Introduction
The word essential oil comes from the French word essential, meaning extracted from plants in the old dictionary. They are found in the bodies of plants used for their protection. These oils are mixtures of various compounds such as terpenes or aromatics. Aromatherapy can be done using an essential oil, making you relax, calm, and less stressed. Now even medical science has started using essential oils as it also treats and helps with different diseases. Essential oils are not only used solely but are also infused in many products such as lotion, candles, and many more, as the smell of the oils is quite provoking and attracts people. There is a large variety of essential oils available in the market ranging from floral like lavender oil, civet oils online to fruity like Bergamot oil.
Do essential oils help with a cough?
Essential oils can be used for many things, have numerous benefits, and are used by many. It is also proven to cure or at least help with many diseases.
So can essential oils help with coughing too?
Yes, essential oils help prevent and cure cough and can also be used in bronchitis, sinusitis, or any other respiratory problems. Many essential oils help cure a cold and cough. You can also use them in a diffuser, humidifier, or vaporizer and inhale their aroma.
Advantages of using essential oils for cough
● Soothing: Essential oils can give a soothing effect to your sore throat making it less uncomfortable to speak or eat. It can decrease or remove your cough.
● Disinfection: It will help fight the bacteria in your throat that is causing you cold or cough, or other respiratory diseases.
● Breathing: You will have a fresh and clear breath after using essential oil for your cold as it clears your lungs.
● Blockage: It will remove any blockage in your lungs that is making it difficult to breathe through your nose and clear the pathway.
● Sore throat: It can treat your sore throat, make it feel relaxed, slowly kill the pain, and bring your throat back to its normal condition.
Top 3 Essential oils for Cough
● Eucalyptus Essential oil
Eucalyptus oil is best for dry cough. It fights bacteria in your throat with its antimicrobial properties. It helps in not only silencing cough but can also help remove mucus from your chest. You can use it in different forms. Inhaling eucalyptus oil can loosen mucus when you cough. You can also use it as a rub on the chest to suppress cough.
How to use: Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of boiling water. You can either have the steam to release the mucus or directly mix the oil with some other oil to dilute and apply to your head, nose, or chest.
● Oregano oil
It contains two active ingredients, carvacrol and thymol, which are known to contain antifungal and antibacterial properties. The oil acts as an expectorant to kill mucus which is essential for cough release.
How to use: You can combine 2-3 drops of oregano oil with any carrier oil and rub it directly on your chest and head.
● Nutmeg oil
Nutmeg essential oil also acts as an expectorant and has an antioxidant such as camphene that reduces mucus production in the respiratory tract.
How to use: One can use either a diffuser or a vaporizer to inhale the nutmeg oil.
In addition to these, you can try peppermint oil, Rosemary oil and ashwagandha oil. These oils can help clear congestion and soothe sore throat. It is important to note that essential oils are very concentrated in nature and therefore always dilute with carrier oil before applying on skin.
Conclusion
Essential oil is a saviour when in need of your cold and congestion. A few of them reduce cough by most levels and give you direct relief. Hope you found this article on essential oil for coughs beneficial.
