The Best Essential Oils for Asthma
Asthma affects more than 2 million people in the United States. Characterized by swelling of the passageways in the lungs, it can periodically create symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. These flare ups are called asthma attacks and can be quite severe. Asthma is often exacerbated or triggered by environmental factors such as pollen.
Asthma is often treated with medications and inhalers. These methods are effective, but can also be costly and may cause side effects. As a result, a natural method of controlling asthma may be preferable. Essential oils, which come from plants and trees, are both natural and powerful. Certain of these oils, such as those described below, have a track record of helping to alleviate asthma. Though you should not take essential oils without consulting your doctor, they may allow you to breathe easier during an asthma attack.
Doterra Breathe Oil
Doterra Breathe is one of Doterra's line of essential oils blends. It consists of a combination of seven oils: Eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, ravensara, laurel leaf, and cardamom. Each of these essential oils have their own healing properties. For instance, peppermint relieves tension and improves breathing, while laurel leaf is used to improve mood. Together, however, these oils combine to powerfully ease respiratory problems and improve breathing in order to combat problems such as asthma.
Consumers report that this blend works well on alleviating their asthma as well as other issues that interfere with breathing, such as allergies and colds. In fact, even consumers who prefer to make their own blends choose Doterra Breathe because of its effectiveness and because of its pleasing smell. Doterra Breathe can be diffused throughout a room, or one or two drops may be applied to areas of the body such as the neck and feet.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is derived from the eucalyptus tree and is known for its fragrance, and freshness that makes it a good choice for occasionally improve one's breath. Some of its uses include as a way to reduce inflammation, improve the health of the skin, and reduce anxiety.
In addition to these uses, however, one of the primary uses of eucalyptus oil is as a respiratory support for any number of breathing problems. Consumers report successfully using this essential oil to ease seasonal allergies, clear sinuses, and improve asthma. As a result, it can serve as an effective aid for not only temporary and minor issues but also the more serious problems related to chronic asthma. Because it improves breathing, it is also credited with improving sleep.
Eucalyptus oil can be applied directly to the body after dilution in a carrier oil. It can also be dissolved in hot water and the steam inhaled, or inhaled after application to a cotton ball. Regardless of the way it is applied, it should quickly provide breathing relief for the user.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a fragrant and popular essential oil that is a combination of the essential oils from spearmint and watermint. It is best known for its appealing aroma and flavor, which is often used in toothpaste and gum to impart a refreshing flavor and to help freshen breath.
One of the components in peppermint oil is menthol. This element plays a role in clearing sinuses and, therefore, allows peppermint to act as effective aid for alleviating the symptoms of asthma, colds, and other respiratory problems.
Peppermint is best used by direct application to the skin (for instance, around the face and neck) and by use in a diffuser, where it can be inhaled. The aroma from the oil can also be inhaled after the oil has been applied to a cotton ball. Regardless of how it is applied, only one or two drops suffice to provide asthma relief and improve breathing.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense essential oil has been beloved oil for centuries, and appears in the Bible as one of the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the Magi. Over the years, it has been used in many different ways, from improving the look and feel of the skin to calming anxious moods.
Because this essential oil works as an anti-inflammatory agent, it also eases the swelling that characterizes an attack of asthma. By reducing this swelling, frankincense can improve breathing in the asthma sufferer.
There are a number of ways in which the oil can be applied to the asthma sufferer. For instance, a few drops can be used in a diffuser or dissolved in hot water and the steam then inhaled. One or two drops may also be rubbed into the hands, nose, chest, or feet. Regardless of the method used, the consumer should experience reduced asthma symptoms relatively quickly after beginning to use frankincense.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is another popular and beloved essential oil, because of its sweet fragrance and soothing properties. Consumers report using this oil for many different issues, from relaxation to allergies to improved sleep.
One of the primary characteristics of lavender essential oil is its ability to reduce inflammation. It is this property that makes it a good choice for anyone seeking a natural way to relieve the symptoms caused by asthma. Because it can reduce the swelling caused by asthma, it can improve the difficulty breathing, the coughing, and the chest tightness that characterizes an asthma attack.
Lavender essential oil may be applied in a variety of ways. For instance, one or two drops can be combined with other essential oils known for relieving asthma, such as peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil. It can be placed in a diffuser for distribution throughout the room, or inhaled by dissolving it in hot water and breathing in the steam.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is renowned primarily for its appealing aroma. However, there is far more to this essential oil than simply a pleasing smell. Instead, it can also serve as a powerful way to treat many kinds of health issues, from toothaches to acne to poor circulation.
As a way to reduce the breathing difficulties and associated with asthma, clove oil is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reduction agent. The oil helps to minimize the swelling in the lungs that creates the symptoms of an asthma attack, thereby loosening up chest tightness and making it easier for the sufferer to breathe.
Clove oil may be used in a diffuser to spread its scent and healing properties throughout the room. It may also be applied to the chest after being mixed with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil. When used in these ways, it can serve as an effective natural remedy for asthma attacks.
