In order to find what works for you, you have to ask yourself, what am I looking to get out of this? As bronchitis involves the congestion of the bronchial tubes one would expect an oil that clears and soothes to be the most effective. Other oils that are anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial are also of great importance. But which oils do this and why?
Let's focus first on the why. This comes down to the ingredients used within the oils and their various properties. One readily found ingredient that you should keep an eye out for is Spike Lavender.
Spike Lavender has a few purported applications. These applications are as a mucolytic (dissolves mucous) and an expectorant (expels mucous). In combination these two properties can make a highly effective tool in fighting bronchitis. What about the other oils though?
Other Essential Oils for Bronchitis
As any of you who have experienced bronchitis know, mucus isn't the only problem that comes with the affliction. Luckily, there are oils for almost every complication that may arise from a bronchial infection. A cough can be a major nuisance with bronchitis, causing sufferers chest pain and general discomfort. There are a few ingredients to look for in essential oils that can relieve this. The first of which is Balsam Fir.
Everyone knows that when you're sick it is a struggle to get out of bed. Luckily, there are various herbal ingredients within essential oils that can combat the lethargy that comes with illness.
Two well known examples of this are Thyme ct. linalool and Basil ct. linalool. These, in some people, promote wakefulness and should be avoided before bed if there is a known correlation. However, this can be used to your advantage if used early in the morning.
Eucalyptus Dives and Tea Tree also hold expectorant, mucolytic and decongestant properties though these are more commonly inhaled as opposed to the others, which are used largely in chest rubs. All these essential oils are viable remedies for the discomfort that comes with a bronchial infection.
Although essential oils may help soothe and relieve those suffering from bronchitis, they are not to be substituted for medical treatment. If you find yourself suffering from bronchitis, or believe you could be, consult a healthcare professional immediately.
The Administration of Essential Oils for Bronchitis
There are two major methods of administration for bronchitis sufferers seeking benefit from essential oils. The first is inhalation. Inhalation can be done with either Spike Lavender, Eucalyptus Dives or Tea Tree Oil.The method is fairly simple and can be achieved at home. First get a bowl of hot water and place a drop of your preferred oil in it. Inhale the subsequent vapors 2-3 times a day as needed. This should provide a quick and easy relief to those feeling particularly clogged.
The second method of administration is through body rubs. When purchasing a body rub you should look for the ingredients highlighted above. You want to be sure what you're buying suits your purpose. Once you've purchased your Essential Oil body rub be sure to follow the instructions and apply them as suggested. This should also provide relief of the uncomfortable symptoms of the bronchial infection.
Always seek proper medical advice before administering medication of any kind. Take all necessary precautions when handling boiling or hot water.
So How do Essential Oils Work?
We touched on this a little earlier but why do essential oils provide relief for those suffering from Bronchitis. Well it depends on the method of application and those are either the application to the skin, inhalation or digestion. Let's start with application to the skin.A variety of different essential oils can be applied directly to the skin and the reason this makes a difference to the bronchial tube has to do with the way our body absorbs things. The chemicals will actually pass through the skin and into the bloodstream where they will be transported to other parts of the body, but what about inhalation, does it work in the same way?
The short answer is no. When we inhale, the molecules from the essential oils are transported through our olfactory system. This includes our nose, our lungs and the entire respiratory system. It is here these oils will work to decongest the passages directly. So while skin application permits chemicals to enter the bloodstream, inhalation is more direct.
Now on to the final method, digestion.
Digestion, while a method of administration used in some countries, is not recommended in the US or most Western nations. This is due to the fact that many oils can be toxic and the results of digestion can be fatal. A large amount of knowledge is required to safely administer essential oils in this fashion and should not, in any circumstances, be undertaken unless under the advice of a health care professional.
| Oil | ROA (Route of Administration) | Effects | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender Oil | Inhalation or applied to skin. | Anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, analgesic and antimicrobial. | Can be diffused throughout a room if so desired. |
| Balsam Fir | Applied to skin. | Microbial, dries mucus and calms coughing. | A great all round oil. |
| Balsam Copaiba | Applied to skin. | Anti-inflammatory with calming properties. | Perfect when used in combination with Balsam Fir. |
| Tea Tree | Inhaled. | Expectorant, mucolytic and decongestant | Inhale 2-3 times a day when mixed with warm water. |
| Eucalyptus Dives | Inhaled. | Expectorant, mucolytic and decongestant | Inhale 2-3 times a day when mixed with warm water. |
| Spike Lavender | Inhaled or Applied to Skin. | Mucolytic and Expectorant. | Versatile essential oil. |
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