Breathing difficulties are becoming a more common occurrence in the modern world. It’s hard to deny that the worsening condition of our planet – and the continued degradation of our air – is to blame for this. The reality of the situation is that there has never been more air pollution than there is right now. It’s reached the point people in countries such as China and Japan are unable to leave their homes without protective masks.
The increase in pollution has left more contaminants and pollutants in the air that make respiratory conditions worse. Anyone who is predisposed to such respiratory ailments are at a greater risk when exposed to the constant pollution they have to live with. Essential oils have been shown to offer therapeutic benefits for a range of medical conditions. Some essential oils have even been shown to help with breathing problems. Here are some of the best essential oils for breathing that you should keep handy if you have breathing problems.
Essential Oils for Breathing Issues
- Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is one of the very best essential oils for breathing problems. The reason that it is so effective is that it contains anti-inflammatory agents. These agents help to minimize the symptoms of inflammatory respiratory conditions including bronchitis. Another reason that the essential oil is so effective at reducing the severity and symptoms of breathing problems is that it also has antimicrobial properties. These properties allow to protect users from a range of bacteria and viruses. Bacteria and viruses can cause severe respiratory issues including asthma, bronchitis, and obstructive pulmonary disease if they aren’t treated. As well as all of this, eucalyptus oil has been shown to stimulate cold receptors in the nose and improve airflow through the nose.
- Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has also been shown to help with breathing difficulties. Studies have shown inhaling peppermint oil can help to reduce the symptoms of an asthma attack. The reason for this is likely because peppermint oil has an anti-inflammatory response on the bronchial smooth muscle, which flares up during asthma attacks. As well as being effective because of these anti-inflammatory properties, peppermint oil has shown to help reduce the symptoms of the common cold. It can do this thanks to the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties it possesses.
- Lavender Oil
Lavender oil essential oil has been used for years to treat a range of ailments. In particular, it has proven effective at reducing the inflammation that can cause respiratory conditions. As well as helping to directly reduce inflammation, lavender oil has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote calmness, which are often connected to the breathing problems people have. As anxiety and stress are able to trigger and/or exacerbate breathing problems for the people that have them, lavender oil is able to directly impact those issues and prevent them from becoming more serious breathing issues.
- Clove Oil
Clove oil has been shown to have some healthy benefits for people that suffer from respiratory conditions. While clove oil is primarily used in the kitchen as part of cooking, it has been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of asthma for sufferers. Clove oil helps to tackle the symptoms associated with an asthma attack, clearing out the breathing pathway and helping asthma sufferers to breathe properly. This is thanks to cloves being an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Inhaling clove oil can help people who suffer from asthma symptoms.
- Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is another great choice for people who need some assistance with their respiratory problems. Rosemary oil helps boost the respiratory system because it is works as an anti-inflammatory to clear out the inflammation that can occur in the trachea. Inhaling rosemary oil allows you to soothe the muscles that make it possible to breathe. This frees up your airway and allows you to breathe without a problem.
- Ginger Oil
The final entry in our list of essential oils that are great for breathing problems is ginger oil. This oil has been shown to help with the symptoms of asthma in particular. It is an ideal addition to the lives of any asthma sufferer. It helps to reduce airway contractions, which make breathing easier in general. This is particularly true when dealing with something that constricts your airway, such as an asthma attack. As well as helping to open up your airways, ginger has been shown to be effective at decreasing the symptoms and severity of the common cold. Give it a try the next time you get the sniffles.
5 Essential Oil Recipes for Breathing Difficulties
- Essential Oil Facial Steaming
Using a blend of essential oils for a facial steaming is a great way to deal with a range of problems, including colds, ear infections, eye infections, and – of course – breathing difficulties. It uses team infused with essential oils to dislodge mucus from the sinuses and respiratory system to open up the airways and promote clear and deep breathing.
You need;
- A pot with 3 – 4 cups of water
- 2 drops of tea tree oil
- 2 drops of eucalyptus oil
- A heat source
- A towel
What to do;
- Boil the water until it steams up
- Remove the water from the heat and place it on a placemat on a table
- Sit in front of the pot, with your face positioned so the steam can reach it
- Use the towel to make a tent over your head and the pot and sit in the steam for around 15 minutes
No doubt you’ll feel better after the fifteen minutes are up and you’ll be breathing much better too. Aim to do this around four times a day for total relief.
- Liquid Vapor Rub Blend
Vic’s Vapor Rub is a fantastic cold remedy that also helps with congestion and clogged sinuses, all of which cause breathing problems. You can make your own vapor rub at home using a roll-on bottle ready for when you need it. Not only will you save some cash, but you’ll also avoid the potentially harmful compounds found in Vic’s vapor rub, including petroleum jelly.
You need:
- 10 drops of rosemary
- 10 drops of lemon
- 10 drops of eucalyptus
- 5 drops of lime
- Fractionated coconut oil
- A 10ml roll-on bottle
What to do:
- Add the ingredients to the bottle and shake it will to combine them
- Roll the mixture onto your chest, shoulder, temples, neck, and back
- Breathe Easy Shower Bombs
These shower bombs are great because they get to work quickly. Shower bombs are just like bath bombs, but they’re for the shower – obviously. They release all of the powerful aroma of the essential oils used to make them when exposed to hot water and steam from the shower. The aroma opens up your airways and promotes deeper, clearer breathing.
You need:
- ½ cup of cornstarch
- ½ cup of baking soda
- 7 drops of peppermint
- 5 drops of lavender
- 7 drops of thyme
- 10 drops of eucalyptus
- An ice cube trap
- A squirt bottle filled with water
What to do:
- Place the baking soda, corn starch, and essential oils together in a bowl
- Squirt water over the powder mixture and make little molds using your hands. Don’t add oto much water though. You only need enough to make it possible to mold the ingredients together without them disintegrating
- Stuff the molds into the cubes of the ice cube tray and place in the refrigerator for a few hours
- Pop them out of the tray when they harden and store them in a mason jar
- Use the shower bombs by putting them on the shower floor, by the drain, before you use the shower. The heat and pressure from the shower water breaks the bomb down, letting out the aroma that will then open up your airway so you breathe easier
- Clear Congestion Diffuser Blend
Here is a great diffuser blend for the next time you feel congested and have trouble breathing.
What you need:
- 1 drop of marjoram
- 3 drops of peppermint
- 2 drops of eucalyptus
- 2 drops of tea tree
- 1 drop of lemon
- Non-plastic cold-air diffuser
What to do:
- Add all the oils to the diffuser, according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Respiratory Support Diffuser Blend Recipe
Use this recipe to give your respiratory system a boost.
What you need:
- 2 drops of pine
- 2 drops of rosemary
- 1 drop of lemon
- 2 drops of marjoram
- Non-plastic cold-air diffuser
What to do;
- Place the oils in the purifier according to manufacturer’s instructions to purify and strengthen respiratory system and eliminate congestion.
Essential Oils for Better Breathing and Breathing Problems
Essential oils can offer some great benefits to those who have difficulty breathing, no matter the cause of the problem. While more research needs to be done overall, there are several studies that have shown essential oils can help to minimize symptoms associated with respiratory problems. The main reason for their effectiveness in this field is because they are effective at decreasing inflammation, which is a common factor in attacks. Some have also been shown to help prevent colds and other problems that can lead to nasal congestion and infections.
