I keep these two blends in separate bottles. They are straight, not diluted with carrier oil, so that I can use them in a diffuser or add them to carrier oil as needed, and so that I can blend them or use them separately as needed. It's more versatile this way.
Super gentle, multi-purpose Lavender and Tea Tree blend:
Simply combine straight Lavender and Tea Tree oil in equal parts in a glass drip-bottle. (I reused old essential oil drip-bottles for these blends.)
Or for a more night-time-friendly, better-smelling version, do two drops of Lavender for every drop of Tea Tree oil.
Then just use this blend in a diffuser. I do about 5 drops at a time.
Or add 12 drops of this blend per ounce of water in a spritz bottle (hard plastic or, preferably, glass) to spritz around the room or on the shirts, pillows, or chests of sick people.
Or add it to a small amount of carrier oil to rub on sick people's feet (bottom of foot) and chests. I pour a spoonful of olive oil or sunflower oil into the palm of my hand, then add about 3 drops of this blend. It is gentle enough for most people, but do less for young children (maybe just one or two drops).
Always research essential oils you want to use for any safety information and for dilution recommendations.
The tea tree oil is not the best smelling stuff (it's very medicinal smelling), but these are two of the best, safest, most versatile oils for when you are sick.
But sometimes I want a little stronger blend for coughs and chest congestion. So I made the following blend so that I can mix it with this one when I need it.
Lemon Mint Eucalyptus for Coughs and Congestion:
Simply combine 2 parts Lemon, 2 parts Peppermint, and 1 part Eucalyptus in a glass drip-bottle. This smells like a cough drop or medicated chest rub, but it's great for congestion and coughs.
Then I just add about 3-5 drops of this blend to a diffuser (start small, then add more if it's not strong enough).
Or add it to a spritz bottle full of water. I would do about 5-10 drops total per ounce of water. And then shake well and spritz around the room or on people's clothes or pillows.
Or dilute it in a carrier oil to rub on feet and chests, but you will have to figure out the amount you want to use for the people you are using it on. There are precautions for peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils, so research these before using on young people. (I would probably do no more than two or three drops of this blend in a tablespoonful of carrier oil to put on old-enough people, not young children or babies. These are strong oils.)
Or combine them both into one:
Mix both of these to add some of the congestion-fighting power of the Lemon Mint one with the overall health-boosting, germ-fighting effects of the Lavender & Tea Tree oil.
Drip a few drops of both these blends right into a diffuser, up to about 5-6 drops in total. (Last night, I did 4 drops of the Lavender one and 1 drop of the Lemon Mint one, and it smelled delightful. Use more of the Lavender one for nighttime, more of the Lemon Mint one for daytime and/or bad coughs. Peppermint and Lemon can be energizing, while Lavender is relaxing.)
Or combine in a spritz bottle, about 6 drops of each per ounce of water, or add more of one and less of the other, limiting it to about 10-12 drops total per ounce of water.
Or combine them in a spoonful of carrier oil to rub on feet and chests. I would say about 2 drops of the Lavender one and a drop of the Lemon Mint one for a small palmful of carrier oil (once again, research the oils you use before using them on young children or babies or those with compromised immune systems).
Or maybe try dripping a few drops of these blends into a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head and lean over the bowl to breathe in some of the steam, eyes closed.
And there you are! Two very simple, yet powerful blends for cold and flu season. At first signs of sickness, I rub diluted Lavender & Tea Tree oil on people's feet and chests and, if they have sore throats or congestion, on their necks, around their noses, and around their ears (on the outside, not inside). This helps get some of the germ-fighting power right where it's needed. (But be careful not to get any in eyes or on the fingertips of young children who might rub their eyes. It will sting.)
