For colds, essential oils help

For colds and colds essential oils help

12/28/2011

Who does not know it, the annoying cold at the time of lifting and wintertime. The nose is red, seems to run incessantly and breathing is difficult. In addition to the conventional medicines from the pharmacy, home remedies and natural remedies can provide relief. Wolfgang Kircher of the German Pharmacists Committee recommends the inhalation of essential oils.

Essential oils are natural and effective
For the inhalation of essential oils is a „Mode of Transport“ necessary. Water vapor is used to get the essential oils into the respiratory tract. „The addition of common salt is not effective because it is not carried along with the water vapor, "explains Wolfgang Kircher.

A common home remedy for colds are steam baths, given the chamomile flowers in a bowl of hot water. The affected person then bends over the bowl, covers his head with a cloth, so that as little as possible can escape steam, and inhales the steam. Disadvantage of this method is a possible irritation of the eyes by the hot steam. Due to the high temperature of the vapor, many people only inhale for a short time, so that the essential oils have not yet reached the respiratory tract sufficiently.

An alternative is an inhaler that works on the principle of a hot water pot. It consists of an inner pot, a housing and a mask for nose and mouth. The essential oils or their preparation are added to the inner pot of the inhaler. Then the inner pot is filled to the mark with boiling hot water and the outer shell closed. The mask is then placed on the mouth and nose so that the vapor can be inhaled. Wolfgang Kircher warns: „ The filled inhaler must not be moved or tilted due to the risk of leakage.“ Generally the danger of scalding is great. Hot water inhalers should always be used with care.

Other home remedies for Schupfen
Iodine is considered an old home remedy for flu infections. It is recommended to drink a glass of water with a drop of 10% iodine tincture for the very first signs of cold. The iodine is said to help regulate the fluid balance of the nasal mucous membranes and thus prevent the onset of the cold. The Schüßler salt No. 14, potassium iodate D6, is said to serve the same purpose when taken for half an hour.

Prevention of runny nose
Nasal rinses are to prevent colds. They are easy to do and not painful. Water or ten percent saline solutions (saline or Emser salt) or herbal preparations can be sucked directly from the hand over the nostrils. With regular use a cold should not be able to develop. The ingestion of lozenges or even liquid preparations with the extract of the cistus (for example Cystus 052) should act as a preventive measure against colds. (Ag)

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Picture: Luise