The majority of yoga practitioners are keen on natural health. They understand that natural healing modalities have an important roll to play in being happy and healthy. At the same time, many are not familiar with the incredible health support offered by essential oils. In this multi-part article, we’re uncovering some of the many ways essential oils can contribute to the health of yoga practitioners. Here’s a review of using essential oils for keeping your immune system strong during the “cold and flu” season.
Immune support for the yogi who attends public classes can be very helpful. During the cooler months, we’ll find ourselves in full studios and close quarters — where it’s likely we’ll encounter someone with a cold at some time. Many practitioners also have children, which always seem to manage to bring home the latest sniffle. And on the occasion of traveling to a retreat, we really want to stay healthy, yet have the extra stress on our bodies from traveling, in addition to the extra exposure. Essential oils can profoundly support immune function in these circumstances, by simulating immune system action as well as directly eradicating viral and bacterial invaders.
For cold and flu prevention, diffusing oils is the most effective means of support. As the cells lining our respiratory system are the most likely place for a contagion to enter our bodies, you can imagine that inhaling these protective medicines may be the best way to use them. There’s actually a significant amount of scientific data showing that vaporized essential oils eradicate microbes in the air (they lessen bacterial counts) as well as on surfaces. They also have been show to increase the phagocytotic action of our white blood cells, so that elimination of foreign invaders happens more rapidly. Running a nebulizing diffuser at your home, workplace, or even yoga studio can have profound effects.
Topical application can be very effective when diffusion is not practical (such as when traveling). Essential oils are known to pass through the skin very redial, and into the bloodstream. Massage a few drops of oil into the areas of the lymph nodes, sternum, or top and bottom of the balls of the feet. Some practitioners will frequently apply a few drops of oil to their wrists, rub them together, then on the sides of their throat. This is a great idea to do just before class, or when stepping on an airplane to an exotic (or even not so exotic) retreat. You can also get the combined action of inhalation and topical application from adding oils to a bath. Just sprinkle a few drops into the bath once it’s drawn (so they don’t evaporate when the tub is filling).
Out of the 100 or so essential oils commonly in use today, which will offer you the most support? Research and wisdom points to a particular few: laurel leaf, pine needle, melissa, eucalyptus and lavender. Combining these oils can produce a potent, wonderful smelling synergy of protection from infectious illness. You can use equal parts of all if you like; if you find the melissa to be cost-prohibitive, simply use about 1/10th as much as the others — even a few drops of it can help boost the formula’s efficacy.
Adding a few drops of lemon essential oil to your water now and then is a great, simple detoxifying agent that can synergize with other immune supportive practices. Lemon is a wonderful, mild antimicrobial oil that is also thought to aid in gently detoxifying the liver. This may be especially helpful when traveling, as our organ systems tend to get a little sluggish: add 5 or so drops of lemon oil to each quart of water and sip throughout the day. For a more concentrated action, add these five drops to one cup of water and drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Addressing immunity from a more esoteric perspective, one can use the more energetic-based practices of aromatherapy. Frankincense essential oil is considered the number one “immuno-stimulant” by Salvatore Battaglia in “The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy”. Frankincense has been shown to have numerous positive health benefits, from cancer prevention to inflammation reduction. Energetically, it can create balance for the mind/body complex. One drop rubbed between the wrists is a simple way to use this wonderful oil — or get creative and integrate its use into other practices. Frankincense “neat” can be a little strong for the skin, so if using more than a drop, consider using a carrier.
This quick overview of using essential oils for immune support can give the yoga practitioner some excellent ideas. If one or more of these feels right for you, you might consider investigating a little further — there’s lots of information available for this particular application of aromatherapy. And consider sharing with your yoga family, as it’s a wonderful thing to share health and vibrancy with fellow practitioners!
The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy, found at www.anandaapothecary.com. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy and essential oil blends through the website.
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