My mom came up on Tuesday and she brought eight gigantic boxes of Kleenex® that she got on sale at our local market.

We thought that having eight boxes of Kleenex might be like buying a snowblower and then having a snowless winter, but alas we were wrong: it’s the 12th day of school and my son is home with a cold.

Fortunately, in addition to my stockpile of tissues, I have six essential oils that can help boost winter wellness. ;)

6 Essential Oils for Winter Wellness

Here are the best essential oils for winter wellness plus the many ways to use them below. Be sure to read the whole post because I included my very favorite winter wellness essential oil recipe at the end. ;)

(As you’ll notice, dōTERRA is my brand of choice and the only essential oils that I will take internally. That’s because their oils are put through rigorous in-house and third-party testing, and I know they are safe for me and my family.)

1. On Guard®

On Guard is a blend of essential oils that are known for their positive effects on the immune system – wild orange, clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus leaf, and rosemary. This blend helps protect against seasonal and environmental threats, supports healthy immune and respiratory function, and smells like something yummy is baking in the kitchen.

Winter wellness uses:

• Take 2-3 drops in a veggie capsule or 1 drop in a 4oz glass of water for an immune boost
• Combine a few drops with fractionated coconut oil for a natural hand cleanser
• Add to a spray bottle of water for a non-toxic, all-purpose surface cleaner

2. Lemon

Lemon essential oil is one of my favorites – I love the smell of it and it has so many uses! This is totally unrelated to winter wellness, but lemon oil is awesome at getting sticky stuff off of anything. One time, my dog got pine sap on our microsuede couch, and a few drops of lemon oil got it right off!

Winter wellness uses:

• Use 3-4 drops of lemon in a diffuser to boost your mood when long winter days have you feeling down
• Take a drop of lemon in 4+ ounces of water to stay hydrated and assist with any seasonal respiratory discomfort
• Put a drop of lemon in the bottom of a mug and add 6-8 oz of near-boiling water for a warm, cleansing morning drink

3. Tea Tree

Tea tree oil has been used for centuries for its purifying benefits.

Winter wellness uses:

• Take 1-2 drops in a 4 oz glass of water to support healthy immune function.
• Diffuse 3-4 drops to promote clear breathing

4. Peppermint

A best-seller, Peppermint essential oil promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing. Plus, it smells like candy canes. :)

Winter wellness uses:

• Rub a drop of peppermint between your hands and inhale for clearer breathing + an all-natural pick-me-up
• Add a few drops of Peppermint to your favorite smoothie or hot chocolate for a minty twist
• Combine a drop of peppermint plus a drop of lemon in water for a refreshing mouth rinse

5. Oregano

Oregano is one of the most potent and powerful essential oils and has been used for centuries in traditional health practices for its cleansing and immune-boosting properties.

Note: Due to its high phenol content, use caution when inhaling or diffusing oregano; only a drop or two is needed. Also, oregano should be diluted with a carrier oil (like coconut, olive or jojoba oil) when applied to the skin.

Winter wellness uses:

• Take one drop daily for a seasonal immune boost
• Dilute 1-2 drops with a carrier oil and apply to the bottoms of the feet when seasonal threats are high

6. Breathe®

Breathe is an essential oil blend that combines laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, ravensara, and cardamom. Whenever my son is stuffy, he asks me to rub Breathe on his chest, then he sticks his head under his pajama top and takes the deepest breath. LOL.

Winter wellness uses:

• Apply a few drops on chest and bottoms of feet for clear airways and easy breathing
• Diffuse at bedtime for a calming aroma that promotes a restful night’s sleep
• Rub a drop between your palms and inhale before going outdoors to minimize the effect of seasonal threats

Uh oh, guess who got it?

By the time I finished writing this post, I caught my son’s cold and was down for the count for a week. So, I’d like to share an amazing essential oil recipe that really helped my immune and respiratory function.

Essential Oil Steam Cup

Heat one cup of water (in a microwave safe container) in the microwave (or the kettle if you prefer) for about a minute or two, until steaming. I use a Pyrex measuring cup.

Then add these essential oils:

• 1 drop of oregano
• 1 drop of tea tree
• 1 drop of lemon
• 1 drop of peppermint

Once you’ve added the essential oils to the container of steaming water, cup your hands around your face and close your eyes. Breathe deeply in and out, taking turns breathing through your nose for a minute and then your mouth for a minute. Repeat as necessary.

Note: I find this steam cup to be quite strong, so I place it on the counter while I’m breathing it in rather than holding it in my hands close to my face. You can decide what works best for you.