There are so many uses for essential oils!
Learn how you can support your families needs and your own health as we explore options for supporting an irritation in the throat.
The following essential oils have been identified to eliminate germs, reduce swelling and support cellular health.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is commonly used to reduce adverse health symptoms including increased body temperature, cough, unwanted pathogens, other threats causing swelling of the mouth and throat, including an irritated, scratchy throat.
Peppermint oil is also used for digestive problems, including burning sensation in chest, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, abdominal discomfort and pain, cramps of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bile ducts, upset stomach, loose stool, overgrowth of unwanted pathogens of the small intestine, and bloating gas.
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which provides a cooling sensation and a calming effect to the body.
Research indicates that the cleansing, purifying and germ-destroying properties of peppermint essential oil can help alleviate an irritation in the throat.
Menthol also helps to sooth and calm throats as well as loosen mucus and break up coughs.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil is known for its ability to cleanse toxins from any part of the body and is widely used to stimulate lymph drainage, to rejuvenate energy and purify skin.
Lemon oil is derived from the peel of the lemon and is excellent for irritated throats with it’s properties aiding in destroying germs, cleansing, reducing swelling, is high in vitamin C, increases salivation and helps keep the throat moist.
Eucalyptus
Today, oil from the eucalyptus tree appears in many over-the-counter cough and cold products to relieve congestion.
The health benefits of eucalyptus oil are due to its ability to stimulate immunity, provide cleansing protection and improve respiratory circulation.
Originally referred to as “eucalyptol” by the scientific community, the health benefits of eucalyptus oil come from a chemical now known as cineole, which is an organic compound shown to hold astounding, widespread medicinal effects — including everything from reducing swelling and pain to eliminating damaged and dangerous cells!
It’s no wonder it can be one of the steps to beat and minimize symptoms.
Oregano
This well-known herb in oil form is a smart choice for defense against an irritated throat.
There is evidence that the essential oil of oregano has cleansing, purifying and germ-destroying properties.
One study published on Phytotherapy Research showed that protocols using oregano oil may be useful for unwanted pathogens in the gut.
If you have any doubts what oregano oil can do, it has even been shown to eliminate the superbug MRSA both as a liquid and as a vapor — and its germ-destroying activity is not diminished by heating it in boiling water.
Clove
Clove essential oil is useful for boosting the immune system, so it is extremely useful at discouraging symptoms and relieving an irritated throat.
The specific benefits of clove oil can be attributed to its cleansing, purifying, germ-destroying, and stimulating properties.
Chewing on a clove bud can help a irritated throat (as well as a achy tooth).
A study published in Phytotherapy Research found that clove essential oil shows antimicrobial activity against a large number of multi-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Its overall properties and ability to purify blood increases resistance to a multitude of diseases, including irritated throats.
Hyssop
Hyssop was used in ancient times as a cleansing herb for temples and other sacred places.
In ancient Greece, the physicians Galen and Hippocrates valued hyssop for inflammation of the throat and chest, pleurisy and other bronchial complaints.
It’s not surprising that hyssop has a long history of medicinal use. The cleansing properties of hyssop oil make it a powerful substance for fighting infections and eliminating unwanted pathogens.
Whether your irritated throat is viral or bacterial, hyssop is an excellent choice for a sore throat as well as lung inflammation.
Thyme
Thyme oil has the strongest cleansing and purifying properties known, and it has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times.
Thyme supports the immune, respiratory, digestive, nervous and other body systems.
A 2013 study tested thyme oil’s and four other essential oils response to oral health. The results of experiments showed that the oil from the thyme oil can act as an effective intracanal (root canal) antiseptic/cleansing solution against oral pathogens.
Thyme oil even demonstrated a good efficacy against antibiotic-resistant strains.
What a sure bet for that scratchy irritated throat!
Juniper Berry
With a sweet, woodsy smell, juniper berry essential oil is a popular ingredient in many household cleaning products, aromatherapy blends and fragrance sprays.
Today, juniper berry essential oil is also commonly used as one of the best natural remedies for irritation in the throat as well as respiratory infections, fatigue, muscle aches and joint discomfort.
Juniper berry’s use is validated by research that shows juniper berry essential oil actually contains over 87 different active constituent compounds, providing strong cleansing, purifying and germ-destroying effects .
How to Use Essential Oils for Throat Irritation
Essential oils can be used for a in three different ways for throat irritation: by inhalation, topical application or internal consumption.
1. Inhalation
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being.
One main way to use essential oils for aromatherapy is to inhale the smell or aroma of an essential oil.
When the scent of an essential oil is inhaled, molecules enter the nasal cavities and stimulate a firing of mental response in the limbic system of the brain, including the regulation of stress or calming responses such as heart rate, breathing patterns, production of hormones and blood pressure.
Aromatherapy can be obtained by using essential oils as direct inhalations, in a bath with caution (remember oil and water don’t mix and a carrier is recommended to disperse oil safely to avoid skin sensitivity), in a vaporizer or humidifier, fan, vent, perfume, cologne, or through aromatherapy diffusers.
An easy way to regularly practice direct inhalation is by applying one to two drops of an essential oil onto the palm of your hand and rub your palms together, fingers outstretched; next, cup both hands over your nose and mouth and take 5–10 deep and slow breaths. – Jennifer Knourek
You can also add two to three drops of an essential oil to a cotton ball and place it inside your pillow or in any place that will be easy to smell it.
Another excellent way to soothe a irritated throat is by inhaling the steam of boiling water containing a few drops of some of the essential oils I just mentioned.
Simply fill a big bowl with hot water and drape a towel over your head to create a tent and breathe in the steam.
Of course, be careful not to burn yourself.
2. Oral Use
Many essential oils can be ingested by the mouth; however, it is critical to make sure that the oils you use are safe and pure. PLEASE DO NOT INGESTS OILS IF THEY ARE NOT LABELED SAVE TO INGEST.
Many oils on the market may be diluted or blended with synthetics that are unsafe for ingesting.
The FDA has approved some essential oils generically for internal use and given them the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation for human consumption.
By using essential oils in a gargle, you can directly have the essential oils come into contact with the problematic area.
Simply add one to two drops of essential oil to half a glass of mildly warm water and gargle for a minute or two.
Do not swallow the mixture after gargling.
A safe and effective way to consume essential oils according to the book: The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils; The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy, By Kurt Schnaubelt, is to add one drop of oil to a glass of water or in a teaspoon of honey.
Other oral application options include using capsules, making a tea, and cooking with essential oils.
3. Topical Application
Topical application of an essential oil involves placing an essential oil on the skin, hair, mouth, teeth, nails or mucous membranes of the body.
When the oils touch the body, they penetrate rapidly.
Since pure essential oils are so potent, it’s important to dilute them before using them on your body.
You can dilute an essential oil by blending it with a carrier oil (such as olive, jojoba, sweet almond, or coconut oil) or a natural unscented lotion.
Add 5–10 drops of essential oil to to two tablespoons of carrier oil or natural unscented lotion.
You can then apply the blended oil or lotion directly to an area of the body that will benefit the throat like the neck, chest, behind the ears, or bottoms of the feet.
Recipes Using Essential Oils for Irritated Throat
Easy: Steam Inhalation
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 drops clove essential oil
- 3 drops juniper berry essential oil
- large bowl of boiling hot water
DIRECTIONS:
- Add the clove and juniper berry oils to a large bowl of boiled water.
- Drape a towel over head to create a tent over and around the bowl.
- Relax and breathe in the steam through mouth and nose.
- BE CAREFUL, not to burn yourself with the hot water.
Easy: Throat Gargle
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 drops of Lemon essential oil
- 1 drop of Eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 cup tap warm water
DIRECTIONS:
- Add 3 drops of lemon oil and 1 drop of eucalyptus oil to your water.
- Several times; take small amount into mouth and gargle for 10 seconds and then SPIT OUT.
- Final sip; hold in mouth for a moment and then swallow.
Risks and Cautions
- Make sure you are using therapeutic grade essential oils.
- Inhaled or topical use of essential oils is generally safer than oral use.
- When using for an irritating feeling in the throat, swish, don’t swallow any essential oils or apply undiluted essential oils to the skin without proper training or medical supervision.
- It is critical to understand how best to use essential oils.
- Always consult a trained and experience practitioner and conduct a patch test before proceeding with caution as essential oils may react differently for different individuals.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Infants, children, pregnant women, seniors and people with severe illnesses should not use essential oils internally except under the supervision of a physician.
If pregnant, check with a professional before using essential oils externally on your body as well.
If your sore throat is severe or lasts longer than one week, seek medical attention.
Resources:
http://www.aromaticscience.com/antibacterial-and-antifungal-properties-of-essential-oils/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470976623.ch11
