Essential oils for the respiratory system
Do you use oils for respiratory issues?
Essential oils can be incredible for the respiratory system, but which ones are best for allergies and which ones are best for colds? Let’s find out.
Essential oils good for the respiratory system:
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ct linalool: Relief for coughs, colds, sinus infections, asthma, bronchitis, flu, whooping cough fever and earaches.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): treats spasmodic coughs colds and respiratory complaints
Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica): treats excess phlegm, asthma, bronchitis, colds. Brings relief for coughs and respiratory complaints.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea): Good for asthma, bronchial spasms, throat and respiratory infections.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): expectorant, reduces swelling of the mucus membranes, loosens phlegm. Good for asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, sinus complaints, and throat infections.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii): Helps to calm the lungs and quiet coughs, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Good for infections.
Helichyrsum (Helichrysum italicum): Helpful for asthma, coughs, colds. Relieves allergies.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Works well for treating bronchitis, colds, asthma and whooping cough.
Orange, sweet (Citrus sinensis): Used to stimulate the immune system. Good for bronchitis, coughs, and is a great oil for children with respiratory complaints.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): Good for asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, pneumonia, sinusitis and spasmodic coughs.
Rose (Rosa damascena): Used for asthma, coughs and hay fever.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis): Used for sinus congestion, asthma, colds and coughs.
Sandalwood (Santalum album): Used for sinus congestion, colds and coughs.
Tea Tree (Melalueca alternifolia): Used for congestion and respiratory infections, coughs, sinusitis, whooping cough and TB
Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Acts as antispasmodic for persistent coughs and/or flu.
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea): Good for colds, coughs, catarrh, fever, tonsillitis, bronchitis, laryngitis.
Bay Laurel (Laurilus nobilis): Good for colds, flu, tonsillitis, viral infections and catarrh.
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum): Treats colds, chills and other flu symptoms.
Cinnamon Bark (Cinamomum zelylanicum): Has the ability to fight viral respiratory conditions including influenza.
Cistus (Cistus ladanifer): Helps treat bronchitis, respiratory infections, colds, coughs and rhinitis.
Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum): Decongestant, good for bronchitis.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Good for colds, flu, infections, measles.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): Treats asthma, bronchitis, chills, colic, coughs, laryngitis and issues with the mucus membrane.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare dulce): Supports the Respiratory system and helps with fluid retention.
Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua): Clears up congestion in nasal tracts, bronchi, larynx and pharynx due to bronchitis; promotes good sleep.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Decongestant
Ginger (Zingiber officinal): Brings relief for colds and sinus infections by expelling mucus from the lungs.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinallis): May be used as treatment for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, colds, viral infections and sore throats.
Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis): Acts as a decongestant with expectorant actions.
Marjoram (Origanum marjorana): Decongestant, good for respiratory infections.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha): Good for asthma, as a decongestant and bronchitis.
Myrtle (Myrtus communis): Helpful for asthma, coughs, colds, congestion, excessive bronchial catarrh, useful for children’s (Lemon or honey myrtle) cough and chest complaints.
Onycha, Benzoin (Styrax benzoin): Treats asthma, bronchitis, chills, colic, coughs, laryngitis and issues with the mucus membranes.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare): Used to treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs, colds, fevers, sore throats, flu and viral infections.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara fol): Acts as an immune stimulant against colds, coughs and sore throats.
Pine (Pinus slyvestris): Good for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, tonsillitis, sinusitis, colds and flu
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Treats inflammation of the mouth and throat as well as respiratory infections.
Silver fir (Abies alba): Treats asthma, bronchitis and helps with mucus build up, chills, coughs, and issues with the mucus membrane.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris var. linalool): Acts as an immune stimulant for colds, coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, strep throat whooping cough and good for asthma.
Best essential oils for children’s respiratory issues:
Bergamot
Atlas Cedarwood
Tea Tree
Frankincense
Lavender
Orange, Sweet
Black Pepper
Cypress
Pine
Silver Fir
Petitgrain
It’s important to note that some of these oils do come with some safety warnings and should be used with caution, low dilutions or not on children/in pregnancy or breastfeeding. I made a list of the kid-safe ones with general safety for ages 2+ and just know which oils to avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding. You can also check out my list of kid-safe, pregnancy safe and breastfeeding safe essential oils here. As well as check out my posts on essential oils in pregnancy and my post on essential oils with children.
How to use oils for respiratory issues?
The best way to use oils for respiratory issues is diffusion. There are many ways we can utilize diffusion however, especially when sick. A popular method for congestion is a steam treatment which can be done in a few different ways. The easiest way is a steam shower treatment, simply drop the essential oils you want to use in your shower and either sit in the bathroom with the shower on straight hot and steam for about 15 minutes or take a warm/hot shower with the essential oils. If you chose to take a shower be mindful of not dropping the oils where you could step on them and become irritated. Try dropping the drops by the drain or on the wall where the water runs down.
Another way to do a stream treatment is to get a bowl of boiling water, a towel and the oils you want to use. Drop 5-10 drops of choice (less is better though with this method) and lean over the bowl and place the towel on your head for about 15-30 minutes and breathe deeply. I do recommend keeping your eyes closed, especially if working with minty or spicy oils; such as peppermint, clove, cinnamon etc. I have found my eyes will start to sting after a while if I keep them open.
Some other ways to diffuse include diffuser jewelry, passive diffuser, diffuser and an aroma inhaler. All of these would be great ways to utilize inhaling essential oils and have their benefits. If you have young kids around and need to use oils that are unsafe for them I recommend using the aroma inhaler.
The exception to diffusing with the respiratory system would be for earaches, you would want to use a topical blend AROUND the ear. It is not recommended to put essential oils in the ear, even diluted. You can also apply a blend to a cotton ball and place that in the ear. Another exception would be if you wanted to make a homemade vapor rub/balm for congestion relief. This allows the oils to soak into the blood stream as well as allow the person to continue to smell the essential oils for awhile. I like using congestion balms for night time specifically.
Recipes for the respiratory system:
Congestion Blend for Kids:
Tea Tree
Frankincense
Pine, Cypress or Silver Fir
Congestion Blend for Adults:
Eucalyptus globulus
Tea Tree
Rosemary
Peppermint
Upper respiratory infection blend:
Black Pepper
Oregano
Basil
Ginger
Peppermint
Coughing Blend:
Cistus
Tea Tree
Rose
Inflammation Blend:
Sage
Benzoin
Cypress
Goodnight Sniffles Blend:
Lavender
German Chamomile
Galbanum
Asthma Blend:
Clary Sage
Frankincense
Pine
Earache Blend:
Lavender
Tea Tree
Basil
Helichrysum
Allergy Blend:
Helichrysum
Rose
Sage
As always, happy (and safe) oiling, and hopefully something in this blog post helped. This is also not a complete list by any means and there are several other oils out there that would be great for respiratory issues as well.
This blog post is not meant to treat, diagnose or make medical claims. Please consult with a doctor as needed. This is for educational purposes only. Sources used: Aromahut level 1&2 textbooks, Tisserand and Young's Essential Oil Safety guide. 