WITH the onset of the colder weather many people are mindful that winter colds and flu may affect them. As well as building up the immune system to protect ourselves it is just as important to combat airborne bacteria, viruses and fungi. Essential oils make excellent bacteria busters, and the majority of them are both antiseptics and bactericides in other words, they kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. And not only will they make your environment safe, they will make it smell delightful as well. You can use essential oils, in an air-freshener spray, to wipe over household surfaces, especially the bathroom and toilet where germs tend to lurk; in the wash to kill germs on clothing; or in an oil burner. Any of the following essential oils can be used singularly or in combination to suit your taste, rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, lime, pine or thyme. To make an air-freshener spray, dissolve 2ml (40 drops) of your chosen oil or oils in 10ml of methylated spirits, then add this mixture to half a litre of distilled water in a pump-spray bottle. Shake well to mix and use as required on a fine mist setting. For wiping over bathroom, kitchen and other household surfaces, add one drop of your chosen oil directly to the cloth, or seven drops in the rinse water. To help kill germs on clothing, put three to five drops of any of the previously mentioned essential oils on a face cloth and drop it into the washing machine with your laundry. Burning essential oils will also kill airborne bacteria and fungi. You will need a ceramic simmering pot or burner, available from gift shops and some supermarkets. A simmering pot is a small ceramic vessel with a candle inside and a saucer containing the essential oil mixture sitting on top. Add about 10 drops of essential oil to one cup of boiling water, preheat the saucer by burning the candle, and then three-quarters fill it with the fragrant water, topping up when required. During the cold and the flu season you can also help to protect yourself by taking garlic on a regular basis. To help build up the body's immunity, or ease the symptoms of cold and flu, drink a cupful of the following garlic brew two to three times a day. Put two cloves of crushed garlic, half a teaspoon of ground ginger, one tablespoon of honey, the juice of one lemon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a pre-warmed ceramic mug, then add boiling water, cover with a saucer, and allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain, reheat and drink immediately. You can make sufficient quantity of the garlic brew in advance for the whole day provided you store it in the refrigerator until needed. If a member of your family is unlucky enough to catch a cold and is confined to bed, you can make the surroundings more pleasant by soaking a small sponge in lavender vinegar and leaving it in a dish beside the bed. To make the lavender vinegar, dissolve 5ml of the essential oil in half a cup of cider vinegar. Visit Alan on the net www.itssonatural.com