Oils for the treatment of bronchitis

In the cold season, respiratory diseases accompanied by coughing are very common. The body turns on this defense mechanism to free the bronchial mucosa from infectious agents and their waste products, synthesizing mucus, which the body tries to get rid of by coughing it up. You should not delay the start of treatment, and if antibiotics are effective in cases of bronchitis of bacterial etiology, then in other cases you have to resort to various methods of helping your body, including treatment with folk remedies.

Oils for bronchitis are used to treat coughs in different nations. Their list is long, and everyone can choose a recipe to their taste and method of application, and find the ingredients in their refrigerator without leaving home. Different methods are used - inhalation, rubbing, baths, compresses, and internal use. In addition, each family has its own favorite and proven means of getting rid of cough, for example, warm milk with soda and butter, oil compress, eucalyptus inhalations, mustard plasters and rubbing.

Pulmonologists who practice criticize such treatment methods, considering their benefits to be greatly exaggerated and sometimes even capable of causing harm. At the same time, they have been used for centuries and alleviate the patient's condition. Although the same skeptics argue that the main effect of home procedures is psychological and mutual: healthy relatives sincerely believe that they are helping the patient, and he, surrounded by care, also recovers faster from the love and attention shown. In any case, this is not bad.

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Indications Oils for the treatment of bronchitis

Oils for bronchitis are used as softening agents, facilitating coughing and mucus removal. They are used both in acute and chronic cases of the disease.

They are used in the form of inhalations, rubbing, compresses and internally.

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Dosing and administration

Natural aromatic volatile compounds - essential oils for bronchitis are most often used in the form of inhalations, hot or cold, rubbing or baths. Hot inhalations for bronchitis are considered preferable. They are done the old-fashioned way - add a few drops to a container with hot water and inhale the vapors, covered with a towel. You can use a steam inhaler for this. Hot inhalations are not done when the patient's body temperature exceeds the norm, and for small children. The duration of the procedure is on average from five to seven minutes.

Cold inhalations can be done using a nebulizer (if it is intended for oils), a Mahold inhaler (although the oil in it is slightly heated for more intensive evaporation, but this cannot be called a thermal procedure), or you can simply inhale the aroma of the oil from a bottle.

You can use an aroma lamp to saturate the patient's room with aromatic vapors. Oils for inhalation in bronchitis have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties to a greater or lesser extent, so the spread of their molecules in the air will have a general healing effect and make breathing easier for the patient.

You can mix 100 g of medical alcohol (70% without additives) and 30-40 drops of essential oil or several oils that do not cause irritation to household members and, first of all, to the patient, place the mixture in a spray bottle and periodically treat the apartment for disinfection.

Skeptics of medicine believe that sick bronchi do not need any molecules of foreign substances. Inhalation of essential oils can cause a worsening of the disease. Oil from the bronchi rolls into the alveoli and rolls there like balls. This can lead to a complication - oil pneumonia, which is much more severe than bronchitis.

Essential oils are also used for rubbing. They are mixed with a base oil in a proportion of 3-7 drops of essential oil and 10-15 drops of, for example, flaxseed, Vaseline or baby cream. This composition is rubbed on the neck, upper chest and back, not in the heart area. It is believed that such a procedure activates blood circulation, relieves inflammation and strengthens the immune system.

Rubbing is also quite useless for the bronchi, say skeptics, but not as dangerous as inhalations and even useful for the skin, not for the bronchi. Blood circulation in the superficial layers of the skin really accelerates, the skin will be grateful for the additional nutrition, but this procedure has nothing to do with the internal organs, the warming effect will not reach them.

Baths with essential oils are also used in the treatment of bronchitis. Add five drops of essential oil to the bath and take it for about a quarter of an hour. It is recommended to inhale the steam with an open mouth. Baths are taken at normal body temperature, take water at about 37℃, drip oil and immerse yourself in it. Then you can add hot water, bringing the temperature to 39℃.

Warm compresses are made with essential oils, and some of them (for example, cedar, mint or lemon) are recommended to be added to tea, one drop per teapot. Such tea is recommended for acute conditions with high temperature.

Some essential oils are considered more effective.

Let's consider their properties.

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Fir oil

The trees from whose needles this oil is extracted grow in ecologically clean places – the forests of Eastern Siberia. Like all coniferous trees, the extract of young fir shoots has pronounced antiseptic properties, due to the high content of provitamins and phytoncides, phenols.

Fir oil for bronchitis has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, tones the bronchial muscles, stimulating expectoration and normalizing breathing.

In case of acute bronchitis, an antipyretic compress can be made with fir oil. In a liter container with water, the temperature of which should be 2-3℃ lower than the patient's body temperature, drip six to ten drops of this substance, soak a towel in it and cover the patient's calves and feet with it, as well as a napkin on the forehead.

To disinfect a patient’s room, fir oil is used at a rate of 10-12 drops per 15 m² of room area.

For rubbing, 13-14 drops of this aromatic substance are diluted in a tablespoon of any vegetable oil. This mixture is rubbed on the base of the neck, upper chest and back, without touching the heart area and feet. Then the patient is wrapped in a sheet, warmly wrapped and given tea with linden, raspberry, honey or other diaphoretics.

It is recommended to dilute eight drops of fir oil in the bath, mixed with one tablespoon of honey.

Hot inhalations are also recommended using fir oil mixed with honey - add eight drops of oil to a tablespoon of honey, dilute with hot water and, covering your head with a towel, inhale the resulting vapors.

You can mix fir oil with other essential oils, such as lavender and eucalyptus. Drop the specified oils onto a piece of natural fabric in a ratio of 2:1:4 and inhale the evaporating aroma.

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Camphor oil

White camphor laurel essential oil, used for aromatherapy, is a natural product, quite expensive, since this tree does not grow in the European region.

Its semi-synthetic analogue, extracted from fir tree, is mainly presented in pharmacies as a 10% oil solution of camphor for external use. There is also a synthetic analogue, in this case the composition of the drug will indicate racemic camphor, obtained by distillation of turpentine and α-pinene.

In terms of properties and effects on the body, camphor oil of any kind is not fundamentally different from each other, except that preparations made from natural wood are considered cleaner in an ecological sense. Camphor as a component is included in the composition of extracts of many plants - basil, wormwood, fir.

Camphor oil for bronchitis at home is used only externally. Inhalations, massages, rubbing with this component stimulate the respiratory function, improve sputum separation, warm and activate blood circulation. The oil has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. When it comes into contact with the skin epithelium, camphor releases an active oxygen molecule that has the ability to enter into oxidative reactions with substances contained in the cell membranes of pathogenic microorganisms, thus providing a bactericidal effect.

Camphor oil is used for inhalations for bronchitis. It is added to the well-known inhalations over steam coming from boiled potatoes. Two potatoes are boiled, with 20 drops of camphor oil added to the boiling water. Then the water is drained, the potatoes are mashed in a bowl, and the patient inhales the steam coming from the container, covering his head with a towel.

If you have a steam inhaler, simply drop a few drops of oil into the hot water poured into its container.

Adults can be rubbed with undiluted camphor oil heated not over direct heat - the collar area, chest, back and feet. After finishing the procedure, dress the patient in natural clothes, a warm sweater, not forgetting socks, carefully cover and leave to sleep until morning.

Children over two years old are recommended to be rubbed with the following mixture at night: grind unsalted rendered pork fat with turpentine (a teaspoon of each), add four drops of camphor oil to the mixture. Dress and put to bed. Relief is promised the next morning.

You can rub the child with any vegetable oil with the addition of camphor, slightly warming the mixture before the procedure.

Adults are recommended to drink warm milk with camphor oil twice a day, dosing four drops per glass.

A few drops of camphor oil solution can be added to the bath for medicinal purposes.

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Black cumin oil

Caraway oil is used as an expectorant for both acute and chronic bronchitis. It can be used instead of medicinal expectorants for wet cough. It is considered a pronounced immunomodulator and natural antiseptic. Its composition and properties are still being studied, so it may yet surprise the world with new qualities. The most useful is considered to be oil obtained by cold pressing.

Black cumin oil for bronchitis is taken orally, one teaspoon a quarter of an hour before meals, twice or three times a day. Children from the age of six are given half a teaspoon with honey or syrup. Additionally, this substance can be rubbed in, mixing it in the following proportions: one part cumin to five parts flaxseed, olive or sunflower oil.

To relieve painful attacks of dry cough and convert it to wet cough, steam inhalations are done with a solution of oil (tablespoon) in a liter of water.

Sublingual administration of caraway oil helps with bronchial spasms: dissolve a quarter teaspoon under the tongue.

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Eucalyptus oil

Acute bronchitis is accompanied at the beginning of the disease by a dry painful cough and a rise in temperature. It is in such cases that eucalyptus oil is used for bronchitis. A natural antiseptic, which also has mucolytic and analgesic properties, eucalyptus is considered one of the best natural remedies for the treatment of a painful, excruciating cough. It is used universally: for disinfecting the room in which the patient is located, inhalations with an aroma lamp, steam and cold, throat irrigation, massage and balneological procedures.

In chronic bronchitis, eucalyptus oil is also used to facilitate expectoration of viscous sputum. This remedy has the ability to expand the narrowed lumens of the bronchi and cough up mucus accumulations.

For dry cough, eucalyptus oil is recommended to be mixed with chamomile, and for wet cough - with tea tree oil. For children, add one or two drops of oils to water (per glass), for adults - about three to four.

Cold inhalations of eucalyptus oil can be done by inhaling it directly from the bottle.

For a warming massage of the upper body and feet, make an oil mixture in a 1:1 ratio with any table vegetable oil.

Add two to five drops of oil to the medicinal bath.

This remedy can also be used internally by drinking tea with a drop of this aromatic remedy added.

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Tea tree oil

A pleasant, unobtrusive aroma combined with anti-inflammatory activity makes this essential oil one of the most widely used. It is non-toxic and usually does not cause irritation. However, it is considered a fairly strong antiseptic.

For an aroma lamp for rooms with an area of 15 m², the recommended dosage is from five to eight drops.

For a 200 liter bath, add 5-7 drops of sea salt, honey or oil solution.

Steam inhalations are done over a bowl of well-heated water, to which one or two drops of aromatic substance are added.

Tea tree oil for bronchitis for patients of any age is mixed with an oil base in a ratio of 2:3; for warm oil compresses, it is diluted in a ratio of 1:2.

Cedar oil

The product has the properties to relieve inflammation of the respiratory organs, normalize breathing, having an expectorant effect and stopping coughing fits. In addition, the oil has a calming effect.

Cedar oil for aromatherapy for bronchitis is added to the lamp at a rate of four to seven drops per 15 m².

For steam inhalation, add one or two drops of oil to a bowl of boiling water.

Rubbing is done with a mixture in a 1:1.5 ratio with a base oil; four to seven drops of cedar oil are added to the bath.

Cedar oil is also taken internally. It is made from cedar nuts, it is rich in vitamins and microelements, helps maintain immunity at the proper level and strengthen the weakened one, which is the main thing in the treatment of both acute and chronic diseases. Oil of golden-yellow color, a fairly dense consistency, with a pleasant nutty smell, combined with the aroma of coniferous wood, is considered high-quality. Cedar oil is also available in capsules. For internal use, this is the best option.

In addition to those described above, other essential oils are also used in the treatment of bronchitis, most often in combination. In case of complications of a viral infection, thyme, rosewood, cypress and rosemary oils are well suited.

Essential oils of orange, lemongrass, and peppermint oil help normalize breathing and restore the epithelium of the respiratory system.

Clove oil is recommended for purulent bronchitis with painful sensations when coughing; lavender oil also has an analgesic effect.

Ginger oil has expectorant properties, marjoram and jasmine oils are considered to thin phlegm, they are recommended for use when phlegm is stagnant in the bronchi.

For example, for steam inhalation you can use the following recipe: dissolve a tablespoon of honey in a bowl of water at a temperature no higher than 60℃, drop three drops of lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree oil into it, add another ten drops of camphor oil. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors for no more than ten minutes.

For rubbing, add to 50g of any oil base:

• four drops each of thyme, tea tree, chamomile and eucalyptus essential oils;
• two drops of sandalwood and bergamot oil, three drops of thyme;
• six drops each of thyme, sage and lavender essential oils, and nine drops of anise oil.

Table and other oils for bronchitis

In the treatment of bronchitis, not only essential oils are used, but also other types of oils, both as a base and as an independent remedy. Therefore, you can always find some product in the household to help yourself or a loved one suffering from coughing fits.

Cocoa butter

Fat synthesized from cocoa beans contains ascorbic, oleic, lauric, palmitic acids, triglycerides, tannins, tannins, minerals, vitamins A and E. Due to such a rich composition, cocoa butter helps the body resist viruses and bacteria, has an anti-inflammatory and general strengthening effect.

Cocoa butter can be rubbed in case of bronchitis. It helps to activate blood circulation and normalize respiratory function.

When the cough is caused by bronchitis, cocoa butter is added to warm milk, half a teaspoon per glass. This drink can be drunk by adults, children, pregnant and lactating women two or three times a day.

Cocoa butter can be mixed with propolis in proportions of one to ten parts. This potion should be taken an hour before meals three times a day, half a tablespoon.

This oil has virtually no contraindications; hypersensitivity to it is extremely rare.

Store cocoa butter in the refrigerator, placing it in a closed container. It will keep for a long time, the period depends on the degree of freshness of the purchased product and should be indicated on the packaging.

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Sea buckthorn oil

Sea buckthorn fruit oil extract with seeds is a natural multivitamin complex, especially rich in carotenoids and vitamin A, which gives it a bright orange color.

Sea buckthorn oil is used for bronchitis locally and orally, as it has a beneficial effect on the skin and mucous membranes, relieving inflammation, stopping the reproduction of pathogens and restoring the damaged surface, and also strengthens the immune system.

This oil can be used for steam inhalation by adding two teaspoons of it to a glass of hot water. It is a good alternative to essential oils that have strong odors that not all patients can tolerate.

You can use this complex for hot inhalation: in a container with hot (about 40℃) water, mix a tablespoon of sea salt and baking soda, then drip 20 drops of oil - camphor and sea buckthorn. Inhale the steam for at least ten to fifteen minutes.

You can put a compress of sea buckthorn oil on your upper chest and back and keep it on for an hour three times a day. You can leave it on overnight. The disadvantage of this treatment is the need to use old things and bed linen, which will then have to be thrown away, since it is unlikely that you will be able to wash out sea buckthorn oil stains.

As an immune-boosting agent, sea buckthorn oil extract is taken one teaspoon twice or three times a day a quarter of an hour before meals.

Castor oil

A well-known ancient laxative has also found application in getting rid of bronchitis. True, it is not used as an internal remedy. But to get rid of a cough, rub the patient before bed, mixing slightly warmed castor oil for bronchitis (two tablespoons) with one - turpentine. Rub the mixture into the skin of the upper chest and back, and also rub the feet. Dress the patient in woolen socks, a T-shirt and a sweater, cover well. In case of a strong cough, the procedure is carried out twice a day.

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Linseed oil

This product, unlike the previous one, is taken only orally. Its rich vitamin composition, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in the oil, especially Omega-3, which is quite rare in foods, make flaxseed oil a good alternative to medications for bronchitis. According to reviews, it also helps well with advanced chronic bronchial disease.

You can eat an hour after taking the oil. Adults are recommended to take a daily dose of one or two tablespoons. Children under six years of age are given one teaspoon. The dose is increased gradually, over two or three days.

For bronchitis, flaxseed oil can be used as an oil base for preparing mixtures for inhalation and rubbing.

This type of oil quickly oxidizes in the air, so an open bottle must be used within a month or a month and a half. It is afraid of light and high temperatures. Good oil has a yellow color with a greenish tint, a delicate aroma and is slightly bitter. If the oil has darkened, become cloudy, gone rancid and has a strong odor, it should be thrown away immediately. The shelf life of even a sealed bottle is not very long, so it should be used immediately after purchase.

Sunflower oil

This very common product, which can always be found in every kitchen, is also used to combat bronchitis. It can be used as a base for inhalations and rubbing for mixing with essential oils when required by the recipe.

An oil wrap can be done for a child with acute bronchitis. Heat a third of a glass of unrefined sunflower oil in a water bath, soak a towel in it and wrap the baby in it, wrap it in baking paper and a blanket on top.

Adults can make a compress with sunflower oil. Alternatively, after soaking a piece of cloth or towel in warmed sunflower oil, squeeze it out and soak it in black radish juice. Then apply it to the patient's chest and/or back, cover with tracing paper or parchment paper, wrap the patient warmly and cover him/her well. This procedure can be done at night if the black radish juice does not cause irritation.

Sunflower oil for bronchitis is used in various mixtures. For example, take equal parts of light flower honey, pine resin, crushed beeswax and refined oil. The ingredients are placed in an inert container and simmered in a water bath until a homogeneous state is achieved. The finished medicine is stored in the refrigerator. Take a teaspoon after two or three meals, be sure to wash it down with warm milk, half a tea cup of which will be enough.

You can soak mustard plasters in sunflower or olive oil,

This method of application is considered more gentle than the classic soaking in water. Mustard plasters in oil for bronchitis do not irritate sensitive skin, you can not be afraid of a burn in the place of their application.

Butter

Animal fats have always been used in folk medicine for respiratory diseases, especially such delicate fat as butter, which has no contraindications. Especially to relieve cough in children.

Butter for bronchitis is a common ingredient in many home recipes. There is probably no person who in childhood did not drink milk with butter for bronchitis. This simple remedy is drunk three to four times a day, and the cough really goes away quickly.

There are many different variations of this drink. For example, you can add ½ teaspoon of butter not to milk, but to cocoa or hot chocolate.

Or take two chicken egg yolks (six quail egg yolks), beat them until white with two full (heaping) teaspoons of sugar, pour in hot, but not boiling, boiled milk and add half a teaspoon of butter.

Warm milk with soda and butter has a good therapeutic effect for bronchitis. Hot milk is not suitable in this case, since the antiseptic properties of soda disappear at temperatures above 37℃, leaving only a taste.

Such drinks are drunk slowly, in small sips, at least twice a day.

Butter is also used to prepare ointments that are used for acute and lingering coughs. Take equal amounts, for example, a teaspoon of butter and honey, mix until smooth, heating in a water bath. Rub the collar area, upper chest and back with the prepared product without fanaticism. Cover with a layer of gauze, put a T-shirt on top and warmly wrap the patient. This procedure has no contraindications, except for honey intolerance.

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Stone oil

A mineral substance that is formed during the leaching of rocks and is a natural alum containing many mineral components necessary for the functioning of the human body - half of the periodic table, dissolves well in water and is used in the form of an aqueous solution.

Stone oil can cure inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, including bronchitis. Its action is based on the body receiving most of the necessary minerals and, as a result, activating its own defenses.

Chronic diseases require long-term treatment. Stone oil is diluted in warm water (no more than 60℃) in a ratio of a teaspoon per three-liter jar. The first time you need to dilute not a whole, but half a teaspoon.

Start taking one tablespoon of the solution during meals. If there is no deterioration, increase the dose every day, monitoring changes in your well-being.

The therapeutic dose is three glasses per day. They should be taken during the day, one at a time, half an hour before three main meals. It is achieved gradually, increasing the dose of the diluted solution and gradually switching to taking it before meals.

In chronic forms of bronchitis, the treatment cycle is twenty-eight days, after which a month-long break is taken and the cycle is repeated. Four treatment cycles can be carried out per year.

Store the prepared solution for no more than ten days away from sunlight at room temperature.

Before starting the treatment course, it is necessary to take blood and urine tests, and also monitor these laboratory parameters during treatment.

Acute forms of bronchitis and pneumonia are treated according to the following scheme: one tablespoon is taken half an hour before meals twice a day. If the patient has increased acidity of gastric juice, the interval is extended to an hour. The solution is prepared at the rate of one teaspoon per liter jar of boiled water at room temperature.

Compresses are made with a solution: a teaspoon of rock oil and a tablespoon of honey per glass of water. A piece of gauze is folded in six layers, dipped in the solution, squeezed out and applied to the chest and back in turn.

In order for treatment with any of the described oils to be successful, it is necessary to use, first of all, quality products. Conscientious manufacturers always indicate on the packaging the storage conditions that must be observed, and the expiration date of the product, after which it is unacceptable to use the oils.

Use Oils for the treatment of bronchitis during pregnancy

Pregnant women can use a small amount of essential oils. There is no such contraindication for eucalyptus oil, ginger oil, citrus oil, sandalwood oil and tea tree oil, which is very popular for bronchitis.

Although some of them are used with caution in the first half of pregnancy - tea tree, fennel, cypress, rose. At later stages they can be used.

Cedar oil is useful for pregnant women, as it contains all the necessary vitamins and microelements.

Also, when choosing an essential oil, expectant mothers should check whether they have an intolerance to the chosen aroma.

Contraindicated during pregnancy are oils of anise, wormwood, basil, camphor, sage, juniper, mint, thyme, fir and many others. These are usually poisonous substances or can stimulate contractions of the uterine muscles.

True, these contraindications concern mainly the action of these herbal remedies when taken orally and are related to the fact that serious studies of their effect on the body of pregnant women have not been conducted. And in a diluted form with a base of any vegetable oil (olive, sunflower), their use in the form of massage or one-two rubbing will not have a noticeable effect on the body.

For example, plants such as lavender and chamomile also have the ability to tone the muscles of the uterus, but if there is no threat of miscarriage, then their use is quite acceptable.

Castor oil should not be taken internally during pregnancy. Pregnant women should also be careful with flaxseed oil.

Stone oil is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Contraindications

Sensitization of the body is a general contraindication for all substances. Also, each of them, in addition to the general, has specific contraindications for use:

Fir oil is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, as well as for patients under three years of age who suffer from acute nephritis or peptic ulcers. It is not recommended to apply it to the skin in its pure form.

Camphor oil is not recommended for use by children under two years of age, expectant mothers, or epileptics.

Black cumin oil should not be taken internally by pregnant and lactating women (topical use is allowed); patients undergoing immunosuppressant therapy; diabetics; its internal use is not recommended in combination with antibiotics and expectorants.

Eucalyptus oil is not prescribed to children under two years of age, patients with whooping cough and bronchial asthma.

Tea tree oil is not prescribed to children of preschool age (in other sources - the lower age limit is 10 years), it is not used internally. Use by pregnant women has not been well studied, but externally and for a short time is quite acceptable.

Sea buckthorn oil is not used internally if the patient has diarrhea, and it is also not recommended for people with increased acidity of gastric juice, inflammatory processes and the formation of stones in the pancreas, gall bladder and urinary tract.

During the course of treatment with stone oil, it is necessary to exclude antibiotics, alcoholic beverages, fatty meat and poultry, caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea), cocoa bean products, radishes and horseradish. It is not prescribed to children, people with severe chronic diseases in the decompensation stage.

Thermal procedures – baths, steam inhalations, intensive rubbing and compresses are contraindicated at elevated body temperature, as they can provoke a further increase.

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Side effects Oils for the treatment of bronchitis

Adverse effects usually accompany overdose, failure to comply with storage conditions, or use after the expiration date.

Side effects often include allergic reactions, nausea, headaches, and photosensitivity.

Castor oil causes diarrhea when taken internally.

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