People find it hard to deal with colds and sore throats, especially when they have to deal with it every season. You can try medications but they will not always work against viruses. What should you do then? Try essential oils for colds and sore throat! There are actually quite a few options and some of these oils are equally effective against other cold symptoms such as sinus congestion and stuffy nose. Let's find out more about it.

Effective Essential Oils for Treating Colds

Essential oils have antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties, which make them effective against viruses and seasonal allergies. Here are some highly effective essential oils for colds that work like magic.

1. Oregano

Thanks to its antibacterial and antiviral properties, oregano essential oil eliminates viruses and bacteria. At the same time, it boosts your immune system and makes it powerful enough to clear infections. Besides, oregano oil is also a great hand sanitizer and helps keep your hands smooth and soft.

2. Thyme

Thyme oil helps by improving your immunity. It boosts the immune system and protects you from infections. It also contains Listerine that gives it antiseptic properties. You may also use thyme essential oil to improve circulation to reduce sports injuries, strains and pains.

What's more, thyme oil also gives your liver a detox, serves as a pulmonary disinfectant and is extremely beneficial for coughs, asthma, whooping cough, catarrh, and bronchitis. It also increases mucus secretions to help you find some relief from dry coughs.

3. Eucalyptus

Most found in cough ointments and drops, eucalyptus oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It stimulates your immune system and helps reduce inflammation in the lungs. Add a few drops of this oil to a pot of steaming, hot water and inhale the steam to reduce the swelling of mucous membranes and recover from sinus infections.

4. Lime

It has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. It is an immune system booster and provides you with the immunity to fight off germs and treat fevers. You can also use it to enhance the power of natural household cleaners.

5. Frankincense

It is among the best essential oils for colds and is equally beneficial for the lungs because it helps suppress coughs and reduces inflammation in the lungs. You can also use it as an antiseptic spray to protect wounds from becoming infected. You can use it to treat bronchitis and asthma. Add a couple of drops of frankincense essential oil in an ounce of carrier oil and rub it on your chest for relief.

6. Peppermint

Even the smell of peppermint oil can be a stress reliever. It greatly benefits your respiratory system and makes breathing easier. It soothes nose congestion, bronchitis, asthma, as well as common colds and coughs. You can get relief by adding some peppermint oil into a bowel of hot water, covering your head with a towel and inhaling the steams.

7. Hyssop

It proves extremely beneficial in the treatment of bronchitis and other respiratory infections. It supports the lungs and reduces inflammation as well. This helps you deal with serious cough that tags along most respiratory infections, like colds.

Besides, hyssop oil is equally effective against fevers. It helps lower your body temperature and is a perfect remedy for anyone suffering from chronic bronchitis or other types of respiratory infections.

8. Lemon 

Colds can lead to earaches or swollen lymph nodes, making you feel a lot worse. When used with certain carrier oil, lemon oil rubbed around the ears and/or the affected lymph nodes can allow them to drain. Lemon essential oil will also provide you with energy and make you feel energized, especially when you're under the weather.

9. Clove

Not only good for toothaches, clove oil, due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, is great for colds, especially when used in a blend called Thieves oil that also contains cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils.

10. Ginger

When your cold symptoms are serious, you may also feel nauseous. Ginger essential oil is a perfect natural remedy to treat your nausea. It also works amazingly well to soothe flu-related pains and aches.

How Safe Is Essential Oil for Colds

You can definitely use essential oils for colds to relieve pains, aches, congestion and fever. In most of the cases, essential oils are quite safe. You do not need to use much either. Some of the finest anti-microbial oils are quite strong, so you should use them sparingly. It is actually a better idea to inhale or diffuse the oil than applying it directly on your skin. Cinnamon, oregano, black pepper, clove, and thyme are all great essential oils but you should avoid applying them topically. Instead, you can use them in a rub to use topically but avoid adding them to a body massage blend or a bath.

In case you are going to use spice oils, you will be better off diluting them with some other oils before diffusing them. Moreover, you should diffuse them less often – it is important to avoid diffusing clove oil for more than a couple of minutes at a time or else it will irritate your eyes. Mixing spice oils with citrus oils will make them less irritating for the eyes. If you are going to apply any type of essential oil on your skin, it is a good idea to do a skin patch test first.