Sometimes it can seem like no matter what we do to stop it, coronavirus just keeps on coming back.
It is, however, important not to lose sight of one fact: here in Ontario, we are making progress.
In fact, even as you are reading this, Ontario is preparing to open back up – exciting news for many small (and large) businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic.
We also now know so much more about COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, and how to protect ourselves when we are in public spaces.
But there is always more to learn. In this week’s blog post, we tackle a favourite new topic here at Clean Air Solutions – how to boost your immune system in natural ways that will also purify your air and give you extra antiviral protection.
Powerful Anti-Viral & Immune Boosting Essential Oils
It is important to note that we don’t have any research yet that specifically links essential oils with COVID-19; however, we do know that certain essential oils have some ability to fight off other viruses, including some strains of influenza and related viruses.
There is also existing research linking the use of certain essential oils to an improvement in respiratory symptoms known to occur with COVID-19.
1. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is a time-honored remedy for chest congestion, stimulating productive coughing that can loosen and thin mucus and clear the lungs and respiratory passages.
Cineole is the primary active ingredient in eucalyptus. Cineole can not only ease respiratory distress but is also known to ease muscle pain and tension that often accompanies illness.
2. Oregano Essential Oil
Carvacrol and thymol are the active ingredients in oil of oregano that can inhibit the growth and replication of viruses, bacteria and fungi.
If you prefer, you can also add oregano to your food to get the health benefits of these active ingredients.
3. Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger is another time-honored remedy for everything from gastric distress to respiratory infection. Ginger is also a natural aid to productive coughing that can clear the lungs and thin mucus to expel it from the respiratory passages.
Ginger can be taken as a soothing tea or added to food to get the health benefits.
4. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is naturally sanitizing against viral, bacterial and fungal threats. Tea tree oil is often used as a decongestant and anti-inflammatory agent to ease symptoms of respiratory infection, bronchitis, colds and flu and allergies. It may also repel bacteria that can cause respiratory distress.
Tea tree oil can be quite harsh if used without being diluted in a carrier oil or diffuser. You can also add a few drops to a warm bath or a pot of steaming (not boiling) water and inhale it to get the benefits.
5. Citrus Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil and sweet orange essential oil are two highly recommended citrus essential oils to ease anxiety and fight inflammation while boosting immune system function against any threats.
Fresh lemon and orange can also be added to water, cold or hot drinks and food.
6. Lavender Essential Oil
Researchers primarily recommend lavender to ease the anxiety that can cause cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the body to spike and depress immune system function.
Lavender essential oil, lavender tea and lavender-infused foods are all great ways to take in lavender.
7. Peppermint Essential Oil
Like eucalyptus essential oil, peppermint essential oil is a well-known and widely recognized remedy for easing respiratory inflammation and inducing productive coughing. Menthol is the active ingredient.
Peppermint can also be a support for gastric upset. You can take it as a tea, add it to bath water or a diffuser or mix it with a carrier oil and apply it topically.
8. Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary has the same active compound, cineole, that is present in eucalyptus as well.
Rosemary has expectorant properties to help with productive coughing, opening up the bronchial passages and easing respiratory inflammation.
Cineole is being tested for use with patients diagnosed with asthma, COPD, bronchitis and other chronic lung and respiratory conditions.
Rosemary is also a great herb to use for cooking and as an addition to salad dressings to get the benefits of the cineole.
9. Clove Essential Oil
Clove is best associated with holiday goodies, but clove actually has powerful expectorant properties to help with expelling mucus, stimulating productive coughing, easing respiratory inflammation and providing relief from discomfort.
Clove oil can also ease the secondary digestive distress that often crops up with respiratory illness.
Clove oil tea can be especially soothing, especially when mixed with a little honey and ginger.
10. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme is still best known as a cooking spice, but it has important properties for respiratory health as well.
Thyme is an antiviral and analgesic (pain-relieving) essential oil. The active ingredient of thyme is thymol, which has inflammation-reducing properties and is also recommended for pain-relief and as an expectorant for productive coughing.
Add thyme to steaming water with some fresh lemon for a soothing tea or add fresh thyme to recipes to enjoy the benefits.
Protect Your Home With Whole Home Ultraviolet Light Purification
Right now and through the end of July, get $50 off a whole-home ultraviolet filtration system at Clean Air Solutions that will work seamlessly with any central (ducted) HVAC system.
We are also offering 10 percent off any of our popular professional indoor air duct cleaning services until July 31, 2020.
Our Roto-brush system uses commercial-grade negative vacuum pressure to safely remove trapped toxins from inside your air ducts.
Get in Touch With Clean Air Solutions
Here at Clean Air Solutions Hamilton, we are considered an essential business and remain open to serve you safely with contact-less options during this difficult time.
Give us a call at 1-905-549-2470 or visit us online to learn more about how to keep your air clean during COVID-19
