Most of us have heard about all of the health benefits that can come from using essential oils regularly. What most people don’t know is which oils do what! There are so many different options out there. Then you throw in the addition of blended oils and it is easy to see how someone can become overwhelmed by the whole thing. Here’s the thing I love essential oils and I know just how powerful and beneficial they can be for my clients. That is why I take the time to highlight different essential oils and educate my audience on things they can use each oil for. This article will highlight five amazing essential oils that can help improve your immune system and I will even give a shout out to three of my favorite blended oils.

The Bear Essentials

First things first, let’s go over real quick what an essential oil is and how they work. An essential oil is typically derived from different parts of plants. For example they can be made from flowers, fruits, roots, leaves, stems, and even tree sap. Oils obtained from different areas of the plant require different techniques to extract the essential oils. Some of the most common extraction options are steam distillation and compression. In essence an essential oil is the highest concentration of the plant itself and it takes a LOT of the plant to produce this oil. Some oils take much more plant product than others and as such you will notice these oils are typically in a much higher price range than others. No matter how you slice it they all are an extremely concentrated version of the plan itself and tend to yield far better results. 

Small But Mighty

A great example is the comparison of one drop of pure peppermint oil which is the equivalent of twelve cups of peppermint tea. Now, I don’t know about you guys but even on the best of days I don’t think I can throw back twelve cups of peppermint tea in one sitting. Thus, these intensely concentrated oils can pack a much bigger punch. As a result, a good rule of thumb is that a little goes a long way. You will also want to remember when using an essential oil topically (make sure it is an oil you can use topically) you will want to add a carrier oil. A carrier oil is an oil that is a vegetable oil, fat, wax, or other oil that is not essential that is blended with it. 

Carry On

The purpose of a carrier oil is to help dilute the essential oil and help keep it on the skin longer while also reducing the risk of irritation. Essential oil particles are so small that they will diffuse rapidly when applied directly to the skin. To avoid this and allow them to work their magic a little longer a carrier oil that is composed of much larger particles helps keep the essential oils weighted down long enough for the majority of it to become absorbed. When using essential oils on children or animals you will first need to make sure it is an oil that is safe to be used on them after which you will always want to dilute it using a carrier oil. Due to the fact that children and animals are much more sensitive to oils and have a higher risk of skin irritation. 

Top 5 Immunity Essential Oils

While there are thousands of essential oils out there and they all provide different benefits today we are going to be covering my personal top 5 picks for immunity support. The following list highlights my top 5 favorite single oils for improving your immunity:

• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Lemon
• Oregano
• Peppermint

Cinnamon

This essential oil is a powerhouse oil just like it’s plant base it is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and even an antiviral! What does all of that mean? It means that cinnamon oil is a great option to help fight off any unwanted foes lurking around inside of your body. Throughout history we see this essential oil being utilized for its medicinal purposes. It was regarded as a powerful tranquilizer, digestive aid, mood elevator, and even for its ability to increase circulation. Cinnamon oil is often a go to for immunity protection due to its impressive ability to fight off bacteria, viruses, and even fungus. One of my favorite ways to enjoy the health benefits of this oil is with sliced apples or frozen peach slices in my water.

Clove

Similar to cinnamon clove comes with a number of immunity benefits. Such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and also an antiviral. Historically clove has been used throughout the ages to ward off illnesses. Clove has been used for a variety of health issues in the past such as: skin infections, digestion, intestinal parasites, but most commonly for toothache. As a hot oil like cinnamon they are both great for circulation stimulation and because of their anti-inflammatory properties they are extremely beneficial for pain relief. Like all hot oils it is important to dilute them and wash your hands well after contact. One of my favorite ways to use this oil is with raw coconut oil in the mornings for my oil pull. 

Lemon

Hands down one of my favorite oils to clean and cook with Lemon oil has some amazing health benefits. Lemon oil has antiseptic, antidepressant, antifungal, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. It has been used as a way to prevent food poisoning, malaria, typhoid, and scurvy. Lemon is often found in the majority of cleaning products for its antiseptic properties. Also, because typically speaking most odors tend to be alkaline in nature and the high acidity of lemon helps to neutralize them. Lemon water has also been shown to help increase your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. Not to mention, lemon water is also used in Ayurveda medicine to help balance out the stomach’s pH which as you know is your body’s first line of defense. Because your stomach acid is critical for your immune system you need it in the proper range to remain effective.

Oregano

One of the best essential oils to help naturally detox your body is without a doubt oregano. This is due to its incredible benefits such as: antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral properties. Historically oregano has been used for individuals suffering from asthma, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and rheumatism. Due to the increase in research surrounding the additional health benefits of oregano oil we have seen an increase in usage to aid in the support of the immune system. Oregano is often taken as an all natural antibiotic. However, due to the fact that it acts as a natural antibiotic you will want to make sure that you do not take it internally for longer than two weeks. Just like with any other antibiotic you will need to give your body a few weeks to rebuild the good gut bacteria prior to restarting an additional round. 

Peppermint

If I had to pick one oil I couldn’t live without it would be peppermint. Peppermint oil comes with a number of health benefits such as: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and antiviral. Historically peppermint has been used to aid in issues such as digestion, freshen breath, relieve colic, gas, headaches, and heartburn. One of my favorite uses is for its ability to open up the airways. It is also beneficial for calcium ion channel regulation. When you have constipation it can help get things moving while at the same time if you are experiencing diarrhea you can slow things down with the same oil! Personally, I love a good multitasker. Due to the fact that the majority of these oils are hot oils you will want to dilute them when applying topically and wash your hands after contact. 

Additional Helpful Oils

Some of my favorite blends are from a company called Doterra. Out of all the oils I have tried they are by far the purest form I have used and one of the few that have been tested for internal use. My favorite blends to support your immune system include: On Guard, Digestzen, and Serenity. On Guard is a blend of the majority of oils we have already covered above and has been shown to act as a powerful disinfectant. Digestzen is a blend of oils designed to improve your overall digestion. Given that it makes up over 80% of your immune system you will want to give it a little more TLC. Serenity is a soothing blend of oils that helps you destress and unwind. Given that one of the biggest immunity busters is excess stress it is always nice to have an extra friend in your corner. 

Lemon Meringue Pie

Gluten-Free, Vegan Serves 8

• 1 Cup Coconut Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Almond Flour
• 3 Tbsp Cornstarch
• ¼ tsp Sea Salt
• 1 ½ Cups Water
• 2 Lemons Juiced & Zested
• 1 Cup Coconut Yogurt
• ½ tsp Baking Soda
• 2 Tbsp Vegan Butter
• 1 (9-inch) Gluten-free Vegan Pie Crust Baked
• 8 Tbsp Aquafaba (liquid from 1 can of chickpeas)
• 6 Tbsp Whole Earth Stevia Monk Fruit Sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare filling: in a medium saucepan whisk coconut sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water, lemon juice and zest. Cook over medium high heat stirring frequently until it boils. Add in “butter”. Remove a small amount of filling and while stirring slowly add in the yogurt and baking soda. I mix mine together prior to incorporating into filling. Once the yogurt has incorporated a small amount of filling pour all of it back into the pan and bring back to a boil stirring frequently. Once the mixture has begun to thicken remove it from the heat and pour it into the pie shell. For topping: in a metal bowl combine aquafaba and sugar. Using a mixer whip on high for 10-15 minutes or until peaks form. Spoon out meringue over top of filling and bake until golden brown (about 10 minutes).

Need a Helping Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!