Ayurvedic oils for common cold

Catching up with common cold is as easy as falling off a log. Though it is not an acute problem, it has the worst power to completely spoil your routine activities. Common cold is often irritating, maddening, frustrating and disgusting. It changes your look and gives the impression of being completely sick. Over-the-counter drugs might often look attractive, appealing and seem to be the quickest way for treating your cold. Frequent intake of such medications might look like granting you instant relief but do not destroy the virus completely and have their own adverse side effects. This may be due to the excess intake of chemical formulas like acetaminophen, intranasal zinc, dextromethorphan (DXM), Tylenol etc.  All you need to take in at this time is a natural therapy like Ayurvedic oils that destroy the harmful virus from within, proffering you better health and a protective shield to prevent recurrent infections.

Causes and symptoms: This might occur due to seasonal changes, contagious virus spread through air, through minute air droplets from the affected person and much more during all times of the year. Each year billions of people in the world are affected by cold and a recent report says that it is over one billion people who are affected by cold in the United States every year. Little ones get cold often from their schools and day care centers when the other children next to them are affected by cold cough, sneezes or blow their nose.

Common cold lasts up to 7 days and the troubling symptoms are runny nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing, headache, muscular pain, sore throat, cough, decreased appetite, sneezing and at times may lead to viral fevers also.

Ayurvedic essential oils for common cold: You will certainly feel great if you come to know that using Ayurvedic essential oils for your common cold can treat your illness without making you feel tired and drowsy like your cough syrups and other over-the-counter medicines. Few such energizing Ayurvedic oils are:

  1. Eucalyptus essential oil: This is a celebrated remedy for years together for common cold and its unfavorable symptoms. Eucalyptus essential oil helps in effectively fighting cold, cough, bronchitis, asthma, flu, sinusitis, fever and other such infections. You can use it as a vaporizer, rub or add few drops to your bath tub or to hot water for steam inhalation.
  2. Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint oil with its anti-viral properties is a proven remedy for respiratory illnesses like flu and cold. Peppermint essential oil blended with rosemary and lavender essential oil can be added to boiling water and this steam can be inhaled for getting complete relief from headache, cold, blocked nasal passage, congestion and mental fatigue inducing a peaceful sleep thereafter.
  3. Lavender essential oil: Lavender essential oil is always known for its therapeutic properties and is of great use in treating cold, influenza, cough, headache, insomnia, muscular pains and few other problems related to common cold. This efficacious oil inhibits germs and instantly kills viruses. It acts as a defensive mechanism and boosts your body’s immunity, helping you fight sturdily against cold. You can add it to your bath tub or use it as a room diffuser that will purify your environment by devastating the germs.

No more nervousness or uncomfortable feelings the next time when you get cold as these Ayurvedic essential oils will help you stay as cool as a cucumber and bid goodbye to your annoying cold.

Reference Links:

  1. Over-the-counter drug by Wikipedia
  2. Common Cold from A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia by PubMed Health
  3. Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse by Kids Health from Nemours

Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Babies: The Kings and Queens Of Your Family

William Wordsworth might have considered his time with Daffodils as a jocund company but according to me, the time spent with the little ones is the most cherishing and worth-remembering moments of my life. No one can deny this truth right! Babies are always special be it of nation or culture, they spread their charm and loveliness even faster than the rays of the mighty sun. That is why they are often called as the Kings and Queens of our family. Ayurveda states that the regular massaging and bathing given to a baby will help nurture his/her growth naturally while strengthening their immune system. Let’s have a look at the different ways in which Ayurvedic essential oils can help your baby grow up in the pink.

Ayurveda in babies’ well-being: The Ayurvedic treatment is classified into 8 branches and ‘Balaroga chikitsa or Kaumarbhritya’ means pediatrics. This branch exclusively deals with the ways for bringing up a hale and hearty child with mental as well as physical strength. It talks about the best practices to be cultivated by the parents to develop the psychological balance, remove fear, develop confidence and build up emotional stability. Ayurveda has recommended the natural ways of treating health disorders of your younger ones in Kashyap Samhita, which protects the baby even without vaccinations.

Ayurvedic essential oils in massaging and medicated bath: Ayurveda strongly recommends natural oil massage for your babies to improve the overall health mechanism. This oil massage is known as ‘Snehana or Abhyanga’. Ayurveda trusts that this initial massage fortifies the mental power, improves complexion, amplifies blood circulation, strengthens the muscles and bones fostering good growth and augments the newborn’s immunity. Oil massage is generally followed by a medicated bath where you can add Ayurvedic essential oils or Ayurvedic herbs to your baby’s bath tub.

Safe and proven essential oils for your babies: Before using essential oils for your babies it is always good to consult your Ayurvedic practitioner, especially when it is for your little ones under 2 years of age. The essential oils that have been proven safe and effective for babies are Lavender essential oil, Roman Chamomile essential oil, Geranium essential oil, Dill essential oil, Mandarin essential oil, Sweet Orange essential oil, Grapefruit essential oil, Anise essential oil, Rose essential oil, Tea Tree essential oil and Spearmint essential oil.

How to use? Consult your Ayurvedic expert about the right quantity, blend and about the right time of use. Generally do not exceed over 3 to 4 drops for massaging and 2 to 3 drops of oil in the bath tub of your baby. This gives a nourishing, calming, soothing and relaxing effect while inducing good sleep and improves the suppleness of your baby’s mind and body. Massaging and bathing time are considered as the most important time for developing a bond between the mother and the baby where the tot feels the mother’s warmth and the mother feels the baby’s health.

Make your baby feel special by vitalizing their senses and promoting their health with these essential oils, as the entire family’s happiness is always vested with health and happiness of the baby dwelling in it.

Reference Links:

  1. How to know which essential oils are safe for babies by wikiHow
  2. Eight branches of Ayurveda by Ayurvedamrita
  3. Baby Care by Health epic.Com

Ayurvedic Essential Oils For Pregnant Women

Ways to enlighten your senses and let your mind develop with your fetus with these sweet-smelling essential oils.

Pregnancy is always special in a number of ways and if it is going to be your first pregnancy then trust me you’ll be greeted with a red carpet wherever you go. You’ll become the angel of your family and for your husband, you’ll be the ‘apple of his eye’. Ayurveda considers a pregnant woman as a divine symphony where ‘The God’s Gift (Baby)’ is growing within her. According to Sushruta Samhita, ‘A pregnant lady should stay happy, be hygienic, wear clean outfits, take part in meditation, prayers, put on accessories (like bangles, anklets etc, the melodious sound of which is trusted to enrich the baby’s harmonious growth) and simple exercises. The loving science of Ayurveda suggests plenty of natural herbs, nutritious food items, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables and the use of Ayurvedic essential oils to make your pregnancy unforgettable, leading to a safe and easy childbirth along with a happy post-pregnancy period with your little one.

Ayurvedic essential oils for pregnant women: Ayurveda has a magic in it to treat the extremely sensitive pregnant woman with healing and harmonizing essential oils.  It is for more than ever to make her comfortable with the changes in her body while tackling mental stress, depression, mood fluctuations and the fear about her labor. Such healing essential oils that can make your pregnancy phase a real ‘Sweet Dream’ forever are mentioned below according to your trimester:

  1. First trimester: This is the initial period for the development of your fetus where it starts developing head, limbs, heartbeat, reproductive organs, ears and other sensory faculties. This is the most challenging period of pregnancy for most women as they struggle with morning sickness, nausea, headache, acidity, heartburn and more. The safe essential oils during your first trimester are citrus oils like Tangerine essential oil, Orange essential oil and Neroli essential oil. You can also use Grapefruit essential oil and Lavender essential oil to lift your senses and reduce the difficulties during the first three months of pregnancy.
  2. Second trimester: The baby at this stage starts building up muscles, blood, all the five senses, skin, hair, fingers, veins, nails, teeth, bones, eyelids, mind and he/she becomes even stronger at this stage. At this juncture you may face challenges like constipation, itchy skin, stretch marks, anxiety, nervousness, nightmares and few more. Essential oils that can help you overcome these impediments during your second trimester are Sandalwood essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Frankincense essential oil, Palo Santo essential oil and Grapefruit essential oil. Gently massage your abdomen using Lavender oil with jojoba oil or sweet almond oil to get rid of stretch marks and stay gifted with mark-free skin even after pregnancy.
  3. Third trimester: You will be extremely eager to meet your baby and now that you’ve started to feel the movements of your baby. You may even see the impressions of your baby’s hands or feet on your abdomen externally. By the end of the third trimester your baby attains its full growth and becomes even stronger. It is at this phase you’ll start experiencing insomnia, difficulties in sleeping, fatigue, swollen ankles, lower back ache and other complexities in your day to day living.

The best essential oils at this stage are Frankincense essential oil, Ylang Ylang essential oil, Mandarin essential oil, Lavender essential oil, Lemon essential oil and Bergamot essential oil. Smooth massage with these essential oils either as a blend or taken individually with carrier oils, as a diffuser or in a warm bath tub can enrich your senses, relieve your stress and fatigue while soothing your painful muscles.

Pregnancy takes you to a wonderful world filled with fun, fantasy, fear, fragility and ultimate fascination. This time better you take pregnancy to a soothing, serene, calming, energizing, rejuvenating and reviving world with these Ayurvedic essential oils.

It is always good to avoid certain essential oils that are emmenagogue, skin sensitizing, irritant and toxic in nature during your pregnancy. Few such oils are Aniseed, Angelica, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cedarwood, Basil, Elecampane, Jasmine, Ginger, Fennel, Thyme, Marjoram, Lemon Grass, Peppermint, Sage, Pennyroyal, Juniper, Melissa, Wintergreen, Sassafras, Wormwood, Thuja and certain other essential oils due to their tendency to harm either the mother or the fetus.

Note: Be precautious while using essential oils as they can directly affect the nervous system. Never use it directly as it is highly concentrated and dilute it in safe carrier oils. Use a minimal amount or 2 to 3 drops and strictly avoid ingesting any of the essential oils during any stage of your pregnancy.

Thought for the day:

A mother’s joy begins when new life is stirring inside… when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.Unknown

Reference links:

  1. Sushruta Samhita by Wikipedia
  2. Divine Delivery by Ayurveda Elements
  3. The Second Trimester: Your Baby’s Growth and Development in Middle Pregnancy by WebMD