Relieve Coughing with Essential Oils

I was just thinking, oh good, I didn’t get bad allergy this year.  I spoke too soon!  Within a few days, I started to get sore throat and the tight sensation in the chest  during night.  Now, I remember I had uncontrollable coughs in the middle of the night and slept with cough candies in the month for several nights last year.  This year, I did differently.

In the last post, I described properties of several essential oils.  One of the properties of eucalyptus essential oil is expectorant, and it's in commercial vapor rubs. 

First, I rinse the nasal cavity with a Neti pot with warm saline solution and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil at least twice a day.  (Update: I found 2 drops may be better although it causes sneezing.)  I made a salve with organic body butter I had and eucalyptus oil.  Before going to bed, I put it on the neck, chest, under my nose, and feet (see below).  The first night I woke up with coughs from tickles in the throat, I put the salve around the throat, and I could go back to sleep without more coughs. 

Next day, I found a recipe and made a different rub with coconut oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil.  It is liquid because coconut oil melts in the warm room temperature (I didn’t care for the smell either, so I would use unscented body butter).  Again, I put it on the neck, chest, under my nose and feet. When my throat tickled at night, this time, I massaged gently with the oil along the throat, where it tickled.  The tickling stopped immediately, and I could go back to sleep.  Since then, I haven’t woken up at night from coughs.  The tightness in the chest is gone, but I still feel tickling in the throat at night, so I keep putting on the oil before going to bed.  

The reason I put the salve on the feet is that reflexes on the feet correspond to the parts of the body (reflexology).  The toes and the front and back of the upper feet correspond to sinuses, nose, throat, lungs, chest and lymph.  It also feels really good to massage feet.  I will discuss more about reflexology some other time.

Introduction to Essential Oils

I have been learning about essential oils because massage therapists can incorporate aromatherapy in their practice.  I haven’t used it in my practice yet because I want to ensure safety for my clients.  Some oils and scent could trigger negative responses in people with certain conditions such as pregnancy, high blood pressure and epilepsy.  I myself have acute sense of smell, and my skin is relatively sensitive, so I understand popular oils may not be beneficial for everybody.  If you would like to experience aromatherapy by somebody else, I would recommend you find a “certified” aromatherapist.  

I first started using essential oils in cleaning and laundry (I make homemade cleaning supplies such as cleaning sprays and air freshener).  It is amazing how many important properties essential oils have.  Here are main properties of some of the essential oils I have.  

• Clove: antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, 
• Eucalyptus: anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant
• Lavender: analgesic, antifungal, anti-infections, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic 
• Tee tree: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, antiseptic, expectorant, stimulant

I refer to this website for my personal use.  It’s based on the book Modern Essentials and describes oil properties and application information for children/sensitive skin and pregnancy (guide).  It is important to know your conditions (allergy, skin type and etc.) and try a patch test before applying oils.

As I wrote in the post about massage products, I care about anything I use for my body (and clients’).  There are many brands of essential oils, and the quality varies by companies.  Make sure that they are NOT “fragrance” oil, cheap, or from a drug store as the website above warns (more information).  I also found this article about what’s the best brand of essential oils, and I would like to try their products. 

I haven’t still learned how to mix different essential oils.  I normally use one or two oils because I like to smell individual distinguished scent.  I have noticed that mixing several oils cancels out their scent and becomes totally different, sometimes unpleasant, or one dominates others.  But, maybe that’s the fun part of mixing essential oils to make your own blend.  I will keep learning!

Relieve Your Sinus Symptoms (2)

Have you tried a “Neti pot”?  When I lived in Austin, Texas, which the locals claim the “Allergy Capital of the World,” everybody was talking about the “Neti pots.”  It is a plastic or ceramic pot like a little tea pot. 

You put the spout into one of your nostrils, pour salt water solution in and let it out from the other nostril.  You will be surprised or confused if it is even possible when you first hear about it, so here is the video showing how to do it.  There is another squeeze bottle type, but I’ve never tried it.

Once you get used to using it, it’s very therapeutic, believe it or not.  I use it after I spend outside for a long time, clean a dusty place, or when I get a headache or a cold.  I try to use it as a preventative care.  If you are prone to sinus problems, it is more effective if you use it everyday. 

Also, inhaling steam may provide you a relief.  Put hot water in a bowl and a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus, thyme, lemon or tea tree). Then, lean over the bowl with eyes closed.  Cover with a bath towel over your head and the bowl like a tent to fill with the aromatic steam.  Breathe through the nose and month. Make sure to lean comfortably and support your upper body with elbows without straining your back.