Follow along and learn what we use for a natural sick protocol for adults in my home. There are many natural options to ward off Seasonal illnesses and I’m excited to share a few with you that have worked like a charm for us!

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Though I love the part that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I can not claim the Winter Season as a favorite. Instead, I end up dreaming about living where there is no cold weather and hunkering down indoors.
In recent years I’ve been trying to get out more and enjoy the current state in which I live because I want my boys to be grateful for it, like I need to be. There is so much fun to be had sledding and building snow men or sipping hot chocolate by the fire.
Doing so, inevitably, brings on unwanted colds in our home. Though we don’t get sick often since our diets have strengthened our immune systems, there are times we still catch a bug.
I am especially grateful for my doTERRA Essential Oils when we get sick in our home. I feel so empowered knowing I can be in control of my healthcare, and yes we treat it as such.
Essential Oils used for healing sickness
This is a first line of defense we turn to for ANY illness we face in our home. From the common cold to an infection, we have seen essential oils heal our bodies quicker than anything else. I love that I can feel safe using them on everyone in my home, since they are CPTG.
I’ll be discussing Essential Oil use specifically on adults in this post, but we do also use them on our children and pets. Keep in mind that the following recommendations are only for a CPTG Essential Oil product. In fact, doTERRA Essential Oils are able to actually penetrate the cell wall to promote healing. Other medicines and non-CPTG Oils available do not have this ability.
Where to apply Essential Oils
The best place to apply Essential Oils topically is to the spine and the bottom of the feet. That is the quickest way to get them into our bodies.

Are all Essential Oils created equal
No, not all Essential Oils are created equal. Some Essential Oils are adulterated and can contain harmful contaminants. You’ll want to do your research to be sure whatever Essential Oil you are using undergoes intense testing to ensure purity.
Another thing to note about Essential Oils is that they are extremely individual. So, what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with using a different oil for your ailment if you are not seeing results after consistent use.
I do not recommend just buying a cheaper oil from your local convenient store. A lot of oils are adulterated and not safe for use so, again, do your research before you choose a brand. The up front cost of a good quality Essential Oil may be higher but when you break it down into usages it ends up costing less. We are talking just pennies per usage. This is a huge monetary savings versus modern health care.
Listed below are recommended oils for the common cold as well as anything viral, such as the flu. Of course, consult your trusted physician prior to Essential Oil use. I recommend finding a Functional Medicine Doctor in your area. These Doctors focus on treating the body as a whole and finding the root cause of an issue. They typically understand the power of Essential Oils and can better advise on usage.
Some Essential Oil Recommendations for sickness
- Tea Tree– This Essential Oil has amazing antibacterial and anti-viral properties. We apply a drop of this oil to the sinuses as well as the spine and bottom of the feet daily when sickness is present. In order to prolong the strength of this oil, dilution is recommended. I recommend fractionated Coconut Oil for carrier oil use but other oils, such as Olive Oil, will also work.
- Lavender– Apply this Essential Oil on the sinuses as well. It is an analgesic so it will provide some soothing affects and aid in the healing process.
- Frankincense– Known as the “King of all oils,” the uses for this oil are endless. When in doubt, always try Frankincense. This ancient oil was even used in bible times and it’s easy to see why. This Essential Oil can be applied “neat” meaning without a carrier oil. Again, I recommend topical application to the bottom on the feet and spine daily when sickness is present. Internal use of the oil is great too. We place 1 drop under the tongue to boost our immune systems.
Recommended Oils that will likely require dilution
- Oregano– This Essential Oil is extremely “hot” so use it sparingly. It contains ant-viral and anti-bacterial properties as well. I typically only use this oil if I’m not first seeing results by using Tea Tree. Please use plenty of carrier oil if you’re using this oil. Apply to the bottom of the feet and the spine.
- Onguard– This Essential Oil is a specific blend that doTERRA created. A drop under the tongue daily as well as topical application of this oil to the bottom on the feet and the spine will quickly rid you of your sickness. Carrier oil is recommended for use with this oil, it contains Cinnamon. Cinnamon is a “hot” oil and can cause irritation if not properly diluted.
- Lemon– A drop in a glass of water will help detox your body. Be sure not to place Essential Oils in a plastic cup. The potency of the oils can damage the plastic because they are so powerful

With any Essential Oil you’ll want to watch for any reactions your body may have. If skin irritation occurs, simply add more carrier oil to calm the irritation.
One product I really recommend is a book by Boyd Truman. The book is called “Symphony of the cells.” There are many updated editions. I recommend purchasing the most recent copy since that will be the most relevant and sure to include all the newest Essential Oils. Boyd is a very learned man on Essential Oils and use on the body. Go to Truwellness.com to learn more and find other useful products.
Whenever my husband or I are sick with an ailment, we always choose one of the protocols in the book to perform daily. Without fail, this clears up the illness quickly. I have also heard many impressive success stories using the protocols mentioned in the Syphony of Cells book. One of which is Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) healed solely with these CPTG Essential Oils done in a particular protocol.
Supplements
My first recommendation to anyone new to to a healthy lifestyle is getting on a great supplement. Our food is not the nutrient dense, God given food it once was. Over-time the soil health and other practices have been compromised, thus compromising our immune function.
LifeLong Vitality pack is the daily supplement we have chosen to use in our home. After researching other products and seeing for ourselves the power of Essential Oils, the performance of this product is unmatched. doTERRA also has a 30 day money back guarantee to back up this product. Taking these supplements is also important for quick healing during sickness.
Once you enroll as either a Wellness Advocate or Wholesale member with doTERRA there is a program you can be a part of to get free product. Learn more about how to get your LifeLong Vitality Pack free with Loyalty rewards points here.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial in the bodies ability to heal. When the immune system is compromised is is lacking in Vitamin C. Among other benefits, Lipospheric Vitamin C is great to use daily during sickness.
Get the immune system back in working, healthy order. This product has better absorption than regular capsule form products. Simply squeeze a packet into a few ml of filtered water and swallow.

Raw Honey
Raw local Honey is an excellent antibacterial and antifungal. We take a spoon full daily on the onset of sickness. Raw Honey is also regularly consumed in our home as it is our main sweetener used in all of our recipes. This natural product is great for suppressing coughs and sore throats when combined with a drop of Lemon EO.
The best thing to do is to buy this product in bulk from local farmers and start using it to replace sugar in all of your recipes. Doing so will help keep your immune system healthy before sickness even arises. One note of caution is to keep this product away from any children under the age of one year old. If consumed by and infant, there is a risk for botulism.
Elderberry
Elderberry is another natural product we consume during times of illness. I have not gone out and bought an adult specific Elderberry. We use the children’s syrup form that we have here for the kids and it has worked well for us. Just follow the instructions for use which are 5 drops several times per day.
Elderberry helps mostly to address the cold and flu symptoms but can also support the body in actually healing as well. I would not recommend taking this product daily as a precautionary measure for illness. Do your research and decide for yourself what you deem safe for use in your home.
Vitamin A source
Carlson’s Cod Liver is what I recommend for a great Vitamin A source. It is also a great source of Omegas. When we get sick, Vitamin A is lacking and the immune system needs with vitamin to be able to fight off bacteria. We do also use this daily in our home to strengthen our immune systems prior to sickness onset. One teaspoon, twice per day is the recommended adult dosage.
Vitamin D3
Metagenics is the brand we use and love here in our home. This is a product we get specifically from our healthcare individual. You may need to do some research to find out where to find this product available for purchase. Follow recommended dosage on the bottle. Typically, we take extra D3 during times of sickness, thus utilizing this product. Our daily supplements do also contain some D3. Where I live, in the Mid West, I definitely do not get enough sunshine. Vitamin D3 is crucial for healthy immune system functioning.
*Definitely consult with your healthcare professional prior to following any of my recommendations. This is solely just to share with you what works well to heal our family with natural products.
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Leave a comment below with your favorite all natural sick kit remedies!
More encouragement from My Abiding Home:
Great content! Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
With topical application to the spine- is there a specific place to dab it? 🙂
And you mention Onguard as a “hot” oil, recommended to be used with a carrier oil- does that mean you dilute it before placing a drop under your tongue?
Thanks!
Megan,
Just flick a few drops on the spine and rub it up and down the whole spine. Doing this will get it into the body the quickest. If you are using On guard internally, there is no need to dilute it. The only way you could do that is if you placed a drop of Onguard in your hand or a container and mixed it with a carrier oil before. With it containing cinnamon, that is what makes it a “hot” oil and can cause skin irritation for some people if it isn’t diluted enough. I hope that answers your question!
Be blessed,
Bre