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Choose from our collection of natural remedy essential oil blends for common ailments like sinus congestion, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, stress-related anxiety, and minor cuts and scrapes. Most blends are designed for use with an aromatherapy diffuser. They may also be diluted with a carrier (i.e. vegetal or nut oil, aloe vera gel, bath salts) for direct application. Some blends, like our Headache Blend, come already diluted, and our Boo Boo Blend may be applied directly without dilution. See our Guide to Essential Oil & Diffuser Blends for complete details on how to use them.

Alternative Cold Medicine: Effective Natural Remedies Without Side Effects

There are more than 100,000 over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that you can buy without a prescription and they all have one thing in common: they are serious medicines that need to be taken with care. Over-The-Counter (OTC) cold medicines and cough syrups are made with harsh ingredients like Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), Dextromethorphan or Codeine, which can put some people at increased risk for significant --and sometimes serious-- drug interactions with other over-the-counter medications –never mind the regular unpleasant side effects like drowsiness or brain fog. This is especially true for people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, the elderly, and small children.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has documented the ineffectiveness and potential toxicities of OTC cough and cold medicines in children, and the FDA issued an advisory to remove Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) --a common constituent of OTC decongestants-- from those products because of concern for increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. In addition to side effects of the various ingredients, OTC cough and cold preparations also present potential hazards due to dosing errors. And there are environmental consequences that come with throwing those old expired meds (both prescription and OTC) down the drain or flushing them down the toilet.

Don't Be Bamboozled!

Don't be bamboozled into thinking that the only effective way of dealing with a common ailment is to take harsh meds. Next time you're tempted to reach for the Nyquil, try an herbal, homeopathic, or essential oil-based natural remedy instead. These can be remarkably effective at addressing a wide range of symptoms associated with colds and flu, run-of-the-mill aches and pains, and even mild cases of anxiety or depression, without the added burden on your liver and kidneys that comes with over-use of OTC medications, or the risk of increased blood pressure from cough and cold medicines. And because they are so gentle they can often be combined for maximum results.

To treat upper respiratory or bronchial ailments, herbal teas, tinctures or cough syrups containing Elderberry, Nettles, Mullein, Licorice Root, Osha Root, and immune system boosters like Goldenseal and Echinacea are a great place to start.

For a sore throat try Slippery Elm lozenges or a drop of Organic Tea Tree essential oil in a spoonful of honey added to a cup of Sage or Elderberry tea. You can make your own sore throat gargle with a cup of Sage or Chamomile tea, a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, and a spoonful of honey with a drop of Geranium essential oil. This mixture is even more powerful if you infuse the honey with sage before adding the essential oil.

Breathe Easier

For fast relief of congestion whether due to colds and flu or seasonal allergies, reach for an essential oil remedy like Dropwise Essentials Breathe Ease Diffuser Blend that includes two types of Eucalyptus (Radiata and Polybractae), Cedarwood, Naiouli, and Spike Lavender essential oils to open nasal passages and improve breathing. Use it in a diffuser or simply add a couple of drops to a bowl of steaming hot water, place a towel over your head and breathe in the fragrant steam.

Another option is to add a couple of drops to a cup of Epsom Salt, stir it or mix it by hand, and add it to a hot bath. This will help relieve congestion and soothe joint and muscle aches and pains commonly associated with colds and flu, while flushing out toxins that contribute to the exaggeration of these symptoms.

See our Guide to Essential Oil & Diffuser Blends for complete instructions on how you can use this product for best results. Also, consult our Blending Guidelines for Essential Oils for dilution ratios and be sure to read our Safety Tips & Precautions too. Many of us grew up using Vicks Vapo Rub for relief from congestion due to colds and flu. Click HERE for a recipe you can use to create your own petroleum-free version of an equally effective decongestant chest rub.

For runny noses and itchy, watery eyes, try a homeopathic remedy for allergies or hay fever --these can be very effective at drying out sinuses regardless of the actual cause of the symptoms.

Of course, the best remedy for the common cold or flu is to get as much rest as possible. Be sure to have plenty of Chamomile tea and some Lavender essential oil to help you get a good night's rest. You can also try our Sleep Ease natural remedy diffuser blend.

Copyright 2009 Dropwise Essentials

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Dropwise Essentials is a San Francisco-based manufacturer of pure aromatherapy and organic plant-based personal care products that give people a safe and effective way to relieve stress, increase vitality, improve confidence, or manage their emotional state any time or place without popping a pill. Our products are:

• Free of synthetic chemicals and petroleum ingredients
• Made with high quality
certified organic oils and pure essential oils sourced from around the world
• Packaged in re-usable or recyclable materials
• Hand-made locally in northern California

Dropwise Essentials was founded by Donya Fahmy, a writer, producer, and consultant whose avid interest in the curative powers of aromatherapy and herbs ultimately led her to design and create the seven products and seventeen unique essential oil blends that make up the current Dropwise product line. She has studied aromatherapy with Carol Schiller --a successful author of several aromatherapy books-- and with Dr. Daniel Penoel --a renowned expert in the field of medical aromatherapy.

Dropwise Essentials is a proud member of the Indie Beauty Network (formerly the Handmade Beauty Network), the Green America Business Network (formerly Co-op America), Green Product Alliance, Natural Ingredient Resource Center, and a Friend of PETA. We were among the first companies to join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics by signing their Compact for Safe Cosmetics --which simply formalizes our existing commitment to formulate products free of known or potentially toxic ingredients.