This post was updated September 2019.
The CDC says you should get a flu shot by the end of October, as it takes about two weeks after the vaccination for you to be protected through the coming flu season. However, it only protects against the 3 or 4 strains in the current vaccine. You may still be exposed to other flu strains or viruses that could result in you suffering from respiratory issues. For those of us with asthma, COPD, etc, who have weakened immune systems, additional effort has to be made to protect ourselves, as the flu can result in hospitalization or worse.

Please remember that I am not a healthcare professional and that I am only sharing how I use essential oils for my personal use.
This essential oil blend is a 25% dilution rate. It is intended for SHORT TERM USE ONLY for acute health conditions. If you are new to essential oil use, or have concerns about using that strong of a blend, use the 5% blend directions. This is also for SHORT TERM USE ONLY.
DO NOT USE THIS BLEND ON CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16.
If your child is sick, here is an excellent post with information about what oils are safe for children.: Essential Oils and Children
I made this blend up last fall two years ago and used it when needed for additional immunity support. I still developed colds and respiratory issues even after having a flu shot, but nothing serious enough to have to be hospitalized.
I have included links to the essential oils and supplies I use at the end of this post so that you can see exactly what I use. There is additional information about each of the oils on that link, too.
Essential Oil “Flu Shot”
- 15 drops Thrive essential oil blend (On Guard or Thieves can be substituted)
- 15 drops Lemon essential oil
- 15 drops Oregano essential oil
- 10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 2 tsp Fractionated coconut oil
TO USE
Combine oils in a 10 ml glass roller bottle and roll a small amount onto the bottom of the feet daily. I like to roll a little on the middle of my chest for the additional aromatherapy benefit. If you are sick, apply this blend every 2 hrs.
Essential Oil “Flu Shot” 5% Blend
- 3 drops Thrive essential oil blend (On Guard or Thieves can be substituted)
- 3 drops Lemon essential oil
- 3 drops Oregano essential oil
- 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 2 tsp Fractionated coconut oil
Germ Prevention
It’s imperative during the cold and flu season to make sure to wash hands several times a day and avoid touching the face. Wipe shopping cart handles with sanitizing wipes. Eat healthy foods rich in vitamins and get plenty of rest! Supplementing with Vitamin C and D is helpful, too.
I also diffuse different combinations of the oils that I talked about in this post.
Resources
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- Thrive essential oil blend (or On Guard or Thieves can be substituted)
- Lemon essential oil
- Oregano essential oil
- Tea Tree essential oil
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Bottles like these.
While looking up the link for the proper bottles to show you, I ran across this little set of assorted bottles. Perfect for those brand new to essential oils and wanting to play around with recipes and blends, and it would make a wonderful gift! I wish I had seen them when I first started!
Here are more of my essential oil posts you might like; Homemade DIY Peace & Calming Blend, Diffuser Blends for Immunity Support and Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Colds & Flu

This sounds wonderful! I bet it smells good too.
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It does smell good. I put a little on my chest or under my nose when my lungs feel tight.
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Wonderful Advise!!
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Thanks! I have to be diligent about protecting myself from respiratory issues.
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Be safe honey!
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Thank you. 🙂
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How much of each do you put in the bottle? I mean, you could start up putting 10 drops of each in the bottle, but that could take forever to fill up the bottle. Also, do you use just the straight essential oil or do you use the essential oils that are already cut with caster oil or coconut oil?
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Thank you for visiting Catrina! It does take a bit of time to add all of the drops to the bottle, but it’s well worth it, and it will last for quite awhile. I use straight essential oils, then dilute with a carrier oil. The recipe is 15 drops of Thrive (or substitute On Guard or Thieves), 15 drops Lemon EO, 15 drops Oregano EO, 10 drops Tea Tree EO, plus 1 to 2 tsp Fractionated coconut oil. (Or substitute almond, grapeseed or Jojoba oil for the coconut oil) You could also just use half of the drops of each essential oil with 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil to make half of a bottle. I hope this helps. 🙂
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Is this okay to use on infants and toddlers?
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Thank you visiting. From everything I’ve read, essential oils should NOT be used on children under 24 months old.
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Hi,
Some of the essential oils are not to be used with children under 6 years old.
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Thank you. I’ve added a link to the post about Essential Oil use in Children. 🙂
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The Theives blend should not be used on children under 10.
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Why should it not be used for children under 10?
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Thieves includes Eucalyptus and Rosemary oils, which can cause respiratory distress in children.
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Following
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Thank you for your information , it was very helpful.
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Thank you so much for visiting!
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Applying oils to the feet is an ineffective means of absorption.
http://www.thebarefootdragonfly.com/essential-oils-and-the-feet/
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Thank you for the link. I have read that information from a few sources, however many equally reliable sources suggest the bottoms of the feet as an application point. I’ll be sure to suggest better application locations in the future. 🙂
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I use essential oils everyday and am a distributor. Please use compliant language when talking about them. It’s articles/blogs like this that confuse and anger people and get companies in trouble. I know they are great, but unfortunately there are rules we need to follow.
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I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you are referring to.
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🙄🙄
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The eye roll was for Amanda.
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LOL
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She means the fact that you are calling this a Flu shot. All essential oil companies are strict about their wellness advocates/distributors not claiming that oils can cure the flu. Or, right now, the Corona Virus. Yes, they can help build immunity, but that is as far as we are allowed to claim. She’s afraid people will see “Flu shot” and think these are equally effective, which they may not be. Her comment was meant to be helpful.
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I’ve been putting oil on the bottoms of our feet for years. I put thieves on the bottom of our big toe everyday. I honestly believe this has helped my son’s severier allergies tremendously.
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Same here. But I guess it’s not as effective for some. Thanks for reading this post and commenting. 🙂
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Your “headline” is clickbait and irresponsible. You might smell good, but the real reason you will stay healthy is because of the hand washing and other conscious efforts to squash spreading germs.
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I’m not sure why you are bashing the writer, clearly she was talking about essential oils and it was not click bait. A lot of people have used different essential oils for immune system support, if you don’t like the content don’t read any more of her post. Kindness cost nothing!!
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Another great use of oil of oregano …put 3 drops in a small glass of juice and drink it like a shot. It’s crazy strong but I bet you won’t be sick!
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Yesss! I love Oregano Oil! One brand I used, I could put 3 drops in an ounce or two of tomato juice for a quick shot. But another brand burned my mouth terribly. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
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Thank you for sharing!
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What size bottle did you use? I have 10ml, but am thinking yours was bigger.
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The Gurunanda oils come in 15 ml bottles. I generally make my blends in 10 ml bottles that previous had other oils in them. My pictures were pretty large. I haven’t needed any new blends since I ordered the set like the one I gave away in November and it has a few different sizes. Sorry for the confusion.
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Where are the source(s) that say putting EO on the bottom of your feet are ineffective? I have read the opposite, that is why I am curious 🙂 thanks! looking forward to making this blend!
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Hi, Cami! Thanks for visiting!
The link is in a comment a few comments above this one. I use oils on my feet frequently, but some people are opposed to the idea. That’s a decision that everyone needs to make for themselves.
I love this Flu Shot blend and use it on my feet, sometimes on my chest and sometimes on my neck if I have a pot phlegm in my throat! I have lung disease, so I have to be extra diligent to protect myself.
Did you enter the Give Away? There’s only 4 days left. 🙂
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I will take a look for the link – thank you!!
Ahh good to know about putting on neck – didn’t think of that!!
No, didn’t know there was a giveaway – going to go ahead and find it now 😉 Thanks for the heads up!
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The link is at the top of the page. I’m giving away a diffuser like mine and a set of 6 oils that I use. You can enter once a day! 🙂
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There are lots of safe oils for babies!! CanFor oils safety for babies and pregnant women, “Gentle Babies” by Debra Raybern is a fantastic resource!
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read my blog post, Carolyn. I am not certified in the use of essential oil usage, so I have to be careful promoting something that could possibly be harmful. Thanks for the book suggestion, Gentle Babies: Essential Oils and Natural Remedies for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Infants and Young Children. I just ordered it! 🙂
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Please advocate safe diltution, 55 drops in a roller bottle is way too much. Topical applications are safe at 1 to 2%. Are you a certified aromatherapist, if not take a course at Aromahead Institute to get certified before you suggest blends. Blends should be marked as kid safe, pregnancy safe, breast feeding mamma safe and if it is safe around pets.
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Yes, for daily use a 2% dilution (4 drops EO per 2 tsp carrier oil) is considered safe. For temporary health concerns, up to a 10% dilution (20 drops per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil) may be used. For acute or severe issues, up to 25% dilution may be used (50 drops per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil).
This essential oil blend is to help with flu symptoms, so it’s obviously for short term use.
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Reblogged this on Sunflower Solace Farm.
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Thank you so very much! 🙂
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I thought it might be helpful in light of the new virus floating around.
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Definitely! It’s super important to keep your immune system functioning on high to help ward off any nasty germs.
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