While a common cold is extremely annoying, the only cure for it is to wait for it to cure itself. No matter what medication you may be under, a cold will run its course.

There are however several alternative medications that you can take to put you at ease and to help the cold to lessen its duration of stay with you. One of the ways you can do that is to use aromatherapy. The fragrances from the essential oils help to relieve the cold or evaporate the mucus or make it thin so that it can be eliminated physically.

The essential oils that you can use are peppermint, bergamot, chamomile, juniper, ginger and orange. There are several ways to administer this therapy. You can choose to use any oil or blend any of your favorites to help relieve your cold.

One effective way is to pour the oils in a bowl of hot water and inhale the fumes of the steam that emits from the bowl. The key here is to place a towel around your head and the bowl so as to capture all the fumes and not let them escape. Try this several times till you feel completely relieved. This helps to melt the mucus and makes it liquid so that you can eliminate it physically.

Another way to use it is to burn it in an electric diffuser or in an oil lamp. Massage the oils onto your palms, wrists, temples, back, chest and neck. The oils will help to relieve any signs of impending disease and will kill the bacteria. Eucalyptus oil works best in this way.

The strong aromas work wonders to clear your nasal passage. If you use it at night before going to bed; you will wake up in the morning extremely refreshed without any traces of a cold.

Draw a warm bath and add the oils to your bath. Massaging the oils on your back and chest will also help to get rid of the pesky cold.