Sore throat usually kicks in when our immune system fails to fight off harmful bacteria or viruses that usually get into us through respiratory droplets. In some cases, it is caused by other culprits, including allergies and inhaling smoke from cigarettes or even cars.
Whatever the reason behind it, sore throat is definitely an experience we all dread. It makes the simplest of actions difficult and even anxiety-inducing. It makes breathing, swallowing, and talking difficult.
The benefits of essential oils to our skin and hair are no stranger to us. But they prove to be helpful not only when applied externally, but also when used as inhalants.
With the right procedures, many essential oils provide effective assistance for respiratory problems, including sore throat. Their benefits are not limited to the psychological effects of their aroma; they are also scientifically recognized to possess medicinal properties.
7 Essential Oils for Sore Throat Relief
1. Peppermint
The medical field has long recognized the benefits of peppermint to our health. Some accounts date the use of peppermint as a medical ingredient to as early as the ancient Japanese and Chinese eras.
There are very good reasons for it indeed. Peppermint and its oil possess a diverse range of qualities that are truly helpful to us.
Peppermint essential oil is a natural pain reliever. It also relaxes the muscles to ease tensions. These are the reasons why it is commonly used in massage therapies and spas. This same trait makes it great in easing headaches because it loosens tensions in the head and neck.
Inhaling peppermint oil can also energize your body and help you stay alert. Its aroma is stimulating, making it a great all-natural alternative to energy drinks. It can help you stay awake and keep those cylinders running whenever you need them.
5.0/5.0Peppermint Essential Oil is one of the most recommended essential oils in helping with coughs, flu, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.
More than anything, we cannot leave out praising peppermint oil for its effectiveness in sinus and respiratory care. It is one of the most recommended essential oils in helping with coughs, flu, asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Peppermint is known as a potent expectorant. It helps to open our airways, ease congestion and clear away mucus. Recent studies also show that peppermint oil can help fight pathogens that infiltrate our bodies through the mouth.
We know that swallowing can become very difficult with a sore throat. Peppermint’s expectorant properties can also provide much-needed aid in doing this. It relaxes the throat muscles and allows food to pass through more smoothly.
Because it is both an expectorant and muscle relaxer, it is also used widely to fight allergies. Seasonal pollens that enter the respiratory tract usually cause allergies. Inhalation of peppermint oil helps our body wash out these foreign materials and free us from the discomfort they bring.
Learn more about the uses of peppermint essential oil.
2. Eucalyptus
The eucalyptus tree has long been known for its numerous health benefits. Its essential oil is extracted from the tree's leaves. Photo source: Pixabay.
The eucalyptus tree has long been known for its numerous health benefits. Its essential oil is extracted from the tree's leaves. Photo source: Pixabay.The soothing and cooling qualities of eucalyptus essential oil have long made it a key ingredient in throat problem remedies. It is commonly used in mouthwashes, mint, and of course, vapor rubs and cough medicines.
More than the relaxing sensation it gives us, eucalyptus also provides protection from bacteria and fungi. It is proven to be antimicrobial and is used in many pharmaceutical products.
Yet, one of its most valued capabilities is that it can boost our immune system. For this very reason, health professionals consider eucalyptus oil as the most effective essential oil against respiratory problems. Eucalyptus essential oil is used to help treat a wide variety of conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, the common cold, cough, and the flu. Most of all, it is known for its help in relieving sore throat. It can help patients go to sleep when they are experiencing difficulty breathing. It helps with the chest pains that muscle contractions bring when you have a cough.
5.0/5.0Eucalyptus essential oil is used to help treat a wide variety of conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, the common cold, cough, and the flu.
Originally from Australia, eucalyptus trees are now widely grown in many parts of the world. It is continuously priced for its natural abilities and is processed for many commercial applications. Trusted partners in the United States supply Aroma Foundry’s Eucalyptus essential oil. You can mix it with many other essential oils to make very helpful remedies. It blends well with rosemary, cedarwood, lavender, and lemons oils.
Learn more about eucalyptus essential oil.
3. Lemon
You might think that lemon is used in lozenges and cough medicines for flavor alone. But lemon actually provides a lot of other benefits aside from its citrusy taste.
Lemon and lemon oil have a long-running reputation for their cleansing properties. Many ancient civilizations have used them as an ingredient for cleaning. Until now, it is used in many products such as soaps and air fresheners.
It is effective in cleaning our bodies both inside and out. Lemon works as a detoxifier and helps in flushing away unwanted contaminants in our bodily systems. Amazingly, it also does well in maintaining a clean and healthy complexion. It moisturizes our skin and nourishes its damaged parts.
5.0/5.0Lemon's bacteria-fighting ability is what makes it ideal as a flavoring for throat medicines. Lemon essential oil can help prevent infection and even bad breath, a usual companion of sore throat.
Just like eucalyptus, lemon essential oil can also enhance our immune system. By doing so, it increases your body's chance of recovering from illnesses that cause throat issues. Most especially, lemon oil helps improve the functioning of the lymphatic system. A well-running lymphatic system means that your body can get rid of pathogens effectively.
Find out how lemon oil can help you with a bottle of Aroma Foundry's lemon essential oil. This all-natural product is produced from cold-pressed lemon peels, the fruit's most nutrient-rich part.
Learn more about the benefits of using lemon essential oil.
4. Lavender
The beauty of the lavender plant has made it a popular choice for gardens. It flourishes in many parts of the world where sunshine is abundant. Historically, however, it was only found around the Mediterranean sea. It was beloved by the ancient Greeks and other people from the region. It is no wonder that its flowers gave name to the color it now represents.
Lavender is probably most famous for its captivating aroma. Because of this particular quality, lavender has gained a wide reputation as a fragrance. It is used in soaps, detergents, air fresheners, and perfumes.
Its scent is also recognized for its therapeutic effects. It is known to help with depression, sleeplessness, and headaches.
5.0/5.0Lavender essential oil has actually been proven to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a viable remedy to help with illnesses that lead to sore throat.
Though less known, lavender has other beneficial traits. Lavender essential oil has actually been proven to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a viable remedy to help with illnesses that lead to sore throat.
Other than those mentioned, lavender oil also works well as an insect repellent and in relieving joint and muscle pains. Some reports also show that it helps in minimizing scars, rid of rashes and treat burns.
Learn more about lavender essential oil.
5. Sage
Sage is known for being a perennial plant that can be easily grown. It is a common sight in vegetable gardens and even among kitchen-grown herbs. People have valued its incredible properties for many centuries.
Many American households carry a fondness for the flavor and aroma that sage gives to food. It is very popular as a spice and an essential ingredient to many beloved recipes. Nevertheless, sage holds qualities that make it beneficial not just for culinary purposes but for medicinal purposes too.
5.0/5.0Sage Essential Oil has qualities that are helpful in treating common ailments. As a natural antiseptic, it can help fight infections, making it a useful aid against respiratory ailments.
Sage essential oil is a natural antiseptic. Its ability to help fight bacteria and infections makes it a useful aid against respiratory ailments.
Sage oil can provide relief to sore throat when used as an inhalant. It can also reduce the bad effects caused by breathing in nicotine. Inhaling smoke is one of the factors that could trigger a sore throat.
Other benefits that sage oil can offer include enhancement of the nervous system, the heart, and blood pressure.
Learn more about sage essential oil.
6. Basil
Basil is one of the most popular herbs found in home gardens. Its leaves are a valued ingredient in many dishes. Photo source: Pixabay.Sometimes, our primary basis for valuing essential oils is their perfume-like aromas. That is why some may undermine oils extracted from herbs more popularly recognized as spices. Still, they offer just as much in terms of health benefits -- if not in fragrance.
Basil may be among the lesser-known kinds of essential oils. However, it has actually been used in Asian traditional medicine for generations.
We all know how basil works its wonders in pasta, salads, and soups. Yet surely, we cannot leave out its impressive qualities as a medicinal ingredient.
5.0/5.0Basil essential oil can help the body in fighting disease-causing bacteria and viruses that lead to sore throats.
Basil is remarkably effective in fighting against bacteria, viruses, and infections. In the form of oil, its chemical potency is further concentrated and makes it even more effective.
Basil essential oil is also used in improving the appetite, relieving congestion and regulating urination. It can blend with many other essential oils if you like to do so. Some of our recommendations are bergamot, cedarwood, grapefruit, lavender, lemongrass, lemon, peppermint, and rosemary.
Learn more about basil essential oil.
7. Rosemary
People have always been attracted to the refreshing beauty and fragrance of Rosemary. We have learned how to reap its amazing culinary and medicinal benefits a long time ago. The ancient peoples of the Mediterranean region where the shrub grew used it in many different ways. It was an essential part of their daily living. It was used for soups and for salads. It was also a common ingredient in their medicines and bath formulas.
The rosemary plant can be identified by its silvery pine-like leaves and flowers that range from white to an elegant deep blue. It is a perennial herb, able to withstand very harsh climates and survive over long periods without water.
The oil produced from the rosemary is extracted from its young flowers. The fragrant liquid is clear and watery compared to most oils. This concentrated product has a rich possession of useful compounds.
5.0/5.0Rosemary essential oil helps boost the immune system to fight off bacteria and infection. It can also soothe respiratory muscles.
Rosemary essential oil is proven to assist in indigestion and in relieving pain. It is popularly used in aromatherapy. Using it as inhalants also helps our mental health and aids in the hormonal conditions of depression. It acts as a disinfectant and even works as a hair growth stimulant. The list goes on.
Of course, rosemary essential oil also provides benefits to the respiratory system and issues such as sore throat. How it does is due to several properties it possesses. Rosemary oil helps enhance the body's immune system, reinforcing it in fighting off bacteria and viruses. It is also an effective expectorant, helping the respiratory muscles relax and open up the airways. Its antiseptic properties can fight off infection too. For these reasons, this essential oil is very common in many formulas that aim to help an upset throat.
You can blend it with many other essential oils, a wonderful addition to your collection.
Learn more about the uses of rosemary essential oil
Precautions
Essential oils have so much to offer us. They are a natural treat for the body both for the outside and in.
You might already be familiar with using them on your skin and for your hair. However, using oils as inhalants is another thing. It is a less conventional method that all essential oil users have to understand.
Remember that using essential oils also comes with some risks to your wellbeing. Acquiring new knowledge is always very important.
First things first: essential oils can be used as inhalants, but they are not intended for oral intake. Ingesting essential oils may result in very adverse effects.
You should also know that essential oils are only to be used in small portions at a time. You don't really need too much of it to obtain its benefits. Make sure that you moderate your usage.
Since essential oils have a relatively high concentration, it is usually used together with a diluter or a carrier oil. The usual types of carrier oils include coconut oil and almond oil. The recommended mixture has a proportion of about three to five drops of carrier oil for every one drop of your essential oil.
No studies have proven that the use of essential oils is harmful to pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, we are also not certain of the risks that it poses to them. Essential oils may have certain effects on hormones and other biological aspects. So it is best to simply avoid using it while pregnant or when breastfeeding.
It is recommended that we should avoid using essential oils for children under the age of seven. Still, many essential oils are considered safe for older kids. These include lavender, chamomile, orange, lemon, and frankincense. Please keep in mind that adults who would administer them should know how to dilute and apply the oils safely.
How to Use Essential Oils to Relieve Sore Throat
Doctors usually say that sore throat eventually gets well by itself once your immune system finally gets rid of the bacteria. Nevertheless, for that length of time that your body needs to recover, there are definitely difficulties that are awful to endure. Swallowing food and breathing may become a real burden. Your voice may sound awful and your breath may turn foul.
The discomforts brought by sore throat and other symptoms of common sicknesses often cause frustration and distress. Photo by Asdrubal Luna/ Unsplash.com.Surely, lozenges and other available proven remedies would help. Today, let us discover the similarly effective hacks that all-natural essential oils can offer.
There are actually several ways in which you can utilize your oils to help your aching throat. You can inhale it directly if you want a real quick dose of relief. However, if you are in no hurry, you can vaporize your oils with nice warm steam. If you want a long-lasting sensation while you go on with your daily house chores, you can also simply add it to a diffuser.
Here are some neat techniques you could try...
A Quick Intake of Relief
Sometimes, the need to ease your throat-centered endeavors cannot be more urgent. There are nights when the stubborn irritation just would not allow you to rest peacefully.
At times like this, try adding two to three drops of any of the essential oils listed above to a clean cotton ball. Place it near your nose and mouth, and breathe deeply. If you wish so, you can place it near your pillow as you lay down on the bed. The scent can help you relax and sink into that much-needed sleep.
Soothing Steam Inhalation
Is a couple of huffs of your oil not helping you well enough? How about indulging yourself with a relaxing steam treatment?
Not only can oil and steam nourish your skin, the warm moisture can also help with congestion. It loosens the sticky phlegm surrounding your airways. This allows your body to remove them much more easily out of your system.
Here is how you can do it:
Choose any of the recommended essential oils. Add about five to seven drops to two cups of it to newly-boiled water. Get a clean towel and use it to cover your face. With your eyes closed, inhale the steam through your nose. You will surely feel the relieving effects as you allow the combination of steam and oil essences do its trick.
Lavender and Lemon Diffuser Blend
If you have a diffuser in your home, then you could make the use essential oil wonderfully simple and easy. You can add any essential oil you prefer to your diffuser blend. It would only depend on the effects you want to achieve.
For starters, try this simple combination to help with sore throat:
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of lemon essential oil
This combination also works well as a massage oil for your chest and back. Just add one tablespoon of a carrier oil of your choice and apply it on your aching parts.
DIY Peppermint Mouthwash
Next to oral intake, gargling offers the most direct application of remedy to the infected throat. Bacteria that infest your respiratory tracts also reside inside your mouth. Surely, a good gargle of mouthwash can help reduce your problems.
Bacteria can give you bad breath. If not treated, these can consequently result in more problems such as mouth sores.
Here is a helpful way to fight these mouth and throat irritants: try making your very own mouthwash.
Of course, keep in mind that you should not swallow the mixture. Ingestion of essential oils even in small amounts can be harmful to you, but as long as you don't, this formula is great not just for sore throat but even for regular use.
Add these ingredients together:
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tablespoon of pure organic honey
- 2 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 2 drops of lemon essential oil
- 2 drops of lavender essential oil
First, you should mix all the oils into the honey. Then add the honey to the cup of water. Gargle it in your mouth in small portions at a time until you use it all up.
Try checking your breath and see how it smells.
Homemade Eucalyptus Vapor Rub
Creating your own massage oil and vapor rub blends are some of the simplest ways to experience the benefits of essential oils. Photo by Christin Hume/Unsplash.comYou can never be disappointed with the familiar minty feel of vapor rub. That nostalgic soothing sensation that it gives is always a welcome treat. It is a remedy that has always helped us in times of common sicknesses.
Why not do your very own eucalyptus and peppermint oil formula? With essential oils, you can practically make your very own natural vapor rub. And it's very easy to make.
Here is all you need:
- 1 teaspoon of eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 teaspoon of peppermint oil
- 6 to 8 teaspoons of your preferred carrier oil
After mixing these, simply apply it on your throat, your chest and your back.
See all oils found here in our collection our 100% pure and all-natural essential oils.
Summary
Sore throat is one of the most uncomfortable symptoms brought by common sicknesses. It alone often makes relatively minor health issues a very heavy burden for us to bear. An aching throat could make us feel like getting well is like walking through sludge. It forbids us from having an undisturbed period of recovery, at the least. We all just hate the experience.
Now, we know that essential oils offer much-needed help. They are options that are natural and yet works just as well as usual treatments. These wonderful relieving abilities of essential oils make it a good addition to your household first aid remedies.
Bibliography
- https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/sore-throat-causes#1
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321598.php
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4054083/
- https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/
- https://draxe.com/eucalyptus-oil-uses-benefits/
- http://www.publish.csiro.au/hi/pdf/HI05035
- https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/sage-oil.aspx
- https://draxe.com/basil-essential-oil/
- https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/rosemary-oil.aspx
- https://draxe.com/lemon-essential-oil-uses-benefits/
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits-effects#1
Author Profile
An admitted stutterer, Silvan found pleasurable expressiveness in writing both as a hobby and a profession. He is also a musician-at-heart, a time-deprived artist, a comedian-on-impulse, a fortunate husband and a father of three. His favorite Aroma Foundry scent is Fir, reflecting his love for trees and nature.