A congestion-clearing sniff

“Just the other day, my 4-year-old came home from day care with a brutal cold and I knew just what to do,” says Heather Bartos, M.D., an ob-gyn and mother of two in Cross Roads, Texas. “I put 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in a diffuser to break up his congestion. The menthol in eucalyptus opens up nasal passages to help get rid of phlegm and mucus,” she explains. Plus, its antibacterial and antiviral properties work to quash microbes that cause a cold. “If I’m out of eucalyptus oil, I use Vicks VapoRub.” The medicine-cabinet staple also contains menthol and camphor—a natural cough suppressant. “Since it’s solid at room temperature but liquid when heated, it works perfectly in an essential oil warmer.” You can also smear it under your child’s nose or put it on their feet under socks. Says Dr. Bartos, “My kids immediately feel better afterward.”