We all dread cold and flu season. No matter how diligent we try to be in keeping a virus at bay, someone in the family always gets sick. This can lead to the spreading of the virus in the home and beyond. 

And if not tackled right away, a sore throat and runny nose from the common cold can also lead to crankiness and low energy levels. A common cold can quickly transform from nasal congestion and chest congestion into more burdensome respiratory concerns without warning, making the simple act of breathing arduous. 

Luckily, essential oils are there for you when it comes to caring for you when you’re not feeling your best. And our fortifying blend of Cough & Congestion Relief brings you a simple yet compelling blend that acts as a natural remedy to soothe symptoms of cold and flu and to alleviate congested airways so you can get up and running again. 

General treatment for the common cold and flu includes bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and keeping warm. To top it off, there is the fresh and stimulating aroma of Cough & Congestion Relief which can soothe spastic coughing, help keep bronchitis and sinus infections at bay and break up mucus to help expel it from your body and increase energy levels. 

When you implement Cough & Congestion Relief into your cold care routine, it will most importantly assist with proper breathing when you need it most. Whether using this blend as a topical treatment, as a diffuser blend or with steam inhalation, the simple fact is that your body will thank you.

Cough & Congestion Relief Essential Oil Benefits

The benefits and uses of Cough & Congestion Relief essential oil blend are numerous and varied. This blend combines some of the best essential oil properties and has an exemplary list of a few strong naturally healing essential oils. It is brimming with the well-studied component 1,8 cineole aka Eucalyptol which acts as an expectorant and mucolytic as well as effective against any surface and airborne microbes, making it a great blend to diffuse and kill germs. The anti-inflammatory properties help to increase cerebral blood flow, reduce spastic cough and aid in the relief of headaches.  

Other components in the blend help with respiratory illness in different ways. By providing immune support and confronting bacterial infections, this blend really has it all. The ingredients in this blend include Rosemary essential oil ct. 1,8 cineole which guides the reduction of mucus production and the warm loving care of Cardamom which assists your lungs and nasal passages by opening the breath in turn raising energy levels. Juniper Berry, besides its antimicrobial abilities, can invigorate and propel sluggish energy and also acts by helping you let go of old tension to alleviate muscle aches and pains. Hyssop, another essential oil high in 1,8 cineole, gifts its user with its calming fortitude which comforts and allows for restful moments to let your body heal and also provides protection to the immune system. While this blend does not contain eucalyptus oil, the amount of 1,8 cineole surely makes up for that! 

Note: due to the amount of 1,8 cineole in this blend it can potentially cause restriction of breathing in those who suffer from asthma and is contraindicated for children under the age of 10. It is always wise to have asthmatics take a whiff of the essential oil bottle cap to see how they react to the oil. If they feel that their breath is restricted, find a gentler oil blend without 1,8 cineole in it to relieve a runny nose, dry cough or nasal and chest congestion. 

Essential oils for Dry Cough and Sinus Headaches

Coughing is a natural reflex of the pulmonary organs to help to clear the throat or lungs. A dry cough, known and considered an unproductive cough, is the type of cough which doesn’t produce phlegm. Contrasting this is a wet cough that brings up differing amounts of phlegm. Either way, the goal to feel and breathe better is to clear the airways. 

The holistic aromatherapy blend Cough & Congestion Relief can help relieve a dry or wet cough by loosening phlegm in the respiratory tract. One of the most effective ways to use this blend is with steam inhalation. 

Steam inhalation is a simple way to use essential oils. The basic idea is to breathe in the steam with a towel draped over your head and a drop or two of an essential oil blend from hot water to loosen mucus and relieve symptoms. It is a powerful and effective way to clear and open up the nasal passages when confronted with a cold or sinus infection. 

In the same way, a sinus headache can be relieved with a number of inhalation techniques as well as a massage to the chest, neck and back of the neck and application to pulse points around the head. With Juniper Berry's ability to invigorate and propel sluggish energy, increase circulation and in turn relieve tension headaches, sinus headaches don't stand a chance. When combined with cephalic oils of Rosemary and Hyssop that naturally give respite to tension headaches, this blend becomes a powerhouse in combatting the symptoms of cold and flu viruses. By inhaling and topically massaging a dilution of this blend with a carrier oil, you will effectively mitigate head tension while opening up the breath.  

How To Use Cough & Congestion Relief & Some DIY Projects

There are a number of natural remedies and effective ways to use this blend to support the breath and recover faster from varying degrees of colds or flu. 

• Apply Topically: Make yourself a chest rub with diluted essential oils by adding 15-18 drops of Cough & Congestion Relief to a carrier oil of your choice. For more information on diluting essential oils, check out our dilution guide. We recommend performing a skin patch test when using a new essential oil topically.
• Diffuse & Inhale: Open the nasal passage by breathing in your favorite essential oils with an essential oil diffuser or a personal essential oil inhaler for on-the-go use. For instructions on how to use your diffuser, please refer to the diffuser’s product page.
• Bath Salt Blend: Combine 12 drops of Cough & Congestion Relief with 2 cups of Epsom Salts and ½ cup of baking soda. Add your bath salt mixture to warm, steamy water and soak in the goodness.
• Steam Inhalation: Add 2 drops of Cough & Congestion Relief essential oil to reduce respiratory tract irritation to a ceramic or glass bowl of steaming water (please do not use plastic). Closing your eyes, drape a towel over your head and place your face over the bowl, inhaling deeply for several minutes.
• Hand Cleanser: Make an immune-protective 1,8 cineole hand cleanser by blending 10-12 drops of Cough & Congestion Relief with every ounce of liquid Castille soap to protect yourself and your loved ones before the virus takes hold!

SOURCES

1. 1,8-Cineol Reduces Mucus-Production in a Novel Human Ex Vivo Model of Late Rhinosinusitis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4514714/
2. 1,8-Cineol Reduces Mucus-Production in a Novel Human Ex Vivo Model of Late Rhinosinusitis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4514714/
3. Staying Healthy Using Essential Oils Rich in 1,8 cineole https://naha.org/naha-blog/staying-healthy-using-essential-oils-rich-in-cineole/
4. Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163989/
5. Appropriate use of essential oils and their components in the management of upper respiratory tract symptoms in patients with COVID-19 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7997686/