Which essential oil is best for a cough?

The flu and other respiratory conditions often manifest as a persistent cough. During the autumn and winter months, viral and bacterial infections become more prevalent, leading many people to seek tried-and-tested, safe ways to relieve their cough. During this period, it is worth taking advantage of the benefits of natural essential oils.

Which essential oil is best for a cough?

An effective essential oil for a cough can have antispasmodic, expectorant, antiviral and antibacterial properties. The healing properties of aromas from herbs, flowers and fruits have been utilised for thousands of years. There is a wealth of research confirming their effectiveness in combating coughs and other ailments. When deciding which essential oil to use for a cough, you should choose only from natural, certified products made from high-quality raw materials. Here is a ranking of the best essential oils recommended by clinical aromatherapists for treating coughs.

Tea tree

Tea tree oil is regarded as one of the most potent natural antiseptics. It contains phenolic compounds and terpenes, which are responsible for its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Tea tree oil works by destabilising and destroying the cell membranes of the bacteria and viruses responsible for respiratory conditions.

To address the cause of a cough and relieve the associated pain, you can carry out an inhalation using tea tree oil. The inhalation should be carried out using an inhaler, which directs the vapours directly into the mouth and nostrils. The inhaled vapour moisturises the airways and loosens mucus, whilst making it easier to cough up. Inhalation can also be carried out without a nebuliser by adding a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. The vapours should be inhaled for about 5 minutes, with your head covered by a towel.

Eucalyptus

Only three of the several hundred species of eucalyptus tree are used to produce eucalyptus essential oil. Its main component – cineole – has antibacterial properties. Furthermore, eucalyptus essential oil acts as an expectorant and dilates blood vessels, which can bring significant relief to those suffering from a choking cough.

To benefit from its properties, simply apply 5 drops of the oil to your pillow before going to bed. If the cough is causing a nagging sore throat and a burning sensation, eucalyptus can be applied topically by rubbing 1–2 drops of the oil into the chest and neck.

Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs of a shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Its effectiveness in treating respiratory conditions stems from its powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, rosemary essential oil helps to relax the smooth muscles of the windpipe.

The cineole it contains reduces the frequency of coughing fits. It soothes a sore throat, clears the airways and reduces inflammation. Like eucalyptus oil, rosemary can be applied topically directly to the skin. Mix 2 drops of the oil with half a tablespoon of coconut oil or another carrier oil, then rub it into the chest.

Thyme

Thyme essential oil is extracted from the herb common thyme. It has been used for years in folk medicine as an effective remedy for both dry and productive coughs. The ancient Greeks used thyme to treat various respiratory ailments. It has antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It stimulates the movement of the cilia in the airways, thereby making it easier to cough up phlegm. It soothes a swollen throat and speeds up the healing of irritated mucous membranes.

The antiseptic action of the compounds found in thyme essential oil helps to combat throat infections responsible for coughing. Inhalation should be carried out using 3–5 drops of the oil in a bowl of steaming water. A sore throat can be treated with a water gargle containing 2 drops of thyme essential oil.

Pine

Scots pine needles are used to produce pine essential oil. It is one of the most commonly used essential oils in Poland due to its properties:

• antiseptic
• bactericidal
• anti-infective
• analgesic
• warming

It has a fresh, resinous scent, making inhalations with it exceptionally pleasant. Pine essential oil dilates blood vessels and eases breathing. It thins mucus in the lower respiratory tract, aiding expectoration. Its pain-relieving properties are particularly useful when a cough causes severe sore throat. Mix 5–10 drops of pine essential oil with a few teaspoons of hot water, then inhale the vapours whilst covered or use a special inhaler. It is also worth adding a few drops of the oil to an aromatherapy bath to soothe a cough.

Manuka

When looking for the best essential oil for a cough, manuka oil is a must-consider option. It is extracted from the manuka bush, which the Māori people of New Zealand have used for centuries to treat respiratory conditions. Due to its high content of antibacterial triketone compounds, it has a similar effect to tea tree oil. It possesses antimicrobial properties and helps combat antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Manuka essential oil clears the respiratory system, making it an effective weapon in the fight against coughs. Inhalation using this natural remedy should be carried out in the same way as with other essential oils. Just 10–15 minutes of inhaling the vapours can bring significant relief and alleviate a persistent cough.

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil for coughs is one of the most effective natural remedies. The menthol it contains has a cooling effect and soothes a scratchy throat, which can cause a dry cough. The oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Peppermint relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi, improving airflow and reducing the frequency of coughing. Inhaling menthol vapours gives the sensation of easier breathing despite a cough and a runny nose. Peppermint essential oil is best used in the traditional way, by mixing a few or a dozen or so drops into a bowl of hot water and then inhaling the vapours.

What should you bear in mind when choosing an essential oil for a cough?

You now know which essential oil for a cough is recommended by aromatherapy specialists. Choose the one whose scent you like best and which has properties suited to your symptoms. When using essential oils, follow the instructions on the packaging. To soothe a cough, you can use one of the oils mentioned above or a combination of several with similar effects. Remember that aromatherapy can be combined with other methods of traditional and alternative medicine to enhance the therapeutic effect.