For dry skin:
Inactive sebaceous glands cause dry skin. Cold air and the heat from fires/heaters cause winter dry skin. Other reasons for dry skin are: hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiency, exposure to sun and the wind, and use of soaps. Increase your daily intake of vitamin A, D and E. include safflower and olive oil in your diet. Eat five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Drink plenty of fresh water. Applying moisturising creams. Instead of soap, use cream based hand washes.
Warm tips:
Mix 10 ml wheat germ cream and 4 drops of essential oil to moisturise regularly. Add it to your bath; apply it directly to the dry area, in a compress, or as part of a massage. Don’t use if pregnant.
Recommended oils: sandalwood, rosewood, rose, palmarosa, chamomile, geranium, neroli, patchouli.
Flaky scalp:
Warm tip:
Warm ½ cinnamon stick, crushed, 1 tsp. methi seeds and 2 tbsp. coconut oil in a pan for 10 minutes. Strain. Add 6 drops of essential oil and massage into your scalp. Cover head with a warm towel. Leave 1 hour before shampooing. Rinse off. This is an ultra-moisturising, scalp soothing lotion.
Recommended oils: lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, geranium.
Avoid chemical based products to wash your hair, stay away from hair dryers.
Coughs:
A cough is a reflex action to clear the chest airways of mucous, phlegm or any other irritant. It is often a symptom of another condition. Increase your fluid intake. Drink warm water and soothing drinks, like ginger, chamomile or peppermint.
Warm tip:
Add essential oils to your bath and inhale the vapours (dry or through steam). Or massage oils into your body to help relieve a cough.
Recommended oils: sandalwood, ginger, lavender.
Bronchitis:
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, which causes excessive secretion of mucous, persistent phlegm, cough and breathlessness. The underlying infection may also cause fever. Seek medical advice. Stop smoking. Avoid smoky environments. Have soothing drinks with lemon, honey and ginger. Get lots of rest.
Warm tips:
Boil 4 cups of water. Add 5 cm ( 2 inch ) piece fresh ginger root that has been peeled, sliced. Cover. Simmer 15 – 20 minutes. Strain. Add honey/lemon to taste. Mix with essential oils to add to your bath, applying on the chest and back. Or inhale its steam. Ginger tea helps get you through winter.
Recommended oils: sandalwood, tea tree, lavender.
Colds:
A cold means inflamed membranes lining the nose and the throat. This results in a stuffy nose, sore throat and sometimes, headache. The weaker your immune system, the less you resist strains of cold viruses. Increase Vitamin C intake, onions, garlic and fluids. Avoid dairy foods. Eat light. Reassess your diet and lifestyle if cold recur.
Warm tips:
Chop an onion in half, add juice of lemon and 2 tablespoons honey. Cover. Infuse for 6 hours. Drink small doses multiplied by essential oils added to your bath, inhaled ( dry or through steam ), massaged into your body help relieve a cold.
Recommended oils: lemon, lavender, and ginger.
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