Coughing- What To Do About It Naturally
8:58 AM Posted by jo
Coughing
can really ruin a whole night's sleep, even for the non-coughing
members of the family. I remember when my daughter suffered from
persistent cough when we lived in moist and moldy house in Wales. The
cough didn't stop until I added essential oils to her treatment. I find
essential oils extremely helpful in treating respiratory disorders, many
times I used them in combination with herbal products. It is very easy
and convenient to use essential oils for colds, coughs, bronchitis, sinus problems, or other respiratory problems.
Dry or moist cough
Coughs
can be dry or moist, so when you choose the essential oils you need to
consider the nature of the cough. I use essential oils with expectorant
and mucolytic properties for moist coughs, and when the cough is dry I
use oils with antispasmodic and anti-tussive properties. Anti-tussive
and antispasmodic essential oils are especially useful at night if the
cough prevents sleep. Steam inhalations, chest rubs, and baths are just
some ways that I apply the oils. In my daughter's case I added drops of
cypress oil under her pillow at night.
Here is a chest rub I used several times for moist coughs:
4 drops rosemary
8 drops hyssop
12 drops eucalyptus
2 tbl. cold pressed vegetable oil
Mix
the essential oils with the vegetable oil. Massage the upper chest area
and lower neck, both front and back. Inhale the essences from the hands
before washing them. I use this blend a couple of times a day.
This is a chest rub I've used several times for dry coughs:
3 drops pine
12 drops eucalyptus
6 drops hyssop
2 tbl. cold pressed vegetable oil
2 tbl. cold pressed vegetable oil
Mix and use the same way as the previous rub for moist coughs.
A steam inhalation I used for both moist and dry coughs:
a bowl
4 cups of hot water
1 drop cedarwood
1 drop eucalyptus
1 drop hyssop
Pour
the hot water into the bowl. Add essential oils. Hold the head about 8
inches over the bowl with a towel over the head to form a tent. Inhale
slowly and deeply while keeping the eyes closed. Steam for about 5-10
minutes, two to three times a day. Cover the upper chest and neck with a
towel or blanket immediately following the treatment.
Cypress,
juniper, frankincense, lavender, myrrh, peppermint, and sandalwood are
other oils that historically have been used for coughs.
These
are just some suggestions on what to do using essential oils, if you
suffer from persistent cough for a longer time you should see a
physician.
The
posts Essential Oils and Bronchitis, Essential Oils and the Common Cold, Essential Oils for The Respiratory and Immune System will give you
more information about using essential oils for respiratory concerns.
Simple Home Remedies that have historically been used for coughs.
Syrup
You
can make a simple cough syrup from warm pineapple juice and two
teaspoons of honey. The bromelain in the pineapple is activated by the
honey.
You
can also make a cough syrup by mixing the juice of one lemon with two
tablespoons glycerine, and then add 12 teaspoons honey to the mixture
and stir. Stir before each use. I always use raw honey.
Ayureda
According
to the Ayureda tradition you can take equal part teaspoons of lemon and
honey. If you have a cough with mucus you can add 1/2 teaspoon ginger, a
pinch of clove, and a pinch of cinnamon to one cup of water.
You can also gargle by adding a pinch of salt and two pinches of turmeric to a glass of water.
Onion, pear and cinnamon
Another
remedy which is easy to make at home, is to slice an onion into a deep
bowl and cover with honey and let it sit over night. The next day you
strain the mixture and this will make a simple elixir. Another tasty
remedy is hot pear juice with a cinnamon stick. You can also add
cardamon and cumin to juices.
This post is linked to:
Simple Lives Thursday
Fat Tuesday
Healthy 2 Day Wednesdays hosted by the Humbled Homenaker
Wildcrafting Wednesday hosted by The Woodwife's Journal
The Better Mom Mondays Link-Up
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