Both asthma and bronchitis are inflammation of respiratory airways. In asthma, inflammation of the respiratory lining tightens up the airway muscles and causes swelling, which eventually makes the airways narrower. Conversely in bronchitis, the lining of the airways get infected by virus 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 both 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 8 best essential oils for asthmatic bronchitis treatment:
- 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 extremely helpful in reducing the chances of bronchitis in asthma patients. Moreover, the sedative 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 together. Gently rub your chest and back with it in between the episodes of the attacks.
Tea tree essential oil is highly effective in healing asthma as well as subsequent respiratory conditions including a severe cough and bronchitis. Being an expectorant, makes the secretion of mucus or sputum easy through our bronchial passages, thereby providing relief from 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.
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It is the strong aroma of eucalyptus essential oil that makes it a superb natural remedy for asthmatic bronchitis. The oil contains a certain colorless organic compound called ‘eucalyptol’, which helps in opening up the airways in our lungs by breaking up mucus, phlegm, etc. Thus, the bronchial passages get decongested and we become able to breathe easily.
Application: Take hot water in a large pot and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to it. 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 great expectorant that works like tea tree oil and helps in decongesting our bronchial passages. The anti-inflammatory properties of this essential oil also play a key role in relieving stress and anxiety, which eventually eases asthma attacks and makes breathing easy for the patients.
Application: Frankincense essential oil is mostly used by wafting its scent into the air with the help of a reed diffuser. However, it can also be used to rub the chest gently for opening up the congested airways.
Also Read – Guide to Blending Essential Oils the Right Way Here
- 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 make stuffy nose clear 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 body.
Application: Add 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil to a cotton pad and breathe the vapor in for the next 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, mix the oil with a carrier oil of your choice (preferably jojoba oil / sweet almond oil/olive oil) and rub your chest with the blend at least twice every day.
The best thing about oregano essential oil is that it comes with amazing 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, you need to 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.
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Inflammation of the respiratory tract is one of the biggest causes of bronchitis in asthmatic people and lavender essential oil is the perfect remedy for it. The oil is a strong anti-inflammatory agent with high sedative 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, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic by nature and all of these characteristics contribute to its super-effectiveness towards the healing of asthmatic bronchitis. The oil can expand our constricted airways efficiently to help us breathe easily and smoothly.
Application: Dilute clove essential oil with a good carrier oil like sweet almond oil or even water and rub your chest with it gently. You may also make use of an oil diffuser and diffuse the oil in the air for 15-20 minutes.
The strong 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.
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