Staying healthy during the winter season is a priority for all of us, no one wants to catch any of the funk that floats around during this time. Our increased time in close proximity with others and lack of sun exposure can increase our odds of falling under the weather, so in this article I am talking about all the ways to support a healthy immune system during the wintertime, using essential oils. As someone who has been using doTERRA essential oils since 2011, I've gathered valuable insights into how these oils can effectively support a healthy immune system. In this article, I'll share some insider tips on specific essential oils and how to incorporate them into your routine to stay well throughout the season.
Tips for Supporting a Healthy Immune System
Let’s start with some basics for keeping your immune system functioning optimally.
Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can affect your immune system. Studies show that people who don’t get quality or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus.
Reduce Stress
When we are stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced.
Use Essential Oils
There are three ways to use essential oils: aromatically, topically, and internally.
- Aromatically
- Place a drop in palms, rub together and inhale.
- Add 5-7 drops to diffuser to boost mood, cleanse air, and to provide respiratory support.
- Add oil to a batch of laundry or to dryer sheets.
- Topically
- Apply 1-2 drops to area of need, bottoms of feet, wrists, back of neck, or along spine.
- Dilute with carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, to help oils absorb into skin and prevent any skin sensitivities.
- Add oils to bath.
- Internally
- Add oils into an empty veggie capsule.
- Use only internally when the bottle has supplemental facts.
- Place under your tongue or gargle in a small glass of water.
- Add 1-2 drops to a glass of water – do not use plastic container.
- Lemon is a great oil to add to your water daily for flushing toxins.
Essential Oils and Other doTERRA Products for Supporting a Healthy Immune System
On Guard Essential Oil
On Guard is a powerhouse blend designed to support a healthy immune system by inhibiting the replication of unwanted elements in our bodies. This is extremely popular oil in doTERRA it helps to support a healthy immune system. On Guard smells kind of like the fall season and is the perfect replacement for those toxic fall candles in your home. The fall and winter also seem to be a time when more people get sick, so this is perfect to diffuse in your home during those seasons.
Ingredients
- Wild Orange
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
How to use On Guard
- Immune Boost: Add two to three drops in a veggie capsule.
- All Purpose Cleaner: Add to water for an effective all-purpose surface cleaner.
- Sliced Apple Treat: Soak sliced apples in water and add a few drops for a healthy, immune boosting snack.
- Hand Cleanser: Combined with coconut oil.
- Protection & Shielding: Use a few drops in a diffuser or diffuser jewelry.
- Increase Boundaries: Use topically or in a diffuser.
- Energetic Parasites: Add a few drops to a diffuser or apply topically.
- Environmental Threats: Diffuse a few drops.
- Toothbrush Cleanser: Add 1- 2 drops in a glass of water and let soak.
- Mouthwash: Add a drop to water and swish.
Daily Routine
Rub on the bottom of your children’s feet each morning before school to help with immunity support. My daughter does this herself in the mornings when she is getting ready for school.
On Guard Plus Softgels
On Guard Plus Softgels work to boost immunity the same as the On Guard blend, except they contain a few extra oils like Black Pepper, Oregano, and Melissa that work together to strengthen and maintain a healthy immune system.
You can take these throughout the winter season if you prefer or you can take them as needed. If I'm traveling, I make sure that I take a few of these a day. These are also great to start taking the moment you feel like you are coming down with something and just keep taking them until it goes away, these will help knock it out before it shows up in full force. These are great to keep on hand in your medicine cabinet.
On Guard Protective Throat Drops
These On Guard Protective Throat Drops are great to keep in your bathroom cabinet for when you start getting that scratchy throat feeling. These throat drops are the all-natural version of a cough drop, but they also contain immune boosting properties.
doTERRA On Guard Protecting Throat Drops help calm and soothe dry, scratchy throats while supporting overall health. When taken internally, the protective properties of the essential oils in the doTERRA On Guard blend can promote healthy immune system function. doTERRA On Guard Protecting Throat Drops can be a potent addition to a defensive health strategy against seasonal and environmental threats.
Primary Benefits
- Helps calm and soothe dry, scratchy throats
- Helps strengthen the body’s defenses
- Proprietary doTERRA On Guard Throat Drop blend of CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade essential oils including Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Myrrh in the convenience of an individually wrapped drop
- Blended in a sweet base of organic cane sugar and organic brown rice syrup, with no added artificial flavors or colors
On Guard Chewable Tablets
These chewable tablets contain doTERRA’s On Guard essential oil as well as vitamin C, vitamin D, Zinc, and powerful beta-glucan. If you aren’t familiar with the On Guard essential oil, it includes Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary.
These tablets are sugar free, gluten free, vegan, and non-GMO. Instead of sugar these tablets are sweetened with monk fruit extract. These tablets are made to be taken daily if you wish, you can take up to three tablets per day and there are 60 tablets in a bag.
You have plenty of options for taking On Guard internally to get your immune system ramped up.
On Guard Beadlets
These beadlets are a convenient way to make sure you always have On Guard with you. These are super easy to travel with.
On Guard Concentrate Cleaner
Looking for a powerful, non-toxic, cost effective, multi-purpose cleaner? On Guard Concentrate Cleaner is everything you could want in household cleaning product. This is going to help you keep surfaces in your home clean and keep the crude out of your house.
On Guard Hand Sanitizing Mist
The doTERRA On Guard Hand Sanitizing Mist is a must-have hygiene solution that combines the power of essential oils with effective cleansing properties. Designed to keep your hands clean and refreshed on the go, this convenient mist is infused with the protective and purifying On Guard blend. This proprietary blend includes wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary essential oils. Known for their cleansing and immune-supportive properties, these oils work together to provide a protective barrier against environmental threats.
The mist is designed for easy and convenient application. With a simple spray, you can cover your hands evenly, allowing the sanitizing properties to take effect quickly and efficiently. Unlike traditional hand sanitizers that may have a harsh smell, the On Guard Hand Sanitizing Mist offers a refreshing and uplifting scent.
The compact and travel-friendly design of the mist makes it ideal for on-the-go use. Keep it in your purse, pocket, or car for quick access to effective hand sanitization wherever you are. It provides a convenient way to maintain hand hygiene without the need for water and soap.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of the most potent and powerful essential oils and has been used for centuries in traditional practices. The primary chemical component of Oregano is carvacrol, a phenol that possesses antioxidant properties when ingested. Additionally, Oregano oil should be diluted with a carrier oil when applied to the skin. One drop taken internally each day can help maintain healthy immune function. In addition to being a popular cooking spice, Oregano oil also supports healthy digestion and respiratory function when taken internally.
How to Use
- Take one drop of Oregano oil in a veggie cap or 4 fl. oz of liquid daily to maintain healthy immune function.
- Add one to two Oregano oil drops to a veggie capsule to support healthy respiratory function.
- Put one drop of Oregano essential oil in place of dried oregano in spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, or on a roast.
- Put 10 Oregano oil drops in a 16-ounce spray bottle with water for a surface cleaner.
This steam cup recipe below is one of my favorite ways to use Oregano. It is very strong though, so I wouldn't recommend it for little children.
In my opinion Oregano and On Guard are the two most important oils for supporting a healthy immune system. Oregano is not an oil you will need to use very often, but when you need it you don’t want to have to wait and order it – I recommend keeping this in your bathroom cabinet to have on hand if you need it. Oregano oil is best taken in small, consistent amounts to maintain effectiveness.
GX Assist
GX Assist supports a healthy digestive tract by creating an unfriendly environment for potential threats that can disrupt digestive immunities and cause digestive upset. The other oils in this capsule are a powerhouse for your immune system, but they are also going to help clear out your gut. This is also great to take in place of other meds that are often taken for 7-10 days 2-3 times a day. Take GX Assist for 10 days 1-3 times a day whenever you are under the weather and can't seem to kick whatever has you feeling down. Make sure to follow up this 10-day protocol with 10 days or more of PB Restore probiotics.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree is a natural disinfectant. Tea Tree essential oil is best known for its purifying properties. Tea Tree oil can be used to cleanse the skin, clean surfaces in the home, and purify the air. It can also be added to water and a spray bottle to clean surfaces in your home.
While Tea Tree is mostly known for its skin supporting properties there are a few other ways I like to use it for immune support. It is good for managing overgrowth of candida bacteria in our body and for supporting ear health. Use a drop of Tea Tree, a drop of Lavender, with a little bit of coconut oil to rub around the ear whenever you are experiencing ear discomfort. Never put essential oils in your ear canal. This has worked great for our family ever since my daughter has been born and a lot of other moms say it has worked for them as well. Tea tree oil, known for its antiseptic properties, can be used for cleaning, topical application, and respiratory support.
How to Use
- Clean with it for its antiseptic qualities.
- Apply topically on the spine or bottoms of feet.
- Combine with other oils for a respiratory steam cup.
- Tea tree oil offers a milder alternative to some spicy oils, making it versatile for various applications.
Arborvitae
Arborvitae is an oil that comes from a tree called the Tree of Life. They are thousand-year-old cedar trees that grow in the pacific northwest. Once they have fallen and are dead, doTERRA harvests the dead branches, which don’t decay interestingly enough. This oil is extremely effective against candida overgrowth – even more so than Tea Tree. Any time someone in our house doesn’t feel well, we will do an oil bath with Arborvitae. It helps to bring down high body temperatures and has a calming effect. Arborvitae is safe for even the littlest ones.
Stronger
This is the protective blend specifically designed for kids. Stronger is a gentle powerhouse blend that has an uplifting aroma that rejuvenates and evokes feelings of wellness. I love to rotate Stronger with my other immune-supporting oils/blends. You can still use On Guard on your kids, if you don’t have this blend. Stronger is from the kids collection and is heavily diluted so that kids can use them on their own. My daughter has had her own kids line collection in her room since she was 4-5 years old.
This blend contains
- Cedarwood
- Litsea
- Frankincense
- Rose
- Pre-diluted with fractionated coconut oil
Physical Benefits
- Promotes feelings of wellness and vitality
- Comforting too occasional skin irritations
- Soothing to the emotions during times of distress
How to Use
- When environmental threats are high, use stronger to promote feelings of wellness and vitality.
- Roll onto hands, knees, and feet after a long day of activity.
- Soothing to occasional skin irritations.
- Help soothe and comfort distressed skin.
- Diffuse to refresh and revitalize any area.
- Use for a soothing aroma.
My daughter will sometimes put this on, just because she likes the smell of it, and it feels like a win-win for me because I know she is supporting her immune system at the same time
Rose Oil
Rose Oil is another one I like to keep on me. If you give me a hug, most of the time you will find that I smell like rose oil. For me it is just one of the most calming oils and I like to apply it throughout the day. Rose is not an oil you hear about often for immune support, it is typically talked about as being good for hormone support, skin, and emotional wellness.
This is an oil that I like to put on my spine in conjunction with On Guard and Frankincense. It is great to use for skin irritations that kids tend to pick up from play structures and bouncy castles. Rose oil smells amazing, but it has a wide variety of uses outside of its aromatic properties – I like to call it the queen of essential oils.
How to Use:
- Wear daily for its uplifting aroma.
- Roll on the spine to support immune health.
- Combine with Tea Tree for skin immunity.
AromaTouch Oil
AromaTouch Essential Oil is another doTERRA proprietary blend of Cypress Leaf, Peppermint Plant, Marjoram Leaf, Basil Leaf, Grapefruit Peel, Lavender Flower essential oils. This oil is coined as doTERRA's massage blend. AromaTouch can be used during a massage for a whole body wellness experience. This oil is not one that is normally mentioned for supporting immune health, but because of its cooling and soothing properties I chose to include it on this list. You can use this oil topically for pain or whenever you body/muscles are sore while dealing with the funk. You can also add a few drops to your bath to help relax your muscles.
AromaTouch provides a cooling sensation, making it ideal for relaxation during immune challenges.
How to Use
- Rub along the spine for a cooling effect.
- Features oils like peppermint, cypress, and basil for a well-rounded blend.
- While not a primary immune support oil, AromaTouch complements other oils, offering a soothing touch during times of need.
Symphony of the Cells
Symphony of the Cells provides targeted protocols for various immune challenges. The Symphony of the Cells applications were created by Boyd Truman in order to empower others to grow their confidence in applying essential oils. The Symphony of the Cells applications can be used to create a feeling of overall wellness. Each application is designed to support a specific body system with the essential oils that are most beneficial for that specific system. This allows the uses to effectively target certain concerns of aliments. This books is only available a the link below and cannot be found on Amazon.
PB Assist+ and PB Restore Probiotics
Gut health is extremely important, 70-80% of our immune system resides in our gut. One of the ways we can support a healthy gut is by making sure the microbiome, the healthy gut bacteria, is there and that the un-healthy gut bacteria doesn’t go rogue.
PB Assist+
PB Assist+ is a convenient stick pack that contains a proprietary blend of 13 probiotic strains and a prebiotic, providing double the number of strains compared to its previous version. With seven billion AFU at the time of use, it ensures an effective dose for users. The inclusion of prebiotic FOS inulin further supports digestive comfort, healthy lipid metabolism, cardiovascular health, a healthy nervous system, and a robust immune system, according to clinical and experimental research.
PB Restore
The PB Restore Complex is a comprehensive supplement that aims to benefit various aspects of systemic health, including digestive health, gut barrier integrity, immune function, micronutrient synthesis, metabolism, respiratory health, oral health, and dermatological health, with potential benefits for cardiovascular health, urological health, brain function, and DNA function.
Recipes for Winter Wellness
Everyday Health Roller
- 10ml Roller Bottle
- 10 drops On Guard
- 10 drops Tea Tree
- Fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil
- Roll on bottoms of feet daily.
Immune Bomb
- 10ml roller bottle
- 10 drops Lemon
- 10 drops Tea Tree
- 10 drops On Guard
- 10 drops Oregano
- 10 drops Frankincense
- Fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil
- Roll on bottoms of feet 3-4 hours when under the weather.
Sleep Well
- 10ml roller bottle
- 15 drops Lavender
- 5 drops Breathe
- Fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil
- Roll on bottoms of feet and/or chest for respiratory support.
Easy Breathing
- 10 ml roller bottle
- 20 drops Breathe
- 10 drops Copaiba or Frankincense
- Fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil
- Roll on bottoms of feet and/or chest for respiratory support.
Sore Throat
- In a small glass of water, put in 1 drop of On Guard and gargle.
- In a spoonful of honey add 1 drop of Lemon, On Guard, Peppermint, and eat.
- For kids rub diluted Lavender and Frankincense over throat.
- Start using Immune Bomb Roller Bottle
F.L.O.O.T
(Frankincense, Lemon, Oregano, On Guard, Tea Tree) Blend
This is our go-to anytime our bodies need some big guns to fight off more of the intense environmental threats. What makes this FLOOT bomb so powerful is the blend of oils it uses. FlOOT is an immunity boosting blend of essential oils. It can be taken internally or used in a roller bottle.
For all the essential oils mentioned in this article a great place to apply them is to the spinal cord. Applying essential oils to the spine allows for greater distribution and heightened function of the essential oils due to the higher concentration of neurological and arterial activity along the spine.
As we navigate the winter season, incorporating these essential oils into our routines can make a significant difference in supporting a healthy immune system. Whether diffusing, applying topically, or ingesting, the versatility of doTERRA oils offers a holistic approach to winter wellness. Now, maybe more than ever, it is important to prioritize a healthy immune system. A strong immune system is the key to good health. I hope these tips along with healthy lifestyle choices help you to stay healthy this season. Don't forget to take your Lifelong Vitality Supplements or children's supplements for the littles and drink lots of water.
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