39 of the Best Essential Oil Blends for Colds

We’ve all been through it. A foggy head, scratchy throat, congestion aches and pains from the common cold – none of the symptoms are particularly pleasant. With the winter cold and flu season getting ready to start soon this is a great time to get familiar with essentail oils and how they can help. 

It’s easy to turn to over-the-counter medications but some have questionable ingredients and don't help much. Why not consider natural alternatives, like essential oils? 

In fact, there are many powerful essential oil blends for colds.​​This shouldn't be too ​surprising. Many essential oils do have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, along with the ability to decrease pain, increase concentration and improve mood.

To help you along the way, this post highlights 12 of the most effective oils for colds, along with multiple blends and ways to use each of them.

Eucalyptus has a potent scent and is common for decreasing congestion and opening the sinuses. Many recipes take advantage of this by producing balm or using the oil on tissues that you sniff regularly. Some blends can also be used in steam inhalation for the same reasons.

Note: This is one essential oil that should never be consumed orally

Remedies and Blends:

Make this balm to help relieve congestion:

Add the following to a small packet of tissues and enclose in a sealed zip lock bag. Taking a tissue out and breathing deeply can help reduce a nasal blockage and congestion.

The combination below can be used in the same way or added to a diffuser. The end result is more potent, although it isn’t suitable for young children.

This diffuser blend is more complex but can help to clear the sinuses and leave you feeling clean and fresh:

As a spice, cinnamon has many health benefits. It’s no wonder that the essential oil is powerful.

There are two options here, cinnamon leaf and cinnamon bark. As the names suggest, these come from different parts of the plant. Their benefits also vary, although both have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Cinnamon leaf is often recommended as it is the milder of the two oils. Other authors suggest cinnamon bark, which may have more advantages. You can also swap one for the other if you don’t have what the blend calls for.

Note: Make sure you perform a patch test before topical use, as cinnamon oil is a sensitizing oil. This makes it more likely to cause reactions.

Remedies and Blends:

Diffuse this blend to fight a cold:

Use in a diffuser to improve a sore throat:

Add to a diffuser to reduce nausea:

Rosemary is appealing for its scent and its high levels of camphor. It is also warming, which makes it useful for reducing muscle pain and improving circulation. This means many rosemary blends are effective topically, if carrier oil is added.

Note: Rosemary oil is best avoided during pregnancy. It is also unsuitable for people with high blood pressure or epilepsy.

Remedies and Blends:

Add these oils to a diffuser to help relieve a cold and feel better:

Diffuse this blend to lower stress:

This diffuser blend helps improve alertness, which is good during the day if you’re feeling worn out:

Tea tree oil is a common choice for colds and the flu – due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It’s also powerful for reducing congestion.

The actions of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil are similar, so the two can be used interchangeably in blends. However, some people prefer the scent of one over the other.

You’ll also see tea tree oil called melaleuca, which is a reference to its scientific name.

Note: Like cinnamon, tea tree oil can often cause sensitivities. Make sure you patch test before using it on your skin.

Remedies and Blends:

Diffuse these oils to help purify the air:

Mix the following components and use in a warm bath to boost the immune system: