With six children in our home we have the potential for a lot of germ exchange. I must say though, we have never had a bug that has 
gone from one person to the next through the whole family. I know it has not been luck that has help us evade the transmission of illness from one person to the next. I am a germ fanatic and do whatever I can to contain germs. Cleanliness is my number one defense and I use Young Living’s pure therapeutic grade essential oils as the foundation for fighting bacteria without harsh chemicals. Ningxia Red is our main nutrient boost when cold or flu symptoms appear.
The most important steps include frequent hand washings ( Thieves foaming hand sanitizer), washing bed lines and towels (I add a drop of Thieves or Purification essential oil to my laundry soap for extra disinfecting), cleaning my bathrooms with Thieves wipes (you can make your own wipes with Thieves household cleaner and tough paper towels, store them in an old baby wipes container for convenience) and diffusing highly anti-bacterial blends like Thieves, Purification, Christmas Spirit and Frankincense to kill airborne bacteria. Young Living essential oils are also the most important items in our medicine cabinet. In fact, we really don’t have anything else in our medicine chest – no ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or over the counter cough syrups with artificial flavors & colors. This is what we use for colds & flu symptoms:
1st onset: For adults, make up a capsule of Thieves: 2 drops of Thieves essential oil plus 3-6 drops of lemon in gel cap. For kids under 6, a spoonful of agave nectar with 1 drop of lemon essential oil added and 1-2 drops of R.C applied to the bottoms of feet. Use Thieves hand sanitizer to keep germs from spreading. Keep mouth clean where germs multiply with Thieves mouthwash.
Cough medicine - 1 tsp agave nectar with 1 drop of lemon essential oil. For adults add 1 drop Thieves for extra boost. Suck on Thieves lozenges.
Fever – Adults, 3-5 drops peppermint essential oil on each foot. Repeat as needed until fever is gone. Children under 7 – Lavender & Frankincense on bottoms of feet or along spine – repeat as needed until the fever is gone.
Sore Throat – 1 tsp agave nectar with 1 drop of lemon essential oil (Lemon essential oil contains many more nutrients and antioxidants than just lemon juice as the essential oil is distilled from the rind – use only food grade lemon essential oil for ingesting) . For adults and children over 6 add 1 drop of Thieves oil to the spoonful of lemon/agave nectar. Thieves lozenges are also helpful. Gargle with Thieves mouthwash.
Sinus & Chest congestion – R.C. applied to the bottoms of feet, rubbed on the chest or inhaled. Add a few drops to bath water and breath deeply. Frankincense supports the respiratory tract and viruses. Apply to the chest and throat area on lymph glands. Place a drop of frankincense on the tongue to fight viruses.
Cold/Canker Sores – suck on a Thieves lozenge or apply a drop of Thieves essential oil directly to the spot to alleviate pain and speed healing. Peppermint oil also may help when applied directly.
Headache /body aches – Raindrop Technique, apply peppermint or Panaway on the forehead and temples or lemon essential oil on the big toe.
Vomiting/diarrhea - peppermint essential oil applied to bottoms of feet, on the belly and 1 drop in water to sip. Children under 6 should not use peppermint oil, instead use Frankincense or ginger essential oil on the feet and belly. After 1 hour of no vomiting, gradually introduce liquids. Dilute 1 oz. Ningxia Red with 4-5 ounces of water is a gentle way to start adding nutrients.
Inner Defense is a supplement that contains 4 different types of Oregano. This is highly antibacterial, research shows this blend is as powerful as some antibiotics. When using Inner Defense, 10-12 hours later take a probiotic like Life-5. For example, Inner Defense in the morning, Life 5 at bedtime to replenish healthy intestinal flora.
In addition to some of these suggestion make sure to add some homemade chicken soup, drinking plenty of high quality fluids, rest and some common sense to ensure a quick recovery. Always seek the advice of your doctor for serious illness.
Sinus Pressure Headache-that’s what my 16 yr.old daughter had at school. My daughter does not like to miss school, but called me at noon to pick her up. I don’t administer aspirin in my home, except that my husband had some in the house for his occassional use. Danielle asked for aspirin – that meant that she was really suffering. I had purchased the everyday oils kit and was getting wonderful results. I called Sue for which oil to use. Her recommendation was Frankincense. I asked Danielle to try the oil on her face area and if she didn’t get good results in one hour that I’d give her aspirin. An hour later she told me she was feeling much better and didn’t need aspirin. I love these oils.