9 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Cough
Herbal essential oils for cough are concentrated plant extracts that have been used for centuries to provide relief from coughs and colds.
These oils have numerous benefits, including their ability to soothe a sore throat, reduce inflammation, and ease congestion, making them an effective natural remedy for treating coughs.
Some of the most commonly used herbal essential oils to treat coughs include eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, thyme, and rosemary, which have decongestant and expectorant properties that help to loosen and clear mucus from the airways.
Additionally, oils like ginger, frankincense, and myrrh have anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and ease discomfort in the throat and chest, providing quick and effective relief from coughs and colds.
According to the study on Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM), essential oils from 49 herbs have been recommended for treating cough, with 21 of them having a known mechanism of action for cough suppression.
Below there's a list of the 9 best herbal essential oils for cough.
- 1. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
- 2. Mentha x piperita essential oils
- 3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
- 4. Thymus vulgaris essential oils
- 5. Echinacea purpurea essential oils
- 6. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 7. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 8. Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils
- 9. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
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1. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
Eucalyptus globulus essential oils have been traditionally used to treat cough ailments due to their decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties.
The herbal preparation helps to treat cough by loosening and clearing mucus from the airways, making it easier to breathe.
The bioactive constituents of Eucalyptus globulus essential oils, including eucalyptol, limonene, and pinene, are responsible for its therapeutic effects.
By using this herbal preparation, individuals can experience relief from cough and congestion, promoting overall respiratory health and well-being.
Related Study
According to "Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM", Eucalyptus globulus essential oils for cough were found to be effective as they were the third top-cited plant species used in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in Ethiopia, with a frequency of citation of 6.8%.
2. Mentha x piperita essential oils
Mentha x piperita essential oils, also known as peppermint oil, have been traditionally used to treat cough and respiratory issues due to their decongestant and expectorant properties.
This herbal preparation helps to treat the cough ailment by reducing inflammation and congestion in the airways, making it easier to breathe and relieving coughing spasms.
The bioactive constituents of peppermint oil, including menthol, menthone, and limonene, contribute to its therapeutic effects by acting as bronchodilators and antimicrobial agents, thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogens that can cause infections.
The benefits of using peppermint oil for treating cough include its natural and non-invasive approach, lack of side effects, and ability to provide rapid relief from symptoms, making it a popular and effective herbal remedy for respiratory issues.
Related Study
According to "BioMed research international", Mentha x piperita essential oils for cough have significant potential therapeutic activity for respiratory disease.
3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, obtained from the leaves of the rosemary plant, have been traditionally used to treat cough ailments due to their expectorant properties, which help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
The bioactive constituents of this herbal preparation, including camphor, borneol, and rosmarinic acid, contribute to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which aid in soothing the throat and reducing inflammation.
By promoting the expulsion of mucus and reducing inflammation, Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils help to alleviate cough symptoms and provide relief from respiratory discomfort.
The benefits of using this herbal preparation to treat cough ailments include its natural, non-invasive approach, reduced risk of side effects, and potential long-term relief from recurring coughs.
Related Study
According to "Harefuah", Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils for cough may exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral activities, which can help alleviate respiratory ailments.
4. Thymus vulgaris essential oils
Thymus vulgaris essential oils, derived from the leaves of the thyme plant, are a popular herbal remedy used to treat cough ailments due to their decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties.
The bioactive constituents of thyme essential oils, including thymol and carvacrol, help to soothe and calm the respiratory tract, reducing inflammation and congestion that can lead to coughing.
By acting as a natural expectorant, thymus vulgaris essential oils help to loosen and clear mucus from the airways, providing relief from coughing and congestion.
The benefits of using thymus vulgaris essential oils to treat cough ailments include natural and non-addictive relief, reduced risk of side effects, and the ability to be used in conjunction with other therapies for enhanced effectiveness.
Related Study
According to "Wiadomosci lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)", Thymus vulgaris essential oils for cough contain thymol, a spasmolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant agent, which contributes to their effectiveness in alleviating cough symptoms.
5. Echinacea purpurea essential oils
Echinacea purpurea essential oils have been traditionally used to treat cough ailments due to their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which help to soothe the respiratory tract and combat infections.
The bioactive constituents of Echinacea purpurea, including alkylamides, caffeic acid, and flavonoids, work together to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation in the lungs, thus alleviating cough symptoms.
By promoting the production of white blood cells and increasing the body's natural defense mechanisms, Echinacea purpurea essential oils help to treat cough ailments by reducing the severity and frequency of coughing.
The benefits of using Echinacea purpurea essential oils to treat cough ailments include reduced inflammation, improved respiratory health, and a faster recovery time.
Related Study
According to the given study, Echinacea purpurea essential oils exhibit potential as an adjuvant symptomatic therapy in treating cough.
6. Zingiber officinale essential oils
Zingiber officinale essential oils, derived from the rhizome of the ginger plant, are a natural remedy used to treat cough ailments due to their anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties.
The bioactive constituents present in these essential oils, including gingerol and shogaol, help to reduce inflammation and congestion in the respiratory tract, thereby providing relief from coughing.
The benefits of using Zingiber officinale essential oils to treat cough ailments include their ability to thin mucus and promote cough suppression, making them a popular natural remedy for colds and flu.
Regular use of Zingiber officinale essential oils has been shown to provide long-term relief from coughing and promote overall respiratory health.
Related Study
According to "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Zingiber officinale essential oils for cough have been traditionally utilized to cure various diseases including cough, and the study suggests that lariciresinol, a phytocompound found in Z. officinale, could enhance the antimicrobial potency of berberine, indicating potential benefits in managing cough.
7. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been traditionally used to treat cough ailments due to their antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties.
The bioactive constituents, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, help to soothe and calm the respiratory tract, reducing inflammation and promoting the clearance of mucus, thus providing relief from coughing.
The herbal preparation helps to treat cough ailments by calming the nervous system, reducing anxiety and stress, which are often triggers for coughing.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat cough ailments include its non-invasive nature, lack of side effects, and ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
8. Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils
Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils, derived from the roots of the licorice plant, have been traditionally used to treat cough and respiratory ailments due to their anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties.
The bioactive constituents of Glycyrrhiza glabra, such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, help to soothe and calm the respiratory tract, reducing inflammation and congestion.
This herbal preparation works by thinning mucus and facilitating its expulsion from the lungs, providing relief from coughing and congestion.
The benefits of using Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils to treat cough include natural relief from symptoms, improved respiratory health, and a reduction in the need for pharmaceutical medications.
Related Study
According to "Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry", Glycyrrhiza glabra essential oils for cough may provide relief due to its pharmacological actions modulating the immune system, inhibiting virus growth, producing anti-inflammatory activity, and inactivating viruses.
9. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, also known as lemongrass oil, have been traditionally used to treat cough ailments due to their decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The bioactive constituents of lemongrass oil, such as citral and geraniol, help to thin mucus and reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough up excess mucus and relieve congestion.
The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of lemongrass oil also help to soothe the throat and reduce the severity of coughing, providing relief from cough ailments.
The benefits of using lemongrass oil to treat cough ailments include its natural and non-invasive approach, making it a popular alternative to conventional medications.
Related Study
According to "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Cymbopogon citratus essential oils have been traditionally used to relieve a cough, along with other medicinal properties.