Why Do We Cough?

When our body is full of harmful microbes, irritants or dust, coughing is a common reaction of the respiratory system to try and expel them. This natural reflex can be extremely irritating, and even painful, but it is essential to help protect your lungs The worse part, is that coughing sometimes can even keep us up at night, which can impact our sleep quality until the duration of the cough.  

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are organic compounds extracted from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, seed or root of a plant or tree and have several healing properties. The oils in the plants are made up of very small molecules that can penetrate your cells, and some can even penetrate the blood-brain barrier. These oils are highly concentrated and have a strong aroma and can be used in aromatherapy and their benefits range from mental to physical healing.

Top Essential Oils For Cough

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil contains a compound called cineole, which has antiseptic properties. It works as an expectorant to help loosen mucus in our bodies which allows us to get it out of our system easier and faster. Applying eucalyptus oil can help dilate our blood vessels, in return, allowing more oxygen to get to our lungs This can be especially useful if we are coughing so much that it is hard to catch a breath.

To use eucalyptus oil for cough, diffuse 4- 5 drops in a diffuser or hot water or inhale directly from the bottle. You can also apply 1-2 drops topically to your chest and back of neck to reduce cough severity. It often works best at night when coughing spells are more deviant. Eucalyptus oil should not be used on the skin of children under the age of 2.

Peppermint Essential Oil

If we need to unclog our nasal passages, peppermint essential oil is our go to oil. The menthol in peppermint provides cooling effects that can help unclog our nasal passages, allowing us to be able to breath better. Menthol also acts as a natural expectorant that loosens phlegm and clears the sinuses. Peppermint oil is an antibacterial agent that can help fight against flu and cold germs that cause infections that causes our cough. It can also be used to relieve a scratchy throat that can be common with dry cough.

Diffuse 5 drops of peppermint oil in an essential oil diffuser or hot water or apply 2-3 drops of the oil topically to your chest, temples, and back of the neck. You don’t have to dilute peppermint oil with a carrier oil for it is safe to use directly on the skin. If you want, however, you can dilute it with equal parts of a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil if you have sensitive skin or want to cover a larger surface area of skin. Peppermint oil should not be used on the skin of children under the age of 2.

Lemon Essential Oil

If your cough is caused by toxins, then lemon oil is the best choice to help your body get rid of the toxins that are causing you to cough. It supports the drainage of lymph nodes and allows our immune system to fight any underlying illnesses that is actually causing the cough. It supports our lymphatic system which protects our bodies from outside threats by improving blood flow and reducing swelling in our lymph nodes. Not only that, lemon oil also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can not only fight infections but naturally cleanse your home as well.

You can diffuse 3-4 drops of lemon oil in an essential oil diffuser, hot water or inhale directly from the bottle. You can also apply it topically to your neck. To use internally, add 1-2 drops of a high quality, pure grade oil to warm water with honey in a glass of water. 

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil contains a compound called cineole which has been shown to slow or even stop coughing spells. It does so by relaxing the muscles in the trachea which helps relieve cough. Rosemary oil contains cineole which is a compound that has shown to reduce coughing spells as well as containing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties which can help boost the immune system.

To use rosemary oil, diffuse 2-3 drops in an essential oil diffuser, hot water or inhale it directly from the bottle to stop or prevent coughing spells. You can also combine 2 drops with a half teaspoon of a carrier oil such as coconut oil and rub it into your chest. Rosemary should not be used on the skin of children under the age of 2 or by women who are pregnant. 

Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano essential oil is a powerful oil that contains carvacrol and thymol which makes it a powerful antifungal and antibacterial oil. These two agents found in oregano oil helps fight the potential cause of the illness that is causing the cough. Oregano oil is also considered an antiviral oil that helps fight, not only colds, but more serious infections as well caused by a virus and not bacteria. This is great because many respiratory conditions are actually caused not by bacteria, but by viruses and many of these viruses cause us to cough.

To use oregano essential oil, diffuse 3-5 drops in an essential oil diffuser, hot water or inhale directly from the bottle. Oregano oil is a very strong oil and should ALWAYS be diluted with a carrier oil at a concentration of 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of olive oil per drop of oregano oil and apply to the back of the neck, chest and the bottom of the feet.  

Tea Tree Essential Oil

One of the main uses of tea tree oil that has been used for centuries is its known ability to fight of harmful bacteria that can lead to respiratory problems. This oil has strong antimicrobial and antiviral properties that fight off bacteria and viruses that are responsible for many upper respiratory issues that can cause cough. If we are experiencing nasal congestion, the invigorating fragrance of tea tree oil can help clear congestion and ease cough.

To use tea tree oil, diffuse 2-3 drops in an essential oil diffuser, hot water or inhale directly from the bottle. You can also dilute tea tree oil in a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil and apply to the back of the neck or your chest area. Tea tree oil cannot be used internally and shouldn’t be used by pregnant women. 

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is known to have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that can all be beneficial to help our bodies combat coughs and even shorten our cold or flu symptoms. Frankincense can be used to reduce stubborn coughs and other respiratory issues that can lead to coughing. It can also help us relax and heal.

To use frankincense oil for coughs, you can diffuse 2-3 drops of oil in an essential oil diffuser or hot water or inhale the scent directly from the bottle. To use topically on the back of the neck or the chest. Frankincense oil doesn’t need to diluted with a carrier oil, but if you would like, you can mix equal parts of frankincense oil with carrier oil and rub the mixture on the back of the neck and chest as well. You can also take hot baths with 2-3 drops of oil added to the bath or use this oil in a massage. 

Precautions When Using Essential Oils for Cough

When using essential oils for cough, be sure the oils being used are 100 percent therapeutic grade oils, especially if you are taking them internally. Of these oils, eucalyptus, rosemary and tea tree should not be used on pregnant women. If you are pregnant and planning on using oregano essential oil, use caution and speak with your healthcare provider or a professional before use. When using essential oils for cough on a child, it is best to diffuse eucalyptus oils, peppermint, lemon, oregano and tea tree oil from a distance. When using on a child’s skin, be sure to dilute the essential oils, use a small amount of oils and perform a patch test first before application.