Last night I was reading my 5-year-old one of his favorite book, Don't You Feel Well Sam?, by Amy Hest. He loves that when the little bear, Sam, starts getting a cough his Mama knows exactly what to give him to make it all better.

In this book (spoiler alert!), Mama Bear gives Sam cough syrup as a remedy. It was at this point while I was reading to my little guy that he says, "but Mama, you put Breathe in the diffuser and on my chest (Check out this cool Breathe vapor stick!) when I have a cough AND give me (homemade elderberry) syrup."

I tell him that perhaps Mama Bear didn't know she could do both! In fact, there are many ways to naturally support the immune system that many of us are not aware of (or forget to implement into our daily routines).

Here are several ways to naturally boost your immune system - using essential oils.

The best-case scenario is that you and your family use these tips and stay strong and healthy throughout "flu season". But, sometimes we can't completely avoid illness. With these suggestions, you will at least be able to mitigate the symptoms and get back on your feet much faster!

How to naturally boost your immune system - with essential oils

#1 Sleep

Did you know that, according to The Mayo Clinic, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced during periods when you don't get enough sleep?

During sleep, the body redirects the energy that is used by muscles and brain during the day and redistributes it to the immune system. This gives your immunes system some serious fuel to work with at night.

But, this doesn't happen at an efficient level if you are not sleeping well, or not sleeping enough! Use the following recommendations for how to boost your immunes system by managing stress.

Use these essential oils to improve your sleep duration and quality:

Lavender

• Use 3-4 drops in a diffuser while you sleep (pairs well with Cedarwood, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, or Frankincense).

• Place 2 drops of lavender in your palm, rub your palms together, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply several times.

• Make a spritzer: in a 2oz spray bottle, add 10 drops of lavender and fill with distilled water. Spray onto pillows and bedding before sleep. For my kids, I call this a "Magic Sleep Spray".

• Add two to three drops into a warm bath with Epsom salts to create a relaxing, renewing experience.

Serenity

• Take doTERRA Serenity internally as a capsule before bedtime.

• Diffuse 3-4 drops of doTERRA Serenity essential oil blend while you sleep.

• Apply the Serenity oil blend to bottoms of feet at bedtime to help unwind before going to sleep. (Use in conjunction with doTERRA Serenity Restful Complex Softgels for an enhanced effect.)

• Apply two to three to the back of the neck or on the heart for feelings of calmness and peace.

• Add two to three drops into a warm bath with Epsom salts to create a relaxing, renewing experience.

• Place 2 drops of Serenity in your palm, rub your palms together, cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply several times.

For kids

• Use 3-4 drops of Lavender, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, or Frankincense (or any combo) in a diffuser and start the diffuser about 1-2 hours before bedtime to help kids wind down. You can continue to diffuse these oils while they sleep.

• Use a roller bottle, like Calmer blend, to roll on their necks, chest, wrists, or bottoms of feet before bedtime to promote restful sleep. This stuff works like magic, seriously. (My kids love to apply it themselves, and I feel okay with that because the doTERRA kid's collection contains oils that are safe and diluted especially for kids!)

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#2 Manage Stress

There is quite a bit of research that shows that when we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off foreign bodies is reduced. That is why we are more susceptible to infections.

So if higher levels of stress = lowered immune system function then I would guess that you are going to choose to adopt any and all methods to reduce your stress levels...right? This is where essential oils come in.

We may not realize it, but scents play a huge role in how we feel and think. There is a scientific explanation for the connection between our emotions and the smells we encounter.

Our olfactory system, or sense of smell, has an immediate connection to a particular part of the brain that acts as our emotional processing center, the amygdala. The direct connection between our olfactory system and the amygdala is the reason why smells like rain, citrus fruits, and fresh-cut grass make us feel a certain way, or may even bring up specific memories.

Essential oils are concentrated amounts of the aroma compounds found in various plants. Because essential oils produce potent aromas, they can be powerful tools for influencing your mood and emotions.

Essential Oils & Stress Management

Bergamot

Bergamot oil can help promote uplifting, relaxing, and confident feelings—particularly when diffused.

• Add 3-5 drops of Bergamot to a diffuser to unwind at the end of a stressful day, help the whole family chill out a bit, or ease the tense room. I like Bergamot with Lavender in my diffuser at the end of the day.

• Change regular tea to Earl Grey with the addition of a drop of Bergamot.

PastTense or doTERRA Peace roller bottles

Because PastTense comes in a roll-on bottle, this grounding and soothing blend is convenient and easy to use. (doTERRA Peace also comes in a roll-on version that is equally as easy.) You can apply either blend to your temples, wrists, or the back of your neck in times when you need to quickly ease stressful or anxious feelings on the go.

Vetiver

Thanks to its grounding aroma, Vetiver is the perfect oil to add to your diffuser, or you can also use it topically to calm the mind.

• Add 3-4 drops of Vetiver to your diffuser (You can also combine it with Lavender, doTERRA Serenity, or doTERRA Balance to enhance the effects.)

• Use as a massage oil to calm emotions. 1-2 drops diluted in fractionated coconut oil (or other carrier oil).

Read more and build your own personal Stress Reduction Kit here.

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#3 Internal Immune Support

I wouldn't take just any essential oil internally!

To be safe and effective, especially for internal use, essential oils must have the proper chemical profile and also be free of any impurities or adulterations. doTERRA uses third-party analytical methods to ensure that every bottle meets our high standards of composition and safety.

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for centuries in traditional practices because of its benefits to the body. A member of the ginger family, Turmeric essential oil is known to hold benefits for the circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, and immune system.

• Take 1–2 drops daily in a veggie capsule to help enhance cellular antioxidant enzymes, and support a healthy nervous system and cellular function.

• Add a drop of Turmeric oil to a glass of water, or tea, for internal benefits

doTERRA On Guard

This distinctive blend contains essential oils known for their positive effects on the immune system and their ability to protect against environmental threats. A natural and effective alternative for immune support when used internally, doTERRA On Guard and On Guard+ is a great way to strengthen and maintain healthy immune function when seasonal threats are high.

• doTERRA On Guard+ softgels: Take 1 or more softgels as needed.

• doTERRA On Guard Protective Blend: take one drop in a glass of water or tea.

Don't believe that essential oils can be an effective natural remedy? Read this study - the powerful effect that these extracts hold is mind-blowing.

Check out these 12 ways to use On Guard.

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Vetiver

Add one to two drops to tea or hot drinks during winter time to promote immune-supporting properties.

FLOOM Immune Support Blend

FLOOM is a pretty common blend known to many in the essential oils world. It stands for Frankincense, Lemon, Oregano, On Gaurd, and Melaleuca.

These 5 essential oils together offer a formidable blend to help give your immune system a boost to accelerate recovery from the cold or flu.

You can use this blend 3 ways:

1. In a roller bottle - Using a 10mL roller bottle (we use these), add 10 drops each of Lemon, On Guard, and Melaleuca and 5 drops each of Frankincense and Oregano. Fill the rest of the bottle with fractionated coconut oil. Read more here.

Copaiba

doTERRA Copaiba oil is quickly becoming a fast favorite on par with Frankincense because of its many uses. Much of this comes down to the chemistry behind Copaiba essential oil. Copaiba oil contains a high level of beta-caryophyllene—the highest levels known to the essential oil world to date. To put it simply, the benefits of Copaiba essential oil have the potential to profoundly impact the endocannabinoid system and support healthy cell growth.*

Copaiba, when taken internally, acts as a powerful antioxidant and helps support healthy immune, nervous, and digestive systems!

Try these 3 easy ways to use Copaiba daily.

1. First thing in the morning, 1-3 drops of Copaiba under your tongue can support the health of your circulatory, digestive, nervous, respiratory, and immune systems.

2. Or keep it simple with the Copaiba Softgels. Take internally to access all of Copaiba’s many health benefits.

3. Add a few drops of Copaiba to water or juice or make your own tea using warm water and honey with 1-2 drops of Copaiba to start the day off.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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