Asthma is a chronic or acute inflammation of tissue that causes the lungs and airways to swell. When asthma attacks occur, the inside walls of the airways become inflamed, causing them to become sensitive and making breathing hard. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and breathing problems.
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant oils that come from the aromatic compounds of a plant. They are extracted from the flowers, leaves, roots and other parts of certain plants.
8 Essential Oils to Relieve Asthma & Clear Respiratory Infection
Clove Oil
This essential oil has antispasmodic and antiviral properties, it can reduce the muscle tension during an asthma attack and fight with respiratory viruses. Use it by diffuse it in vaporizer or oil diffuser. You can also use clove oil as a chest rub but mix it with some carrier oil before chest rub.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil has decongestant and antihistamine properties that relieve asthma attacks. Combine 2 drops of peppermint essential oil with one drop of lemon, 8 drops of lavender, and 20 drops of carrier oil.
Lavender Oil
This essential has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties that can help manage asthma. It is best in mild asthma attacks. Using lavender oil as an asthma remedy is by adding several drops into a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It relieves breathing difficulties in asthmatic patients instantly when inhaled. Combine 25 drops of the oil with 5oz of water in an atomizer bottle to make a mist and then inhale the vapor.
Frankincense Oil
This essential oil is highly expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. It eliminates congestion from the nasal passages and lungs, that cause by asthma. Frankincense oil also combats stress and anxiety. Just massage the oil as a chest rub to relieve congestion.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has a strong scent that helps in decongesting airways. The oil contains eucalyptol, which breaks any phlegm and mucous in your system and allows you to breath easily. Adds a few drops of the oil to hot water, then breathe the steam from this combination to expand your congested airways and relax lung spasms.
Tea Tree Oil
This essential oil is an effective expectorant mucous from your body. Mucous causes coughing and wheezing in asthma patients. Place a clean face towel in warm water, wring, and add a few drops of tea tree oil on the damp, warm towel. Breathe through the warm towel until cool. Repeat until you feel relieved.
Chamomile Oil
Roman chamomile is one of the most popular natural interventions against asthma. Its relaxant effects, which also make it a good sleep aid, may be responsible for relaxing the bronchial muscles that narrow the airways during an asthma attack.
Sources:
[1] http://essentialoilbenefits.com/essential-oils-for-asthma/
[2] http://www.searchhomeremedy.com/effective-essential-oils-for-asthma-relief/
[3] http://healthimpactnews.com/2014/study-lavender-essential-oil-has-anti-inflammatory-effect-on-asthma/
[4] http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/962/152040/essential-treatment/
