favourite way to use this is to dilute it with fractioned coconut oil and rub on your chest, back and soles of feet and also diffuse by your bed.

Peppermint – with it’s high menthol content peppermint is exceptionally invigorating for the lungs and can open and clear sinuses in seconds. I like to put a drop on my thumb, and place on the roof of mouth and inhale deeply.

Tea Tree – I find soaking in a hot bath with 5 drops of Tea Tree and then jumping straight into bed encourages a restful and detoxifying sleep.

Frankincense – Frankincense is supportive for anxiety which can help with worrying about missing work or important events when you get sick and also assists with headaches. Best to to use as a steam inhalation by placing a towel over your head, lean over a basin of hot water and inhale until the oil has evaporated.You can also apply topically with lemon to the throat diluted in fractionated coconut oil or any carrier oil.

On Guard – we’ve save the best till last. A blend of Wild Orange, Cinnamon, Clove (nature’s most powerful antioxidant), Eucalyptus and Rosemary. Research has found that On Guard weakened the influenza virus and made it easier for the immune system to attack. A powerful throat gargle – use two drops in a quarter glass of water – you can also drink this combination. We highly recommend diffusing On Guard throughout the house to ward off environmental threats.

All of these essential oils are available in our most popular starter kit, the Home Essentials Kit which is also the best price point, saving you even more than the wholesale price of each individual oil (and the kit comes with a diffuser). The smartest investment you will make this winter in fighting the cold and flu season.