15 Essential Oils That Will Support Your Immune System

Supporting our immune system is the number one priority when it comes to preventing illnesses and improving our well-being. And with the way things have been these last few years, our immune systems need as much support as possible. I personally love the idea of strengthening my immune system naturally and essential oils are the best way to do just that!

Block tiles on blue background spelling "immunity".

Our Immune System

The immune system is made up of organs and cells whose primary purpose is to fight off infection aka microbes. It is essential for our survival and if we did not have one or if our immune system is weak, pathogens, like bacteria, will take over. Not what we want!

Sometimes our immune systems will release something called cytokines which promote inflammation, NOT good.

According to NCBI, “EOs have been found to stimulate the immune system by increasing the amount of circulating lymphocytes and enhancing their phagocytic activity, thus improving bacterial clearance [10,11]. EOs have also been shown to suppress responses involved in inflammation and decrease cytokine production by interfering with key mediators of inflammatory pathways [1,2,3].”

As we age, our immune system will steadily decline causing us to be more prone to illness and infections. If only we were teenagers again with strong immune systems!

Many of us take vitamin C and other supplements to boost our immunity which are great and definitely work. But in addition to those supplements, why not add more immune support when we can?

💆‍♀️Check out these essential oils that will make your house smell like a spa!

Mom and daughter inhaling essential oil aroma.

15 Essential Oils For Immune System

  1. Peppermint
  2. Lemon
  3. Clove
  4. Lavender
  5. Cedarwood
  6. Frankincense
  7. Eucalyptus
  8. Tea Tree
  9. Rosemary
  10. Frankincense
  11. Oregano
  12. Basil
  13. Panaway
  14. Clary Sage
  15. Thieves

Also make sure to check out these High Frequency Essential Oils which can potentially increase your bodies overall vibrational frequency and better your health.

Body showing immune system.

What Does Your Immune System Do?

First, let’s talk about what the immune system does and why it is essential to your everyday life.

The immune system is essential to helping us live a healthy and thriving life. It is the organ that consists of cells and tissues that help protect against foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria. The skin, mucous membranes, saliva, tears, white blood cells (WBCs), antibodies, inflammatory proteins, lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen), and bone marrow are all parts of this organ system.

Your immune system defends your body from outside elements by destroying them before they have a chance to make you sick or cause other problems within your body. If there are already harmful agents in your body- think cancer cells- the immune system will do its best to attack and remove those cells from your body so they don’t grow and overtake healthy cells.

In order for the immune system to stay healthy, it needs essential nutrients from the food we eat as well as essential oils that can be ingested or absorbed through aromatherapy.

For instance, Vitamin C is essential for a strong immune system because it helps white blood cells absorb iron which increases their ability to fight bacteria and creates a stronger response against viruses.

Zinc is also essential for helping lower illness rates by increasing production of infection-fighting WBCs, increasing immunity via macrophages (cells that literally eat foreign matter), and supporting T lymphocyte production (cells that destroy cancer cells and foreign invaders).

Woman applying essential oil to body.

Read this post if you are new to essential oils! Do essential oils really work?

15 Essential Oils For Immune System

Peppermint

The first essential oil that can support your immune system is peppermint essential oil. Peppermint essential oil is known for its ability to support your respiratory system and also soothe a sore throat. I love diffusing peppermint essential oil when I have a cold, or in the morning when my allergies are acting up.

Peppermint essential oil is known to be a “natural decongestant” so it helps break up mucous in the body so that you can get rid of it more easily! When I’m feeling congested, I’ll use peppermint essential oil and rub a little bit on my chest and sinuses. It’s great for reducing inflammation too which will help you feel better fast!

Lemon

Another essential oil that can support your immune system is lemon essential oil. Lemon essential oils has astringent properties which means it helps dry out moisture in the body such as mucous from a sinus infection, watery eyes from allergies, etc.

It’s also great for helping clear your mind and give you an energy boost! I love using lemon essential oil when my allergies flare up. If you have sinus problems or have been feeling lethargic lately, try adding a few drops to some water and drinking it!

Eucalyptus essential oil.

Eucalyptus

The third essential oil you can use topically or diffuse to support your immune system is eucalyptus essential oil. Eucalyptus essential oil is well known for its decongestant properties which means it helps break up mucous in the body so that you can get rid of it more easily.

Tea Tree

Next, tea tree essential oil is another essential oil that’s great for supporting your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s great for diffusing around children in the winter time.

Tea tree essential oil also has antiseptic properties, making it great for things like cuts, bruises, scrapes etc.

It’s antiseptic properties are also great at preventing infections that may come with these types of injuries too! I love adding a few drops to shampoo if my son gets an itchy head, or adding a little bit to some coconut oil and using it as a lip balm.

Thieves

The essential oil blend Thieves is wonderful for supporting your immune system because of the essential oils in the blend such as clove essential oil which has antiseptic properties, cinnamon essential oil which helps support your blood sugar levels, eucalyptus essential oil which I mentioned above is great for helping break up mucous so that you can get rid of it more easily.

Plus, these essential oils are also great for supporting healthy digestion! I diffuse this essential oil blend when my husband starts coming down with something because he’s not great at taking his vitamins. If you’re looking for a quick immune support natural remedy, diffuse Thieves essential oil blend for a few minutes throughout the day!

Basil leaves in bowl.

Basil

The sixth essential oil that can support your immune system is basil essential oil. Basil essential oil is well known for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties which not only helps support your immune system, but also supporting healthy digestion and soothes minor cuts and scrapes.

I love diffusing basil essential oil when my kiddo comes down with something to help his body fight it off quicker!

Did you know that essential oils have a shelf life? Make sure your oils have not expired!

Clove

The next one is clove essential oil. It helps support your immune system because of its antiseptic properties just like the essential oil blend Thieves that I mentioned earlier. It’s also great at fighting off coughs and colds when you have them! If you’re starting to feel under the weather, diffuse a few drops of clove essential oil through out the day.

Oregano on table.

Oregano

The next essential oil that is great for supporting your immune system when you’re under the weather or when you need an extra boost is oregano essential oil. Oregano essential oils has antiseptic properties similar to clove essential oil making it great at fighting off coughs and colds when you’re coming down with something.

It’s essential oils such as thymol, carvacrol and terpinin also make oregano essential oil great for supporting healthy digestion! I like adding a few drops to some coconut oil and using it as a lip balm.

Panaway

The essential oil blend Panaway is another essential oil that can help support your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather or when you need an extra boost of energy.

One of the benefits is that Panaway essential oil blend helps relax muscles which will allow your body to naturally heal more quickly! Plus it has essential oils in it like wintergreen and peppermint essential oils which are known to be natural decongestants and soothe sore muscles.

Clary sage flowers on table.

Clary Sage

Another essential oil that can support your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather or when you need an extra boost of energy is clary sage essential oil.

Clary essential has essential oils in it like sclareol which helps support healthy circulation! If you have a stuffy nose due to allergies or a cold, try massaging some clary essential oil onto your chest and sinuses before bed for a good nights rest.

Cedarwood

The tenth essential oil that can support your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather or when you need an extra boost of energy is cedarwood essential oil. I love diffusing this essential oil blend when my son has an ear ache because it’s great at helping relieve discomfort!

Cedar essential oils are also antiseptic which make it great for supporting healthy digestion, helping break up mucous, and can even help support clear lungs!

Frankincense essential oils on table.

Frankincense

The last essential oil on the essential oils list that can support your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather or when you need an extra boost of energy is frankincense essential oil.

Frankincense essential oil has essential oils in it like alpha pinene and limonene which help support healthy respiratory function! I also love diffusing frankincense essential oil throughout my home to keep everything smelling great and to help fight off bacteria, viruses and mold!

Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil is the last essential oil on the essential oils list that can support your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather or when you need an extra boost of energy. With essential oils like camphene and alpha-pinene, it helps support healthy respiratory function!

If you have some time for yourself, try using a carrier oil and applying some rosemary essential oil to your chest and under your nose to help clear up any lingering stuffiness. Read more about the benefits of rosemary oil here.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is another essential oil that can support your immune system when you’re feeling under the weather or when you need an extra boost of energy. One of the benefits is that lavender essential oil has essential oils in it like linalool and linalyl acetate which helps calm nerves and soothe skin irritations. If you have a headache due to allergies, try applying some lavender essential oil to the back of your neck and temples before bed for a good nights rest! Then diffuse some through out the day until your symptoms go away.

Essential oils in bottles.

Other Essential Oils To Think About

Other essential oils that can support your immune system are: geranium essential oil and patchouli essential oil . Remember all essential oils should only be used topically or diffused unless you know exactly what you are doing. If essential oils are new to you, I highly recommend checking out an essential oil class with an experienced essential oil advocate!

Remember these essential oils should only be used topically and/or diffused and should not taken internally unless you consult with an expert first.

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