Are you suffering from severe cough? Have you tried numerous medications but didn’t find them effective? Then worry not, as there is one ingredient that can give you relief from your condition – it is eucalyptus oil we are talking about.

Eucalyptus oil is extremely beneficial in alleviating conditions like coughing, sneezing, blocked nose, etc (1). The oil has been used in a variety of forms for centuries to treat different ailments, including wounds, fevers and respiratory ailments.

So, would you like to know how you can use eucalyptus oil to treat your cough? Then keep reading this post.

How Does Eucalyptus Oil Work To Treat Cough And Cold?

Flu virus and cold are the main reasons behind lung congestion and sinus problem. This is where eucalyptus oil can make a great deal of difference. Eucalyptus oil, when used topically, loosens the congestion and provides immediate relief from cough and cold symptoms.

Many health experts advise using the drops of peppermint, bergamot and eucalyptus oils together in the steam to dilute the congestion causing mucus (2). Steam makes it easier for you to breathe, and the essential oils easily enter your body to open up the tightened bronchial passages. They also penetrate deeply to eliminate the problem causing bacteria or viral infection.

The combination of lavender and eucalyptus works best in opening up the bronchial passages. Studies have proved that just 2% dilution of the eucalyptus oil can kill 70% of the airborne staphylococcus bacteria (3). The oil, along with anise and peppermint, reduces coughing by suppressing the cough reflex of the brain. To treat a runny nose and loosen severe congestion, combine cypress oil with eucalyptus oil in equal proportions and apply on the chest, nose, forehead and the back.

Creating Therapeutic Steam:

The oil penetrates the best when it is used with steam. To create the therapeutic effect, simmer water over a pan and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to it. If you have a humidifier, you can use it as a steamer. Use the compartment for essential oils in it for adding the drops of eucalyptus oil. This way, the oil stays on the upper layer of the water and is carried internally along with the vapors.

In case you are travelling and taking a steam is not possible, you can put some drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief or tissue and keep on inhaling it. Using a natural nasal inhaler will also help. These can be easily obtained from any drug or natural food store.

When flu is spreading like an epidemic in your area, you can use eucalyptus oil in the diffuser and spray it inside your home to disinfect the air. Combine the essential oil and water and use a spray bottle to dispense the natural disinfectant.

Other Methods To Treat Cough Using Eucalyptus Oil:

1. Several eucalyptus products are available in drug stores. Choose the one that contains eucalyptus from the Australian and blue gum tree. These two varieties of eucalyptus species carry the greatest medicinal properties (4).
2. Make eucalyptus tea by adding dried leaves of eucalyptus along with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Boil water and add a green tea bag to it. Simultaneously add eucalyptus leaves and oil and cover for around 15 minutes. You can add honey to enhance its taste. Sipping this tea thrice or five times a day helps to treat congestion and cough. Children should be given three cups of tea all through the day. Make fresh tea every time and drink it hot.
3. Rubbing the eucalyptus essential oil on the chest, back, feet and forehead helps to soothe cough and makes you sleep properly. It is important to dilute the eucalyptus essential oil with a cold carrier oil such as olive oil before application.

We hope this post has helped you. Let us know what you feel by commenting in the box below.

The post Is Eucalyptus Oil An Effective Remedy For Cough? appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Maanasi Radhakrishnan via STYLECRAZE