You can help relieve headaches by dabbing a drop of diluted peppermint oil onto your temples.Īromatherapy diffusers are a less direct method of inhaling essential oils. Stir two to 12 drops into one tablespoon of carrier oil and add the mixture to your bathwater. You can also add a few drops to your pillow before bedtime.Ī relaxing and less intense way to use essential oils is in your bath. To directly inhale essential oils, sniff them right from the bottle or add up to three drops to a cotton ball or handkerchief and inhale. Close your eyes and breathe through your nose for no more than two minutes at a time.Lean over the bowl (keep about ten inches away or you may get a steam burn) and cover your head with a towel to create a tent.Place up to seven drops of essential oil in a large pot or bowl of boiling water. Steam inhalation is like an essential oil sauna. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) recommends several methods to use essential oils. Menthol is also used in many cough drops to help soothe sore throats and quiet coughs. A 2003 in vitro study demonstrated the viral activity of peppermint oil. It contains menthol, an ingredient found in topical rubs that helps relieve congestion. Peppermint oil is used as a natural decongestant and fever-reducer. Eucalyptus is also used to create a cool compress to reduce fever. Inhaled or oral eucalyptus oil and its main component, 1,8-cineole, may safely fight viruses and respiratory problems such as bronchitis. These properties have historically been used to treat the common cold. According to a 2010 review, eucalyptus oil has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. A separate 2010 study found that melaleuca oil, also known as tea tree oil, has antiviral properties.Ī severe cold can sometimes morph into a nasty case of bronchitis. One 2010 study showed that inhaling steam with chamomile essential oil helped relieve cold symptoms. Some studies do support their use, though. Although essential oils have been used as folk remedies for centuries, there isn’t a lot of scientific research to support their effectiveness against the common cold.
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