Summary
see also Bronchitis,
Colds,
Congestion, Flu,
Pneumonia,
Sore or Strep Throat
A cough is the natural process the body uses to clear the
lungs or the passageways for breathing. It can be a
good thing or it may be a symptom of a number of possible
problems. As mucus (phlegm or sputum) or other substances
accumulate in the airways this reflexive action tries to
facilitate unobstructed breathing. Causes of a cough
include:
• Colds or flu where mucus drains
from the nose and throat areas
• Pneumonia or bronchitis where
there are infections in the airways
• Smoking or COPD where irritations
to these passageways triggers a cough
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux
disease) where stomach acid irritates passageways
• Allergies, dust, and fumes can
trigger a cough
• Asthma
• Medicines (ACE inhibitors) that
control high blood pressure are know to produce coughing
Typically light coughing associated with colds, etc are
providing a beneficial function. On occasion, with
heavier coughing, there may be damage to the mucus membrane
such that even after infectious agents are destroyed that
thicker and more mucus may be produced as the body continues
to try to protect the area. Dry, persistent, or chronic
coughing are typically symptoms of underlying problems
beyond the cough that should be addressed.
[search helps: post nasal drip, ACE, Angiotensin-converting
enzyme, wheezing, breathless,
hyperactive airways disease, pertussis]
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
For the cough: eucalyptus, lemon,
peppermint
To reduce mucus:
eucalyptus, oregano, peppermint
To eliminate infectious agents
(bacteria, virus):
eucalyptus, lavender, OnGuard
Essential oils based products:
OnGuard Throat Drops
Also consider:
mucus: clove, cypress, ginger, melaleuca, thyme;
antibacterial/viral: clove, marjoram, melaleuca, thyme,
sandalwood
Suggested protocols:
Gargle: 1 or 2 drops of chosen oil(s) in an ounce
(mouthful) of water. Swallow after gargling. (Be aware
oregano is a “hot” oil and may be too strong for some to use this
technique.) Try:
· Cinnamon and lemon (mild)
· OnGuard (strong)
· Peppermint,
lemon, lavender (mild 2,2,2 drops to strong with 2,2,4)
· Oregano (very strong)
Inhale: Use the chosen oils with one of the following
methods:
· Diffuse, an inhaler, or just breath deeply directly from
the oil bottle
· Make
a steam tent
· Cup and inhale (a few drops in a cup of hot water, breath
vapors deeply)
Apply topically: Eucalyptus, melaleuca, peppermint,
and/or cypress to chest and throat areas. Covering these
with a warm compress will even make this topical application
more effective.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
John - I have a friend who has had a horrible cough for a
couple of weeks now. Any advice? It sounds bad. Deep in
his chest.
Gina - This is what helps our family we gargle with
oregano and lemon, then swallow after gargling. And/or
swallow a couple drops of OnGuard then we put Breathe on the
chest and also diffuse it in a small, warm room for awhile.
Drink lots of water with lemon and/or clove in it, the
clove fights infection, if that is what it is the problem.
If it is serious, we take the oregano and lemon in a
capsule a couple of times a day for a few days. Plus, we
stay off of all milk products until we get rid of the cough.
Rob – Great suggestions from Gina. I was going to add,
if someone is having coughing fits, we had a member of our
family that gargled with cypress and oregano and did a steam
tent with the blend Breathe. He added a few drops to a bowl
of steaming hot water, then put a towel over his head and
breathed the steam deeply as the oil volatilized. (don't
open you eyes).
Pat - My husband had that same cough and someone
suggested he try cinnamon in some juice. This we did and it
took the cough away for a few days, but then it came back.
Then I did myrrh and then the next time I did both cinnamon
and myrrh. The last two worked really well, Sometimes you
have to experiment to find what is best for you.
I had forgot to mention that the whole time my husband I
was getting better from his cold I brushed my teeth with
OnGuard drops on my toothpaste to protect myself. I have
still not gotten sick, so it is a powerful antibiotic.
John - Thank you all so much for the great advice. I
went over to my friend’s house and we did a steam tent with
Breath blend and cypress per Rob. Then he gargled
oregano and lemon per Gina. It was very hot (oregano is a
hot oil) for him, and he couldn't gargle long, but then he
swallowed, and couldn't believe the results. We sat and
talked for another hour about essential oils and he never
coughed once. It was the first time he hadn't coughed for
an hour in weeks. Thanks Guys!!
Kendra - What I need is an oil that will help with my
son’s dry cough. He just got back from 4 days of camping
where he became sick and his leader supplied him with
ibuprofen for 3 of the 4 days. So now he's home and has that
hard, dry hack. I have tried OnGuard but it does not seem
to be working.
Samara - Have you tried peppermint on his chest and
throat?
Pat - Eucalyptus is excellent for dry cough. Also rub
lemon on the throat and have him drink lemon in his water to
help detoxify from the Ibuprofen. Run the diffuser
with Breath or eucalyptus while he sleeps.
Kathy - I would try the spinal technique
(AromaTouch), but also
apply to the chest and throat areas. I would also
substitute Breathe or eucalyptus for thyme. Cover the chest
with a hot towel just like spinal technique. As
previously mentioned drink lots of liquids with lemon, and
run Breathe blend or eucalyptus in the diffuser at night.
Also, if he is old enough have him gargle with OnGuard and
myrrh 2 or 3 times daily.
Anonymous - Try a couple of drops of peppermint on his
neck/throat when he's coughing. In my experience, it works
great!
Sharon - I had a bad cough for a month and finally took
basil in a capsule (basil for inflammation) (five drops for
three days) and the cough was less severe at the end of the
first day, hardly noticeable the second day, and completely
gone by the third day. I highly recommend basil.
Anonymous - Try combining OnGuard and Oregano, half capsule of
each 3 times a day.
Monkeez5 – Here is another suggestion from an
acquaintance that has used oils for years. Lemon, lavender,
eucalyptus and frankincense applied with a warm compress for
best results.
Protocols
folks recommend for children
Submissions
directly to
EverythingEssential.me.
Stepmom -
My little stepson is 5 years old
and is frequently congested, and has severe
bouts of coughing. From the very first time
I put Breathe on his chest and had him
breathe some of it in on a tissue he had
remarkable improvement. In fact, the next
day he asked me to please put a drop on his
tongue. Usually his dad puts him to bed at
night but after this experience he asks for
his mom now! ME! I believe that this has
helped him receive some emotional healing
too, either the oil or just the act of me
trying to relieve his suffering.
Dani - My neighbor
has a 7 week old baby that has an awful cough. It almost
sounds like croup. She has been using a humidifier at night
but it is not helping. Could she put Breathe blend or
something on the baby (with a carrier oil)? How much
should she use?
Au - Yes! Use a couple drops of Breathe
or peppermint added with a couple drops of frankincense and
a coconut carrier oil. Apply it to the baby’s chest. After
it volatilizes or is absorbed, apply it again. Several times
per day and night till coughing stops. You can put the same
mix on the baby’s feet. Make sure you cover the area so the
baby doesn't touch the area and then touch his eyes.
Also I suggest diffusing Breathe but don't use a
humidifier. They might cause more problems unless they are
completely sterile. You could also put a couple drops of
lemon oil in his bottle.
Rob - Put the mix mentioned above on the
babies back too.
Shannon - I have a
4 month old and a 4 year old. My 4 year old has a cold and a
pretty good cough. What can I do to help break things down?
I have been rubbing Breath on her chest and propped up her
bed with pillows and put a humidifier in her room. Is there
something more I can give her for her cough?
My 4 month old has a stuffy nose. I'm worried it will turn
in to more than that. I have been holding a little bit of
Breath under her nose for a minute, then sucking her nose
out. Would she be ok if I rubbed a drop or two on her chest?
Or is there something else I can do for her also? I have
been running the diffuser constantly to help.
Rob - For sure consider Breathe with a
carrier oil on her chest and back . Apply a warm compress
after massaging it on her chest and back. Reapply often,
perhaps hourly, and consider adding or rotating with OnGuard
and/or clove, cypress and peppermint. Also, definitely use
these oils on the bottoms of her feet often.
See if she will drink peppermint, OnGuard or lemon in her
juice or water. Keep her hydrated, and if her lungs
continue to get worse, you might consider a rectal implant.
They are very effective for difficult breathing problems and
coughs. Also I like propping her up and using Breathe in the
diffuser.
Ready, Set, Grow
