Sometimes it isn't easy to avoid getting a cold, especially when you are around people with colds. But here are my favorite recipes for combatting colds and lessening their impact.

Lemon Honey tea -- This isn't just an old wives tale, it does help, especially with colds accompanied with a sore throat. Heat the juice of a lemon (or use real lemon juice from the store), and add one tablespoon, more or less depending on tastes, of honey. A microwave makes this easy. Sip it, don't drink it, and let it roll down your throat.

Garlic -- During cold season, increase your intake of garlic, especially raw garlic. People who eat at least a clove a day seldom get colds. But eating garlic even in small amounts will lessen their severity. Garlic is also a terrific source of Vitamin C.

Horehound -- I'll start with a warning; Horehound is an aquired taste. The first time you try it, you will probably find it to be a bit bitter. Horehound is easy to grow and dry, and you can use it in a tea ball. Or you can purchase the ready made tea bags of horehound at many stores and at health food stores. I sweeten it with honey, which also makes it milder to the taste. (Honey has antibacrobial properties, too.) This will help with sore throat, aches, pains, sinus congestion, and headaches.

I have come across an essential oil as well as the ones you listed. It is called Theives oil.

Thieves Oil was originally created during the 15th century, and was supposedly worn by thieves who were stealing from plague victims, to "proof" against the plague (which of course it would not do, but at the time, it was believed that the plague was passed through the air.)

It was originally made of Clove oil, Rosemary oil, and the oil of various other aromatics. For instance; one recipe would be equal amounts of eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon, clove and lemon. Mix with base of olive oil. I usually put a tablespoon of each in a 2 oz. bottle and then fill the rest with olive oil. you can make a larger batch in a quart jar following the same proportion method.

Another, with the same ingredients, but measured out in different strength's. Clove Bud Oil 200 drops, Lemon Oil 175 drops, Cinnamon Oil 100 drops, Eucalyptus Oil 75 drops, Rosemary 50 drops.