Many people love fall — the crisp, cool air is a welcome reprieve from the hot days of summer. But for others, the season can trigger some common health issues, including allergies, colds and digestive stress. Sound familiar? If so, you may be tempted to turn to pharmaceuticals to alleviate these concerns, but there is a natural solution that is often even more effective: essential oils. These potent plant extracts have been around for thousands of years, and today, they serve as a natural and safe way to promote healing — especially as the temperatures start to dip. Here are five must-have essential oils for fall:
The Problem: Allergies; the Solution: Peppermint Oil
Sneezing more than usual this time of year? That’s probably because of ragweed, the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. The plant starts to release pollen in August and continues to do so through September and October, which makes for lots of itchy eyes and noses. There are many different essential oils for allergies, but peppermint oil is one of the most effective.
Peppermint essential oil acts as an expectorant, meaning it clears the airways of mucus, which, in this case, is caused by an allergic reaction. Peppermint essential oil is also known to be a powerful fighter of inflammation, which is a typical symptom of allergies caused by the body’s immune system overreacting to an environmental irritant. Research also shows that peppermint oil inhibits sneezing, nasal leakage and nasal rubbing that are caused by an antigen like ragweed.
[See: 8 Surprising Facts About Asthma and Seasonal Allergies.]
To use peppermint oil for the relief of allergy symptoms, simply diffuse 10 to 15 drops at home or work, inhale the oil directly from the bottle or apply one to two drops topically to the back of neck, chest and temples.
The Problem: Mental Fogginess; the Solution: Rosemary Oil
The lazy days of summer are over, and all of the kids (and teachers) are back in school. Likewise, things around the office are probably picking up steam as everyone tries to accomplish as much as possible before the holiday season. Unfortunately, though, our minds can take a while to readjust from the fun and freedom of the summer months.
If summer has left you feeling a bit foggy, try rosemary essential oil for its ability to boost cognitive function and mental alertness. Rosemary oil possesses various antioxidant, cell-protecting and cognitive-improving properties that can keep you on your toes even when you’d rather crawl into bed. A 2013 study found that after inhaling rosemary oil, participants were more active and said they felt “fresher.” And this was no placebo effect — the study also provided evidence that brain wave activity, autonomic nervous system activity and mood states were all affected by the inhalation of rosemary oil.
[See: 10 Ways to Break a Bad Mood.]
Rosemary oil can be inhaled directly from the bottle or diffused at home for a fresh, invigorating scent. To apply rosemary topically, combine two drops with a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and rub the mixture onto your upper neck. One to two drops of rosemary oil can also be added to your favorite autumn dish to add a piney, distinct flavor.
The Problem: Digestive Stress; the Solution: Ginger Oil
There’s nothing like a bowl of hearty comfort food to keep us warm during autumn months, but those dishes can sometimes leave us feeling gassy, over-stuffed and even nauseous as our bodies continue to transition from the lighter foods of summer. Ginger essential oil is a perfect, all-natural remedy for this digestive distress, as it serves as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-nausea compound. In fact, the most common and well-established use of ginger throughout history is its treatment of gastrointestinal distress. Several studies show that ginger oil alleviates nausea and vomiting, helps to break up and expel intestinal gas, and accelerates gastric emptying.
To relieve an upset stomach or aid digestion, add one to two drops of ginger essential oil to a cup of green tea or warm water. Ginger oil can also be rubbed into the stomach (one to two drops) or added to warm bath water (five to 10 drops).
The Problem: Weak Immunity; the Solution: Orange Oil
Orange oil is known for its immune-boosting effects, which is exactly what we need in the fall, when the common cold, cough and flu become a threat. Orange oil has antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects, which is why it’s been a popular remedy in folk medicine for improving immune function and fighting various ailments for many years. Research published in the Journal of Microbiology indicates that orange oil (along with lemon and bergamot oil) is an effective antibacterial agent when exposed to bacteria found in food systems.
Ingest one to two drops of pure orange oil to boost immunity and kill pathogens. You can also diffuse orange oil to spread its fresh, sweet, citrusy smell. For fall cleaning, you can also add 10 to 15 drops of orange oil to a spray bottle filled with water and use it to clean your kitchen and bathroom. This will effectively kill bacteria and microorganisms within the home without using the harsh chemicals that are found in most cleaning products.
The Problem: Toxic Home Fragrances; the Solution: Clove Oil
The scent of clove essential oil embodies the elements of fall that we all love. It has a powerful, sweet and spicy fragrance with fruit top notes. To bring the fragrance of fall indoors, simply diffuse clove oil alone or create an autumn blend with clove, orange and rosemary essential oils — without turning to many of the home fragrance products that contain toxic chemicals.
Clove oil doesn’t just smell great — it’s also a powerful health-booster with antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Clove oil is especially effective on the skin, where it fights blemishes and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. It also supports blood flow, giving skin a more youthful look. Because clove is so powerful, it needs to be diluted before it’s applied to the skin. Combine two drops of clove oil with two drops of coconut oil and rub it into problematic areas.
[See: The Best Foods for Your Skin.]
When choosing essential oils, it’s important to use high-quality products that are 100 percent pure and organic. Essential oils are extremely powerful, so quality matters — especially because you are using them topically and internally. With this in mind, I developed the Numa Essential Oils Collection to provide a line of oils that people can completely trust. They are certified organic and 100-percent therapeutic grade with no bases, fillers or additives.
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5 Natural Remedies for Common Fall Woes originally appeared on usnews.com
