Easy Ways To Support Your Immune System This Winter

Over the past few years, we’ve all gained plenty of practice with the basics of disease prevention, such as frequent hand washing, keeping household surfaces free of germs, and so on. But with cold and flu season on the way (or perhaps already here!), you may want to consider shoring up your internal defenses (AKA your immune system) as well.

One way to boost your immunity is by practicing healthy habits, such as:

• Getting enough sleep. Sleep allows our bodies to rest and recharge, and many of our bodily functions are compromised when we don’t get enough of it. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule is one easy way to ensure you’re getting enough rest.
• Eating a balanced diet. Treats abound during the holiday season but try to stick to a balanced diet as much as you can. Make sure you’re eating lots of fruits and vegetables and getting a good balance of protein, carbs, and other essential nutrients.
• Exercising regularly. Whether you prefer to walk, jog, or do an activity like yoga, regular exercise is an important part of staying healthy (and it improves circulation, too)!
  

In this post, we’ll be exploring another valuable tool for immune support: using essential oils. Many essential oils are known to have antiviral and antibacterial properties, including several in the blend I turn to most often during the cold winter months: Defend!

What Is Defend?

Defend is a blend of cinnamon, lemon, clove bud, lime, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, and oregano essential oils. It’s based on the centuries-old Thieves essential oil blend. Some historians believe it originated in early 1400s France during the bubonic plague outbreak. Legend has it that a group of four thieves were able to avoid the deadly effects of the plague by applying the blend all over their bodies.

I’m fairly certain that story has never been substantiated, and I would absolutely never recommend walking into a room full of bubonic plague victims with nothing but essential oils for protection. But many of the oils in Defend (like peppermint and eucalyptus, for starters) are known to have antiviral properties, making it a useful addition to your immunity support toolkit.

Because this blend contains oils that can irritate sensitive skin, it’s important to dilute it with a carrier oil before application. Avoid using Defend on children under 6, and take care when diffusing it if you have pets. (As a general rule, your pet should always have the option to leave the room when you have a diffuser running)!

What Are OGT Readers Saying About Defend?

I’ve been delighted by the reviews I’ve received from OGT readers who have given Defend a try for themselves, including these ones!

"I’ve been using the Defend blend for a few months now. It’s been during the flu season & so far I haven’t been sick in any way, not even a sore throat. I roll it on every day & ordered extras to keep in my purse or car in case I forget. So far I’m loving it!"

K. Jameson

"I love this product! I have been diffusing Defend in my kitchen for over a year. My family of 6 made it through last school year with very little sickness. I work with preschoolers who love spreading germs and have stayed healthy. Highly recommend Defend!"

Sue H.

"Man the battleships! Honestly, a few swipes on my wrists every day has kept me healthy. There were times when I’d get the beginnings of a sore throat. I used Defend, and the soreness went away. This has happened several times, and for Defend to work effectively EACH time, proves it is not coincidence."

Rebecca H.

Below, I’ve put together a list of 8 different ways to put Defend to good use. In addition to health guidelines, common sense practices, and good habits, it’s one more useful tool worth having at your disposal!

8 Ways To Use Defend Blend

1. Diffuse It

Use Defend blend in your diffuser to spread those antimicrobial oils into the air and around your house! (And as an added bonus, the aromas of clove, cinnamon, peppermint, and other oils in this blend are reminiscent of the holidays, so it’s perfect for diffusing during wintertime!)

2. Roll It On

Applying Defend topically is another quick and easy option. The Defend Blend Ready-To-Apply Roll-On comes pre-diluted with fractionated coconut, so you can swipe it on anytime!

Keep your Defend Roll-On close at hand at home, school, or work, and swipe it on the back of your neck or onto your wrists throughout your day.

3. Add To Soap

As we all know, frequent hand washing is one of the best things we can do to keep ourselves healthy and prevent illness. You can add a drop of Defend blend to your handful of soap before washing for added peace of mind, or add it to a squirt of hand sanitizer when you’re out and about!

4. Soak It In

Nothing beats a warm soak in the tub for warming up and relaxing your muscles, and it’s also a great opportunity to use Defend blend! Just add about 12 drops of Defend to 4 ounces of your favorite carrier oil, then add a small amount to the running water while you fill your bathtub.

Soak in the warm water for 20-30 minutes to ease tight or sore muscles and open your airways. (You can also prepare the same mixture of Defend and a carrier oil to use as a massage oil!)

5. Make A Warm Compress

Suffering from sinus pressure? Using a warm compress can help alleviate sinus pressure and pain without the need for additional medication.

Add a couple of drops of Defend blend to a cotton ball, place it on your warm compress, and wrap them together with a thin towel. Apply the compress to your sinus area to help alleviate pain and open your airways.

6. Sleep On It

Don’t want to run a diffuser all night, every night during the winter? Using a cotton ball is a great low-tech alternative.

Add a couple of drops of Defend to a cotton ball, then stow it away in your pillowcase. The oils will permeate the pillowcase while you sleep for a diffuser-free aromatherapy experience!

7. Steam Treatment

Another useful way to alleviate sinus pressure and stubborn congestion is with a simple steam treatment! Add a few drops of Defend to a bowl of hot, steamy water, then lean over the bowl and take several slow, deep breaths. You’ll be breathing easier in no time!

8. Make An “Inhaler”

You can experience the benefits of Defend just by breathing it in through your nose! Making your own simple aromatherapy inhaler with Defend is a great way to keep it close at hand without carrying around the whole bottle.

Going outside during cold and flu season can feel like playing a game of Russian roulette! You just never know what kind of germs you’re going to run into. But when you use Defend blend along with other healthy habits, you can feel confident when you step outside your door each and every day.

Still a little skeptical? Defend is backed by my 100% money-back guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied for any reason, just contact me within 90 days to receive a full refund. There’s no risk in trying it out!

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