If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I am a huge fan of essential oils. Today I’d like to talk about the treatment of congestion. Essential oils are amazing for treating congestion and other lung issues and ailments. Essential oils are also incredibly versatile and can be used topically to address skin problems. For instance, a few drops of lemon balm or chamomile oil can be used to reduce inflammation and soothe redness.
Additionally, wild orange oil can be used to promote circulation and provide a natural protective barrier against environmental toxins, such as cigarette smoke – which of course, is also a huge contributor to lung issues. But I digress.
Let’s get back to congestion.
Coming down with a virus often leads to congestion.
On top of that, bacteria can also contribute to the illness, which adds to the congestion and mucus buildup. For treatment, you have to get the airways clear from the mucus and the infection that caused it.
To tackle the congestion, many people turn to over-the-counter decongestants that are designed to help relieve the problem. These decongestants can be taken orally in pill form or as a nasal spray and act by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal passages. However, there are some potential side effects to be aware of, like a headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and increased blood pressure. If you’re wary of using a decongestant, there are some natural remedies that can help with congestion relief, like using a humidifier or taking a steamy shower. In addition, using a saline nasal spray can help loosen mucus and reduce inflammation.
Nature offers a wide-open medicine cabinet to make you feel better fast.
There are many essential oils that can treat congestion. These kinds usually have a menthol base that clears the sinuses.
Among these are the mint essential oils like peppermint and spearmint. Breathing in these oils in a steam filled room helps to clear the congestion, but the oils can be used in other methods as well.
Inhaling the oils is a great way to give your immune system a boost too. You can use them on the soles of your feet or your chest and neck to promote clear breathing. Some aromatherapy experts even suggest using a diffuser with certain oil combinations to help clear congestion. Another way to use the oils is to make a chest rub with olive oil and your chosen essential oil mixed together and rubbed on the chest. These methods can help soothe and relax you and help with respiratory issues.
Not only is aromatherapy a great way to clear the congestion, but it can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. This can be accomplished by choosing calming and soothing oils like lavender, bergamot, or chamomile. The aromas of these oils help to relax the mind and body. The effects may be subtle part of the process but will be effective in helping to reduce congestion and clear the mind.
Some essential oils can work similar to modern medicines by the way they’re known to fight infections and clear up congestion.
One of these essential oils is lavender.
Lavender essential oil has many benefits, including the ability to improve mood, help manage pain, and even reduce anxiety. It has a calming and soothing effect, and some studies have even linked it to improved sleep quality. For those with breathing problems, lavender essential oil can help reduce congestion and clear the lungs.
Plus, it has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that can help fight off any infection. For these reasons, lavender essential oil has been used for centuries to treat a variety of common ailments.
Another one is eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus essential oil has antibacterial properties as well as anti-fungal. It also fights infection and is an anti-inflammatory. When you have congestion, you’ll usually have a cough to go along with it.
This is caused by either the infection itself or from the draining of the sinuses down the back of the throat. Either way, it can be annoying and you can cough so much that your sides ache. Essential oils can even help with that.
Eucalyptus essential oil can be especially helpful for coughing because it helps to reduce inflammation and loosen up mucus, allowing it to move out of your body. When you cough, you can have spasms of the bronchial area. What can happen is you can get bronchial spasms which are the muscles constricting. This makes you cough.
Combine eucalyptus essential oil with a carrier oil and you can massage it on your chest, throat, and even your feet to bring relief from that irritating cough. You can also add a few drops to a diffuser and breath in the steam which will help to soothe the throat and airways. When used together with other natural ingredients, eucalyptus essential oil can be an effective way to target your coughing and congestion.
By using something like an essential oil, you can help those bronchial muscles relax and thus eliminating the coughing. Certain other essential oils help with specific types of congestion.
For example, if your congestion is a sinus infection, you’ll want to look for essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint or cedarwood.
If your congestion is causes by something like a cold or other virus, you can use eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree essential oil. If allergies are something that you suffer from, you might want to check out my post on using essential oils for allergies.
No matter what your congestion is from, there are natural options to help you with the discomfort so you don’t have to rely solely on store-bought medications. You can also mix essential oils with other natural treatments like steam inhalation, sauna or vapor rubs. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results you can achieve. A mixture of the right essential oil with other natural treatments can help you find the relief you’re looking for without the need for heavy medications.
Thyme essential oil can help give you relief from congestion.
It contains antiviral as well as antimicrobial properties. It’s known to help relieve the symptoms associated with bronchitis.
Thyme essential oil can also be used to reduce fevers and headaches associated with colds, flus, and sinus infections. Inhaling this oil can also provide a soothing experience for people who struggle with chest tightness. Applied topically it can provide pain relief from muscle aches and could even improve circulation when used as a massage oil. It’s an incredibly beneficial and versatile oil that can also help improve mental clarity and focus. For those looking for a natural solution to common ailments, thyme essential oil is definitely worth considering.
Pine essential oil – of course – comes from pine needles.
It has a three-fold solution when dealing with infections because it has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It’s specifically known to treat congestion caused by respiratory infections, the flu or the common cold.
This oil is extremely strong and cannot be applied to the skin unless it’s diluted with half of the mixture being carrier oil. It can be used in inhalation treatment or in a diffuser.
Pine essential oil has also been found to reduce inflammation and to treat some skin conditions. It can also help with headaches, stress, and fatigue. It’s often used in aromatherapy, too, since its rich scent can help to reduce stress and improve one’s mood. Diffusing the oil is one of the most popular methods of using the oil. When diffused, it can reduce air pollutants, provide a woodsy aroma, and help to reduce pain and inflammation.
When it comes to digestive problems, pine essential oil can be used to help reduce pain and nausea. For those looking to improve their immune systems, it can also be used as an immune system booster, providing the much-needed antioxidants to help protect the body from infections.
From alleviating headaches to soothing sore throats, essential oils have a wide range of healing powers that make them the perfect go-to for congestion.
Peppermint essential oil is particularly great for easing all types of congestion.
It helps to break up mucus to clear the nasal passageway.
For a more effective way to combat congestion, peppermint essential oil can be mixed with coconut or jojoba oil and used as a massage oil. This will help to release congestion by stimulating the lymphatic system. Additionally, it can be used in a diffuser as a natural decongestant. Inhaling peppermint essential oil can help to clear the lungs as well as the sinuses, and it has a calming effect too.
Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial properties that can help with sinus infections, and lemon essential oil provides effective relief for allergies.
As I’ve mentioned, diffusers and steam inhalation are some of the most effective ways to use essential oils, as inhaling these aromatic oils helps the body to absorb them quickly. Combining various essential oils together can also increase their efficacy – try mixing peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender oils together for maximum congestion relief.
Beyond the short-term relief that essential oils provide, many people find that regular use can greatly reduce the frequency of their congestion. Essential oils can even be used as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of an oncoming cold or flu. If you want to learn more about essential oils and how they are used in other modalities such as Ayurveda, check out this online course.
We like to enrich our home with the fragrant aromas of essential oils as an easy and natural way to help us stay healthy and flourishing! As with any type of alternative medicine, it’s important to do your own research, and listen well to your intuition, before using essential oils for congestion. By following proper guidelines and your inner knowing, you can fully maximize your results on your journey to holistic wellness.
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