Help keep those nasty winter sneezes and sniffles at bay

Christmas and winter are wonderful times of the year, we have a great selection of oils to help you celebrate and keep your body in tune! Essential oils are reputed to support and strengthen the immune response in two ways. They fight directly against micro-organisms and help our organs to increase their activity to create cells. Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Tea Tree are all said to combine both these actions. Manuka is has many properties which make a valuable contribution in stimulating the growth of healthy new cells.

Keep a good stock of Oils such as Breathe Eze, Catarrh and Sinusitis and good old Eucalyptus to hand. If your nose starts to run or you feel blocked up try regular inhalation with hot water and a few drops of oil. Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

Eucalyptus has a very powerful anti bacterial and anti-viral action. When diluted eucalyptus oil can be used as a chest rub and is great in relieving the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinusitis and throat infections. Use it as an air spray and it will give good protection from flu and infectious childhood illnesses

In epidemic and infectious illnesses the use of a diluted eucalyptus air spray or other vaporisation is said not only to help the sufferer but also protects the people coming into contact with them In feverish conditions such as scarlet fever, chickenpox and measles the patients temperature can be lowered by applying diluted eucalyptus essential oil to the skin.

The two most useful methods for using essential oils are inhalations and a bath although massaging the chest and throat areas can also be beneficial. Steam inhalation using Eucalyptus essential oil, Peppermint essential oil, Rosemary essential oil and Tea Tree essential oil (or any combination of these four oils) can help to clear the nasal passages and soothe the inflamed mucous membranes whilst at the same time the essential oils can help to kill many bacteria. The hot steam itself is also a hostile environment for viruses.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus Globulus (10ml)

Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

£1.37

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Officinalis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£2.40

Niaouli Essential Oil - Melaleuca Viridiflora (10ml)

Niaouli is non-irritant and antiseptic so is great for treating wounds especially where they are infected. Try it for asthma, coughs and catarrh as well as urinary infections.

£3.00

Pine Essential Oil - Pinus Sylvestris (10ml)

The most common use for Pine is for bronchitis, catarrh, sore throat and infections of the chest. Good in steam inhalations. Also try it for digestive problems.

£1.62

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemarinus Officinalis (10ml)

Rosemary is believed to have a refreshing, invigorating affect on the skin and can be used for a variety of skin and hair problems. It is good for stiff and overworked muscles, Steam inhalations with Rosemary can be good for catarrh and sinusitus. Rosemary also has a strong connection with the central nervous system and can help with memory and mental clarity.

£2.75

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Melaleuca Alternifolia (10ml)

Tea Tree - the ultimate antiseptic which is a truly wonderful oil to keep in. Use it for veruccaes, thrush and warts, acne, rashes and dandruff. Try it for resipratory problems such as coughs and catarrh and use it to help with viral infections and increase the boxes immune system.

£2.75

Thyme White Essential Oil - Thymus Vulgaris (10ml)

Try Thyme for your hair or skin and in a hot compress to ease the pain of rheumatism. One of the best uses for Thyme is in all forms of infection because it strengthens the bodies resistance to invading organisms. It can help with insomnia and is reputed to strengthen the memory and stimulate the brain.

£8.25

Peppermint Essential Oil - Mentha Piperita (10ml)

Peppermint has a lot of different uses including acne and itching skin, palpitations and neuralgiz, catarrh and colds and to aid clear thinking as well as having ties with the digestive system.

£2.75