Coping with the dreaded lurgy in an oily kind of way

I don't know about you, but I've found the cold/flu/lurgy thing that's getting about this year is way too friendly for my liking! Dang thing settles itself in without so much as an invitation and usually at the worst possible time. And then, of course, it becomes the unwanted tenant that will not leave. Sigh... 

I had a run in with it a few weeks ago and it absolutely nailed me. Started off with sneezing, then the runny nose, scratchy throat and quickly worked it's way down to my chest, giving me a nasty cough with a side serving of very sore muscles around my ribs. Sore enough that it hurt to sneeze, cough, laugh, just about do anything.

It arrived and settled in unbelievably fast. So much so that I didn't initially think about what oils may be helpful which sounds bonkers! Well not beyond the Easy Air (also known as Breathe) which helped me breathe at night despite a blocked nose.

However after a day or two in, the light bulb went on and I remembered I'd mixed up an oily flu shot at the start of winter with a blend of Oregano, Tea Tree, On Guard and Lemon oil added to fractionated coconut oil in a roller bottle, just in case this moment arrived.

So along with the hot lemon and honey drinks, echinacea and vitamin c, I was rolling some of the oily blend on my feet a few times a day. I can't say oregano is a favourite scent of mine, but thankfully I can cope with it when it's blended with other oils.

The worst of the lurgy hung around for about a week but it was on the move and seemed to systematically move through my body, then each bit improved the next day if that makes sense.

The only part that lingered was an extremely annoying mostly dry cough that ensured my ribs stayed sore for an extended time. It was the cough that once it started, would not stop! 

When I returned to work, I diffused some Easy Air and On Guard in the corner of my little office. I figured it would not only help me but ensure I didn't share any lingering germs with others.

A couple of weeks later, I was still regularly managing to alarm people with this coughthatwouldnotstop. After a particularly nasty coughing fit, a colleague said you need some Wintergreen oil. Put a drop on your feet tonight when you're going to bed.

Hmm I thought, I know it can be used for a few things but I've not heard it being used for a niggly nuisance cough before. However, at that stage I didn't care, anything was worth a go.

I cannot believe the difference that oil made! I had a much better night's sleep and the cough appeared to be almost gone. The full on coughing fits stopped. I don't know if they were about to anyway, but it happened so suddenly that I'm pretty sure the Wintergreen played a helping hand.

I think I need to become more aquainted with this oil! Dry niggly coughs have often been a part of my life after illness or in times of stress. I've since used the Wintergreen on my feet at night with the same result, so I'm liking this oil very much right now.

And last but not least, adding Wild Orange to the blends you're diffusing also gives a nice aroma and has the benefit of being uplifting as well which is just what you need when you're feeling crappy with the lurgy!