Cough oils: what to use and how to use?

Even with a large selection of pharmaceutical drugs for cough treatment, no one has canceled the means of traditional - folk medicine, which have been used for many generations. And cough oils are one of these home remedies. Given its continued popularity, as well as not always reliable information regarding the methods of application, it is useful to have an idea of which oils will really help cure a cough and why.

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Indications cough oils

The nature of cough can be different: with the formation of mucous bronchial secretion (sputum) - productive or dry, that is, unproductive - depending on the etiology and course of the disease. And the main indications for the use of oil for cough are almost the entire spectrum of diseases accompanied by this symptom, including acute respiratory viral infections (which we call a cold), pharyngitis and nasopharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis (acute, chronic, obstructive), tracheobronchitis, COPD, pleurisy, pneumonia.

Various recipes with oil for coughs recommend using regular butter and ghee, cocoa butter, as well as essential oils for coughs and runny noses that have specific odors, which are complex compounds of many organic substances extracted from plants, including medicinal ones.

Which oil is more effective against cough? Obviously, the one that – depending on the nature of the cough – will increase the production of bronchial secretions or make them less viscous (i.e. liquefy); facilitate the removal of phlegm from the respiratory tract or relieve bronchial spasms; relieve inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

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Benefits of Oils for Cough

Let's start with cough oil for internal use, which we often use simply out of habit. Of course, this is butter, used in several ways. The simplest of them and probably the most "ancient" is milk with cough oil.

Please note that almost all recipes contain milk: milk with honey, butter with honey and soda for cough, or milk with honey, butter and soda for cough.

Although milk does not relieve this symptom, this product contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which increases the production of the hormone melatonin by the pineal gland, which promotes sleep, and the synthesis of another hormone, serotonin, which ensures the stability of the body's immune system. In addition, along with other fatty acids, milk contains butyric or butanoic acid (about 3%). Biochemists have found that it can affect the activity of cellular immunity - suppressing the reaction of pro-inflammatory cells.

For those who believe that goat's milk is more useful for coughs than cow's milk: the content of butanoic acid in goat's milk is higher, but it is found in buffalo milk in the highest amount. Lactic acid in the form of acylglycerol tributyrin is also found in concentrated milk fat - butter.

Ayurveda considers heat-treated butter to be a cure for many diseases, so you can safely add ghee to hot milk for coughs (a teaspoon per glass).

In slightly smaller quantities, cocoa butter for cough should be added to warmed milk according to the recipe described here - Cocoa with butter and honey for cough

The effectiveness of cocoa butter for coughs is undeniable, as it contains the purine alkaloid theobromine, which blocks adenosine receptors, reducing the tone of the bronchioles; at the same time, the bronchioles open, which facilitates breathing in obstructive bronchitis.

The anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of aloe are well known, due to the presence of sulfur compounds, saponins (lupeol), and phenolic antiseptic acids in this plant - benzylidene acetic (cinnamon) and 2-hydroxybenzoic (salicylic). That is why you can combine aloe, honey and oil for coughs during colds and bronchitis (in a ratio of 5:1:2); recipes in the articles:

Treatment of bronchitis at home

Treating cough with honey: effective recipes

Adding a raw egg yolk beaten with sugar and butter to hot milk to treat coughs from laryngitis and sore throats from tonsillitis was used a long time ago, and the mixture was called eggnog. But given the risk of contracting salmonella, today you should not add raw egg yolk to this remedy.

No one has tested the effectiveness of such dubious home remedies as beer or vodka with oil for cough: there are not even any reviews about them... Although it is very useful to drink more when you have a cold and cough, and when you have a sore throat, drinks should be moderately hot. See - Cough Drinks. As for alcoholic drinks, doctors recommend avoiding alcohol when coughing, as it dehydrates the body and weakens the immune system.

Despite the fact that flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed oil is not effective for coughs accompanied by the formation of phlegm. However, with a dry, “tearing” throat cough caused by gastroesophageal reflux, this oil (orally a teaspoon a couple of times during the day) helps relieve irritation of the mucous membranes and moisturize them.

Coconut oil is also used internally for coughs and sore throats. It consists of half of the saturated fatty acid lauric acid, which is transformed in the body into monolaurin. In vitro studies have revealed the antibacterial and antiviral properties of this monoglyceride. The most popular recipe for internal use: two tablespoons of coconut oil + two tablespoons of honey + a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Take the mixture, one teaspoon twice a day.

If the body temperature is normal, then to reduce the intensity of a wet cough and better expectoration of phlegm, you can make warming compresses from oil - on the chest. Usually they use vegetable oil, heated to +40°C, this can be sunflower or olive oil.

Castor oil is well absorbed by the skin for coughs, as well as peach oil obtained from the kernels of the fruit - as a basis for home remedies for rubbing the chest. For example, you can mix 50 ml of castor or peach oil, a tablespoon of grated ginger root, half a teaspoon of ground red pepper and 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.

An oil solution of propolis that preserves the antimicrobial activity of phenolpropanoid compounds or propolis oil for coughs, respiratory infections and tonsillitis is used to lubricate inflamed tonsils.

And for inhalations, sea buckthorn oil is used for coughs and inflammation of the respiratory tract (nasopharynx, vocal cords, trachea, bronchi). Read how to use sea buckthorn oil for sore throat

Dosing and administration

Due to the antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and expectorant properties of the biologically active substances included in their composition, essential oils occupy a separate niche among the products that are used in the complex treatment of respiratory, otolaryngological and pulmonological diseases and help get rid of cough.

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Essential oils for cough

How to use essential oils for chronic bronchitis is described in detail in the material - Oils for the treatment of bronchitis

The main essential oils for dry cough are eucalyptus oil, menthol or peppermint oil, oregano oil (oil of oregano – Origanum vulgare).

The most suitable oils for cough for aroma lamps, first of all, include essential oils of thyme, tea tree, lemon, rosemary, fir, juniper, and myrrh.

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Eucalyptus oil

This essential oil for inhalation is considered No. 1, because it simultaneously works as an anti-inflammatory, and as an antiseptic, and as a bronchodilator and expectorant, which is provided by a complex combination of isoprene derivatives (terpene alcohol 1,8-cineole, monoterpene compounds and sesquiterpenes), aldehydes and phenols. And the best way to use it is steam inhalation. How to do it correctly, in detail - Inhalation with eucalyptus for cough and bronchitis

In addition, the following recipes for mixtures (balms) for rubbing the chest are offered:

• For one teaspoon of almond oil, take three drops of eucalyptus essential oil, two drops of thyme essential oil and one drop of pine essential oil;
• For one tablespoon of coconut oil, you need to take eight drops of eucalyptus oil, five drops of lavender oil and two drops of thyme oil.

There is also a recipe for an oral cough remedy, which is prepared by mixing three tablespoons of honey with two drops of eucalyptus and the same amount of lemon essential oil (improves blood circulation in the respiratory system and relieves spasms). Take the mixture by the teaspoon, dissolving it in 200 ml of warm water. It is recommended to drink this remedy slowly and no more than twice a day.

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Menthol oil

Peppermint oil has a reputation as a strong antiseptic and effective antispasmodic, supported by the monoterpene menthol. It has been shown to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi and increase their ventilation, reducing the intensity of coughing. Menthol is also believed to help thin thick bronchial secretions and soothe a sore throat.

There are several ways to use it: scatter it in the air and breathe it in, inhale the scent directly from the bottle or from a tampon soaked in oil, or do steam inhalations (adding 5-6 drops to water per procedure).

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Thyme oil

Due to the content of 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol (thymol), this essential oil can also be called multifunctional - antiseptic (antimicrobial and fungicidal), antispasmodic, mucolytic and mucokinetic. All methods of using thyme oil relieve cough, but most often it is used in an aroma lamp.

Oregano oil (oregano oil)

The combination of terpene compounds (including thymol and carvacrol) and esters has given this essential oil not only strong antimicrobial properties, but also the ability to relieve spasms of all structures of the respiratory system, which soothes coughs and facilitates the restoration of normal mucociliary clearance of the bronchial epithelium.

Tea tree oil for cough

Containing α-phellandrene, alpinines, β-pinene, cineole, γ-terpineol, limonene, linalool and piperitone, tea tree essential oil is a universal biologically active substance that provides, among other things, an expectorant effect.

Read more – Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Fir oil

Fir is a close relative of pine, and its essential oil also contains organic terpene compounds, in particular, α-pinene, which determines its antimicrobial action. It is used as an oil for inhalation against coughs in respiratory diseases, for spraying (diffusion) and in an aroma lamp - as a preventive measure during flu epidemics.

Anise oil

An effective mucolytic and mucokinetic agent, as evidenced by the presence of anise oil in the chest elixir and ammonia-anise drops. The phenylpropene compound of anise oil - anethole - has an antimicrobial and antiviral effect, and also increases the production of bronchial secretions, liquefies them and promotes expectoration. When using it, it should be borne in mind that anise oil interacts with drugs that affect the central nervous system.

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Camphor oil

Camphor oil can only be used externally and with caution: camphor is classified as a neurotoxin. Experts warn that if camphor oil gets into the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause serious side effects, even fatal ones.

For a strong wet cough, frankincense oil (obtained from the resin of the Boswellia sacra tree) is recommended, used in sprays or aroma lamps; basil essential oil (mix two or three drops of oil with coconut oil and rub the chest with this mixture); steam inhalations with essential oils.

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Cough Inhalation Oil

A simple and at the same time effective way of using the essential oils listed above is inhalation, with simultaneous humidification of the respiratory tract with water vapor, reduction of sputum viscosity, as well as removal of nasal congestion and relief of breathing. Two procedures per day with a duration of no more than five minutes each are enough.

Mahold oils for coughs and nasal congestion during colds (with a special inhaler attached to them – Mahold inhaler) are also intended for inhalation. This is a mixture of essential oils of eucalyptus, mint, tea tree, rosemary and cedar. The instructions note that this product is not used by patients under 12 years of age and pregnant women.

Essential oils for cough for aroma lamp or steam vaporizer

All the previously mentioned essential oils for cough can be used in an aroma lamp, with the help of which their intensive evaporation occurs during the heating process.

Additionally, you can evaporate lemon and other citrus oils in an aroma lamp (they ensure normal breathing by clearing the upper respiratory tract); fir and pine oils (they help reduce the formation of phlegm and facilitate its removal from the respiratory tract); rosemary and cedar oils, which help liquefy thick phlegm, as well as relax the smooth muscles of the trachea and bronchi and relieve coughing.

Recipe for a universal cough mixture for an aroma lamp (or steam vaporizer): 12 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 8 drops each of thyme and laurel essential oils, 6 drops of myrrh essential oil, and 4 drops each of spruce (cedar and pine) and frankincense essential oils.

Aromatherapists note that mint, laurel, clove and thyme oils should be used with caution, as they can irritate the mucous membranes.

Read about what essential oils are used for coughs in a bathhouse and how exactly – Bathhouse for bronchitis

It should be borne in mind that essential oils - camphor, fir, tea tree, oregano, thyme, menthol, wormwood and tarragon - cannot be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. About which oils for cough during pregnancy can be used, in the material - How to treat cough during pregnancy

Essential Oils for Cough for Children

Essential oils are most often used externally for children, more details in the publication - Ointment for colds in children: to rub or not to rub? More useful information is given in the article - Ointments for coughs

Geranium, cypress, blue (German) chamomile, mandarin, and sandalwood oils are considered useful for children with coughs and acute respiratory viral infections. Dill, mint, eucalyptus, tea tree, clove, cinnamon, rosemary, and verbena oils are contraindicated for children under three years of age due to the risk of convulsions and respiratory arrest. And teenage boys are not recommended to use tea tree and lavender oils.

Experts emphasize the need to dilute essential oils with any vegetable oils and point out that an oil that is well tolerated when applied externally may be toxic when taken internally.

For those interested in the Kyzyl May oil for children against cough and cold, produced in Kazakhstan, intended for external and internal use at any age (for children - only from three years old). In composition, this is a mixture based on sea buckthorn and sunflower oils extracts of medicinal plants such as St. John's wort, thyme, lemon balm, stinging nettle, licorice root and rose hips.

Contraindications

There are contraindications for use:

• camphor oil - bronchial asthma, inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and bladder, skin diseases, epilepsy, pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as children under three years of age;
• peppermint and eucalyptus oils - high blood pressure, bronchial spasms, seasonal allergies, sleep disorders, age up to two years;
• tea tree oil – arterial hypotension, vegetative-vascular dystonia, age under six years;
• fir oil – asthma, feverish conditions, infectious diseases, heart failure, arterial hypertension.

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Side effects cough oils

When using cocoa butter, possible complications are associated with the fact that its active substance theobromine, which acts on adenosine receptors, can reduce heart rate, blood pressure and appetite, cause headaches, as well as nausea and vomiting.

Fir oil can worsen the condition of asthmatics and patients with whooping cough. Peppermint oil can cause allergies, arterial hypotension; and in children, the complication can take the form of respiratory reflex depression with episodes of acute cardiovascular failure and loss of consciousness.

Eucalyptus oil can trigger an asthma attack, and in small children – shortness of breath and apnea. And when it gets into the gastrointestinal tract, this oil can cause a feeling of fatigue, convulsive syndrome, and epigastric pain.

Side effects of tea tree oil include skin irritation with redness and itching, and if swallowed, it may cause loss of coordination.

Camphor oil is known for its side effects and complications that develop on their basis, among which are hyperemia and irritation of the skin at the site of application. But the most dangerous consequences are associated with the ingestion of this oil, which causes a burning sensation in the mouth, throat and esophagus, as well as toxic effects in the form of headache, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing with bronchial spasms, muscle cramps, disruption of the cardiovascular system and liver. As a result, a comatose state may occur, and respiratory failure is fraught with a rapid fatal outcome.

As an afterword. If you use any home remedies, including essential oils for coughs, illiterately, thoughtlessly or carelessly, you may encounter problems that will require you to contact an ambulance rather than your doctor. Remember this, treat yourself correctly – as recommended by doctors.

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