10 Ml a.H. Rock rose

Put 5 ml rock rose on a cotton ball and hold on outside of nose near the bridge. Put 2.5 ml of rock rose on each of two cotton balls and place one in each nostril.

If nosebleed is a result of a blow to the face or head, use A.H. immortelle on bridge of nose and 1 drop immortelle E.O. on site of impact.

SINUS CONGESTION

60 Ml a.H. Winter savory, oregano, or balsam fir

2 To 5 drops e.O. Eucalyptus globulus, thyme ct thuyanol, ravensara, rosemary verbenone, or oils appropriate to the condition.

Put 30 ml A.H. into a clean, nonmetallic bowl, pour on 30 ml boiling water, add your essential oils, tent your head with a towel, and inhale the steam and vapors for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep your eyes closed, as the vapors are strong. Repeat as needed up to four times a day. You can also snuff a few drops of hydrolate into each nostril between inhalations.

Place remaining 30 ml A.H. into 1 liter of water and sip throughout the day.

Additionally:

5 drops E.O. Eucalyptus radiata

5 drops E.O. Ravensara aromatica

Combine oils and apply neat to front, back, and sides of chest and soles of feet between inhalations and at bedtime.

5 ml A.H. thyme CT linalol or purple bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)

5 ml A.H. German chamomile

1 teaspoon honey

At bedtime drink a tea with the two hydrosols and honey.

When the sinus congestion is completely solid, with no drainage and no effect from blowing the nose, use the following method: Take two small squares of construction paper or blotting paper and place 1 drop of E.O. rosemary CT verbenone, elecampane, or Eucalyptus globulus on each paper square, then roll them into small tubes and insert gently in each nostril while lying down. Try to inhale through the tubes (although you may not actually be able to breathe through your nose); keep the tubes in place for 10 to 15 minutes.

EARACHE

Never put A.H. or E.O. directly into the ear. Place on a cotton ball and insert the cotton ball into the ear. Depending on the nature of the earache, one of the best methods is to use 1 drop of oil on a cotton ball in the ear and compress of hydrosol around the outside of the ear, across the sinus, and on the neck.

1 Drop e.O. Spike lavender, Eucalyptus radiata, or thyme ct thuyanol

Put oil on a cotton ball, insert in ear, and change hourly for the first day, three times a day thereafter, until better. For children, use only Eucalyptus radiata or Lavandula angustifolia.

50 ml A.H. spike or true lavender, bay laurel, green myrtle, or a combination of the three

50 Ml hand-hot water

Combine A.H. with water and use to dampen compress. Compress around ear, down the neck, across the sinuses, and on all areas that are tender. Repeat at least five times the first day and three times a day for three days after.

Ear infections can be serious, and it is worth checking with a health-care practitioner if the problem persists for more than a few days. Ear candling or coning is an effective adjunct to home treatment and E.O. can be put into the candle as part of the treatment. Antibiotics are the standard allopathic treatment for earaches, especially in children, but they are rarely successful and should be a last resort.

SORE THROAT

15 ml A.H. cypress

15 ml A.H. ti tree

15 ml A.H. eucalyptus or green myrtle

15 ml A.H. Roman chamomile or lavender

Combine hydrosols. Use 10 ml diluted in 30 ml water as a gargle; repeat throughout the day. You may add ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to each gargle if you desire.

Schnaubelt recommends 1 drop of cypress oil to be taken orally and repeated whenever the soreness returns. Cypress tastes rather awful, and you may find washing down your drop of oil with the anti-inflammatory sweetness of A.H. Roman chamomile helps—both the throat and the flavor.

You may also compress the throat with the same blend as is used for gargling: Apply a cold compress and wrap throat lightly with a scarf or wool sock; the compress will heat up against the skin. Leave in place for 15 to 30 minutes.

TONSILLITIS

50 ml A.H. bay laurel

15 ml A.H. oregano or winter savory

15 ml thyme CT thymol or scarlet bee balm

Combine 20 ml of the bay laurel with the other two hydrosols. Use 10 ml of this mixture diluted in 30 ml water as a gargle; repeat throughout the day. You may also take ½- to 1- teaspoon sips of this blend undiluted orally throughout the day. Dilute the remaining 30 ml A.H. bay laurel in 1 liter water and consume it throughout the day.

In addition, use the following rub:

5 ml E.O. palmarosa

5 ml E.O. bay laurel

Use 5 to 7 drops of this blend undiluted and rub outside of throat, on the underedge of the chin, and on area under ears and down the neck. Repeat after each gargle. If the skin is sensitive, dilute E.O. in equal amount of sesame oil or virgin coco-crème.

SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES

30 ml A.H. bay laurel

Dilute in 1 liter of water and sip throughout the day. Repeat daily for three weeks. Consume at least 1 liter of plain springwater each day in addition to your hydrosol water to help flush the system. If you see and feel absolutely no reduction in the swelling of the nodes within five to seven days, start applying 1 drop of E.O. bay laurel to the thoracic duct area under each collarbone three times a day. You may also consider a series of weekly aroma-massage treatments as a supportive measure. If the condition still does not improve after four to five days of the dual treatment, consult your health professional.

Regardless of where they appear in the body—armpit, throat, breasts—swollen lymph nodes are a sign that your body is overtaxed. Take some rest, boost your immune system, eat well, and think about what may be causing the problem. I have seen the bay treatment clear up all sorts of swollen lymph nodes in less than one month, even in clients slated for surgery, but it is always advisable to work with your health practitioners in tandem, and don’t ignore what could be a warning sign of a bigger problem.

Respiratory Conditions

The best general-tonic hydrosols for the respiratory system are eucalyptus, elecampane, balsam fir, and the thymes and bee balms.

COLDS AND FLU

10 drops E.O. Eucalyptus radiata

10 drops E.O. sweet orange

7 drops E.O. palmarosa

3 drop E.O. cinnamon bark

2 drops E.O. thyme CT thuyanol or linalol

1 to 2 teaspoons emulsifier^*1 (soy lecithin, Labrasol, or similar)

½ teaspoon honey (acacia or manuka is best)

50 ml A.H. balsam fir, green myrtle, eucalyptus, or black spruce

30 ml A.H. Echinacea

Put all ingredients in a 100 ml bottle, adding the oils and emulsifier first, then the honey, and finally the hydrosols, one at a time, and shaking after each addition. Depending on which emulsifier you use, you may need more or less than 2 teaspoons, and regardless, it will separate after 15 to 30 minutes or so. Shake before each use.

Use as a cough syrup and tonic for colds, coughs, and flu. Each of the hydrosols mentioned adds its own benefit; black spruce stimulates the immune system, as does balsam fir, which is also mucolytic, as is eucalyptus, which also works in synergy with the E.O.

ALLERGIES