Breath is the ultimate life force. Every organ and system in your body relies on oxygen. Breathing clear and deep not only fuels your body but it also fuels your mind. Effective breathing can give you a greater sense of mental clarity, better sleep patterns, and even improved immune response. With flu season on the horizon, it is important to have a tool kit of natural alternatives to keep your body at optimum health as well as help you get back to feeling your best self should you get sick. Many studies have proven that essential oils can act as a great natural alternative to help ease respiratory symptoms. We’ve listed some of our favorite essential oils for respiratory support and their top benefits so you can find the perfect oils for your respiratory needs.
EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus helps to break up mucus in the upper respiratory tract and is primarily used for symptoms of coughs, colds, bronchitis. Its anti-inflammatory activity helps reduce asthma symptoms as well suggesting its use in various upper and lower airway diseases. Not only that but it is also known to boost the immune system.
TEA TREE
The use of Tea Tree essential oil dates back to aboriginal times in Australia where it was used to cure a large variety of ailments. It’s known to help relieve symptoms of respiratory infections such as colds, coughs and bronchitis. It’s also known to improve immune response.
PEPPERMINT
Peppermint can help treat coughs, bronchitis and inflammation of the throat. It helps improve nasal breathing and aids in bringing more air supply to the lungs for deeper and easier breathing.
LEMON
Lemon is one of the top essential oils for respiratory support and is also known to remedy coughs. Lemon oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can help to boost your immune system as well as defend the body against harmful pathogens.
CLOVE BUD
Clove provides antibacterial activity against respiratory tract pathogens and may be a beneficial alternative treatment option for respiratory tract diseases.
CARDAMOM
Cardamom helps improve breathing by relaxing air passages to the lungs. It is commonly used to help treat lung associated disorders such as asthma.
LAUREL LEAF
Laurel Leaf works as an expectorant to drain congestion and help promote freer breathing. It’s been used for generations as treatment of respiratory infections and diseases.
We’ve designed the perfect essential oil blend that is packed with all of these amazing essential oils for deep, clear and easy breathing. Our Organic Breathe Calm Essential Oil contains all six of these essential oils plus calming lavender. It’s the perfect blend to incorporate into your everyday routines or call on when you feel you are needing some additional respiratory support.
At first signs of illness, rub on chest, neck, back, and bottoms of feet. The antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of the essential oils will get right to work and the vapors will help act as a natural decongestant. Always make sure to dilute before applying directly to the skin or use our pre-diluted roll-on.
Add 5 -10 drops of Organic Breathe Calm Essential Oil to your bath and breathe deep.
To aid absorption, mix with Epsom salt or 1 oz. vodka or whole milk.
You can also use our pre-diluted Organic Breathe Calm Essential Oil Roll-on that is designed so you can apply it directly to the skin. Apply to pulse points on or near the face such as the neck and temples as well as to the chest and underneath your nose.
SCHOLARLY ARTICLES
Abu-Taweel, Gasem Mohammad. “Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) perinatal exposure effects on the development, behavior and biochemical parameters in mice offspring.” Saudi journal of biological sciences vol. 25,1 (2018): 186-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.08.012
Ács, Kamilla et al. “Antibacterial activity evaluation of selected essential oils in liquid and vapor phase on respiratory tract pathogens.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine vol. 18, 1 (2018):227. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2291-9
Horváth, Györgyi and Kamilla Ács. “Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti-inflammatory action: a review.” Flavour and fragrance journal vol. 30, 5 (2015): 331-341. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2Fffj.3252
Man, Adrian et al. “Antimicrobial Activity of Six Essential Oils Against a Group of Human Pathogens: A Comparative Study.” Pathogens vol. 8, 1 (2019): 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens8010015
Singletary, Keith. "Bay Leaf: Potential Health Benefits." Nutrition Today vol. 56, 4 (2021): 202-208. doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000493
Sun, Zhenliang et al. “Chemical Composition and Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil from Leaves of Mentha piperita Grown in China.” PloS one vol. 9, 12 (2014): e114767. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0114767
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and if there’s one thing you hear more than anything it’s how important self-care is to overall wellbeing. What does that mean? Just as every person is an individual, what feeds our soul and nourishes our spirit—and what we need at this moment in our life—looks very different for each person and may change throughout our lives. The challenge is finding and creating habits that fit best with your lifestyle. The great news is that establishing one good habit feeds another. For example, if you exercise more, you are more likely to get better sleep, which will in turn help to clear your mind and regain your focus.
