"Winter Guardian": What do I do with it?

When I made my initial  batch of "Winter Guardian", I figured everyone's first question would be, "What's in it?"  So I designed a little flyer to go with it.  Turns out, no one has asked me that.  But everyone has asked how to use it.  

Depiction of a tiger guardian

First, this is a 2% dilution which is safe for most applications other than sensitive mucus membranes.  Sources suggest that a 1% dilution is better for young children so you might want to dilute it by half before applying to kids younger than 7 or 8.  It's used rather like some of the ancient herbal mixes for the prevention of everything from colds to the plague.  "Winter Guardian" is designed around oils that stimulate and awaken the respiratory function and call our protective resources to come forward.  Even at a 2% dilution, this oil will get your attention with its spunky scent.  It contains peppermint, thyme, rosemary, bergamot, ravensare and hyssop.  

There, I've done it again.  Told you what's in it and not how to use it.  

1.  As a preventive, put some on a cotton ball and tuck it in your bra or pocket.  Take it out of your pocket and sniff it from time to time if you are sitting in a movie theater where everyone is hacking and coughing.  My husband puts it on his mustache.  Or you could wipe a little between your nose and lip. You want to inhale some of the molecules periodically - it doesn't take much.

2.  Keep the bottle in the car and simply take the cap off and take a few whiffs or put several drops in your palm, rub your hands together briskly and inhale before you head into the doctor's office, the preschool or church during times where things "are going around."

3.  Apply to the bottoms of the feet and rub into any sore areas for a brief, intuitive reflexology massage.   

4.  Rub some onto the chest area and/or the back of the neck if you're already in the grip of something.  It may help to relieve congestion and hasten recovery.  This blend uses oils that are antiseptic, antiviral, antibiotic and expectorant.  

I would not recommend putting this blend in a humidifier or diffuser - the grapeseed oil is not volatile like essential oils and can gum up these contraptions.  For diffusing you need drops of pure essential oil.  Some good ones to use this way are eucalyptus, rosemary and hyssop.