Give Your Lungs a Rest With These Essential Oils For Cough
Your co-worker was coughing yesterday, and this morning you have a ticklish sensation in your throat. You know the signs all to well. You reach for your stash of vitamin C, but it’s too late. You’ve caught the bacteria that was passing through the air.
Dang it, you might be sick.
Coughing is actually good for you, it’s actually the body’s natural protection mechanism against irritants in your throat and airways. Whenever an irritant stimulates your nerves, the brain receives a cough impulse and signals the abdominal and chest wall muscles to expel the irritant by giving a strong push of air to the lungs.

Lifestyle problems
Not only is a non stop coughing irritating and uncomfortable, but it also makes it difficult conversing or speaking with others. People around you at work or college may also get irritated with it. Even though you may cover your mouth with a handkerchief of hands, you may still release infectious organisms into the air which quickly infects people who have weakened immune systems.
Non stop coughing also leads to:
- sleeplessness: since you’re waking yourself up or unable to relax at night
- urinary incontinence: because the bladder is subjected to continuous pressure,
- headaches: because of the pressure build-up in the throat and mouth
- constant irritation
- daytime fatigue
Those suffering from a chronic cough usually end up with shortness of breath, which in turn makes them feel tired. The only upside might that coughing is that you’ll feel like you’re getting a great workout for your abdominal muscles.
While an occasional bout is normal and healthy, a persistent one lasting for weeks or which leads to bloody or discolored mucus may suggest an underlying condition requiring medical attention.
Common causes
The common causes are the common cold, flu, inhaling some irritant, allergies, asthma especially in children, postnasal drip, bronchitis, and GERD.
Other possible causes are:
- sinus infection
- choking
- hay fever
- some medications
- neuromuscular diseases
- tuberculosis
- lung cancer
- laryngitis
It’s better to consult your doctor if it doesn’t stop in a few weeks or if there is thick, greenish-yellow phlegm, wheezing, a fever of more than 38°C or if there is shortness of breath. You need emergency care if there is choking, difficulties in breathing or swallowing or if the phlegm is bloody or pink-tinged.
Treatment
There are lots of cough and cold medicine which you can take as treatment. However, it’s important you know its proper dosage and name, and are aware of its possible side effects. This is because lots of medicines contain ingredients which may interact with any other medicine you take.
Do not take medicine with similar ingredients as it can lead to an overdose and duplication of medicinal effects. Many tablets or syrups can also result in drowsiness, which in turn hampers your mental alertness. This is why it’s better not to drive, or operate any machinery while on the medication. NOt very convenient if you ask me. Just because you have a cough, it doesn’t mean time stops, or there are less things to do.
Additionally some medication may also contain ingredients like pseudoephedrine which increases blood pressure, not ideal for people who are already taking high blood pressure medication.
Our Top Picks and Recommended Blends
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Model | Natural Riches Respiratory Essential Oil Breathe Blend | doTERRA Breathe Respiratory Blend | Edens Garden Breathe Easier Synergy Blend |
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Non-GMO | |||
Price | $ 11.50 | $ 29.00 | $ 11.95 |
Read More | Read More | Read More |
Say No to Side Effects and Yes to Natural Options
Instead of going through these dangers and side effects of these medicines, why not try a natural remedy using essential oils? Essential oils not only offer a potent and natural treatment which alleviates all your symptoms, but can also be used on the surfaces in your home and office to eliminate surrounding viruses and provide a natural boost to your body immune system.
Essential oils also provide an energy boost and the moods of people around you to help you relax and feel less stressed, which helps you recover from being sick. This is attributed to the antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, disinfectant, astringent, anti-inflammatory, improved immune support and pain relieving properties of the oils.
To help you make use of these benefits of essential oils, below you’ll find a list and some tips on how to suppress that bothersome coughing. Below you will find what essential oils are good for cough.
Essential Oil For Cough
1. Frankincense essential oil
This is an essential oil with natural cold-fighting properties like anti-inflammatory, astringent and antiseptic properties along with remarkable rejuvenation and healing properties. It helps reduce anxiety by helping you not worry about important work you can’t do because of your sickness.
Application: Frankincense essential oil can be used as a decongestant and reduce aches and pains when used in a hot bath. Mix 2 drops each of frankincense and orange essential oils with a drop of eucalyptus essential oil into your bath water for immediate relief.
Alternative use: You can also add a few drops of the oil to a bowl of steaming water and inhale a few times a day while placing a towel on your head for relief from congestion and headache.
2. Lemon essential oil
This essential oil is famous for treating flu, reducing fevers and treating fatigue as it’s an energizing essential oil with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Use: Blend 4 drops each of lemon, tea tree, and lavender essential oils for a diffuser blend, and additional 4 Tsp. carrier oil like coconut or almond for a massage oil blend.
Caution: Beware that this is a phototoxic oil, avoid using it outdoors in the sunlight.
3. Eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus oil provides an efficient remedy by easing breathing with its vapors. However, it shouldn’t be taken orally as it’s toxic.
Application: Add few drops of eucalyptus essential oil into a diffuser, vaporizer, or a hot bath relieves congestion.
Extra blend: Or a blend of 2 drops each of peppermint and lavender essential oils with 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil into the same methods above.
Alternative recipe: You can also make a chest rub by mixing 4 drops each of eucalyptus and cedar wood essential oils with 2 drops myrrh essential oil and 4 tsp carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil and massage it to your chest twice a day.
4. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint oil has a high concentration of menthol, making it perfect for cold and flu relief as menthol helps treat congestion and stuffed airways while relieving body aches and pains. The oil also has a mild warming effect that feels great on sore muscles.
Best use: It can be used for steam inhalation by mixing 3 drops of peppermint oil with 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.
Model | Non-GMO | Price | |||
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Plant Therapy KidSafe Wellness Roll-On Sampler Set | $ 28.99 | Read More | |
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Living Pure’s #1 Respiratory Sinus Relief Blend | $ 12.95 | Read More | |
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ArtNaturals 100% Pure Eucalyptus Essential Oil | € 14.95 | Read More | |
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Radha Beauty Peppermint Essential Oil | $ 14.95 | Read More |
Essential oil for toddler cough
For the little ones in your life, there is nothing worse than watching them be in pain and not being able to do anything about it. Find out which essential oils are safe for kids, and get them feeling better in no time.
Other Cough Suppression Options
In addition to these best essential oils for cough, you can soothe your sore throat by keeping yourself hydrated with warm liquids like broth, tea or lemon juice and honey in warm water. If you can t stop coughing, gargling with salt water 4-5 times a day also helps as it loosens mucus and reduces throat inflammation by eliminating bacteria and toxins. Get your respiratory system back up and running with a few easy steps.
Stop keeping yourself, and your loved ones up at night. Start breaking easy and clear today!