Steam inhalation with essential oils is great! It's one of the most common home uses in aromatherapy, and it can be remarkably effective.
The normal procedure is to add a couple of drops to hot water and inhale the vapour. It's better if you can lift the water mixture up to your nose rather than bending down, as this allows you to really open the chest in the process.
*Lower doses are more effective*
However note that lower doses are actually more effective. High
concentrations of inhaled essential oils can dry or irritate the nasal
membranes leading to further inflammation. They may also temporarily
paralyse the action of the membrane, preventing the body's natural
defences from getting to work to expel unwanted material.
So, as with many things to do with aromatherapy, the advice is to be
gentle, simple, and generally to err on the side of caution. Remember
that when essential oils are produced, the plant material and 'plant
energy' becomes highly concentrated and very powerful. A little goes a
long way. Also realise that the deeper into the respiratory tract that
the infection is, the longer it may take to notice results.
Room diffusion with suitable oils can also be helpful, but again it has
been found that intermittent exposure is more effective than continuous
diffusion.
*Essential oils for Steam Inhalation*
The oils most commonly used for inhalation are eucalyptus conifers (pine, spruce and firs) and some citrus oils. Note that there are other essential oils with components which provide good support the respiratory system but which should be used only sparingly (if at all) for steam inhalation because
they will irritate the mucus membranes.
*A tip from Ayurveda*
Finally Ayurvedic practitioners frequently recommend a daily 'nasya'.
This involves, as part of your morning routine, the introduction of a
very small amount of a vegetable oil into each nostril followed by a big
sniff. It is said to provide protection against infection. Sesame oil is
generally recommended for this, but be sure to use the cold-pressed
unroasted sesame which is a lovely nutty brown colour, rather than the
oil made from the roasted seeds which is black.
However note that lower doses are actually more effective. High
concentrations of inhaled essential oils can dry or irritate the nasal
membranes leading to further inflammation. They may also temporarily
paralyse the action of the membrane, preventing the body's natural
defences from getting to work to expel unwanted material.
So, as with many things to do with aromatherapy, the advice is to be
gentle, simple, and generally to err on the side of caution. Remember
that when essential oils are produced, the plant material and 'plant
energy' becomes highly concentrated and very powerful. A little goes a
long way. Also realise that the deeper into the respiratory tract that
the infection is, the longer it may take to notice results.
Room diffusion with suitable oils can also be helpful, but again it has
been found that intermittent exposure is more effective than continuous
diffusion.
*Essential oils for Steam Inhalation*
The oils most commonly used for inhalation are eucalyptus conifers (pine, spruce and firs) and some citrus oils. Note that there are other essential oils with components which provide good support the respiratory system but which should be used only sparingly (if at all) for steam inhalation because
they will irritate the mucus membranes.
*A tip from Ayurveda*
Finally Ayurvedic practitioners frequently recommend a daily 'nasya'.
This involves, as part of your morning routine, the introduction of a
very small amount of a vegetable oil into each nostril followed by a big
sniff. It is said to provide protection against infection. Sesame oil is
generally recommended for this, but be sure to use the cold-pressed
unroasted sesame which is a lovely nutty brown colour, rather than the
oil made from the roasted seeds which is black.
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