Are you familiar with a choking cough that likes to creep up during a speech, conversation (like a date) or a crucial boardroom meeting?
It has accosted high profile personalities like former U.S. presidential hopeful, Hilary Clinton and British Prime Minister, Theresa May, among others, in a very public way.
However, we must point out that a cough belonging to the author, George Orwell, was the most consistent one plaguing him for most of his life. It was as a result of a common cough inducing conditions including:
Clearly, a cough is indiscriminate and it can adversely affect the quality of your life if unchecked.
Severe coughs that cause breathing problems or produce sputum that has blood in it must be treated by a health professional. However, mild coughs as a result of the cold or an irritant that was ingested can be alleviated by using natural methods including the best essential oils for coughs.
As the holiday season bestows upon us a white Christmas of snow and ice, it also drags colds and coughs in tow. More and more people are choosing to use essential oils to combat the discomfort of coughs instead of rushing to the pharmacy for an over the counter remedy.
Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil
NOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Plant Therapy Oregano Essential Oil
ArtNaturals Therapeutic-Grade Lemon Essential Oil
Radha Beauty Rosemary Essential Oil
Why do we cough?
Coughing is a natural reflex by your body to expel foreign bodies and mucus from your air passageway. It is characterized by a tightening in the chest and a constant niggling sensation in the throat.
A cough can be extremely distressing when you are trying to sleep, have a conversation or even eat.
It can be remedied by pharmaceutical cough preparations or home remedies. In the latter case, essential oils play a significant role.
Benefits of essential oils for sore throats and cough
The natural nature of essential oils generally makes them safe for use. In fact, they are a great source for rapid relief.
Essential oils for an acute cough
An acute cough is usually accompanied by a sore throat. A sore throat is as a result of a viral infection and can be extremely painful due to the inflammation and irritation of the mucus membrane.
Use the following oils to reduce the pain and irritation that accompanies it:
Lavender oil
Lavender oil tops the list of oils to use for an acute cough and sore throat. It dislodges the mucus and reduces the phlegm build up.
It has relaxing and soothing qualities that work on the inflamed throat and give you rapid relief.
Apply it topically. It can be blended with a carrier oil and massaged into your chest and neck area so that you can inhale it as you sleep or you can place a few drops on your pillow to inhale throughout the night.
Hyssop oil
Hyssop oil has strong anti-inflammation qualities that will soothe the irritated membranes helping you to cough less. Its antibacterial properties will tackle the infection causing the sore throat.
Put 2-3 drops of the oil in boiling water and inhale the infused steam. The heat of the steam that has the healing components of the oil will help to dislodge the phlegm and soothe your passageways.
Myrtle oil
Myrtle oil consists of potent anti-inflammation qualities that work quickly and effectively to relieve raw pain and discomfort which accompanies acute coughs.
It also helps to speed up the healing process.
Myrtle works best in a blend. Combine with stronger anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory oils like tea tree or eucalyptus and an inviting carrier oil like coconut oil for a sweet-smelling, powerful blend.
Apply it to your chest and neck before sleeping and inhale all night.
Essential oils for chronic coughs
Chronic coughs are synonymous with severe conditions like tuberculosis and bronchitis among others. Before using any of these oils get the advice and consent of your physician so that there is no reaction to your prescribed medicine.
Chronic coughs need tougher, more potent essential oils to combat them:
Thyme oil
This oil is an antioxidant and an antibacterial with the ability to stimulate the healing of damaged membranes and tissues in your throat and lungs.
You can use by inhaling or by applying it to your skin. To inhale it add 3-5 drops of the oil in boiling water and inhale the infused steam.
For topical application make a blend of the oil with a carrier oil like jojoba and apply it onto your chest and neck area.
Clove oil
Clove oil has potent antimicrobial, antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory components which help it to boost your immune system as it fights even the most devasting strains that cause chronic coughs.
It is used to combat difficult strains like staphylococcus and strep throat.
To harness its benefits it needs to be gurgled. Add 2-3 drops of the oil to a cup of warm water and gurgle it letting it linger in the affected areas.
Even though you do not swallow it, the oil will diffuse further into your throat and lungs imparting its healing properties.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus is a powerhouse of antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral and antimicrobial goodness. It boosts your immune system preventing recurring infections and stimulates blood flow into the respiratory system inducing the healing process to take place.
The antioxidants help in recovery from a cough and fight any remaining infections.
Inhalation is the most effective way to harness the components of this oil. Place 2-3 drops in the diffuser or in boiling water and inhale the infused steam.
You can also place the drops on your pillow so that you can continuously inhale as you sleep.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has powerful antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties that relieve the discomfort and pain that accompanies a chronic cough.
These components attack infections and clear them quickly preparing the way for a speedy recovery.
It is easily absorbed so apply it to the neck, chest and sinus areas for quick action. 1-2 drops in a carrier oil are more than enough to work.
How to apply essential oils for cough?
1. Add a few drops in a diffuser
Using a diffuser is a great way to dispense essential oils because it takes just a little to go a long way.
Place a few drops in the diffuser together with the amount of water stipulated on the diffuser and plug it in. It will automatically heat the water up and spew mist of the fragrance periodically as a set. The molecules from the broken up essential oil will linger in the air for hours to be inhaled naturally.
2. Prepare a balm
Making a balm is essentially making a blend. You will need a carrier oil and the essential oils you prefer. For a balm to work best it needs to contain at least one or two potent essential oils and a milder oil that will soothe and relax your muscles.
For example, tea tree and eucalyptus are both heavily potent and powerful healers and infection fighters. They calm be overpowering in a scent so mixing them with a milder, calming scent like lavender and a rich, sweet-smelling carrier oil like coconut makes them easier to stand.
Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly and gently massage into your chest and neck area.
3. Make your own aromatherapy tissues
To make your own treated wipes just place 6-8 drops of the essential oil on the bunch of wipes and let them get drenched in it. Makes sure the drops cover the entire pack before zipping the pack.
The wipes need to be unscented in the first place. Use them whenever you have a cold by placing them near your nose and inhaling. This is a greatly economical application as you do not need to use many tissues or too much oil.
4. Apply topically
This is a simple way to use the essential oil. First, dilute the oil because application of the oil in its neat form can have adverse reactions to your skin. Place a drop or two in the palm of your hand and gently rub your hands together then apply onto your chest, neck, temple and around the nose.
5. Gurgle the essential oil
Gurgling without swallowing is a safe and effective way to apply essential oils. Ensure the concoction you are gurgling reaches the infected areas to impart its healing properties.
Place a drop or two of the oil in warm water and stir gently. Gurgle every mouthful for at least 30 seconds. Do this every 5-6 hours.
6. Use it for massage
Use your preferred essential oils and carrier oils to make the massage oil. Make sure the carrier oil is light and oily in order to encourage a wider spread as you massage. This also ensures that you use less of it.
Place the essential oils and carrier oils in a bottle and shake thoroughly to mix. Let the mix sit for a few minutes for sufficient infusion and then apply.
7. Make a hot bath
Relaxing in a hot bath infused with essential oils is perhaps the easiest and most relaxing way to harness the power of the oils. Not only do you inhale but they seep into your moist skin easily.
Drop one or two drops into your bath water and immerse yourself in the water. Take as much time as you need in the bath until the water cools and the steam dissipates.
It is advisable to apply the same oil(s) onto your skin for maximum effect after toweling off.
Can you use essential oils for child’s cough?
Although it is generally acceptable to use essential oils on children, there are divided schools of thought on this.
The one thing that is unanimously agreed upon is never to use the oils in their undiluted form on children. Because their bodies are still developing you risk interfering with their growth hormones resulting in adverse health effects.
Oils that are safe to use to reduce children’s coughs include:
- Lemongrass
- Ylang ylang
- Frankincense
- Lemon
- Lavender
Very controlled doses of tea tree or eucalyptus oil are also acceptable.
When using essential oils on children, diffuse them in a large open room, use a small dosage and only use after consulting a physician.
Best essential oil for cough - our choice of top 5
Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil
NOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Plant Therapy Oregano Essential Oil
ArtNaturals Therapeutic-Grade Lemon Essential Oil
Radha Beauty Rosemary Essential Oil
Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is widely used during colds, coughs and congestions. Its menthol quality helps to soothe the irritated and congest the nasal air passageways and helps to dislodge phlegm.
And since colds and coughs deplete your energy levels, peppermint is a great pick, due its invigorating and refreshing scent.
What to expect
Peppermint has been known to have an overpowering smell but the strength of the scent in this product is just enough to make it manageable.
It can be applied on its own after dilution and used as a massage oil, to relieve headaches that come with a cold and relieve chest congestion and coughs.
Inhaling its cooling properties soothes the throat and reduces the urge to cough.
- Easily assimilated into your system
- Naturally cooling and refreshing
- 100% pure ingredients
- Therapeutic grade
- Unfiltered and unadulterated
- No additives
- Cannot be used in its pure form because it is very concentrated
- Has a potent smell
NOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is favored in the realm of essential oils for its medicinal properties. It has a potent, woody and antiseptic scent that sees it included in many balms and massage oils.
What to expect
This is good quality eucalyptus oil that is made from 100% natural ingredients (leaves and small branches).
Because of its purity, you can expect the real potent smell of the eucalyptus. It is great for diffusers, in the bath and as massage oil.
You will even find it in the vapor rubs. It is easily absorbed so you can apply it topically or inhale it.
- Invigorating scent
- Relieves chest congestion caused by colds
- 100% pure ingredients
- Therapeutic grade
- Easily absorbed
- It has a strong, astringent, medicinal smell
- No dropper included
Plant Therapy Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano oil is extremely potent and powerful. This oil has incredible anti-inflammatory qualities that help when one is having a phlegm cough and irritated air passageway.
This product is high-quality oregano oil which is 100% pure meaning you should always dilute in a carrier oil before using it.
What to expect
This oil has the potential to burn if not used according to directions. In fact, Plant Therapy has a dilution chart to help with the correct ratio of this oil to a carrier oil.
It can be used for massage, to gurgle and swish in the mouth and to apply topically. It blends very well with frankincense, chamomile, thyme, sweet marjoram, citronella, and rosemary oils.
- It is 100% pure
- Therapeutic grade
- Effectively clears coughs and infections
- A strong anti-inflammation agent
- Anti-viral and antibacterial
- Will irritate the skin in its pure form
- It is a hot oil
- It has no dropper
ArtNaturals Therapeutic Grade Lemon Essential Oil
This is a versatile oil that while curing your cough will benefit your skin, hair and nails and keep the quality of air in your home fresh and invigorating.
It has the perfect balance of anti-bacterial qualities, soothing properties and an invigorating scent that will combat decongestion and coughs naturally.
What to expect
This product comes with 2 other smaller bottles: 10 ml signature Chi blend and 10 ml signature Zen blend.
The lemon oil helps to induce deep detoxification which helps with coughs and infections. It also stimulates blood flow and circulation which helps in the healing and recovery process of the inflamed throat and lungs.
This is, also, the powerful antioxidant qualities that boost your immune system.
- 100% natural ingredients
- Uplifting, invigorating scent
- Has a glass dropper
- Therapeutic grade
- Virgin, unadulterated oil
- Not advisable to use in its pure form
Radha Beauty Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil is a powerful therapeutic oil that will energize you and uplift your mood. It stimulates blood circulation enabling your body to recover and heal itself after a cough and cold. This product is very aromatic.
What to expect
This is a great option for a cough as it decongests your air passageways comfortably and naturally allowing phlegm to be expunged easily.
It lessens the irritation in your throat and relieves the raw feeling that accompanies an acute cough. It is anti-bacterial and antispasmodic which reduces the urge to cough.
Always mix it with a carrier oil before application.
- 100% pure ingredients
- Has a dropper
- Great to relieve a dry cough
- The scent of rosemary is diminished
- Must be diluted before being used
Conclusion
No more hacking coughs with these essential oils.
The discomfort, rawness and pain that accompanies a cold, cough and congestion can be alleviated naturally and in the most normal settings of your home or office.
Considering that taking cough syrup then driving can get you charged with driving under the influence. So, isn’t it better to use the natural alternative that has little to no side effects when used correctly?
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