Can You Use Essential Oils to Strengthen the Lungs?
While the use of herbal remedies to cleanse and fortify the lungs has a long history, the use of homeopathic essential oils has made it easier to get the extracts of certain herbs inside the lungs. For example, eucalyptus oil, perhaps the most commonly utilized essential oil for the lungs, is a potent decongestant, antiseptic and expectorant that benefits the entire respiratory system. By administering 10 to 15 drops of the essential oil into warm boiling water, you can create an effective herb inhalation for cleaning and strengthening the lungs.
Add two to three cups of water to a clean saucepan or small cooking pot. Turn the burner on high and bring the water to a boil.
How to Clean Lungs Naturally
Learn More
Add 10 to 15 drops of organic eucalyptus essential oil to the boiling water and cover the saucepan with a lid. Remove the pan from the burner and turn off the burner.
Bend your head over the pan and arrange a towel to hang from your head around the pot: this will help ensure that the vapors waft toward your nose and mouth.
Herbs to Use in Steam Baths
Learn More
Remove the lid from the saucepan and breathe in the hot eucalyptus steam that emerges from the pan with deep breaths through your nose. Breathe deeply at a count of 10 to 15 seconds as the eucalyptus vapors enter your lungs and hold your breath. Gently exhale and repeat the deep breathing up to three times. If needed, add more drops of eucalyptus oil to the pot.
Repeat the eucalyptus oil inhalation twice a day as needed and any time that congestion symptoms occur 3.
Tips
Both eucalyptus and marjoram essential oil make effective inhalations for strengthening the lungs. While it is generally recommended that you do not mix the two oils in one inhalation, you may mix 1 to 4 drops of both eucalyptus and marjoram essential oil into a bath for respiratory benefit.
Warnings
Keep your eyes closed while inhaling the essential oil steam to reduce eye watering or burning.
Related Articles
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Eucalyptus
- Aromatherapy Advantages: Essential Oils to Ease Your Breathing
- Aromatherapy House: Eucalyptus Inhalation Benefit
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. Eucalyptus. Updated February 25, 2019.
- Sadlon AE, Lamson DW. Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of Eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices. Altern Med Rev. 2010;15(1):33-47.
- Ács K, Balázs VL, Kocsis B, Bencsik T, Böszörményi A, Horváth G. Antibacterial activity evaluation of selected essential oils in liquid and vapor phase on respiratory tract pathogens. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):227. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2291-9
- Mishra AK, Sahu N, Mishra A, Ghosh AK, Jha S, Chattopadhyay P. Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of essential oil of Eucalyptus leaf. Pharmacognosy Journal. 2010;2(16):25-28. doi:10.1016/s0975-3575(10)80045-8.
- Natural Standard. Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Guide - E-Book An Evidence-Based Reference. St Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010.
- Paul IM, Beiler JS, King TS, Clapp ER, Vallati J, Berlin CM. Vapor Rub, Petrolatum, and No Treatment for Children With Nocturnal Cough and Cold Symptoms. Pediatrics. 2010;126(6):1092-1099. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1601.
- Fischer J, Dethlefsen U. Efficacy of cineole in patients suffering from acute bronchitis: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Cough. 2013;9(1):25. doi:10.1186/1745-9974-9-25
- Kehrl W, Sonnemann U, Dethlefsen U. Therapy for acute nonpurulent rhinosinusitis with cineole: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Laryngoscope. 2004;114(4):738-42. doi:10.1097/00005537-200404000-00027
- Worth H, Dethlefsen U. Patients with asthma benefit from concomitant therapy with cineole: a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Asthma. 2012;49(8):849-53. doi:10.3109/02770903.2012.717657
- Bachir RG, Benali M. Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2012;2(9):739-742. doi:10.1016/s2221-1691(12)60220-2.
- Castleman M. The New Healing Herbs: the Classic Guide to Natures Best Medicines Featuring the Top 100 Time-Tested Herbs. Rodale Books; 2001.
- Jun YS, Kang P, Min SS, Lee JM, Kim HK, Seol GH. Effect of eucalyptus oil inhalation on pain and inflammatory responses after total knee replacement: a randomized clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:502727. doi:10.1155/2013/502727
- Hong CZ, Shellock FG. Effects of a topically applied counterirritant (Eucalyptamint) on cutaneous blood flow and on skin and muscle temperatures. A placebo-controlled study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 1991;70(1):29-33. doi:10.1097/00002060-199102000-00006
- Nagata H, Inagaki Y, Tanaka M, et al. Effect of eucalyptus extract chewing gum on periodontal health: a double-masked, randomized trial. J Periodontol. 2008;79(8):1378-85. doi:10.1902/jop.2008.070622
Resources
Writer Bio
Based in the Appalachian Mountains, Brian Connolly is a certified nutritionist and has been writing professionally since 2000. He is a licensed yoga and martial arts instructor whose work regularly appears in “Metabolism,” “Verve” and publications throughout the East Coast. Connolly holds advanced degrees from the University of North Carolina, Asheville and the University of Virginia.