Sore throat can be a pain for those who suffer from it. Traditional cold medicine and other remedies only treat the symptoms, but not the underlying cause of sore throat. Essential oils are made from plants that are able to offer relief to sores by dealing with the root cause.This article will go through some essential oils that work for sore throat, symptoms of sore throat, and benefits of all essential oils for sore throat.
What is a Sore Throat?
A sore throat is a symptom which signals that there is an inflammation or infection at the back of the mouth. This results in pain, and a feeling of dryness after swallowing. The pain may be throbbing, burning, or both. People who suffer from sore throat often experience other symptoms like a cough, runny nose, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.There are many reasons for the appearance of a sore throat including:
- Viruses (e.g. colds)
- Bacterial infections (e.g. strep throat)
- Allergic Reaction to anything, including food (e.g. peanut allergy)
Using Essential Oils for Sore Throat
There are several essential oils for sore throat: lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus radiata/globulus, melissa (lemon balm), lemon, thyme, myrtle and chamomile. Each one of these essential oils has its own way of eliminating the underlying cause of sore throat.
1. Lavender Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Lavender is a powerful medicinal plant which has been used for a very long time. Today, there are countless studies that support the use of lavender for many different health conditions.Lavender essential oil for sore throat is effective because it reduces inflammation, which is the main cause of pain. In fact, you can even make your own essential oil mouthwash with lavender or apply it directly to the sore spots at the back of your mouth.Another benefit of lavender that will help you with sore throat is its sedative ability. When you feel like your sore throat is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, try inhaling some lavender vapor in order to relax and get more rest. You can also gargle with a combination of 1 teaspoon of lavender oil and 1/4 cup of warm water.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Apart from boosting your immune system, peppermint essential oil will help you relieve pain and inflammation caused by an infection thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to that, it also works as an analgesic and will relieve you from the pain caused by coughing and throat irritation. Peppermint essential oil also has anti-inflammatory, decongestant and antiviral properties. For this reason, you can use peppermint oil in a couple of different ways.The first option is to dilute some peppermint oil with water and then gargle with it. The second option is to add a couple of drops of peppermint oil to your vaporizer and inhale the vapors.However, peppermint oil for sore throat should not be used by people who suffer from epileptic conditions or by pregnant women as it can increase the risk of seizures.
3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Eucalyptus radiata (Tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus) and Globulus (broad-leaved peppermint eucalyptus) are both considered to be very powerful essential oils for sore throats. As you already know, they both have anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce swelling and pain.For this reason, eucalyptus essential oil for sore throat will help you feel better in just a matter of hours. However, make sure that you read the instructions carefully before using eucalyptus essential oil, as it should not be used by people who suffer from epilepsy or asthma.Another way to use eucalytus for sore throat is by swallowing it. You can do this by gargling with some warm water with eucalyptus or by drinking a teaspoon of it diluted in some warm water. Eucalyptus is also perfect for sore throats caused by allergies and other irritants.
4. Melissa (Lemon Balm) Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Melissa essential oil is the perfect choice if you are looking for an immune stimulant that will also reduce swelling and pain. In fact, this essential oil works well on the supportive tissue that is located at the back of your throat. It will also help you get rid of any nasty toxins that are causing your sore throat as well as a cough.For melissa essential oil to be effective during a sore throat you should apply it on your throat and on your chest before or after a warm shower. You can also add some drops of melissa to your bathwater in order to experience quick results.Another benefit of melissa is that it will help you reduce your stress levels. For this reason, you can apply some melissa oil on the back of your neck or between your shoulders and just relax.
5. Lemon Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Lemon essential oil is also a powerful option when it comes to fighting a sore throat. It has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties which are all helpful if you are suffering from a sore throat because of a bacterial infection. Lemon essential oil for sore throat works both internally and externally, so it’s very versatile. Internally, make sure to drink some warm lemon water with some fresh lemon juice added to it. You can also add some drops of lemon essential oil to your vaporizer, but make sure that you don’t overdo it.Externally, apply some diluted lemon essential oil on your throat and chest and enjoy the sensation of soothing warmth.
6. Thyme Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Thyme essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils since it has natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that will help you feel better when suffering from a sore throat caused by an infection. Thyme essential oil for sore throat is also known to alleviate a cough and any pain that is making it difficult to breathe properly.For this reason, you can apply thyme oil on the back of your neck or between your shoulders in order to feel better in just a matter of minutes. You can also add some drops of thyme oil to your vaporizer or inhale it directly from the bottle. If you are looking for more natural holistic remedies for sore throats and colds, check out this page!
7. Myrtle Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Myrtle essential oil is also a great choice when it comes to fighting infections caused by bacteria. Its strong antibacterial properties make myrtle a great choice that will help you fight infections that are causing your sore throat and cough.When suffering from a sore throat caused by an infection, you can also apply some myrtle essential oil on your chest, on your abdomen and behind your knees in order to experience fast results. You can also add some drops of myrtle essential oil to your vaporizer or just inhale it directly from the bottle.
8. Chamomile Essential Oil for Sore Throat
Chamomile essential oil is another powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic natural remedy for sore throats. It helps you relax and fall asleep quicker, since it is known to have a soothing effect on the body.It also works wonders when you have a throat infection that is making you cough during the night. Simply add some drops of chamomile essential oil to your vaporizer and inhale it directly from the bottle in order to feel better in just a matter of minutes.
In Conclusion – Using Essential Oils for Sore Throat
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years to treat pain and inflammation, which makes them a very powerful way to naturally treat sore throat infections. They are a great natural alternative to using traditional medication, because they will not only help you feel better, but they will also boost your immunity system.The above-mentioned essential oils are extremely potent aromatherapy solutions that will help you relieve pain naturally. Even just one drop of these oils will go a long way.
