Bronchitis

Respiratory System

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the bronchi, or main air passages of the lungs. Bronchitis can result from a respiratory infection, (since the disorder is caused by the same viruses that cause colds) that has worked its way into the bronchi of the lungs. Symptoms of bronchitis include a deep cough that brings up grayish or yellowish phlegm from the lungs, breathlessness, wheezing and a fever. There may also be the presence of pain in the upper chest that gets worse upon coughing.

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis – there are millions of tiny tubes called bronchioles in the lungs, which convey air between the larger airways (the bronchi) and tiny air sacs called alveoli. In bronchiolitis, the lining of the bronchioles is infected, usually by a virus that first causes a cold and then spreads. Bronchiolitis usually affects babies under eighteen months of age.

Essential Oils for Bronchitis in Adults:

Top Note: basil, bergamot, cajeput, caraway, eucalyptus, lemon, niaouli, orange, thyme, tea tree, yarrow, sage

Middle Note: aniseed, black pepper, camphor, cypress, hyssop, juniper, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, pine, rosemary, savory

Base Note: benzoin, cedarwood, clove, frankincense, ginger, immortelle, myrrh, origanum, sandalwood

*Infants and Children:

Bronchitis Essential Oils for children over five:
Tea tree, roman chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, hyssop, thyme

Blends:

Inhalations:

• 8 drops tea tree
• 10 drops red thyme
• 7 drops roman chamomile
• Mix into a synergistic blend – use 3 drops in a diffuser or in the water-bowl method, three times a day.

Massage

• 15 drops red thyme
• 15 drops tea tree
• Add to 30ml base vegetable oil.
• Massage three times a day over the chest and back, concentrating on the back and lung area.

Self Help (Adults):

• Oregano Solution: 10 drops oregano oil, 4 ounces warm distilled water. Mix the oil and warm water, then drink it four times daily.

• Mix twenty drops of garlic oil with three tablespoons of olive oil and rub on the chest and feet.

• Cover the chest with warm onion poultices

• If coughing is severe, take valerian root to relax the throat

• Gargle with one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar in six ounces of water

• Use a vaporizer / humidifier or steam from hot water to moisten the air – lungs do not like excessive dryness

• Put some eucalyptus on a pillow

Herbs:

• Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) – prepared as a decoction for the treatment of coughs and other chest complaints. The flavonoids in coltsfoot have an anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect which eases spasms in the lungs, allowing for easier breathing. The polysaccharides are anti-inflammatory, and they also act as an expectorant for excess phlegm and mucous.

  As a tincture take 1 ml (20 drops) twice daily to improve the lungs.

• Take two propolis, twice daily and one echinacea or goldenseal twice daily.

• Grapefruit seed extract is beneficial in breaking up the mucous and stop a cough; recommended dose is two capsules, twice daily with food

Gemstone for Healing:

• Chrysocolla

Wear pendant

Reflexology areas to emphasize:

• Lungs – primary reflex
• Adrenal glands – helpful for inflammation

Bronchiolitis – there are millions of tiny tubes called bronchioles in the lungs, which convey air between the larger airways (the bronchi) and tiny air sacs called alveoli. In bronchiolitis, the lining of the bronchioles is infected, usually by a virus that first causes a cold and then spreads. Bronchiolitis usually affects babies under eighteen months of age.

Bronchiolitis Essential Oils for Infants:Tea tree, roman chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender

Inhalations:

• 8 drops tea tree
• 7 drops Roman chamomile
• 10 drops eucalyptus
• Mix into a synergistic blend – use 3 drops in a diffuser or in the water-bowl method, three times a day.

Massage

• 10 drops tea tree
• 10 drops eucalyptus
• 10 drops lavender
• Add to 30ml base vegetable oil.
• Massage three times a day over the chest and back, concentrating on the back and lung area.

* Source: Worwood Valerie Ann, The Fragrant Pharmacy. Bantam Books, 1991