Do you know that essential oil can help avoid sore throat or relieve pain faster? Sore throat is an itching or tingling sensation in the throat, which is more serious when swallowed.
Your throat, as its name implies, is the pipe through which food enters the esophagus and air enters the trachea and throat (your throat). The common sore throat is caused by virus infection, while streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial infection, which may come from several different bacteria. Unfortunately, both of them are quite contagious and can be spread through close contact between people.
The most common cause of sore throat is cold or flu. When you feel a little itchy or sore in your throat, you may first realize that a cold or flu is happening. Allergy, streptococcal pharyngitis, mononucleosis, tonsillitis, smoking or acid reflux may also cause sore throat.
Besides rest, proper nutrition, plenty of drinking water, hot tea and mouthwash, the remedy for sore throat also includes using the natural power of essential oil to relieve sore throat!
The most suitable essential oil for sore throat
The uses of essential oils are really endless. If you have read my other articles about essential oils, you may not be surprised that essential oils can also be used to relieve sore throats.
The following essential oils for sore throat will kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing of this boring and painful disease:
Peppermint (peppermint)
Peppermint essential oil is usually used to treat common cold, cough, sinus infection, respiratory infection and inflammation of mouth and throat, including sore throat. It is also used for digestive problems, including heartburn, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), upper gastrointestinal tract (GI) and bile duct spasm, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, intestinal bacterial overgrowth and flatulence.
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which can bring coolness and calmness to the body. Studies have shown that the antioxidant, antibacterial and decongestant functions of peppermint essential oil are helpful to relieve sore throat. Menthol can also help relieve sore throats and coughs.
Lemon (lemon)
Lemon essential oil is famous for removing toxins from any part of the body, and is widely used to stimulate lymphatic detoxification, restore vitality and purify the skin.
Lemon essential oil is extracted from lemon peel, which is a good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and high antioxidant. It can promote saliva secretion and keep throat moist.
Eucalyptus (eucalyptus)
Eucalyptus essential oil comes from eucalyptus (also known as eucalyptus). Today, it appears in many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to relieve nasal congestion. The health benefits of eucalyptus essential oil are that it can stimulate the immune system, provide antioxidant protection and improve respiratory circulation.
At first, eucalyptus was called "eucalyptus oil brain" by the scientific community. Its health benefits mainly come from a chemical called eucalyptol (1, 8- eucalyptol), which is an organic compound with amazing medicinal effects-from relieving inflammation and pain to killing leukemia cells! There is no doubt that it is an essential oil that can suppress colds and relieve sore throats.
Oregano (oregano)
This famous herbal oil is a wise choice to prevent sore throat. There is evidence that oregano essential oil has antifungal and antiviral properties. A study even showed that oregano essential oil may help to treat parasitic infections.
You may doubt that oregano essential oil can prevent and treat sore throat, but it turns out that it can kill MRSA, a superbug in liquid and steam, and its antibacterial activity will not be reduced by heating in boiling water. (Reminder: Oregano essential oil is very irritating to the skin. Be careful when using it. The dosage should be small and diluted in large quantities. )
Lilac (clove)
Clove essential oil helps to strengthen the immune system, so it is also very useful to suppress and relieve sore throat. The benefits of clove essential oil in relieving sore throat are attributed to its antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and irritating properties. Chewing clove buds can help relieve sore throat (and toothache).
A survey published in Phytotherapy Research found that clove essential oil has antibacterial activity against a large number of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (multidrug-resistance means that antibiotics have no effect on bacteria). Its antiviral properties and ability to purify blood enhance its resistance to many diseases, including sore throat.
Tea tree (Melaleuca)
Tea tree essential oil does not come from the alpine tea tree that we see in our daily life, nor is it different from the tea tree of China tea, but from the Australian tea tree, also called Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree essential oil has attracted much attention because of its excellent anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects, and it was also used as an anti-inflammatory drug during the world war.
No matter whether your sore throat is caused by virus or bacterial infection, hyssop is an excellent choice to treat sore throat and even lung inflammation.
Thyme
Thyme essential oil is one of the strongest antioxidants and antibacterial agents known, and has been used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. Thyme supports immunity, respiration, digestion, nerves and other body systems.
A study in 20 1 1 tested the response of thyme essential oil to 120 strains isolated from oral, respiratory and urogenital infections. The experimental results show that thyme essential oil has strong antibacterial activity against all clinical strains. Thyme essential oil has shown good curative effect even on antibiotic-resistant strains. Therefore, this is enough to show that it must be right to choose thyme to relieve sore throat!
Juniper berry
Juniper essential oil has a sweet woody smell and is a very popular ingredient in many household cleaning products, aromatherapy mixtures and aromatic sprays. Today, juniper berry essential oil is also one of the best natural treatment oils commonly used to relieve sore throat and respiratory infection, as well as fatigue, muscle pain and arthritis.
Juniper berry can be used for sore throat, because studies have proved that Juniper berry essential oil actually contains more than 87 different active ingredient compounds, including strong antioxidants, antibacterial agents and antifungal agents.
Three methods of regulating sore throat with essential oil
Essential oil can regulate sore throat through inhalation, oral administration and external application.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils extracted from plants to promote physical and mental health. One of the main ways to use essential oil is to inhale the smell of essential oil.
When the smell of essential oil is inhaled, essential oil molecules enter the nasal cavity, which stimulates the psychological response of the limbic system of the brain, including regulating pressure or calming thoughts, such as heart rate, respiratory rhythm, hormone secretion and blood pressure. Aromatherapy can smell the essential oil directly, or it can be added to the bathtub when taking a bath, or it can be added to the humidifier, aromatherapy fan, air conditioning outlet, perfume, cologne or aromatherapy machine to emit fragrance.
A simple, convenient and effective method is to drop 1 ~ 2 drops of essential oil into the palm of your hand, rub it, slowly approach your nose, slowly inhale the smell of essential oil, and take a deep breath for 5 ~ 10 times. You can also drop 2 ~ 3 drops of essential oil in a cotton ball, put it in a pillow or any place where it is easy to smell.
Another good way to relieve sore throat is to inhale steam. Pour a proper amount of boiling water into a large bowl, choose the above essential oils (1 ~ 2 kinds of essential oils, according to your own preferences), drop 2 ~ 3 drops, cover your head like a tent with a big towel (to prevent the steam from evaporating too fast), and breathe with your face to the emerging steam. Be careful not to burn yourself. (Suggestion: When children use it, it is best to use an ultrasonic aromatherapy machine, use cold boiled water, and breathe with your mouth facing the nozzle. )
Many essential oils can be ingested through the mouth. However, the key is to ensure that the essential oil you use is safe and pure. Aromatics here only recommend GPTG grade essential oils. Essential oil can be dropped in water, diluted in base oil or directly dropped in water.
Topical application of essential oils includes applying essential oils to the skin, hair, mouth, teeth, nails or mucous membranes of the body. When the essential oil comes into contact with the body, it will quickly penetrate into it.
Because pure essential oils is so strong and effective, it is very important to dilute them before use. You can dilute the essential oil with base oil (such as olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil or coconut oil) or natural odorless emulsion. Add 5 ~ 1 0 drop of essential oil to two tablespoons (1tablespoon ≈15ml) of base oil or emulsion, and apply it to the parts beneficial to the throat, such as the back of the neck, throat, chest, behind the ear or the soles of the feet.
Note: If the sore throat is severe or lasts for more than a week, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Learn more about essential oils of aromatherapy life group.