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How to use Essential Oils (Part I - Inhalations)

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes. It uses range from aromatherapy, household cleaning products, personal beauty care and natural medicine treatments.

The particles in essential oils come from distilling or extracting the different parts of plants, including the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, resin and peels.

Essential oil benefits come from their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These healing oils are rapidly growing in popularity because they act as natural medicine without any side effects.

In this post I will talk about many different uses of Essential Oils, maybe the most common ones yet medicinal with lots of benefits.

Inhalations

Is the use of essential oils on hot compress, using diffusers, or onto hot water for inhalation. Standard dose is 10 drops depending on the strength of the herb / plant / flower used; some use 3, 5 or 7 drops. Some essential oils to consider include: Eucalyptus sp. (either E. globulus or E. radiata), Thyme ct. linalol (Thymus vulgaris), Lemon (Citrus limon), and Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia). Cover your head with a towel and breathe through the nose. Keep eyes closed!

Steam inhalations are indicated for:

Congestion in upper respiratory tract (cold or flu)
Sinus infection or sinusitis
Enhancing respiratory function
Being a natural expectorant (benefits the lungs and throat by acting like an effective natural expectorant)
Improved circulation providing relief from headaches and migraines
Pore cleansing and rejuvenation
Using with Essential Oils

Many find that aromatherapy (inhalation of essential oils) provides more relief than steam alone. To alleviate symptoms, essential oils may be added to the steaming water. These are generally used sparingly, with only two to three drops being used at a time, of course, this depending on the strength of the essential oil used.

Here’s a list of herbs / plants you can use to battle a particular ailment:

For upper respiratory and sinus congestion: Peppermint and/or eucalyptus
For headaches: Chamomile and/or lavender
For relaxation: Chamomile, lavender and/or lemongrass
For oily skin: Chamomile, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, anise, and/or fennel
For dry skin: Fennel, rosemary, sea buckthorn, peppermint and/or comfrey
For breathing difficulties: Eucalyptus, Pine
For bronchitis: Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary
For cold: Ginger, Bay, Cloves, Rosemary
For cough: Cardamom, Peppermint, Rosemary
For inflamed sinuses: Basil, Tea tree, Eucalyptus, Peppermint

I found this video that explain some uses of essential oils, some of them are fascinating (I didn't know you can add a drop of essential oil to your drinking water!). This video is from the Company Young Living, however, you can use any essential oil to achieve what you are looking for. Of course, some essential oils are made for burning only (ex. the Body Shop), so please be careful and read the instructions. I would recommend to visit organic shops or healthy food shops like Holland & Barrett.

This is article was shared by Rebecca from the TML Team

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7 Natural Cough Remedies

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Before you reach for an over-the-counter solution, try one of these natural remedies.

1. Steep some thyme to relieve a cough.

Thyme is an officially approved German treatment for coughs, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, and whooping cough, with good reason: Those tiny leaves are packed with cough-relieving compounds. Thyme flavonoids relax tracheal and ileal muscles, which are involved in coughing, and also reduce inflammation. To make a tea, mix 2 teaspoons crushed leaves in 1 cup boiling water, cover, then steep for 10 minutes and strain.

2. Keep garlic handy.

Garlic is packed with antioxidants and is perfect to protect you against a cough and cold. Apart from that garlic contains a compound known as allicin, which is known to have great anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.
Boil two to three cloves of garlic in a cup of water and add a teaspoon of oregano. Allow it to cool to room temperature, add some honey and drink it. This will help your breathing and alleviate other cough symptoms.
Eat a clove of crushed garlic mixed with a few drops of clove oil and some honey for sore throat relief. You can also use garlic in your cooking.

3. Turmeric.

The herb turmeric has a therapeutic effect on coughs, particularly a dry cough.
Heat half a cup of water in a boiling pot. Add one teaspoon turmeric powder, one teaspoon black pepper, and one tablespoon honey. You may also add cinnamon sticks. Boil this for about two to three minutes. Drink this daily until the condition improves.

Alternatively, make an herbal tea by adding one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of carom seeds to a cup of water, and boil it until water reduces to one-half cup. Add some honey and drink this herbal solution two to three times a day.
Another way to use turmeric is to roast turmeric root and grind it into a smooth powder. Mix it with water and honey, and drink it twice a day.

4. Ginger is one of the most popular natural cures for a cough.

Cut fresh ginger into small slices and crush them slightly. Put them in a cup of water and bring to a boil. Drink this herbal solution three to four times a day for relief from sore throat, non-stop coughing and even congestion. You can also some lemon juice and honey to it.
Another option is to chew fresh raw ginger on and off throughout the day to reduce your cough.

5. Lemon.

Lemons can be used in a variety of ways for curing coughs. Lemons have properties that reduce inflammation and also provide a dose of infection-fighting vitamin C.
A simple cough syrup can be made by combining two tablespoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey and heating it until warm. Drink this healthy syrup several times a day.
Another way to use lemons is to blend lemon juice with a little honey and a pinch of cayenne pepper and then drink it.

6. Onion.

One of the simplest home remedies for a cough is to cut onions. Breathing in the strong vapors can help stop coughing.

You can also make a cough syrup from baked onion juice, comfrey tea and honey. Drink it daily to get relief from a dry cough.

Another option is to combine one-half teaspoon of onion juice with one teaspoon of pure honey. Swallow this solution at least twice a day to alleviate a cough and soothe your throat.

7. Hot Milk with Honey.

Hot milk with honey can relieve a dry cough and reduce chest pain you may be experiencing from continuous coughing. For best results, drink it before going to sleep. For added benefits from the analgesic properties of honey, swallow a teaspoon of plain honey on empty stomach. This will help clear the mucus and soothe your throat.