As winter approaches, cases of colds and flus are on the rise. When afflicted, it is easy to reach for the over-the-counter medications in hopes of feeling better. Know that there are options other than popular medications that are pushed onto us by massive drug companies, which can help support our bodies and the healing process instead of just masking symptoms. In my personal experience, essential oils support my immunity and help me feel better faster, or avoid contracting illness at all. When processed purely, essential oils are the best that nature has to offer in terms of natural and effective remedies. They have been used for thousands of years and make a huge impact when supporting your body's systems. Here are my favorite essential oils, as well as their uses, for supporting the body when you feel sick:

1. Headache

Apply one drop of peppermint essential oil to your temples, behind your ears, and the back of your neck. Repeat as often as needed. Dilute the peppermint essential oil with coconut oil if the sensation is too warm, or tingly. You can also try lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil, or if the headache is related to sinus pressure, eucalyptus essential oil.

2. Stuffy Nose

Put one drop of peppermint essential oil onto your thumb then rub it onto the roof of your mouth. Rub eucalyptus essential oil onto the bottom of your feet, specifically on your toes and the ball of your feet.

3. Sore Throat

Add one drop of Thieves essential oil onto a spoonful of local honey and swallow. Consume one Thieves Essential Oil Infused Cough Drop every two hours as needed. Apply oregano diluted with coconut oil to the neck as needed.

4. Fever

Apply peppermint essential oil to the bottom of the feet and Thieves essential oil along the spine. Consume a lot of water. If fever becomes higher that 104 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical attention.

5. Ear Ache

Never put essential oils down the ear canal! Rub basil essential oil and frankincense essential oil or Thieves essential oil behind the ears and on the bottom of the feet.

6. Nausea or Vomiting

Apply Digize essential oil to the stomach. Diffuse peppermint essential oil and apply ginger essential oil the the inner wrists and behind the ears.

7. Cough

Combine eucalyptus essential oil and peppermint essential oil with coconut oil to make a homemade vapor rub. Apply this to the chest. Diffuse peppermint and / or RC essential oil. Combine one drop of lemon, frankincense, lavender, and peppermint with one tsp of honey to make a homemade cough syrup.

These are all tried and true remedies that have worked for me in the past. I love the support that essential oil provide to my bodily systems to help me live a healthier and more natural life. If these symptoms persist or become extreme, consult a medical doctor.