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Bronchitis is a common medical condition people seek immediate medical care for. If not taken care on time, bronchitis may leave a person coughing for weeks or even months. There may be various antibiotics available but safe and natural remedies like Essential oils for Bronchitis is also recommended.
Bronchitis is a condition caused by swelling of bronchial tubes. Such conditions may lead to painful cough, either dry or with plenty of mucus. Continuous coughing may make the situation worse for patients as it can also lead to chest pain. Antibiotics, at times, remain ineffective in curing the root cause of the problem, and that is why the problem keeps coming back. Using herbal or essential oils can prove to be a great relief as these oils help in reducing inflammation along with clearing the mucus.
How can one use Essential Oils for Bronchitis Cure?
You must visit your physician as soon as you come across any of the symptoms o bronchitis. It is really important to seek medical intervention as bronchitis in the worst cases can lead to pneumonia as well. But while you undergo any treatment or start taking antibiotics, there is no harm in using some essential oils.
There are numerous benefits of using these essential oils that can help you with Bronchitis:
- Faster recovery
- Helps to cope with coughing or shortness of breath
- Using essential oils to cure the problem is not expensive and adds affordable yet quick relief to the problem.
- Apart from helping you to get over bronchitis, it also has a positive and soothing effect on other parts of the body as well.
- When used as a part of aromatherapy, it helps to relieve stress.
While antibiotic will help you to combat bronchitis, these essential oils will help to fasten the recovery process and will also provide comfort while dealing with the condition.
Types of Essential oils for Bronchitis Relief
1. Eucalyptus oil
Most of the over-the-counter rubs used to suppress cough contain this essential oil. If not the entire oil, most of them include its key component – eucalyptol. This essential oil helps to fight against bacteria and also reduces inflammation giving relief from constant pain.
The patient can use it in two ways
1. By adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to any other carrier oil, one can prepare a mixture and rub it on the chest as well as throat.
2. The patient can also inhale steam from water containing diluted eucalyptus oil in it.
2. Peppermint oil
Natural care products for patients suffering from cough and cold often contain this essential oil. You have heard about menthol and its medicinal properties, but what you must have missed is that it is an extract of peppermint. At the time of inhalation, it can give a soothing and cooling effect to a scratchy throat. It also helps to relax the windpipe muscles that further help the patient breathe comfortably.
You can use it in various ways, some of these are:
1. Inhaling the steam of water after diluting this essential oil in boiling water.
2. By blending it with topical oil.
3. By adding it to a diffuser.
However, for children below the age of 10 years, this essential oil is not recommended.
3. Oregano oil
Because of the presence of carvacrol, an anti-bacterial agent, this essential oil helps to get some relief from medical conditions like bronchitis. The carvacrol present in oregano oil helps to fight against bacteria and germs. Not only can it treat cough and cold but also helps in getting rid of viral infections.
The patient can either apply it on the chest, throat, and palms or can dilute it in water and inhale the steam.
4. Tea-Tree Oil
Tea tree oil have strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. It can help to inhibit the virus responsible for causing the illness. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help to relax the swollen bronchial tubes, by breaking the mucus and clearing the passage providing ease in breathing.
5. Lemon Grass Oil
Lemongrass is yet another effective essential oil to combat problems like bronchitis. It has the capability of killing bacteria that trigger respiratory problems such as bronchitis. The aroma of lemongrass can also help refresh the mind, soul, and body.
6. Geranium Oil
Pelargonium sidoides, which is an extract of geranium, is one of the most effective ways of treating cough and bronchitis naturally.
The patient can use it with a diffuser or can also add drops while taking a warm bath. It helps to relax the body and its aroma calms the mind.
7. Thyme Oil
Like oregano essential oil, even thyme essential oil has a high amount of carvacrol that helps in fighting with the germs and bacteria causing bronchitis. It can also be used as an anti-bacterial remedy and provide immunity against such bacteria.
8. Cinnamon Oil
For many of us cinnamon is just a spice but very few people are aware of the medicinal properties associated with the same. Studies have been conducted and it has been proved that cinnamon has all the properties to fight against germs causing respiratory problems.
You can add drops of cinnamon essential oil to a diffuser or can blend the same with any topical oil to get some instant relief from continuous cough and pain.
Carrier oils to blend these Essential Oils:
- Olive oil
- Argan oil
- Apricot kernel oil
- Grape seed oil
- Sesame oil
- Sunflower oil
Apart from using these oils as rubbing agents, diffusers or diluters, you can also use these oils in the following ways:
- As a warm compress
Just add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm or hot water. Soak a towel for few seconds and after taking it out keep it either on your head or chest.
- In a handkerchief
By adding two to three drops of any of these essential oils and then inhaling the same after regular intervals you can help yourself to combat problems like cough, cold and bronchitis.
If used in the right way these essential oils can prove to be the best remedy to treat cough and other respiratory problems. However, make sure to keep these oils out of reach from your children as some of these can prove to be really dangerous if swallowed.
Symptoms of bronchitis
The most common symptom of bronchitis is continuous cough, and in most of the people, the condition gets better in less than two weeks. But it can be prolonged for more than a month if one fails to follow the doctor’s treatment or any other natural treatment.
However, there are various other symptoms as well that can lead to acute bronchitis:
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Blocked nose
- Fever
- Body or headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of water
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Cough can be accompanied by mucus and if the mucus is green or yellow in color then it is a sign of acute bacterial infection.
Once you have identified that you are suffering from bronchitis, apart from seeking medical help you can always try any of the above listed essential oils to completely eliminate the problem.
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