Asthma is an inflammatory disease that affects the passageways carrying air to and from the lungs. When asthma attacks occur, the inside walls of the airways become inflamed, causing them to become sensitive and making breathing hard. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and breathing problems.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for asthma. The best thing your doctor can do is find out factors that trigger your symptoms and help you avoid them. You may also be prescribed certain medications, such as an inhaler (commonly containing short-acting beta agonists and anticholinergics), to manage your condition and counteract asthma attacks. These have been shown to effectively treat asthma attacks, so while we don’t recommend replacing your inhaler, if you’re looking for natural supplemental remedies that can help prevent symptoms from developing, there are some great essential oils you can start using today.

Using Essential Oils For Asthma

Peppermint Essential Oil

A chest rub made from peppermint essential oil can provide relief to a person suffering from asthma thanks to its antihistamine and decongestant properties. When you are exposed to an allergen or irritants such as airborne pollen and dust mites, histamines are released into your body which can trigger asthma attacks. As peppermint can inhibit the release of histamine, you can prevent the symptoms from developing.

You can make the chest rub by combining 2 drops of peppermint oil with 8 drops of lavender, a drop of lemon and two tablespoons of a carrier oil like jojoba or olive oil. Add this mixture to about 20 drops of carrier oil (you may use either jojoba oil or sweet almond oil). Applying this chest rub two times a day can help eliminate asthma attacks.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties that can help manage asthma. Inhaling a lavender essential oil preparation (usually combined with peppermint or eucalyptus) will allow your airways to open in the event of mild asthma attacks.

One way of using lavender oil as an asthma remedy is by adding several drops into a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. You may want to drape a towel over your head to inhale as much steam as you can. Apart from clearing the airways, this technique provides you with the additional benefit of cleansing the skin.

With the right treatment, asthmatics can still enjoy a perfectly normal life, and you can count on essential oils to help you with that. Keep in mind, though, that these oils work quite differently for each individual. You may have to do some bit of testing to find what which ones will work best for you. And while essential oils are generally safe, some people may develop allergic reactions. So that is another factor to consider. Lastly, you have to understand that while it is very useful, these essential oils are not meant to cure asthma. They should not also be used to replace traditional treatments.

Using essential oils for asthma, in addition to conventional asthma treatments, such as inhalers and allergy medications can provide you with greater comfort.

In fact, in many cases, this approach can help reduce the frequency of using rescue inhalers. Just make sure to inform your doctor of your plan to use supplementary or alternative remedies. Most doctors are open to such approach so you would not have issues when it comes to seeking their approval.