Although I started using Young Living essential oils to relieve symptoms of depression, I now use them primarily to relieve symptoms of colds, flu, ear infections, and sinus infections.

Young Living essential oils are the purest essential oils available, and therefore work with the body’s natural chemistry and support immunity by alleviating symptoms without creating imbalances in the body or depleting the intestinal flora, where the strength of our immunity resides.

For sinus infections, I simply rub the RC mixture directly into my sinuses, and the powerful way it opens up clogged sinus passages is remarkable. When people try it for the first time, they usually respond “WOW!” — which is what I did many years ago when I first tried it. Now, I couldn’t imagine living without it.

My husband has suffered from asthma for many years and would not be without RC and another blend, Raven, which contains ravensara oil, historically used to make people feel their best, and peppermint. Some people use peppermint alone to simply open up their airways. It is also excellent for any type of stomach upset and works well to bring down a child’s fever if used on the soles of the feet.

For ear infections, I prefer the Thieves blend, which contains cinnamon (which has recently been discussed on websites like Mercola.com for having antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties), clove, lemon, and other essential oils that thieves in the Middle Ages used to protect themselves while taking money from the sick and dead during a plague. Thieves also comes in a handy spray bottle, and I love spritzing it in my mouth if I have a cold or sore throat. It instantly soothes any discomfort, and I feel like I am destroying germs and viruses as I spray it on.

Anytime one of my kids shows signs of an ear infection, I simply rub RC, Melrose, or Raven around their ear. I never put essential oils in the ear canal as this can be very painful. Around the ear is enough, and studies have recently shown that antibiotics work no better than a placebo in treating ear infection. So using an anti-infective oil around the ear that also relieves pain is a no-brainer for me, and my kids don’t have recurring ear infections, and we’ve never had to use antibiotics for any kind of illness, much less an ear infection.

So, in short, for colds: RC, Raven and Thieves. For sinus infections, RC For ear infections, RC, Melrose or Raven around the ear, never inside. For stomach viruses and fever, peppermint or Di-Gize. Visit my site for additional information on how delicious and satisfying food can keep you happy and healthy, and to learn the details of my free gift offer for those who purchase Young Living from the link on my website.