Here we are, at the beginning of the school year, or as we teachers like to say, the end of summer vacation, and it has already hit.  Hard.  It's cold and flu season already.  I usually try my best to avoid it.  I use good hand-washing techniques, wipe my desk down after school each night and make sure the students throw out their germ-filled Kleenex piles.  But, alas, I have been hit with the dreaded cold, sore throat and achiness already and it's only October!

I have the kind of cold that if you aren't careful, snot can drip out of your nose.  That isn't pretty; especially if you are standing over a student and his assignment trying to help him finish it. For this reason, I stayed home from work today.  That's the kind of story that would stay with you for years!  I don't what to be known as That teacher.

As I sit in front of the television with a cup of warm tea and wonder if I will ever feel better, I get an idea.  It was a brilliant idea because it worked!  I tackled my cold, aches and sore throat with the wonderment that is essential oils.  Let me share it with you because if you haven't dealt with a cold yet this season, there is good chance you will.  Especially if you work in an environment with other people like I do and my population does not know how to cover their mouths!

I got out my ZAQ 100% Pure Eucalyptus essential oil and added a few drops to my new Lucent diffuser that I purchased this fall in black.  I turned it on and sat back, relaxed and even napped.  When I awoke, I felt better.  My nose wasn't as congested and I felt like I could breathe!  The amazing thing about Eucalyptus oil is that it supports a healthy respiratory system and soothes sore muscles.  What a relief it was to feel better.  

If you don't have a diffuser, use a humidifier, or even a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head and breathing in the steam deeply after adding a couple drops of the Eucalyptus oil into it.  It will make you feel so much better!

Back to school tomorrow for me.  My new plan is to wipe down all the pencils with ZAQ's new Lemon Eucalyptus Organic Essential Oil.  Not only does it contain antiviral benefits, it also contains antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory advantages.  The key word here is, "anti-," which means being opposed or against.  I think we can all agree on anti-cold solutions to help us out!

Take care of yourself and your family this cold and flu season.  If it does happen to sneak up on you, ZAQ is here for you!  Be sure to check out some of the other new organic oils ZAQ has recently brought on board!  When you feel better, of course!

Kris Bitar