Five of my Favorite Essential Oils for Fall and How to Use Them
Fall is such a wonderful time of year! The weather begins to cool, kids are back to school (in person many places), and holidays are just around the corner. But fall also makes me think of wellness. What steps can I do to support my immune health, fight germs, and stay well?
In addition to eating well, getting enough rest, taking time to destress, and utilizing herbs essential oils and aromatherapy are a simple but incredibly effective tool to support wellness.
In this post I share five of my favorite essential oils for fighting germs and supporting respiratory health. Let's take a look.
1. Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora) is one of my favorite essential oils. It offers anti-microbial, analgesic, decongesting, and anti-inflammatory properties among others. Emotionally it can fortify and support self-confidence. Ravintsara is herbal, fresh, and camphoraceous. It has similarities to eucalpytus. It is generally very gentle and safe, but should be used with care around children under 10 and those with breathing issues such as asthma due to its 1.8 cineole content.
How to use: Ravintsara is perfect for steaming (see this post to learn more about steaming) to open airways and fight germs. It's great to use at the first sign of a cold or to feel better faster.
Diffuser blend: Use ravintsara in diffuser blends. One of my favorite nighttime blends is 2 drops ravintsara, 2-3 drops bergamot, and 1 drop frankincense essential oil. It fights germs, supports sleep, and helps support respiratory wellness.
Ravintsara can also be added to creams or salves and also makes a great addition to aroma inhalers. It's also a useful addition to hand gels/sprays.
2. Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) was once only available to royalty and priests. It's earthy, fresh, rich, and balsamic. It often brings memories of church or the sacred. I love this oil for skincare and also for its ability to support respiratory wellness, to clear congestion, and to encourage emotional wellness.
How to use: Topically: Add a drop or two to your favorite skin care products to support healthy skin while enjoying its other aromatic benefits. Frankincense can also be added to creams or salves and used in chest rubs. It also great for hand gels/sprays.
As mentioned above I love adding a drop of frankincense to a nighttime diffuser blend along with ravintsara and bergamot to support restful sleep and wellness. It is also a great choice for aroma inhalers.
Frankincense is very safe and can be used with children. Be sure to purchase frankincense from sustainably harvested sources.
3. Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis): Sweet orange not only smells amazing -- bright, citrusy, sweet, it also stimulates the immune system, fights germs, and offers analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is safe to use with children, but should be used in low dilutions topically (1-2%). Orange can oxidize easily so be sure to store in a cool place away from sunlight.
How to use: Diffuser blends: Sweet orange is fantastic in the diffuser. I love combining 2-3 drops of sweet orange with 1-2 drops rosemary, 1-2 drops peppermint, 1 drop of cinnamon bark, and 1 drop of balsam fir or other woodsy essential oil to create a holiday-inspired blend. It also makes a great addition to an inhaler.
Orange can be used in creams and salves or gels/sprays for the hands. Equal parts lavender and sweet orange makes a lovely combo. Use in low dilutions 5-12 drops per oz (1-2%).
4. Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum): Cinnamon bark essential oil is sweet, comforting, spicy, and feels like a warm hug. It is an antimicrobial powerhouse and also supports digestive health. Energetically is comforts and offers support.
It is a spicy, hot essential oil and can cause skin irritation and may irritate mucus membranes and should be used with care. Cinnamon bark essential oil is not recommended for topical use. Cinnamon bark oil is NOT quite the same as cinnamon leaf essential oil -- they do vary in chemistry and aroma. Cinnamon leaf essential oil can be used in low dilutions on the skin. Be sure to pay attention to which plant part the oil is from.
How to use:I love adding a drop of cinnamon to my diffuser along with 1-2 drops peppermint, 2-3 drops sweet orange, 1-2 drops rosemary, and 1 drop balsam fir or other fir oil. A few drops of cinnamon bark oil are great for inhalers as well. Since it can be irritating to the skin I DON'T tend to use it topically.
5. Clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata): Clove bud essential oil is another scent associated with fall, pumpkin spice, ham, and all things nice. Clove bud is an excellent anti-microbial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory. Energetically it is warming and supports confidence during times of transition.
Personally I love clove as a spice but the essential oil is a bit overwhelming for me. I tuck it into diffuser and inhaler blends under aromas such as sweet orange and rosemary for its amazing benefits without it being too overpowering.
Clove can be irritating to the mucus membranes and skin. Thus it must be used in low amounts and diluted heavily if used in a roll on, salve, or cream (0.4% dilution or less).
Clove is found in tooth pastes and throat gargles because it is excellent at fighting germs and numbing pain.
How to Use: When I use clove in diffuser blends I typically add it at 1 to 5% of the total blend rather than add it directly to a diffuser. A drop goes a long way in an aroma inhaler as well as in roll ons, salves, or cream blends.
Fall Wellness Blend:
Total blend volume 15 ml
Essential Oils (100%)
Balsam Fir 10 % 1.5 ml
Clove 5 % 0.75 ml
Combava Peel, Kaffir Lime Peel 35 % 5.25 ml
Patchouli 0.5 % 0.08 ml
Spike Lavender 39.5 % 5.92 ml
Ravintsara Ct. Cineole 10 % 1.5 ml
I hope you enjoyed learning about five of my favorite essential oils for fall. Do you have favorite essential oils for fall -- whether for germ fighting or to create a fall inspired aroma? Share your favorites and how you like to use them.
Aromatic blessings my friends,
Tricia
