Dr Bo Hendgen from Absolute Essential offers her top 6 tips for keeping well this winter.
1. Choosing a healthy lifestyle is the most simple and effective way to fight away bugs and germs. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when it is supported by healthy-living strategies such as: a diet high in fruit and vegetables; regular hydration and exercise; adequate sleep; good hygiene (e.g. washing your hands frequently); and low stress.
2. The very first place of defence in the body is our throat and also the first place you notice that something is brewing. Don’t ignore that sore throat, utilise the recipe (see below). It works every time for me.
3. To add another layer of protection against seasonal ills and zealous bugs, using certified organic essential oils to build up the defences is a great place to start. Fortify the air you breathe by adding 10 drops of Absolute Essential Immune Care (Organic) Pure Blend or Thyme Thymol, Lemon and Eucalyptus Lemon essential oils into your diffuser, refreshing hourly. As well as creating a beautiful scent the diffuser is throwing therapeutic grade molecules into the air for you to breathe in.
4. Make your own natural disinfectant spray (see recipe below). It’s effective and perfect for many uses including wiping down counters and desktops, door handles, bathrooms – even keyboards or EFTPOS machines without adding nasty chemicals to your immediate environment.
5. Lower stress levels in the home with the help of Absolute Essential’s Certified Organic Tranquility Pure Blend. Its effect is like a glass of wine without the alcohol when it comes to separating work and home life while imbuing a sense of calm into your space.
6. Apply 5 drops of Absolute Essential Immune Care (adults) or 2-3 drops of Child Immune Care (children) to the soles of your feet before you go to bed and allow the therapeutic oils to do their work while you sleep. Applying essential oils to the hands and feet is the fastest way for them to absorb into the body because of the absence of fatty tissues.
Sore throat – laryngitis, tonsillitis
Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia 3 drops
Ginger – Zingiber officinalis 2 drops
As a compress:
Blend the above drops in a bowl of hot water.
Immerse a cloth in the water, wring out and place on the throat. When cool, reheat in hot water and place back on throat.
As a lozenge:
Add 1 drop of the below each to a chewable Vitamin C
Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia
Ginger – Zingiber officinalis
As a gargle:
Add the following blend to a glass of warm water with a pinch of salt. Repeat every hour while symptoms persist.
Tea Tree – Melaleuca alternifolia 2 drops
Ginger – Zingiber officinalis 3 drops
Natural Disinfectant Spray
Take a 250ml recycled spray bottle and add:
- 240ml purified water
- 5ml of a natural liquid soap (about 2 squirts)
Then add the following Absolute Essential oils:
- 10 drops of Thyme Thymol (Organic)
- 40 drops of Lemon Essential Oil (Organic)
- 50 drops of Eucalyptus Lemon (Organic)
- OR instead of the oils, simply add 5mls of Immune Care (Organic) Pure Blend.
