The practice of aromatherapy has long been identified to have major benefits for physical and mental health, as well as emotional well-being. While mainstream approaches to the treatment of respiratory problems are crucial, using aromatherapy massage can help to improve a range of symptoms and thus speed recovery.
Aromatherapy Massage for Respiratory Problems
Massage has many healing benefits, particularly for babies, where it is used as a means of helping parent and child bond, soothing teething problems, improving sleep and reducing anxiety. Aromatherapy massage has also been recognised as helpful for infants and children suffering from chesty coughs, colds and sinus problems.
In The Aromatherapy Bible, Farrer-Halls (2005) highlights how aromatherapy massage is used within the treatment of respiratory problems, as follows:
- for massage: chest, abdomen, diaphragm, upper back, to benefit respiratory system
- to relax tense muscles in chest from repeated coughing
- for its anti-spasmodic properties (combination of massage/essential oils)
- to relax bronchioles in lungs
- to soothe irritated/inflamed mucous membranes
- to dissolve mucus build-up
Essential Oils Treat Respiratory Conditions
The health benefits associated with using aromatherapy treatments for helping those with respiratory conditions are primarily due to combining traditional healing massage with soothing, relieving essential oils. As identified by Farrer-Halls (2005), sandalwood has demulcent properties for reducing inflammation, while clary sage and cypress oils are recognised to have anti-spasmodic properties, particularly helpful for those with chesty coughs.
In The Handbook of Essential Oils, Harding (2008) recommends aromatherapy essential oils useful for helping those affected by breathing problems, to include the following:
- Himalayan cedarwood - expands breath, relieves blocked nose, coughs, bronchitis
- myrrh - calms breath, soothes tight chesty coughs, draws out infection
- lemon-scented eucalyptus - soothes asthma, eases chesty coughs
- eucalyptus - clears blocked nasal passages, helps breathing, eases sinusitis
- laurel leaf - clears sinusitis, boosts immunity/respiratory systems
- cajeput - supports body through colds/flu, clears blocked nose
- niaouli - relieves acute bronchitis symptoms
- myrtle - eases chesty coughs
- black spruce - soothes asthma
- benzoin resinoid - eases spasmodic coughs, soothes sore throats/laryngitis
- thyme - unblocks respiratory passages during colds/flu, boosts immunity
For more information on aromatherapy massage and the healing properties of essential oils, make an appointment with a qualified aromatherapist. Before purchasing essential oils for use on babies, children, the elderly or during pregnancy, it is important to first seek medical advice.
As highlighted above, aromatherapy massage helps babies with teething pain and reduces anxiety, as well as a number of respiratory complaints, such as colds, flu, asthma and bronchitis. Key essential oils used for the treatment of respiratory conditions, include eucalyptus, myrtle, laurel leaf, myrrh, sandalwood, clary sage and cypress.
Sources:
Farrer-Halls, G. (2005) The Aromatherapy Bible London: Godsfield Press
Harding, J. (2008) The Essential Oils Handbook London: Duncan Baird
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
Join the Conversation