Winter Medicine Chest and Essential Oils

Winter Medicine Chest: Essential Oils for the  Winter Season

By Andrew Pacholyk, MS L.Ac

Aromatherapy brings us the aromatic energy of living plants in the form of essential oils. These fragrances are a natural antidote to the emotionally debilitating effects of winter. Aromatherapy is supportive in the winter season of quiet regeneration. Winter essential oils cleanse and freshen air in homes closed tight against the cold weather. Time to stock your winter medicine chest. Essential oils for winter include woody, evergreen, citrus, spice and resin oils. Gingerbread and delicious spice cake come to mind with pungent essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and nutmeg. Fresh citrus oils including bergamot, sweet orange, lemon and tangerine recall memories of old fashioned citrus pomanders. Warming oils include Orange, Black Pepper and Rosemary. Immune boosting oils are Tea-Tree, Lavender, Sandalwood and Bergamot. To ease congestion and fight infections use Tea-Tree, Pine, Eucalyptus and Lavender. Bergamot tea is useful for a sore throat and can be used as a gargle. Chamomile tea is very soothing and eases an upset stomach.

Essential Oil Winter Medicine Chest

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Bergamot is uplifting sweet with a fruity fragrance. Helpful for depression. Refreshes a room. Avoid sunbathing and sunbeds when using this oil.

Black Pepper ( Piper nigrum) : Hot, dry, spicy oil with a deeply warming effect. Relieves muscular aches and pains. Stimulates the digestive, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Can irritate sensitive skin, use sparingly.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) Eucalyptus was first employed by Australian aborigines, who not only chewed the roots for water in the dry outback but used the leaves to treat fever, cough, and asthma, and European settlers quickly adopted it as medicine. You can also use a few drops of eucalyptus oil in boiling water or in a bath as an inhalant. Eucalyptus is often used for – Sore muscles, Insect repellant, Tension headache, Cold, Cough, Sinusitis, Rheumatoid arthritis and Strains/sprains. Warming and antiseptic oil with a strong camphorous medical smell.

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