Runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing ... The common cold is a frequent viral infection, especially in winter. To breathe better, opt for wet inhalations! Eucalyptus or lavender, niaouli or cypress? Our advice for choosing the right plants.

Inexpensive, inhalations of certain essential oils act quickly on the entire ENT sphere. They bring the active ingredients of these oils into contact with the respiratory mucous membranes, thus maximizing their therapeutic benefits.

 These inhalations have an anti-infectious, decongestant, moisturizing, hydrating, fluidifying effect, but also trophic (that is to say, they effectively rebalance the mucous membranes). Which essential oils to choose? How to use them well? Advice from Dr Jean-Michel Morel, general practitioner and herbalist who offers us 4 effective wet inhalation recipes.

 How to prepare for inhalation?

Wet inhalation consists of inhaling hot vapors loaded with essential oils, vapors which rehydrate the dry respiratory mucosa. The aromatic molecules thus penetrate more easily into the nasal cavities, sinuses and bronchi.

Manual

Add a few drops of essential oils (ET) to a bowl of simmering water laid flat on the table.


Wait 2-3 minutes, remove glasses or contact lenses if you are wearing them. Then close your eyes (it is important to protect the eyes well) and lean over the bowl, but not too close either to avoid burns, a towel over your head, so as to breathe as much vapor as possible.

 Keep your head under the towel for about ten minutes. If you feel uncomfortable, stop inhaling! It must always be pleasant.


Repeat the operation 1 to 3 times a day, for about ten minutes.

After a wet inhalation, it is better to wait half an hour before going out. The dilation of the mucous membranes facilitates the entry of microbes and exposes to pollution.

 Which essential oil to choose?

In case of a stuffy nose, prefer peppermint or radiated eucalyptus.
In case of sinusitis (the most common complication of the common cold), prefer niaouli and green myrtle.
In the case of an infection (flu-like condition), prefer tea tree or ravintsara essential oil.

What is the difference with dry inhalation?

Dry inhalation consists of impregnating a support with a few drops of essential oils and breathing them. Use a paper tissue, or even better, empty inhaler sticks, to impregnate with one or more essential oils. To breathe for 30 seconds, 4 to 6 times a day. Without risk of burns, it can be used everywhere and does not require special preparation. It is especially much better accepted in children.
 

Inhalation of essential oils, what precautions for use?

Essential oils are contraindicated in children under 6 years old - some under 12 years old - pregnant or breastfeeding women, asthmatics and people with a history of epilepsy or seizures.

Warning ! Certain essential oils cannot be used in inhalation: those based on phenol (EO of Ceylon cinnamon, EO of Chinese cinnamon, EO of clove, EO of thyme thymol ...) and also EO of compact oregano , the EO of oregano from Spain, the EO of peppermint (except in a mixture), the EO of lemon beds, the EO of lemongrass, the EO of lemon eucalyptus ...

 Wet inhalation recipe n 1 for colds

"It is a basic preparation. The essential oil (EO) of radiated eucalyptus, by decongesting the upper airways, facilitates breathing. That of lavender has anti-inflammatory properties", explains Dr. Morel, who advises to choose organic.

For an inhalation, pour into the bowl of hot water: 3 drops of EO of radiated eucalyptus + 2 drops of EO of fine lavender + 1 drop of EO of pine + 1 drop of EO of niaouli + 1 drop of marjoram essential oil.

 Wet inhalation recipe # 2 for colds

If the common cold is associated with a sinus problem, in the first recipe, replace the essential oil of marjoram with that of peppermint. "Astringent, it helps tighten the mucous membrane and thus unclog the nasal passage. Be careful, only add a drop, because it is drying!"

For an inhalation, pour into the bowl of hot water: 3 drops of EO of radiated eucalyptus + 2 drops of EO of fine lavender + 1 drop of EO of pine + 1 drop of EO of niaouli + 1 drop of peppermint essential oil.

 Wet Inhalation Recipe # 3 Against Colds

If the common cold is associated with a productive cough, replace the niaouli with myrtle, because it has anti-infectious and expectorant properties in the lungs.

For inhalation, pour into the bowl of hot water: 3 drops of EO of radiated eucalyptus + 2 drops of EO of fine lavender + 1 drop of EO of pine + 1 drop of EO of myrtle + 1 drop of marjoram essential oil.

Wet inhalation recipe # 4 for colds

If the common cold is associated with a dry cough, replace the essential oil of pine with that of cypress "anti-inflammatory, cough suppressant and antispasmodic in the bronchi".

For an inhalation, pour into the bowl of hot water: 3 drops of EO of radiated eucalyptus + 2 drops of EO of fine lavender + 1 drop of EO of cypress + 1 drop of EO of niaouli + 1 drop of marjoram essential oil.