My most recent check on Amazon for “cough medicine” indicated 1242 options. Expectorants, suppressants, decongestants, non-drowsy,  you get the picture.   The back of the label will most likely be filled with side effect and cautionary information.  Our family deals with coughs from colds and allergies naturally without all the man-made chemicals found in these over the counter drugs.  Essential oils have been our best form of defense with taming coughs.  The first thing we do when a cough occurs is to have a spoonful of agave nectar with a drop of lemon essential oil added to it.  The lemon soothes a dry, scratchy throat  and can boost your immune system as well.  For adults, add a drop of  Thieves to this spoonful for a super charged boost in immunity.  The Thieves will also relieve any soreness in the throat.

There are specific essential oils that are helpful for coughs: Eucalyptus Radiata, Eucalyptus Globulus, Ravansara, and wintergreen are especially effective.  Young Living has made a couple of essential oil blends that we use for coughs and colds in the winter.  R.C. is one of the most used oil blends in our home – it has four different kinds of eucalyptus in it  plus peppermint, lavender, cypress and pine essential oils.  At the first sign of a cold or cough, we apply a drop or two to each foot.   Commercial Eucalyptus oils on their own can be too potent for children, but when it is combined with more gentle oils of lavender and cypress it is a great choice for kid’s colds & coughs.  For children under 3 dilute a drop with a 1/2 teaspoon of a carrier oil and massage onto the feet.

Raven is another Young Living blend of ravansara, wintergreen, Eucalyptus radiata, lemon and peppermint essential oils.    The ravansara encourages expectoration and the wintergreen, eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils open up airways.  We find just one application of the oils onto the feet at bedtime is enough to settle a cough for sleep.  For children and those with asthma apply the oils to the soles of the feet.  For adults, massage the oils into the chest, add to bath water or place a drop in a bowl of warm water and breathe deeply.

Alternating application of R.C with Raven may be a powerful remedy with coughs.  Layering the oils increases the synergy between the oils.  For adults, apply 2 drops of R.C. mixed with V-6 oil to the chest area, then 2 drops of Raven on top.  This can also be done on the bottoms of the feet concentrating on the lung area points of reflexology.  For children, mix 1 drop of essential oil with a tsp of V-6 carrier oil or olive oil (or lavender essential oil which acts like a carrier oil), massage onto the bottoms of feet, cover with cotton socks and rest.   If you are using Young Living’s therapeutic grade oils you may not even have to dilute oils when applying to the soles of the feet.  Last week my 8 year old had a cough that started with fall allergies.  I rotated oils, one day applying them every hour (the time it takes for the body to metabolize the oils).  I took 2 drops of 2 different oils  (RC & Raven , for example), rubbed them between my hands and held my hands on the soles of her feet a few minutes.  Her face would light up as she said she could feel her chest relaxing.  Within minutes she’d have a healthy cough to expectorate the junk.

Frankincense also offers powerful respiratory support and it has the benefit of reducing anxiety, often associated with violent coughing spells.  Frankincense is also a very gentle oil as long as it is not filled with chemicals or synthetics.  I use Young Living’s Frankincense neat (undiluted) on the chest or soles of the feet.  Frankincense is very soothing to the respiratory tract especially when diffused.

Drinking plenty of fluids and foods rich in vitamin C are essential to feeling better.  For those with asthma, always apply essential oils to the soles of the feet.  For any persistant cough or difficulty breathing make sure to seek medical care right away

This information is not meant as a substitute for medical care, if you are sick, contact your doctor for advice.

Farid A. Badria, Eman A. Mohammed, Mohammed K. El-Fadrawy, et al (2004).  Natural Leukotriene inhibitor from Boswellia (frankincense): A potential for treating bronchial asthma. Altern & Comp Therapies. 10 (5) 257-265.

Inouye S, Takizawa T, Yamaguchi H. (2001). Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact.  J Antimicrob Chemo. 47: 565-573.

Larrondo J, Agut M, Calvo-Torras M. (1995). Antimicrobial activity of essences from Labiates. Microbios. 82: 171-172

2 T organic butter

1 T organic, extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil

2 small organic onions, chopped

3 large cloves organic garlic, minced

2 oz. organic cream cheese

Sea salt

Fresh ground pepper

2 lbs steamed organic butternut squash, peeled and cubed

6 T organic white miso dissolved in 4 C purified water

2 drops Young Living oregano essential oil

1 drop Young Living lemon essential oil

Heat soup pan over medium heat.  When hot, add butter and olive oil.  When the butter is melted add onions and saute’ for 1-2 minutes.  Add garlic and cream cheese. Heat until cream cheese is melted,  add sea salt and pepper to taste.

Add squash to mixture and saute’ 1-2 minutes. Add miso broth and bring mixture to a boil.   Allow to cool, then spoon out 1/2 the mixture into blender and blend until smooth.  Return to soup.

Add essential oils and allow the soup to simmer 5 minutes.  Garnish with whole grain croutons, shredded carrots or fresh oregano.

Makes approximately 5 1/2 cups.

Oregano essential oil is also packed with constituents that make it a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic and immune stimulating oil.  The best methods for using oregano essential oil are to ingest it (Therapeutic, Food Grade  Oregano only) in gel capsules or to apply it to the skin.  Inner Defense is a Young Living supplement that contains 4 different species of oregano plus powerful thyme and Thieves oil for powerful defense against infections and viruses.  Young Living’s Oregano essential oil is 4 times more powerful than penicillin.    Because of this, when ingested in larger doses, it is important to follow up the use of oregano oil with a probiotic like Life 5 to keep intestinal flora in balance.  Ideally, take a probiotic 8-10 hours after the oregano oil and never at the same time since large amounts of oregano oil will kill the good bacteria in your gut.  It is also important not to overuse oregano oil (large amounts in a gel capsule), saving it’s strength for when your system really needs support.  It is always best to support your body’s natural defenses with gentler oils like lemon first and save the potent ones for when you really need them.  Consult an Essential Oil Desk Reference for specific usage of oregano essential oil.

Oregano oil is considered a “hot” oil and can be irritating if applied directly on the skin.  It should always be diluted with a carrier oil like Young Living’s V-6 vegetable oil.  Oregano oil is one of 9 single and oil blends used in the Raindrop Technique for applying essential oils along the spinal column to boost your immune system.  It is also a strong smelling oil, so applying it to the soles of the feet or combining it with the Raindrop Oils can make the scent less conspicuous.  I would not recommend diffusing oregano oil as it can irritate the respiratory tract and will penetrate fabrics and upholstery leaving an oregano scent.   If you want to kill airborne bacteria, the Thieves blend accomplishes this with a more neutral aroma of cinnamon and cloves, also highly anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

Oregano is an essential oil that has been around for thousands of years, it is powerful weapon against some serious strains of bacteria and definitely one worth having on hand during cold and flu season.  Oregano essential oil is potent and even 1 drop can boost the immune system.  When you use a food grade essential oil, you can add it to your recipes to stay healthy this winter.  Small amounts added into foods will keep you healthy this season without the effects of an antibiotic that disrupts intestinal flora.   Watch for my next post in a few days, a savory soup for Fall using oregano oil.

# 3605 Oregano oil 15 ml              Whsl.   $22.75       Retail   $36.51

# 3295 Inner Defense Softgels   Whsl.  $24.75    Retail  $32.57

You can order Young Living oils at wholesale (select Independent Distributor and order a $40 Start Living Kit for lifetime wholesale pricing, and no monthly minimums)  or retail (select customer).  If your cookies is not enabled, enter #1003003 in the sponsor & enroller columns to support the Pure Home and Body website.  Thanks!

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure and diseases.  For medical conditions consult with your medical doctor.

J Food Protection  2002 Oct;65(10): 1545-60

I on the other hand, I like to let a low fever work on bacteria and viruses.  I am not a medical doctor and am not diagnosing or treating any medical condition.  I’m just a mom with a lot of kids and have dealt with non-emergency situations in a natural way.  I do know a fever is one of the body’s defenses for fighting infection and viruses.   This is especially important in children whose immune systems are just developing.   I do realize there are differing views on this, and I choose to follow a natural approach to treating a fever.  Each time I have a child with a fever, I hesitate to give them an over-the -counter fever reducer as I read through the list of ingredients.  For a moment I’m not sure which is worse, the fever raging in their little body or the list of chemicals and artificial colorings and flavorings in the drug.  Most recently, one of my daughters had a low fever.  My first reaction was a fleeting feeling of panic because this was an unknown.  I didn’t know why she had the fever – she did not have other symptoms – and I didn’t know how long this would last.  After talking with her pediatrician I was instructed to keep her hydrated, comfortable and rested.  If the fever continued for longer than a designated period I should call back.  Your doctor may treat things differently, so it is important to know and discuss these things with your pediatrician.

My  first line of defense is to look at natural ways to treat a fever such as keeping hydrated with high quality drinks like  Ningxia Red, cool compresses under the arms, behind the knees, on the forehead or peppermint essential oil applied to the bottoms of the feet. Peppermint oil is not safe for children under 3 as it is a very strong oil and can cause respiratory distress if not diluted sufficiently.   Last spring my daughter (6 1/2) developed a fever.  She is petite for her size so I decided to use Lavender  instead, also effective for a fever.  I applied Young Living lavender essential oil to the bottom of her feet.  I also applied lavender lotion to her cheeks which  really soothed her.  In a half an hour her fever was gone!  I repeated this several times over the next few hours until the fever had passed.

If using essential oils to treat a fever, they must be pure therapeutic grade oils with nothing added and nothing removed or you cannot be sure of it’s potency.

The FDA has not evaluated these statements and it is not the intent of Pure Home and Body LLC  to practice medicine.