Essential Oils for Respiratory Infections
A client asked me last week about Essential Oils useful for respiratory infections. And yes, I know it’s the start of August and we generally associate respiratory infections with winter. However, chest infections don’t always consult the calendar before showing up and they can also show up during the summer.
I sent my client a fairly long response because there is no single “best Essential Oil” for respiratory infections and I wanted to provide her with a lot of options. In the big picture, what’s “best” for any individual person depends on what type of support you’re looking for and what scents you like. I strongly believe that it’s really important to like the scent of the Essential Oil you’re using in order to gain best results, and sense of smell is so very personal.
What I’ve done for this blog is adapt the information I sent my client by WhatsApp, because I thought you might gain from it too. I’ve added some additional information for the purposes of this blog, taken out other bits I don’t want to share publically (intrigued yet?), but otherwise it’s pretty similar to what I sent her.
So let’s get going…
Disclaimers
First of all, a couple of important disclaimers. Because we’re dealing with Essential Oils and I’m a lawyer.
First disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or medical professional, and anything I write here is absolutely not to be taken as any sort of medical advice. It’s just my own personal opinions and public musings, so please take them in that light. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have asthma, epilepsy, respiratory sensitivities, take medication, or have any other condition, or want to use Essential Oils with a child, make sure you check that the particular oils and methods are suitable before using them. Even if you’re none of these things, confirm and take care.
Second disclaimer, closely related: please use common sense, and if you need to see a doctor, please do so! My approach to health is utterly holistic, which for me means being curious about uncovering root causes of discomfort, noticing underlying patterns rather than focusing merely on surface symptoms, and being open and welcoming to a broad range of tools to help you balance your body, mind, emotions, and spirit in order to support you in living a more joyful and fulfilling life. And part of this holistic attitude includes working with the knowledge, skills and tools held by conventional doctors.
Also important: pay attention to Essential Oil safety. Essential Oils are powerful, and whether the power is used for good or harm depends on how you use them. Essential Oil safety tips are at the end of this blog, here.
So disclaimers, warnings, and other legalities aside, let’s get going…
What problem are you trying to solve?
There are three big areas where Essential Oils can help you or a loved one suffering from a chest or respiratory infection: (1) general anti-germ aromatherapy oils, (2) those that help with wet or dry coughs or congestion, and (3) those that can you in relaxing and sleeping (very important for health in general!).
General Anti-Infection Aromatherapy Oils
The usefulness of these Essential Oils stems from their anti-microbial properties (“antimicrobial” simply being a fancy word that covers anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal). This means that when you use these oils, whether through diffusion or topically (again, please read my Essential Oil safety tips here!!) they help you reduce the number of potentially illness causing microbial (aka germs) in your home or workplace.
Let’s look at a few of the ones I use a lot:
Oregano Essential Oil
Oregano has extremely strong anti-microbial activity. This means that it’s an excellent Essential Oil to diffuse when someone at home or in the office is sick and you don’t want the illness to spread. Put one or two drops of Oregano oil in an Essential Oil diffuser along with about six to eight drops of other essential oils (for instance, Tea Tree, Peppermint, or what is really nice for when you are wanting to relax – Lavender) and diffuse.
It’s important to dilute Oregano because of its strength. Its strength means that while on the one hand it is very powerful, on the other hand it is potentially highly irritating to skin and mucous membranes. So take care, use only one or two drops in your diffuser, and if you feel any sort of irritation in your throat or mucus membranes, simply turn the diffuser off for a while and open windows in the room. Like most things in life, use good common sense and all will be good.
Thyme Essential Oil
Like Oregano, Thyme Essential Oil is also a very powerful oil, meaning that it’s both excellent to use when you’re wanting to clear germs from your home or office, and you also need to use care in its use.
How to use Thyme Essential Oil when you’re wanting to reduce the germs in your home or office? Simply read the previous section on Oregano Essential Oil, replacing the word “Oregano” with “Thyme” 😉
Tea Tree Essential Oil
We’re now getting to some of the oils I use on a regular basis for clearing the air, both when there’s physical illness that I’m wanting to avoid, and also when I’m wanting to energetically clear my space. I put in this last bit because due to our body-mind-soul connections, when we’re feeling clear energetically we’re also much more likely to avoid falling ill in the first place.
As a diffuser mix, I love combining Tea Tree oil with Lemon or Lemongrass Essential oil. It’s also lovely together with Rosemary Essential Oil. Mix them according to your own taste, but I might start with about 40% Tea Tree, and 60% your other oils. And then always, always adjust to what smells nice to you. One of my core attitudes around Essential Oils is that it’s super-important that you love the scent of the oil you’re using. If you don’t, select something else.
I say this because of the body-mind-soul connection I mention two paragraphs up – when you love what you’re using, it’s going to be all that more effective. And believe me – there are enough Essential Oils in this world that you’re going to find at least some that does what you want and also has a scent you adore.
Back to Tea Tree oil and cleansing, both against illness and also generally, energetically – typically on a Sunday morning, in order to start the week on a fresh foot, I’ll fill one of my diffusers with Tea Tree and Lemongrass and let it clear out stagnant energy from the room. I also suggest this during Passover or spring cleaning, or whenever it’s important to you that your room is clear of energetic stagnation. And sometimes I’ll use different combinations of cleansing oils instead – for instance, as I write this piece, I am diffusing a combination of Eucalyptus and Petitgrain oils instead.
For chest infections, you can also HIGHLY DILUTE Tea Tree oil and apply it to your upper back, chest, or soles of your feet. Like all dilutions, start with diluting way more than you think you need, just to be safe, and then if you feel it’s appropriate you can add a teeny bit more.
Lemon and Lemongrass Essential Oils
Both Lemon and Lemongrass are lovely, fresh-smelling additions to respiratory diffuser blends, and combine fabulously with Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Basil, and Lavender Essential Oils. Of the two, Lemon is more strongly citrusy, while Lemongrass is gentler, with an almost earthy undertone. I personally prefer Lemongrass because I feel it’s more effective for cleansing subtle energetic disruptions, but even with this provisio at times there’s no substitute for the strong, clear power of Lemon. Just look at cleansing products – there are tons of kitchen-cleaning Lemon products , but not a whole lot of Lemongrass ones.
Most citrus oils, including Lemon (but not Lemongrass, for it is a grass not a citrus) cause photosensitivity, which is increased sensitivity to sunlight after applying the Essential Oil to the skin. Therefore, it’s important not to apply photosensitivity-causing Essential Oils to your face or any other place that will be exposed to the sun.
On Guard Essential Oil Blend
On Guard is blend created by Doterra containing Orange, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary Essential Oils. It is generally used for its immune-supporting properties, as well as cleansing physical spaces.
I like using On Guard in a diffuser when someone in the house is sick, or illnesses seems to be travelling from gan to home or office. Due to the Clove and Cinnamon in its formula, On Guard has a warm, wintery vibe to it and it’s really nice to use during the colder months when you’re curled up with a mug of hot chocolate.
Please note that in the vein of Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils, Cinnamon and Clove are also very powerful and potentially irritating to the skin (that’s why all four of those oils are in this section – because they are so strong!). This means that if you use On Guard topically it is important to dilute it sufficiently. Again, I urge you to read my safety section at the end of this blog before using any oils.
If you’re interested in hearing other ways in which I use On Guard, feel free to be in touch with me; I’d love to share.
Other Essential Oils for Clearing the Air
There are many more Essential Oils that I love which fall into this category, but in order for this blog to remain accessible and not metamorphosis into a small book, I am mentioning only these for now.
Essential Oils for congestion, mucus, and wet coughs
Primer: wet coughs versus dry coughs
In addition to general cleansing of the air, you can use Essential Oils to support you with coughs and congestion. Just make sure you remember the common sense recommendation here about seeing a doctor when you need to.
What will help you most when you’re selecting Essential Oils for coughs and congestion is to be clear about what type of cough is irritating you, so you can make the most effective choice of oil. The main way to figure out if you have a wet cough and a dry cough is mucus: a wet cough tends to brings up phlegm, while a dry cough generally does not.
This means that Essential Oils used for wet coughs tend to be more supportive of thinning mucus so it is easier to cough up, opening blocked airways, and reducing swelling, while those for dry coughs generally help with relaxing the muscles in the airways, easing throat irritation, and cooling the nerve endings that trigger the cough reflex.
Now, this doesn’t mean you need to use Essential Oils from one category and not the other. My general approach is that it’s often helpful to blend oils from different categories (including the one we already discussed above – general anti-microbial oils) in order to cover all your bases. However, understanding these distinctions gives you a useful starting place for selecting the most appropriate Essential Oils for your specific condition.
Unless otherwise stated, the oils in this section can be used in a diffuser or properly diluted and applied to the chest and upper back. Again – same disclaimers as always.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is one of the best all-around useful Essential Oils for helping with the feeling of blocked sinuses, chest congestion, thick mucus, and a wet cough. Its strong, fresh aroma can help breathing feel clearer and more open.
Energetically, Eucalyptus Essential Oil helps clear stagnant air and reset personal and environmental energy. Writing these words reminds me of how much I love Eucalyptus oil, and inspires me to start using it again regularly for cleansing. I tend to get fixated on a single cleansing oil for a while – a long time ago it was Peppermint, then Lemongrass, it’s currently Tea Tree blended with other oils; perhaps after writing this blog it’ll move to Eucalyptus for a while.
Air / Breathe Essential Oil Blend
Doterra has a fantastic respiratory blend which is called Air or Breathe, depending on your country. The blends are slightly different from one another, but not in a material way. Air / Breathe contains oils that include Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lemon, and Cardamom. I adore the scent of Air / Breathe and it’s wonderful to both diffuse or apply topically.
One thing I offer are Essential Oil Rollers with Bach Flowers blended with the Air / Breathe formula and my Bach Flower blend Calm & Chill. Several of my clients have ordered them when their children have been ill, to rub on their chests and upper backs. If you’re wanting the roller for younger children please let me know when you order and I’ll make it extra-diluted and super gentle for them.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary has a fresh, herbal scent and combines well with Eucalyptus for congestion and wet coughs.
Rosemary is also good for mental alertness (it’s associated with increased blood flow, including to your brain) and so is great if feeling ill has left you with grogginess or brain fog. For mental sharpness it’s great to also add Basil Essential Oil to your diffuser. Although Basil oil is not top of the list for respiratory illness, it does help when you’re feeling mental fatigue and brain fog, especially when combined with Bach Flowers.
Cardamom Essential Oil
Cardamom is warm, comforting, and especially lovely in a blend when you’re experiencing mucus and chest discomfort. Its scent is gentler and warmer than Eucalyptus or Peppermint, and it can help balance a respiratory blend that otherwise feels extremely sharp.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint gives a rapid cooling sensation that can make the nose and breathing feel more open. It is strong, so begin with only a small amount in the diffuser. Peppermint is another one of those oils which is great for mental sharpness. I personally like combining Peppermint and Lavender Essential Oils because they balance one another well – Peppermint is stimulating and great for mental activity, whereas Lavender is calming and centering, and both have anti-microbial properties.
Cypress Essential Oil
Cypress is an Essential Oil traditionally used for dry, repetitive coughs. It helps because of its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. It’s nice to use Cypress oil in a diffuser, or by adding a few drops to a bowl of hot water and breathing in the steam (just make sure you use common sense and keep your head far enough away so you don’t get burned).
I personally love Cypress Essential Oil because of its lovely, fresh, and light scent which is far less heavy than some of the other tree oils (such as Cedarwood, which I alternately like or dislike, depending on the month and my mood). For me, Cypress’ freshness makes me feel like I’m deep in the forest right after a warm spring rain, standing at the foot of a Cypress grove and gazing up at the trees, with the sharp scent of Cypress needles in my nostrils and the air.
Essential Oils for relaxing and sleeping
Frankincense Essential Oil
In my eyes, Frankincense is one of the best all-around amazing-for-just-about-everything Essential Oils there is. In terms of chest infections, Frankincense helps reduce inflammation and clear mucus, therefore helping with both wet and dry coughs.
It’s also a tremendously relaxing Essential Oil, and is great to diffuse at night before sleep, or when you want to deeply focus on work notwithstanding not feeling well. I always recommend putting Frankincense in the diffuser before important meetings, to get you and other participants in the mindset for working together to achieve results and solutions, rather than being at loggerheads.
I create Frankincense Essential Oil Rollers with Bach Flowers, which turns Frankincense oil into conveniently easy-to-use, and also complements its powers with Bach Flower remedies. Speak with me if you want more details, and you can also explore them here.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is a wonderful choice when coughing or discomfort are making it difficult to sleep. Try using Lavender Essential Oil in a diffuser beside your bed or add it to a properly diluted nighttime blend to massage into your chest and upper back. Also consider adding my Bach Flower blend Calm & Chill to both your diffuser and topical blend.
Calm & Chill is (and indeed, all Bach Flowers and Bach Flower blends are) very complementary to Essential Oils in that they help you get at many of the same results, but energetically rather than physically.
Copaiba Essential Oil
Copaiba is another good choice when you are looking for Essential Oils with anti-inflammatory properties. It’s very comforting when blended with Frankincense or Lavender in a carrier lotion or oil for your chest or upper back.
As an aside, I also use Copaiba a lot on my face, mixed in with face creams. It’s great for skin due to its gentleness and anti-inflammatory properties. This video shows how I use Copaiba oil on my face.
Some Essential Oil blends you can prepare
I’ve talked a bit about blends above, and here are some specific recipes you can try out for your diffuser. All quantities and proportions are rough; adjust according to the size of the room and your personal taste. And any questions, of course please feel free to be in contact with me.
Clear and Freshen Blend
Great for cleansing rooms both from germs, and also from energy that doesn’t serve you.
- 4 drops Tea Tree
- 4 drops Lemon
- 3 drops Eucalyptus
- 2 drops Petitgrain
- 5 sprays or 10 drops of the Bach Flower Crab Apple
Wet cough / mucus / congestion
- 4 drops Eucalyptus
- 4 drops Rosemary
- 3 drops Lemon
- 2 drops Cardamom
- 5 sprays or 10 drops of Goodbye Cranky Bach Flower Blend if you or family members are feeling grouchy because of illness or fatigue
Dry or nighttime cough / difficulty sleeping
- 5 drops Cypress
- 5 drops Frankincense
- 2 drop Lavender
- 5 sprays or 10 drops of Calm & Chill Bach Flower Blend
Essential Oil Rollers for convenience
I’ve already mentioned above in a few places that I prepare Essential Oil rollers with Bach Flower essences. I love these rollers because the Essential Oils are already diluted for you, which makes them extremely easy and convenient to use, plus the Bach Flowers add additional depth and power to the oils.
You can find more information about my Essential Oil rollers with Bach Flowers here: https://sat-sung.com/rollers/
And you can find more information about Essential Oils and ordering Doterra products through me here: https://sat-sung.com/essential-oils/
So you know – I offer all Doterra oils and products at my cost which is wholesale price. I do this for several reasons, including providing a special benefit to my clients (including new clients).
Wishing you and everyone in your family a beautifully scented and extremely healthy day.
~ Sat-Sung 💜
Essential Oil Safety Information
Essential Oils are extremely concentrated forms of plant matter. Their concentration is what gives them their power and incredible scent, but it also creates their risks, specifically of irritation, rashes, or other issues is not properly diluted before using on your skin or in a diffuser. This is especially the case with super-strong oils such as Oregano, Thyme, Cinnamon, and Clove. These oils demand particular care be taken with them.
So let’s talk more specifics about dilution. To “dilute” an Essential Oil means mixing it into a carrier oil, such as almond, olive, or coconut oil, or into a body or face cream.
Essential Oils do not dilute in water. This is important because putting a few drops into water does not make them evenly dispersed or necessarily safe for your skin or mouth.
Keep all Essential Oils away from your eyes and other sensitive areas.
Any questions about any aspect of Essential Oil safety – feel free to speak with me.
How I help my clients
I help clients who feel stuck in a situation, relationship, or ongoing difficulty. I help them identify the underlying patterns and issues that are driving what is happening, allowing them to make more accurate decisions and take appropriate action. This helps them bridge the gap between where they are now and where they want to be.
I am a Human Design Coach and Bach Flower Practitioner, and Human Design and Bach Flowers are the two main tools I use in my work. I often combine Human Design and Bach Flowers because they complement one another. Clients also have the option of working with either one separately. My work is highly individualised, and the tools I use depend on the person, the situation, and my client’s goals.
Essential Oils are an established part of my work. Clients can order oils through me, and I also help them understand and choose oils that are relevant to what they want to address. Where appropriate, I also draw on additional tools, such as Access Bars sessions and intuitive readings.
The tools I use vary, but the purpose of my work remains consistent: to understand what is really driving the challenges in my clients’ lives, identify the underlying patterns and issues, and help my clients move forward in a focused, practical, and highly personalised way.
I’d love to stay in touch and invite you to join my community newsletter. I share practical tips, inspiration, updates, and occasional special offers related to my work. I send it only once a month, and sometimes even less, to help keep your inbox quiet.
