Using Lavender for Comfort During Colds and Flu

When people first come to Garden Gate Lavender, they see fields of purple, hear the buzz of bees, and often ask me how lavender can help when they’re sick. I’ve learned a lot from caring for these plants and watching how our visitors use what we harvest. Many turn to lavender essential oil for support when they have colds or flu‑like symptoms. Here’s what research and experience can tell us.

What the Research Shows

Lab studies show that lavender essential oil contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate that have mild antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory activity in controlled settings. One lab experiment found that lavender oil demonstrated antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, a foundational step in understanding how plants interact with microbes. (Science Direct)

Another body of research looks at what happens when people inhale lavender oil. Clinical studies show that lavender inhalation may help relax the nervous system, lower signs of stress, and improve sleep quality. Sleep and rest are key parts of feeling and recovering better when you have a cold or flu. That calming response is part of why many find lavender helpful around illness.

How You Can Use Lavender Oil Safely

Here are ways people use lavender essential oil at home that are simple, gentle, and lower risk:

Steam for Congestion Relief

• Warm water in a bowl + 2‑3 drops of lavender oil.

• Drape a towel over your head and gently breathe the steam.

• Take care not to burn yourself, steam can be intense.

Diffuser for Restful Breathing

• Add a few drops into a diffuser in your bedroom or living space.

• Use while you rest; relaxing the body and mind can make symptoms feel easier to cope with.

Relaxation Before Sleep

• A few drops in your diffuser or spritz your pillow using lavender spray such as ours here before bed may help your body relax and improve sleep patterns, something cold and flu sufferers often struggle with.

Diluted Topically

• Mix 2–3 drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil (for example, almond or coconut oil) and apply to the chest or shoulders for soothing scent support.

Be Careful with Pets and Kids Essential oils can affect people and animals differently. High concentrations or direct inhalation around children, pets, or anyone with breathing sensitivities should be done with caution.

Every harvest season and at our farm stand, I talk with people who feel more comfortable and less tense when they use lavender during a cold, not because it fixes the illness, but because it helps them rest. The most important part of getting through a cold or the flu isn’t the scent, its sleep, fluids, nutrition, and listening to your body.

Wishing you good health from our fields to your home!  Vivian Garden Gate Lavender

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. I’m not a medical professional, and any content shared here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare provider before use.