Your nervous system sends an alert to your brain when something irritates your throat or airway. By telling the muscles in your chest and abdomen to contract and to expel a burst of air, your brain responds.
A cough is a significant defensive reflex that helps protect your body against irritants such as:
- mucus
- smoke
- allergens, such as dust, mold, and pollen
Coughing is a symptom of many illnesses and conditions. Sometimes, the characteristics of your cough can give you a clue to its cause.
Symptoms:
- runny nose
- postnasal drip
- fatigue
Basic blend for dry coughs
| Eucalyptus radiata | 3 drops |
| Thyme linalol | 2 drops |
Blend together and then dilute by adding 4–5 drops to each teaspoon (5 mL) of carrier oil. Apply a small amount over the back and chest at least twice a day.
For the steam inhalation method, use 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of eucalyptus radiata.
Alternative blend for dry coughs
| Frankincense | 5 drops |
| Ginger | 5 drops |
| Niaouli | 5 drops |
Blend together and then dilute by adding 4–5 drops to each teaspoon (5 mL) of carrier oil, and rub a small amount onto the chest and back every night.
Other Essential Oils That Could Be Used to Treat This Condition: chamomile roman, tea tree, *oregano (Origanum vulgare), *sandalwood (Santalum album), *frankincense (Boswellia carterii), *ginger (Zingiber officinale), *niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia), *elemi (Canarium luzonicum), *cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi), *ravensara (Ravensara aromatica)
Coughs with mucus – essential oils remedy
Follow the steam inhalation treatment outlined above, in dry coughs.
Basic blend for coughs with mucus
| Eucalyptus radiata | 2 drops |
| Thyme linalol | 2 drops |
| Tea tree | 1 drop |
| Geranium | 1 drop |
Blend together and then dilute by adding 6 drops to each teaspoon (5 mL) of carrier oil. Massage a small amount over the back and chest at least twice a day.
Alternative blend for coughs with mucus
| Niaouli | 5 drops |
| Frankincense | 5 drops |
Blend together and then dilute by adding 5 drops to each teaspoon (5 mL) of carrier oil, and rub a small amount onto the chest and back every night.
Other Essential Oils That Could Be Used to Treat This Condition: *niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia), *frankincense (Boswellia carterii), *cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi), *elemi (Canarium luzonicum), *ravensara (Ravensara aromatica), *palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii), *cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), *ho wood (Cinnamomum camphora ct. linalool), *basil linalol (Ocimum basilicum ct. linalool)