30 Ml a.H elecampane

Dilute in 1.5 liters water and drink throughout the day every day for three weeks at the beginning of allergy season. Also use foot soaks every night before bed with 1 cup Epsom salts; 30 ml A.H. elecampane, Eucalyptus globulus, or rosemary CT verbenone; and 3 drops E.O. white spruce. There are many essential oils that can be of benefit to allergy sufferers, although white spruce works for most people. It is best to work with an aromatherapist to come up with the perfect blend for each individual.

BRONCHITIS

50 ml A.H. elecampane

OR

30 ml A.H. elecampane and

20 ml A.H. cinnamon bark

Dilute in 1.5 liters water and drink throughout the day. In addition, take 1 tablespoon of pure elecampane hydrosol three times a day during acute stage. The following rub should also be used:

5 ml E.O. palmarosa

2 ml E.O. rosemary CT verbenone

2 ml E.O. black spruce

1 ml E.O. hyssop variety decumbens (Do not substitute Hyssopus officinalis, which can be toxic. If you can’t get decumbens, use Eucalyptus dives or E. globulus instead.)

Combine oils and apply 15 to 30 drops at a time, undiluted, spread over the front, back, and sides of chest, using the entire 10 ml in one 24-hour period. This is called living embalming.

You may also make a steam of the following ingredients:

30 ml boiling water

30 ml A.H. oregano or winter savory

5 to 7 drops each Eucalyptus radiata and lemon eucalyptus

Pour boiling water over hydrosol in a nonmetallic bowl, add oils, and tent head with a towel while inhaling vapors for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep eyes closed. Repeat three times a day during acute stage.

You may also use the cough syrup described under Colds and Flu (page 219). French aromatherapists from Valnet to Franchomme, Penoel, and Baudoux also recommend suppositories for acute respiratory conditions. It is the fastest and most effective method for getting powerful essential oils to the lungs. Many European companies sell ready-made suppositories for asthma, acute infections, and so on. Check the supplier list for sources.

SMOKER’S COUGH

10 ml A.H. Scotch pine

10 ml A.H. black spruce

10 ml A.H. green myrtle or peppermint

Combine hydrosols and add to 1.5 liters water; drink throughout the day. May also be taken by the teaspoon during a coughing fit. Smoke less or quit.

Digestive System

The best general-tonic hydrosols for the digestive system are basil, cinnamon, Greenland moss, fennel, anise, cardamom, coriander, and peppermint.

GINGIVITIS AND RECEDING GUMS

20 ml A.H. immortelle

Dilute 10 ml in 100 ml water and use as a morning mouth rinse after brushing and flossing teeth; repeat at night. Do not swallow the rinse, and use it all every time. Repeat daily for as long as required. Receding gums may take several months to respond, but immortelle will have a positive effect. If the gingivitis is severe, use immortelle combined with mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) hydrosol in a 70:30 dilution; add 10 to 30 ml water and rinse for 60 seconds each time, three times a day.

INDIGESTION

5 ml A.H. peppermint

200 ml water

Combine and sip slowly. Repeat if necessary.

GAS OR BLOATING

5 ml A.H. cinnamon bark or leaf

5 ml A.H. fennel or basil

200 ml water

Combine and sip slowly.

HALITOSIS

30 ml A.H. peppermint

Take ¼ teaspoon at a time several times per day to a maximum of 30 ml per day. Repeat daily for seven days. Consider the cause. This works even for pets!

CANKERS AND MOUTH ULCERS

50 ml A.H. thyme CT thymol or scarlet bee balm

Use 5 ml at a time and hold in mouth around canker or ulcer; spit out after 60 to 90 seconds. Repeat five or six times a day until healed.

LACK OF APPETITE

30 ml A.H. Clementine petitgrain

Dilute in 1.5 liters water and drink throughout the day. If done daily for three weeks, followed by one week off, this can help reestablish healthy eating habits. Has been extremely effective for AIDS and cancer patients at all stages of the illness and treatments. I have never been so famished as when I drank petitgrain; I could think of nothing but food, to the point of distraction.

EXCESS APPETITE