Winter is the season of restoration and renewal. Mysterious mother earth creates the perfect environment for plants and animals to rest and recover in the wintertime, in order to return in an abundance of fruit and flowers come spring and summer.
Studies have shown humans also experience the restorative energy of winter, benefiting from deeper sleeps and clearer thinking in cooler temperatures. On an emotional level, the cold, crisp air instantly refreshes and creates a feeling of focus, alertness and renewal. If you’re lucky enough to experience snowfall, this feeling is enhanced by the cleansing power of snow, which blankets the landscape with the promise of a fresh start.
Winter, however, is also a time that corresponds with increased illness. As the cooler weather has us huddling inside for warmth, we spend more time indoors: putting us at an increased risk of infection. Viruses also tend to live longer in colder temperatures and lower humidity, which has us more susceptible to illness during these colder months.
Here are some ways to not only protect yourself this winter, but flourish in wellness with aromatherapy rituals specifically designed for the cold season.
Aromatherapy for Protection
As the old adage goes: “Prevention is better than cure.”
Defend yourself and your home against the winter nasties by purifying the air with protective pure essential oils, regularly sanitising your hands and surfaces, and washing your hands often with gentle washes designed for frequent use.
Aroma Defence Essential Oil BlendWard off winter nasties and protect yourself and your home by purifying the air around you. Aroma Defence was specifically formulated to purify the air with a potent fusion of eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, cinnamon and thyme pure essential oils. The comforting and cosy aroma of cinnamon is pronounced when diffused, and helps to create a warm, nurturing space to stave off the winter blues alongside the winter bugs.
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Aromatherapy Hand Sanitiser
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Gentle Hand & Body Washes
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Nourishing Hand Creams
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Aromatherapy for Recovery
While Aroma Defence is formulated to ward away the winter nasties with protective pure essential oils known for their antibacterial properties, our Breathe Easy range was formulated with essential oils known to ease symptoms and support recovery!
Our Breathe Easy collection is here to help you feel better sooner, with oils said to help relieve symptoms of cold and flu including stuffiness, congestion, irritated airways, sniffles, and achiness.
Feel Better with Breathe Easy BlendBreathe Easy Blend is a powerhouse essential oil blend designed to help you feel your best. |
Breathe Easy Blend Rituals
Diffuse:
To help clear the air and make breathing easier during times of sickness, stuffiness and congestion, add 5 drops of Breathe Easy to your ultrasonic diffuser.
Inhalation:
Used with inhalation, it may help to alleviate symptoms of the cold and flu by relieving blocked and congested noses as well as soothing irritated airways, chesty coughs and sore throats. Add 3-4 drops to a handkerchief or tissue and hold under your nose. Take some nice, deep breathes to inhale the vapours.
Steam Inhalation:
When feeling especially congested, fill a heat-safe bowl with steaming hot water and add 5 drops of Breathe Easy blend (we suggest you start with fewer drops and add more if you need). Keeping your eyes closed, place a towel over your head and take deep breaths.
Massage:
Aching body? Make a massage blend by diluting Breathe Easy in a carrier oil of your choice (such as cold-pressed sweet almond oil, or apricot kernel oil). Create a 2.5% dilution by using five drops in every 10mL of carrier oil.
Purify the Air with Breathing Space Room SprayPurify and clear stagnant air in your car, home or office with Breathing Space Room Spray. This fresh room spray has a revitalising combination of fir, eucalyptus, lemon and lavender pure essential oils to cleanse and purify the air and give you space to breathe. TIP: Towels and bed linen can also be spritzed with Breathing Space Room Spray as a natural linen freshener. Spray it over your mattresses, pillow cases and sheets, and if you’re lucky enough to experience some sunshine, pop them outside to air dry. |
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Massage with Breathe Easy BalmBreathe Easy Balm utilises the powerhouse ingredients in Breathe Easy Blend in the form of a smooth, textured balm. Made from entirely natural and organic ingredients, it can help provide natural relief when you’re feeling chesty or have congested sinuses. Rub this soothing balm into your chest, throat, back, and under your nose. You can also massage it gently into your temples and over achy glands behind your ears. |
Aromatherapy for Winter Wellness Workshop
We hope this blog helps you find wellness this winter!
However, for a deeper understanding on why certain essential oils have antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties; how to create your own blends to treat specific symptoms, aromatherapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder and more, enrol in our Aromatherapy for Winter Wellness Workshop hosted by Perfect Potion aromatherapist Sharon Wood.
AROMATHERAPY FOR WINTER WELLNESS ONLINE WORKSHOP
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AROMA DEFENCE AND BREATHE EASY BLENDS?
Aroma Defence is for prevention, and Breathe Easy is for recovery.
So diffuse Aroma Defence to protect and purify your home to stave off the winter nasties, but if you do find yourself under the weather, Breathe Easy helps to ease your symptoms and support your swift recovery.
ARE BREATHE EASY BLEND AND AROMA DEFENCE BLEND SAFE FOR CHILDREN AND BABIES?
Yes! However children, babies and pets are more sensitive beings and so you will need to adjust how you use these powerful blends. Always diffuse in a well-ventilated, large area with adult supervision to ensure your loved ones do not come into contact with the pure essential oil blend or diffuser. As these are potent blends, only use 1-2 drops of the blend (depending on the size of the room) when diffusing around little ones.
IS BREATHE EASY BALM SAFE FOR CHILDREN AND BABIES?
Breathe Easy Balm is an excellent natural chest and back rub. For children age 6 months – 1 year, we recommend applying on the back and feet. Children over 1 year old can use as directed. As with all products, a small patch test is recommended to ensure your child’s skin doesn’t react.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BREATHE EASY BALM AND BREATHE EASY BLEND?
Breathe Easy Balm and Breathe Easy Blend utilise the same powerful essential oils, however, they differ in the way they can be used to benefit you.
Breathe Easy Blend is 100% pure essential oils, and should be used in a diffuser, dropped onto a tissue, or by steam inhalation by adding a few drops to a bowl of steaming water and breathing deeply.
Breathe Easy Balm has essential oils diluted into a natural balm base of almond oil and beeswax and can be applied to the skin. It is great as a chest, back and feet rub. It’s also excellent dabbed under the nose.
SHOP OUR WINTER WELLNESS COLLECTION
REFERENCES
Fischer-Rizzi S. Complete aromatherapy handbook. Sterling Publishing, New York, 1990.
Bardeau F. Use of essential aromatic oils to purify and deodorise the air. Chirugien-Dentiste de France (Paris), 1976; 46(319): 53. Cited in Quintessential Aromatics database, 2013.
Davis P. Aromatherapy: an A-Z. 2nd edn. C.W. Daniel COmpany, Saffron Walden, 1999.
Blumenthal M et al. The complete German Commission E monographs: therapeutic guide to herbal medicine. American Botanical Council, Austin, 1998.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Survey Results Adults Sleep More During The Winter. 2020. https://aasm.org/survey-results-adults-sleep-more-during-the-winter/
Sleep in fall/winter seasonal affective disorder: effects of light and changing seasons. J L Anderson 1, L N Rosen, W B Mendelson, F M Jacobsen, R G Skwerer, J R Joseph-Vanderpool, C C Duncan, T A Wehr, N E Rosenthal. National Library of Medicine, 1994. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9209729/