Both asthma and bronchitis are inflammation of respiratory airways. In asthma, inflammation of the respiratory lining tightens the airway muscles and causes swelling, eventually narrowing the airways. Conversely, in bronchitis, the lining of the airways gets infected by viruses or bacteria, leading to wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, etc. However, some people might experience a more severe medical condition called ‘asthmatic bronchitis’ in which asthma and acute bronchitis occur together.
While there are many triggers of asthmatic bronchitis, such as viral or bacterial infections, allergens, environmental pollution, smoking, toxic chemicals, and so on, most of them can be treated naturally and successfully with essential oils. We have listed down the eight best essential oils for asthmatic bronchitis treatment: (1)
Bergamot And Roman Chamomile Essential Oil Mix
Both bergamot essential oil and Roman chamomile essential oil act as antispasmodics. They prevent the narrowing of bronchial passages by relieving the spasm of involuntary muscles. It is beneficial in reducing the chances of bronchitis in asthma patients. Moreover, the soothing properties of these two essential oils ease mild to severe asthma attacks by lowering tension and relaxing the whole body.
Application: Prepare an essential oil blend by mixing 2-3 drops each of bergamot essential oil and Roman chamomile essential oil. Gently rub your chest and back with it between the attacks’ episodes.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree essential oil is highly effective in healing asthma and subsequent respiratory conditions, including severe cough and bronchitis. Being an expectorant makes the secretion of mucus or sputum easy through our bronchial passages, relieving coughing and wheezing.
Application: Soak a clean washcloth in lukewarm water and squeeze it to remove excess water. Now, pour a few drops of tea tree essential oil onto the damp washcloth and breathe through it. Once the washcloth cools down, repeat the entire procedure.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The pungent aroma of eucalyptus essential oil makes it a superb natural remedy for asthmatic bronchitis. The oil contains a specific colorless organic compound called ‘eucalyptol,’ which helps open the airways in our lungs by breaking up mucus, phlegm, etc. Thus, the bronchial passages get decongested, and we are quickly eaten.
Application: Add hot water in a large pot and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Then, lean over the pot gently and breathe the steam until you feel relieved and relaxed. You can also use a steam inhaler for this procedure.
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil is another excellent expectorant that works like tea tree oil and helps decongest our bronchial passages. The anti-inflammatory properties of this essential oil also play a crucial role in relieving stress and anxiety, which eventually eases asthma attacks and makes breathing easy for patients.
Application: Frankincense essential oil is used mainly by wafting its scent into the air with the help of a reed diffuser. However, it can gently rub the chest to open the congested airways.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The excellent decongesting properties of peppermint oil are attributed to ‘menthol,’ one of its most active components. It possesses antispasmodic qualities that clear a stuffy nose and reduce coughing, wheezing, etc., thereby relaxing our respiratory muscles and alleviating all sorts of breathing difficulties. The antihistamine properties of peppermint also prevent asthma attacks triggered by histamines released in our bodies.
Application: Add 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil to a cotton pad and breathe the vapor in for 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, mix the oil with a carrier of your choice (preferably jojoba oil / sweet almond oil/olive oil) and rub your chest with the blend at least twice daily.
Oregano Essential Oil
The best thing about oregano essential oil is its excellent antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which help us keep respiratory tract infections at bay upon inhalation. It has been seen that this essential oil provides relief to asthmatic bronchitis patients almost instantly.
Application: To inhale oregano oil vapors, take 5 oz of water in a spray bottle and pour 25 drops of the essential oil into it. Using an essential oil diffuser will also give you the same results.
Also Read – Why You Should Start Using Bergamot Essential Oil For Your Hair?
Lavender Essential Oil
Inflammation of the respiratory tract is one of the biggest causes of bronchitis in asthmatic people, and lavender essential oil is the perfect remedy. The oil is a robust anti-inflammatory agent with high soothing properties, which decrease pulmonary congestion and curtail asthmatic convulsions.
Application: Prepare an oil blend by mixing a few drops of lavender essential oil with equal amounts of eucalyptus essential oil and peppermint essential oil. Rub your chest gently with it. Alternatively, inhale the steam by adding the essential oil drops to a bowl of hot water and covering your head with a towel.
Clove Essential Oil
Clove essential oil is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and analgesic by nature, and all of these characteristics contribute to its super-effectiveness in treating asthmatic bronchitis. The oil can expand our constricted airways efficiently to help us breathe quickly and smoothly.
Application: Dilute clove essential oil with a suitable carrier oil like sweet almond or water and gently rub your chest. You may also use an oil diffuser and diffuse the oil in the air for 15-20 minutes.
The pungent aroma of these oils might trigger asthma symptoms even more in some patients. Hence, it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor before using essential oil for your chronic asthmatic bronchitis.
Also Read – 10 Anti-Aging Benefits of Oregano Oil
Summary
Asthmatic bronchitis involves inflammation of the airways, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Essential oils like bergamot, Roman chamomile, tea tree, eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint, oregano, lavender, and clove can aid treatment. They offer antispasmodic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory benefits, relieving bronchial congestion, reducing coughing, and easing breathing difficulties. Consultation with a doctor is advised due to potential triggers for asthma symptoms in some patients.
