Using Essential Oils to Reduce Cough Symptoms
Using Essential Oils to Reduce Cough Symptoms
Coughing is an unpleasant yet natural bodily response to irritants such as dust, smoke, and allergens. It can be a symptom of a cold, the flu, allergies, or other illnesses. While there are many over-the-counter medications available to treat coughs, some people prefer to go the natural route with essential oils. Essential oils are a natural and often safer alternative to over-the-counter medications and can provide relief from the symptoms of a cough.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that are extracted from the plant’s flowers, leaves, stems, and/or roots. They are extremely potent and are used in many forms such as aromatherapy, massage, and topical applications. Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat many ailments, including coughs.
Benefits of Using Essential Oils to Reduce Cough Symptoms
Essential oils are known for their naturally healing properties and can be used to treat a variety of ailments. For coughs, essential oils can act as an expectorant and help loosen mucus and phlegm in the lungs and airways. This can help reduce coughing and make breathing easier. Essential oils can also help reduce inflammation in the airways, which can help reduce a cough. Additionally, some essential oils have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that can help treat the underlying cause of the cough.
Essential Oils to Consider
There are many essential oils that can help reduce a cough. Some of the most popular essential oils for treating coughs include eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and lemon.
Eucalyptus oil is a popular essential oil that is used to help reduce congestion and coughing. It has expectorant properties that help to loosen and expel mucus from the lungs. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help reduce the underlying cause of a cough.
Peppermint oil is also known for its expectorant properties and can help to reduce coughing. It also has anti-bacterial properties that can help reduce the underlying cause of a cough.
Tea tree oil is known for its anti-bacterial properties and can help reduce the underlying cause of a cough. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce coughing.
Lavender oil is known for its calming and soothing properties and can help to reduce coughing. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the underlying cause of a cough.
Lemon oil is known for its cleansing properties and can help to reduce coughing. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the underlying cause of a cough.
How to Use Essential Oils
When using essential oils to reduce a cough, it is important to be mindful of the potency and dilution of the oil. Essential oils should always be diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, before being applied topically or inhaled. It is also important to be aware of any potential skin sensitivities or allergies and to do a patch test before using essential oils on the skin.
When inhaling essential oils, it is best to use an essential oil diffuser. Place a few drops of the essential oil into the diffuser and allow the aroma to fill the room. This is a great way to inhale the essential oil without having to directly inhale the oil.
When applying essential oils topically, it is important to dilute the oil with a carrier oil. Place a few drops of the essential oil into a bowl and then add a few drops of the carrier oil. Mix the oils together and then apply the mixture to the chest, neck, and back of the ears.
Conclusion
Coughing is an unpleasant yet natural bodily response to irritants that can be caused by a cold, the flu, allergies, or other illnesses. While there are many over-the-counter medications available to treat coughs, some people prefer to go the natural route with essential oils. Essential oils are a natural and often safer alternative to over-the-counter medications and can provide relief from the symptoms of a cough. Essential oils can act as an expectorant and help loosen mucus and phlegm in the lungs and airways. They can also help reduce inflammation in the airways, and some essential oils have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that can help treat the underlying cause of the cough. When using essential oils to reduce a cough, it is important to be mindful of the potency and dilution of the oil and to use a carrier oil when applying essential oils topically.