The cold weather of winter, longer periods of darkness and lack of sun can negatively affect our body and mind, worsen the condition of our skin, and most of all, feel the lack of energy. In the following lines, we have prepared tips and recipes with essential oils , with which you can improve your mood, take care of your skin and strengthen your natural immunity. Recommendations with which you will love winter a little more and overcome these ailments in a more pleasant and useful way.

Many people, not just those who live in the colder northern countries, eagerly await the bright white flavor of winter and the warmth and coziness of their homes. For others, however, the gloomy anxiety associated with this season is not limited to the weather conditions, but extends to changes in emotional state. These negative psychological effects lead to a phenomenon known as seasonal affective disorder or the so-called seasonal depression (in English, the Winter Blues phenomenon).

Many people around the world suffer as the days begin to shorten, which can negatively impact emotions, energy levels, and even outlook on life in general. One reason for this seasonal sadness is the changing amount of sunlight. In winter, shorter days mean fewer hours of sunlight, which helps regulate our circadian rhythm. The term “circadian” comes from the Latin words circa , meaning “around” (or “approximately”), and diēm , meaning “day.”

This biological process controls sleep cycles, hormones, metabolism, and many other bodily functions, and disruptions in these can make many people feel sad and trapped. Lower temperatures also affect immune function, as they force us to stay indoors for longer periods of time, which is a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. Cold is a challenge for the body as it slows down the rate at which it fights off these harmful microbes. Along with this, conditions such as pessimism, negative thoughts, even body pains, difficulty concentrating, apathy and despair can be provoked.

Taking vitamins, exercise, walking outside more often, and light therapy are traditional methods of dealing with these symptoms. Essential oils can naturally enhance their positive effects. Here we have prepared the most popular oils that can support the body and mind with their warming properties.

Essential oils in aromatherapy for cold weather

Essential oils are valuable during the winter season, not only for their bright, invigorating scents, but also for the anti-bacterial properties that most possess to help with seasonal ailments. Additionally, many of them are known to help relieve stiff muscles and body aches caused by prolonged exposure to cold air.

Popular essential oils for cold weather are floral and citrus oils, such as lemon , lavender , grapefruit , and ylang-ylang – all of which have uplifting and calming scents that improve mood and state of mind. Oils with cooling properties, such as eucalyptus and peppermint, are primarily used for cold symptoms, as they have mind-clearing and energizing properties and reduce the discomfort of a runny nose and body aches.

The following list brings to your attention essential oils that can help create a favorable environment for improving physical and mental health, boost immunity, and make you look more optimistic about life. Below, you may also find helpful ideas for coping with seasonal affective disorder, which causes feelings of melancholy, sadness, and depression.

Top 10 Warming Essential Oils in Aromatherapy for Cold Weather

Organic Swiss Pine Essential Oil 5/10 ml Primavera

Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil . This spicy essential oil has an exotic, intense aroma that often reminds of homemade cookies and other pleasant memories. Its warm, gentle woody and earthy aroma has an invigorating effect and enhances mood. Cinnamon oil is one of the strongest antiseptics used in aromatherapy. It relieves symptoms of colds, flu, viral infections and is often used in antirheumatic mixtures. But be careful with it, dilute it very well in a base oil when applied topically, as it is a strong allergen.

Oregano essential oil . The strong aroma of this essential oil is spicy, herbaceous, with a camphor note - characteristic of the herb from which it is extracted. It emits a warm, woody, yet fresh aroma that has a balancing effect on emotions and helps clear the mind of unpleasant thoughts. Extremely suitable for stimulating immunity, with strong antibacterial properties. This oil should also be handled with care, dilute well in a base oil for topical application!

Thyme essential oil , chemotype thymol. Thyme essential oil with chemotype thymol has a strong, characteristic herbal aroma and powerful antiseptic, disinfectant, fungicidal properties. The chemical compound thymol, which predominates in this type of thyme, is what gives thyme its distinctive, strong flavor. The oil is known for its properties to relieve symptoms of colds, muscle and joint complaints, as well as to promote digestion, support the immune system, and the health of the entire body. It has antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Marjoram Essential Oil . The warm, intoxicating and soothing aroma of this essential oil carries undertones of sweetness that are uplifting and promote a sense of calm, inner balance and mental clarity. Marjoram helps to naturally release strong negative feelings caused by sadness, fear, panic or grief. Marjoram oil calms the mind and relieves tension.

Rosemary Essential Oil . The fresh, woody, herbal aroma of rosemary oil (chemotype verbenone) makes it extremely suitable for enhancing mood, mental activity and concentration. Its properties are ideal for overcoming fatigue and enhancing overall concentration.

Juniper Berry Essential Oil . The bittersweet, woody aroma of juniper oil inspires a sense of purity when diffused. Its relaxing properties help to calm the mind and body, making it well-suited for use in meditation and other spiritual practices, as well as anytime you need mental comfort and peace.

Organic cinnamon bark essential oil 60%, 5 ml Primavera

Ginger Essential Oil . The warming and energizing qualities of this woody-spicy oil have earned it the nickname “The Oil of Empowerment.” As its name suggests, ginger oil is said to have properties such as the ability to replace feelings of timidity with courage and zeal. It is beneficial for people with emotional imbalances, has an invigorating effect, and increases concentration.

Black Pepper Essential Oil . This essential oil has a dry, musky, spicy aroma and is known for its warming effect on the skin, energizing the mind, and stimulating blood circulation. It is useful for supporting overall emotional health. Extremely suitable for massage blends, for warming cold hands and feet. An interesting fact is that it also acts as a “truth serum”, as its aroma encourages a person’s ability to reflect their true thoughts and feelings.

Cardamom Essential Oil . A rich and exotic essential oil that leaves an alluring woody trail that soothes and strengthens the mind. The relaxing effect of its sensual and seductive aroma helps to elevate mood, increase energy levels in the body, attention, reduce fatigue, anxiety and stress.

Organic Clove Essential Oil, 5 ml Primavera

Clove Essential Oil . The strong, spicy-woody, slightly bitter aroma of this warming essential oil is provocative, and is stronger than the aroma of the plant from which it is extracted. It has a mood-elevating effect and is great for expressing feelings such as courage and fighting spirit. Clove oil is popular for its pain-relieving effects and has antiseptic properties. Be careful, this is a “hot oil”, dilute well in a carrier oil!

Although using single essential oils is the traditional way to apply them, it is known that their beneficial properties are enhanced when used in combinations. For example, an aromatic blend for immune protection might be composed of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and tea tree oils.

Another breathing-facilitating blend may contain oils of ravintsara, eucalyptus, lemon, bay leaf, peppermint, and cardamom.

It is known that many of the oils listed above help the body to detoxify to some extent - through natural sweating, toxins are released from the bloodstream and the condition of the skin improves. The oils can be diffused in an ultrasonic diffuser, can be used in a mixture for massage oil and ointment, diluted in a carrier oil, can be added and diluted in a carrier oil to the bath.

How to create warm winter blends for topical application?

To create your own roll-on blend for application to the skin, start by choosing 3 essential oils , including one from the list above, to combine and a carrier oil to dilute them with. For a 10ml bottle, add 1 to 2 drops of each essential oil and top up with your carrier oil of choice. Insert the roll-on applicator, cap and shake well to mix the oils well. To use, simply apply a small amount to your neck, wrists or a preferred spot area of the body. You can also apply to areas that are cold to the touch due to reduced circulation, such as your fingers and toes.

To create a blend to help with cold and flu symptoms, you can use the oils listed below and use them for diffusion, roll-on base, aromatic bath, or massage oil. Massages are recommended as a preventative measure and are not recommended during illness as they can worsen symptoms.

Here are our recommendations for blends that can relieve various symptoms of:

Cough - dissolve in base oil a few drops of essential oils from ginger, lemon, incense и eucalyptus.
Discomfort caused by high fever – rosemary, marjoram, lemon, incense и mint.
Seasonal allergies or emotional stress – thyme, lemon, mint и lavender.
Exhaustion and weakness – rosemary, eucalyptus и grapefruit.
Sadness, pessimism, helplessness, negative thoughts - rosemary, incense, lavender, bergamot, ylang-ylang or orange.

Warming essential oils for aromatherapy massage

To create your own warming massage blend, use some of the essential oils mentioned above that have an uplifting, inspiring and refreshing effect. The recommended dilution is 2-4 drops of your preferred essential oil or blend in a minimum of 1 tbsp. or 15 ml of carrier oil. For a recipe sufficient for a full body massage, you will need a minimum of 3 tbsp. or more of carrier oil, depending on how long the massage will be.

To enjoy the skin-softening properties of your personal massage blend, include oils that have a distinctly soft, soothing scent: bergamot, chamomile, geranium, immortelle, lavender, neroli, basil, and ylang-ylang.

Effects of cold weather on the skin

While the cold temperatures characteristic of the winter season can tone, tighten and shrink facial pores, reduce puffiness and sebum secretion, the low humidity brings other more unpleasant consequences, including dryness, redness, itching, irritation, cracking and peeling of the skin. the skin. In addition, ice and snow reflect the sun's rays onto our skin, increasing exposure to harmful UV rays as well, and this adds to the need to use a cream with an appropriate sun protection factor.

Essential oils can help restore skin elasticity, restore natural radiance and even out the complexion.

Recommendations and recipes for winter skin care

To successfully combat dry skin, it is advisable to pay more attention and spend more time on it than during the warmer months of the year. Essential oils that can help skin in winter are: Atlas cedar, Roman chamomile, geranium, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, myrrh, neroli, palmarosa, patchouli, Bulgarian rose Rosa damascena , palisander, rosemary, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang-ylang, spikenard. Consider:

Moisturize the face, nails, body and hair with light, fast-absorbing oils such as jojoba, grape seed, apricot kernel, almond, olive or argan. You can more easily navigate which base oil is suitable for your skin, c this article.
Enriching base oils with essential oils believed to support skin health, such as those listed above. Other oils that have warming properties are myrrh, frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, or add soothing floral scented oils such as geranium, lavender, ylang-ylang, which are also suitable.
Moisturize with a thicker vegetable oil, such as shea, mango, avocado, evening primrose, which can be enriched with essential and other vegetable oils.
Using glycerin soap to add moisture to the skin during the shower and long-lasting protection after. Soaps can also be enriched with the essential oils listed above, as well as other natural fragrances and base oils.

Moisturizing roll-on recipe

Moisturizing roll-on for dry winter skin

3 drops of first essential oil (from the winter care list)
3 drops of second essential oil
3 drops of third essential oil
base oil – up to 10 ml

Add 3 drops of each of the 3 oils listed in a 10 ml roll-on bottle and top up with carrier oil. Shake and apply to dry and cracked skin.

All the oils described can be found in the organic store MAKASA, Burgas, 22 Aleko Bogoridi Blvd., or online at makasa.org.

Conclusion

Essential oils can support mood, immunity, and skin care during the colder months, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment. Always dilute “hot” oils and consult a professional if you are pregnant, have children, or have a chronic condition. More on How to Use Essential Oils Safely.