10 Essential Oils for Winter Wellness

Eventually we have to watch the beautiful autumn leaves fall, leaving us with bare trees as the deep chill of winter sets in. Winter can be a beautifully contemplative season full of cold weather and shorter hours of daylight that make us want to stay indoors and enjoy some quiet time with our loved ones. This is also a time of year packed full of holidays and celebrations as well as end of year deadlines at work and school. As much as we might like to stay cozied up inside by a fire, our full calendars tend to have us putting on our winter coats to brave traveling in the cold to prepare for the holidays and visit family and friends.

Unfortunately, the colder weather and lack of sunshine can come with a whole unique set of issues. This can be a time when many of us deal with seasonal depression and mood fluctuations. It can be difficult to focus on enjoying this celebratory season when we’re feeling not quite like ourselves. The lower temperatures and chilly winter winds can wreak havoc on the skin, causing dryness and irritation as well as amplifying aches and pains in our muscles and joints. In the midst of cold and flu season, we may often find ourselves fighting coughs and congestion while trying to take part in the more joyous aspects of this time of year. It may seem like there are a lot of things working against us during winter but there are things we can do to ensure that we stay healthy and have fun all season long.

One way to combat many of these seasonal issues is by using essential oils to help keep ourselves and our families well and happy this winter. While all essential oils have their own unique therapeutic properties, some have properties that are especially beneficial during the winter season. They may help to ease body aches, combat colds and congestion, as well as boost mood and uplift our spirits.

Here are some of our favorite essential oils that help to minimize the difficulties of winter so we can enjoy the beauty of the season.

Eucalyptus

The chill of winter weather can have effects on our body and mind, sometimes leaving us feeling tired and sluggish. Eucalyptus essential oil can help to relieve mental exhaustion by boosting circulation to the brain and enhancing feelings of relaxation. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil can help combat seasonal sinus congestion by clearing nasal passages and eliminating harmful airborne bacteria that can contribute to illness.

Lavender

When holiday planning and celebration hosting have us feeling stressed and overwhelmed, lavender essential oil can come to the rescue. It is known to reduce stress by relaxing the brain waves, which can also reduce cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone. As cortisol can also lead to lower immunity, lavender essential oil also works to support the immune system by reducing its levels. It can also help to moisturize and soothe chapped and irritated skin that can occur when we have been spending too much time out in cold weather. 

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is a real powerhouse against the many ailments that can be associated with the winter season. It is beneficial for reducing pain whether it be headaches from the mounting holiday stress, or muscle aches and inflammation that can be intensified by the cold weather. Peppermint essential oil is also very invigorating, known to stimulate circulation and give a boost of energy when the winter chill has us feeling slowed down. It's expectorant properties can promote relief from congestion and help us breathe easy again when those pesky winter colds catch up to us. 

Nutmeg

Winter holiday meals are often a time when we overindulge in rich foods and sweet treats. Along with being a staple holiday flavor, nutmeg essential oil is also known to help alleviate abdominal pain as well as facilitate digestion. It can help to ease bloating and gas so we can enjoy those celebratory feasts without discomfort. Nutmeg essential oil also has a warm and spicy aroma that can stimulate a sense of alertness and energize the mind, helping to keep us attentive and focused during this busy season.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon essential oil contributes one of the signature scents to the winter holiday season but it also contains many beneficial properties that can be especially useful to us this time of year. It can help to calm skin that has become dry or irritated as well as improve circulation to revive a dull skin tone. Cinnamon essential oil possesses anti-rheumatic qualities that can address joint and muscle pain. When diffused throughout the home,it has the ability to reduce nervous tension, enhance memory, and improve cognitive function, all while emitting its characteristic warm and spicy scent that we all love.

Juniper Berry

When the stress of the busy winter season catches up to us we could all use a little calming and grounding to help make it through. Juniper berry essential oil helps to ease stress without the sedative effects that come along with many other calming oils. This means we can soothe our worries and anxieties while still keeping the energy to tackle all of our winter time obligations. Juniper berry essential oil can also boost the production of digestive enzymes to improve the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from foods to ensure our bodies really benefit from all of those yummy holiday meals. 

Frankincense

Winter tends to be a very busy season and having so much to do while also dealing with the frigid weather can leave us feeling stressed. Frankincense essential oil contains properties that are known to reduce anxiety and enhance the mood. It works to ease feelings of stress while also improving concentration and memory so we don’t have to sacrifice anything from our busy schedules. Frankincense essential oil strengthens the respiratory system and its expectorant properties relieve congestion and encourage easy breathing to help us stay well during cold and flu season.  

Muscle Calm Blend

Holiday Blend

We all want to create a cozy and joyful atmosphere in our home during the winter holiday season. Holiday Blend is great for creating an aura of winter holiday bliss in our home that is sure to lift the spirits of our family and all of our holiday guests. Blood Orange, Clove, Ginger, Peppermint, Cinnamon Bark, Geranium, Anise, Myrtle and Peru Balsam combine to create a warm and comforting aroma that is perfect for combatting the icy feelings of the winter season and ushering in the cheerful celebratory feelings of the holidays. 

Oregano

Oregano essential oil is widely known for its powerful array of wellness benefits that can be especially useful to us during the winter season. It can improve breathing by loosening up and eliminating mucus and phlegm while also soothing throat irritation to suppress pesky coughs during cold and flu season. In addition to boosting the immune system, oregano essential oil can also help ease our muscle aches and joint pains that can be exasperated by the cold weather.

The following recipes illustrate a few ways we can use essential oils for overall wellness this winter season

Achy Joint and Muscle Rub

There are many times we may wake up in the winter season feeling stiff and achy as that cold weather chill takes over. No one wants to miss out on holiday shopping or a walk in the snow covered park to stay home and nurse a tender knee or wrist. This essential oil joint and muscle rub gently massaged into any sore areas can facilitate easier movement and reduce pain. Shea butter, fractionated coconut oil, and beeswax create a silky salve-like texture that allows this muscle rub to be smoothly massaged into the skin with a staying power that helps the relief last longer. The powerful combination of Chamomile, Clove Leaf, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Eucalyptus, and Helichrysum essential oils in Muscle Calm Blend work to soothe inflamed joints and muscles as well as giving us an increase of energy and motivation. Menthol crystals provide a boost of cool numbing sensation to help ease soreness and pain to get you moving while those benefits take effect. Whether our muscles are overworked or just feeling the effects of the lower temperatures, this rub can help us get relief right when we need it.

 Ingredients

• 3 ounces Beeswax
• 3 ounces Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 3 ounces Shea Butter
• 4 tablespoons Menthol Crystals
• 30 drops Muscle Calm Essential Oil Blend

Instructions

1. Heat beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter on a double boiler until everything is fully melted and combined.
2. Remove from heat and stir in menthol crystals and essential oil blend. Stir very well, ensuring menthol crystals are fully dissolved and thoroughly combined into the mixture.
3. Pour into containers. Metal tins work great or push up deodorant style containers for easier application.
4. Allow to cool and harden for several hours before use.

Joy and Calm Diffuser Blend

Sometimes the hectic nature of the winter holidays and seasonal mood fluctuations can leave us feeling a little stressed out and down on ourselves. This is no place to be when there are so many responsibilities and fun activities to fill our time with during this season. Aromatherapy with some of our favorite wintertime essential oils can be just the trick to have us feeling happy and productive again. Lavender, frankincense, juniper berry, and nutmeg essential oils come together to create a blend that is both calming and mood enhancing. This allows our stresses to melt away and be replaced by a joyful and uplifted spirit. This is the perfect blend to diffuse at home when hosting visiting loved ones to make sure everyone is relaxed and having a great time during their stay. It is also perfect for creating a calm and focused environment for holiday prepping or taking care of those last few school or work projects of the year. 

Ingredients

• 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
• 2 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil
• 2 drops Nutmeg Essential Oil

Instructions

Add this blend to your favorite home diffuser. Diffuse when you feel the cold weather start to negatively affect your mood or when you want to create a relaxing and uplifting environment for your family or guests in your home.

Sleepy Winter Morning Energizing Roll On

Those freezing winter mornings and sometimes dreary weather can have us wanting to spend the day in bed, cozy and warm. With holidays and family time to keep us busy, we might need a little help finding the motivation to tackle the day. This energizing essential oil roll on blend is the perfect thing to keep on your bedside table for those mornings when we can’t seem to shake that sluggish feeling. Fractionated coconut oil acts as the perfect neutral base to let the beneficial essential oils shine while allowing them to glide on and absorb into the skin easily. Eucalyptus, sweet orange, and cinnamon cassia essential oils come together in this roll-on blend to give us that extra boost of energy in the morning with a fresh, spicy sweet aroma that is perfect for this holiday filled season. Simply rolling this blend on our wrists and neck in the morning can make a great first step to having an energized and enjoyable day.

Ingredients

• 10 ml Amber Glass Roll-On Bottle
• 10 ml of Fractionated Coconut oil
• 5 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 3 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
• 2 drops Cinnamon Cassia Essential Oil

Add the essential oils to the bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle to the top with fractionated coconut oil. Replace the rollerball and cap, gently shake and roll across your skin. 

Congestion Fighter Vapor Rub

Coughs, colds, and congestion can be hard to avoid all winter long and can really put a damper on holiday celebration when they finally catch up with us. This potent essential oil vapor rub can be just the ticket to helping us knock out that unpleasant congestion and breathe easy again. Peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender essential oil combine to create a soothing yet invigorating aroma that helps to break up congestion, clear the sinuses and may ease pain and inflammation. Sweet almond oil and shea butter make a smooth consistency that is easy to apply and allows the essential oils to be easily absorbed into the skin while the beeswax helps to form a balm like barrier on the skin. This ensures that the essential oils don't rub off or evaporate too quickly, allowing for longer lasting effects. No one likes dealing with seasonal illness and congestion but having a soothing and effective natural remedy ready when it hits makes for a quick recovery so when can get back to all of the holiday and winter fun. This vapor rub is one of those recipes that we hope to never have to use but when the telltale sniffling starts, we’re so glad to have it on hand.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces Sweet Almond Oil
• 1 ounce Beeswax
• 1 ounce Shea Butter
• 40 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 40 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 30 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Or for a child safe blend

• 24 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
• 24 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Instructions

1. Add beeswax and shea butter to a heat safe bowl and place on top of a pot with a few inches of water in it. Bring the water to a boil and stir until fully melted.
2. Remove from heat and stir in sweet almond oil and essential oil blend.
3. Pour immediately into your container of choice, metal tins or small shallow jars work best.
4. Allow to cool and harden for several hours before using.

Peppermint Vanilla Whipped Body Butter Recipe 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Cocoa Butter
• 1/2 cup Shea Butter
• 1/2 cup Sweet Almond Oil
• 1/4 cup Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 5 milliliters Peppermint Essential Oil
• 5 milliliters Vanilla Fragrance Oil 

Instructions

1. Add cocoa butter and shea butter to a heat safe bowl and place on top of a pot with a few inches of water in it. Bring the water to a boil and stir the oils until fully melted.
2. Remove from heat and thoroughly mix in the sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil,  peppermint essential oil, and vanilla fragrance oil.
3. Chill in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes or until the mixture begins to firm but is not completely hardened.
4. Once chilled, use a hand mixer to mix until you get a fluffy whipped consistency. If the mixture is too soft or isn't whipping, place it back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and whip again.
5. Scoop into airtight jars and give as gifts to your friends and family.