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Essential oils have taken the prepper world by storm and with good reason. For a relatively low cost, a few bottles of carefully selected essential oils can resolve a myriad of first aid woes, not the least of which are colds and flus, headaches, minor infections, and those dreaded aches and pains caused by sore muscles, charley horses, and more.
Each month, as I have written about essential oils, the message has come back loud and clear. “We want specifics!”.
Today I am going to share with you a very basic, very useful, and very specific use of essential oils. It has been my experience that three simple oils, applied to the bottom of your feet at the onset of a cold, will bust the nasties quickly and allow you to get on with the business of living.
This protocol is commonly referred to as the “Cold and Flu Bomb”.
The Cold and Flu Bomb Recipe
This essential oil recipe is so darn easy, yet effective, that it is embarrassing.
Cold and Flu Bomb
5 drops Melaleuca essential oil
5 drops Shield Blend (a proprietary “Thieves” type blend by Spark Naturals)
3 drops Oregano essential oilCombine the essential oils in a roller bottle. At the onset of a cold, apply to the soles of your feet plus the big toe every 2 to 3 hours. Continue to use for at least once day after your symptoms are done.
I find that this makes up enough to use on one person for one day. It is easy to double or triple the recipe so use your judgment and prepare as little or as much as you think you will need.
Special note for use on children under eight: You will not want to use these oils undiluted on the kiddos. You can’t go wrong with a 50/50 dilution with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or even Simple Salve which is healing salve without essential oils).
That’s it. Were you expecting more?
Actually, there are variations to this recipe, such as adding 5 drops of lemon essential oil or a few drops of Peppermint or Frankincense. I have had excellent results using the basic recipe so have not bothered with any alternatives.
Night Time Cold Buster
For extra healing, I have used 2 drops of melaleuca, 2 drops of Shield, and 1 drop of Oregano in my diffuser at night. If you are stuffed up, you may want to diffuse eucalyptus or Respire blend instead.
A Note About Essential Oils
I use essential oils from Spark Naturals because I feel they are they are the most affordable, therapeutic quality essential oils out there. That said, there are many quality essential oil companies and I am certain their oils will work as well. On the other hand, why pay more when you don’t have to?
That being said, I am building up a supply of Melaleuca, Shield, and Oregano essential oils for long term storage. So far, I have 2 of each stored away in a cool dark location and there is no reason to believe that they will not be good years from now. If however, you live in a warm, humid climate, you may want to store your oils in the refrigerator during the heat of summer.
If you decide to give Spark Naturals a try, be sure to use the discount code “BACKDOORSURVIVAL” to receive a 10% discount.
The Final Word
As I have written in the past, Oregano essential oil is considered to be nature’s strongest and most effective antibiotic. In addition, Melaleuca (aka Tea Tree Oil) has been proven to fight bacteria, viruses and fungi. Shield is a blend of oils that support a healthy immune function plus kills bacteria, mold and viruses.
All are great oils to have on hand for use now as well as for the long term when traditional drugs and OTC remedies may not be available. For more information, read:
25 Ways to Use Oregano Essential Oil for Health and Wellness
The Miracle of Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Oil: 80 Amazing Uses for Survival
DIY Antiviral Sanitizing Spray: When Hand Sanitizer is Not Enough
One more thing. Over the next year I plan to share more essential oil solutions that I have used personally with good results. To me, first hand anecdotal knowledge and first hand experience trumps volumes of material found on the internet that may, or may not be valid, in practical terms.
What do you think? Do you have an essential oil “recipe” or formula to share that may be useful to someone else?
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Spotlight: Spark Naturals sells a Cold and Flu Bomb Kit with everything you need to fight those winter sniffles, runny noses, and fevers. In addition to the three oils, it includes a roller ball bottle so that you are all set without having to purchase anything else.
Bargain Bin: Below you will find links to the items related to today’s article.
Spark Naturals Essential Oils: These are what you need for the Cold & Flu Bomb: Melaleuca (Tea Tree), Oregano, and Shield Blend. Don’t forget a few roller bottles, too.
>> Be sure to use the discount code “BACKDOORSURVIVAL” to receive a 10% discount. <<
Health & Wellness Kit: If you are just getting started in using essential oils for wellness purposes, I recommend the Health and Wellness Kit which includes all of my favorites including Melaleuca, Oregano and Shield – the oils you need to make up the Cold and Flu Bomb.
Aromatherapy Glass Roll On Bottles, Frost Cobalt Blue-Set of 6: You are going to want some of these for your oils. I put essential oils (singly or in combination) in a roller ball with a bit of fractionated coconut oil and use it to apply e.o.s topically. Note that I prefer the cobalt blue roller ball containers but they are also available in clear. These complement the custom salves I mix up and store in these 1/2 ounce ointment jars.
1 oz. Cobalt Blue Boston Round Glass Bottle with Spray: These well-priced glass spray bottles are well-priced and the perfect size for DIY sprays using essential oils.
Coconut (Fractionated) Carrier Oil: Once you start using coconut oil, you will be hooked. This is the fractionated coconut oil I use.
Diffusers: You are definitely going to want to consider a diffuser. I keep one in my office next to my desk, one in the bedroom, and one in the bathroom. The diffuser pictured below is this one: ZAQ Dew Aromatherapy Diffuser.
NOW Foods Essential Oils: I use essential oils from Spark Naturals. For healing purposes, I feel they are superior. On the other hand, NOW Foods has decent essential oils at a budget price. Here are a few to get you started: NOW Foods Rosemary Oil, NOW Foods Peppermint Oil, Now Foods Lavender Oil and Now Foods Lemon Oil.
Essential Oils Desk Reference 6th Edition: This is the ultimate book for the essential oil user. I thought long and hard before purchasing this book myself, but once I did, I was so grateful I took the leap. The information is cross referenced in many ways making it easy to find what you are looking for. When searching for a particular remedy, you may see multiple oils listed and any will work but they are presented in order of typical efficacy. The nice thing is that if you do not have #1 on hand, you can move down the list. I have found the recommendations to be spot on.
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: I first became interested in aromatherapy and essential oils in the early 90s which was before they really became mainstream. I read every book I could get my hands on and dabbled at creating synergy’s (a combination of two or more oils that create a chemical compound that is greater than the some of its individual components).
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16 Responses to “DIY Cold and Flu Bomb”
Hi I think there needs to be clear advice on tea tree it is found to be harmful if ingested (please don’t just take my word for it please research). However I do find Tea Tree, Lavender and Lemon oil are always stocked up in my house for all sorts of applications 🙂
I’m new to essential oils, so I joined Spark Naturals Oil of the Month club. My question is, when you say so many drops, do you mean from the top of the bottle or do you take the tops off and use a dropper. I’ve never been clear on this.
That is an excellent question, Brenda, and I will do my best to answer it for you.
Both methods are correct and a matter of preference. I prefer to take off the included dropper (its official name is “orifice”) because using it is difficult to control. Instead I use a regular eye dropper or one of those accessory droppers you can buy to replace the regular top. If you decide to toss the orifice, make sure that the next time you use the bottle you remember to check first. Been there done that and lost an entire bottle of Peppermint EO that way.
Most of the time I take off the orifice and replace it with an accessory dropper. As I recall, you can purchase 5 in a package for about $2 on the Spark Naturals site.
Thank you, that’s exactly what I needed to know!
I was told about Thieves Oil Blend several years ago. Since allergies prevent the use of it in my home and being someone who likes a challenge and to be able to do have something creative and self reliant as well as locally, I went another way.
After a few years of research and experiments, I came up with this made from vinegar. Why vinegar? First I can make it myself. Second, vinegar is good for daily health. So all the ingredients can be grown at home, around the town or buy at your grocers (except possibly the lavender and the peppercorns).
Vinegar of the Four Thieves Ingredients Pacific NW Style:
2 TBSP Thyme (dried)
2 TBSP Rosemary (dried)
2 TBSP Sage (dried)
2 TBSP Lavender (dried)
2 TBSP Mint (dried)
1/2 tsp Peppercorns, crushed
4-8 cloves of minced garlic (optional, but I like it in)
One 32-ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar with “the Mother”
How To Make:
1. Put all the dried herbs and garlic (if using) into a large glass jar enough to hold the herbs and vinegar.
2. Pour the Vinegar over the herbs and garlic and seal tightly. The vinegar is strong enough to corrode some metal lids, so in this case, a piece of wax paper over the jar then putting the lid on or use a jar with a plastic lid.
Leave in a cool, dark, place for 6-8 weeks (for health tonic recipe) shaking daily if possible.
After 6-8 weeks, strain the herbs out using a small strainer and store tonic in smaller jars for easy use.
Uses: Use the strained herbs for soups, stews and they taste great in hamburger. MARINADES– works great on pork and poultry. DISINFECTING– vinegar with these herbs works just as the EO formula even to counter surfaces and cutting boards and to spray the room, leave it out awhile then spray and no vinegar smell. SALAD DRESSING– just add oil and you have it for any salad, so my friend who loves this says. FOR COLDS AND FLU– I’m just getting over a bad cold when went from chest to head 🙁 So my dosing also was with the above ideas of including it with my food. Adults= 1 Tablespoon 4x daily (unless doing as I did and using with food) Children= 1 teaspoon 4x daily but it’s better for them to include it in food too. ;)A little honey can be added, I like raw local honey.
NOTE: I didn’t have any dried lavender, so I used my lavender EO. Can’t afford all the EOs yet to make this as just oils, so if/when someone does, please let me know. I’m planning of the oils as backup to my vinegar solution. I like duplication where possible.
You are incredibly inventive and clever! I really admire what you have done.
My additional daily therapy includes COLLOIDAL SILVER. I use 1/2 oz twice a day. Favorite high quality brand is Sovereign Silver and Ultra Colloidal by Silver Mountain Minerals is 2nd.
Turned on to it by my go to Ultimate Survivalist friend who makes his own. Yes, he is a bone fide genius!
I have been using the Thieves Blend on my family for several months. Every time one of us starts with a little stuffiness I use a little on the neck area. I apply once in the morning and once before bed. None of us has had a cold yet! I always get sinus infections in the winter as well….but have had none so far. The thieves blend works great!
Thank you for printing this. I love learning about essential oils that work for specific illnesses.
My favorite oil for any cut, scrape, bump, etc. is lavender. It also works well for me as a mosquito and bug repellant.
I feel that everyone’s body chemistry is a little different so what works so well for me might be a little different for someone else.
Next I want to learn more about tea tree oil and how to use it correctly.
I love the smell of peppermint oil and keep some in a glass next to the computer.
I read it is good to keep mice and other pests away, but haven’t needed to use it for that yet.
If the world falls apart I want to do whatever I can to keep the bad critters away!
Check out some more of Ms. Gaye’s articles. She has some dedicated solely to Tea Tree, Peppermint, etc. Enjoy! 🙂
Thank you. I’m going to give this a try.
My husband and my son recently had a cold setting in. Both of them were coughing and congested.
I ran a blend of Tea Tree and Eucalyptus in my warmer, in the room that my son spent time in and my husband slept in. It was quite effective. Within a few minutes, their coughing would cease and they were able to sleep.
The cold lasted only about three days, rather than the common seven to fourteen days they tell you to expect.
Another experience: A week ago, I had the worst stomach ach, the kind that goes straight to your back. I put two drops of lavender and two drops of Chamomile on my stomach and rubbed it in. Within five minutes, it was totally gone.
I dont have shield blend, can you tell me soemthing else I can use in its place. I have the other two.
I believe that she indicated that Thieves blend would be basically the same thing as shield blend.
This is what the Spark Naturals site says: “Spark Naturals is pleased to present this ancient blend based upon legend. The legend has its roots in 15th century England during the time of the great plague. Grave robbers thieves developed their own blend of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary to protect them while robbing the plague victims. This potent blend only contains the essential oils and no carrier oil.” hope this helps.
I would try 3 drops of clove and 2 drops of lemon as a substitute to begin with. I say this because Shield has a very heavy clove/lemon scent (to my nose at least). Both clove oil and lemon oil are readily available and powerful in their own right.
Google Marseilles Vinegar. Very old name for same blend dating back to a few thousand years. Bubonic plague thieves is a very catchy story.
Cheapest good quality product I found is “Germ Fighter” by Plant Therapy (very fair prices). I got 15 ml (1/2 oz) for $15.00.
Very simple and inexpensive DIY; 5 key ingredients: Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary. Mix in carrier oil; I like coconut. Agree with roller applicator to bottoms of feet & big toe.
I had a yeast infection in my mouth from antibiotics. Used a 3-4 drops to 4 oz water w a few drops of stevia for mouthwash. Knocked it out better than prescribed nystatin liquid! I use it every time I go to the bathroom now. Love it.
Also can be put in a diffuser as illustrated. NOW Solutions has an inexpensive ($36.00) right now) but maybe less reliable one. Just clean regularly w white vinegar as recommended.
“Essential Oils” book (illustrated) by D. Gary YOUNG is excellent. Bear in mind, YOUNG LIVING products are very heavily promoted and prices are VERY high. All of the YOUNG LIVING blends are listed in detail and can be DIY replicated. Book is worth the price.
Another very good one, more prepper-oriented, is “Surviving When Modern Medicine Fails” by Dr. Scott A. Johnson is wonderful. Also at Amazon.
I am loving this Web site. Great information and well-written. I love the links and will gladly pass on any profits I can. I live on Amazon.