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20 Essential Oils For Sore Throat

Overview

If you're looking for an alternative approach to over-the-counter medications for a sore throat, essential oils are worth the try. This article lists 20 essential oils that could be helpful for soothing a sore throat.

Table Of Contents

A sore throat is a condition that often makes it hard to swallow and causes mild to extreme discomfort. It's usually caused by a viral infection, like a cold or the flu, or a strep throat. A sore throat will usually go away over time. However, if it is persistent and over-the-counter medication doesn't seem to work, essential oils for sore throats may be worth a try.

Essential oils are made from the leaves, flowers, or roots of specific plants. The "essence" of the plant is captured through steam distillation, making the essential oils potent with many health benefits.

A sore throat can be more than just a minor inconvenience; it can disrupt your daily activities and leave you feeling miserable. Whether it’s caused by a viral infection, bacterial infection, or environmental factors, finding relief is often a top priority. Essential oils, with their natural healing properties, offer an effective and soothing remedy for sore throats.

What is a Sore Throat and Its Causes?

Now, let's learn in detail about sore throat and its causes. A sore throat refers to pain, scratchiness, or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. It is typically a symptom of an underlying condition, rather than a condition itself. The main causes of a sore throat include:

  • Viral Infections: The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection such as the common cold, influenza, or mononucleosis.
  • Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections like streptococcus (strep throat) can cause severe sore throats and require medical treatment.
  • Allergies: Allergies to pollen, dust, and pet dander can cause throat irritation.
  • Dry Air: Dry indoor air, especially during winter, can leave your throat feeling raw and scratchy.
  • Pollutants: Exposure to cigarette smoke or other pollutants can irritate the throat.
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Acid reflux can lead to a sore throat as stomach acid irritates the lining of the esophagus and throat.
  • Strain: Overusing your voice, such as yelling or talking loudly, can strain the throat muscles and cause soreness.

What essential oil is good for sore throat?

There are many to choose from if you’re looking for some relief. For your ease, we’ve compiled a quick list of 20 best essential oils for sore throat.

1. Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme oil for strep throat may aid in fight against sore throat. So thyme essential oil may prove useful during sore throats.

2. Lavender Essential Oil

A soothing oil most known for its snoozy, soothing scent, lavender oil also has properties which are helpful during sore throats.

3. Tea Tree Essential Oil

The popular Tea Tree Oil is commonly used in skincare products. However, Tea Tree Oil for sore throat has properties that may be useful in stopping the symptoms of sore throat.

4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

A soothing oil most known for its soothing scent, eucalyptus oil also has properties which may prove useful during sore throat issues.

5. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon Essential Oil for sore throat has good properties, which may help with the symptoms of sore throat.

6. Peppermint Essential Oil

Famously used for sore throats, Peppermint Oil for sore throat is inhaled through steam. Peppermint Oil contains menthol, a base ingredient in many sore throat medications.

7. Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger has been widely used in alternative medicines. Ginger Oil is helpful in dealing with sore throat.

8. Garlic Essential Oil

Garlic has properties useful for health related concerns. Garlic Oil contains allicin, a compound that possesses health-related properties, proving that garlic is especially helpful for sore throats.

9. Australian Sandalwood Essential Oil

When feeling discomfort from a sore throat, Australian Sandalwood Oil is a great soother. Its woody, earthy, and sweet aroma relaxes tense minds.

10. Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano Oil for sore throat contains properties that may help reduce discomfort whenever you’re suffering from a sore, itchy throat.

11. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary Oil may aid the body in its fight against sore throat. It may also help to soothe respiratory issues which can cause sore throats.

12. Frankincense Essential Oil

The boswellic acids found in Frankincense for sore throat may help prevent coughing and sore throat.

13. Clove Bud Essential Oil

Clove Oil for sore throat is beneficial for those who are feeing restless because of the incessant coughing.

14. Cypress Essential Oil

Cypress Oil contains camphene, a compound similar to camphor. When breathed in, camphene may have a cooling and refreshing effect, which can soothe an inflamed throat.

15. Helichrysum Essential Oil

The healthy properties of Helichrysum Oil could reduce symptoms related to an infection, such as swelling and redness.

16. Camphor Essential Oil

As stated earlier, Camphor Oil possesses a compound called camphor, which has a cooling and refreshing effect when inhaled.

17. Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil

Packed with healthy properties, Cinnamon Bark Oil is a great choice for fighting off sore throat issues.

18. Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood Oil has healthy properties that may help treat and soothe uncomfortable sore throat symptoms.

19. Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Zesty and citrusy Sweet Orange Oil may have healthy properties, which could help to relieve a sore throat.

20. Clary Sage Essential Oil

Last but certainly not least, Clary Sage Oil possesses healthy properties that may aid in throat infections so you can reclaim all-day comfort.

Essential Oils For Laryngitis

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box (larynx) that can result in hoarseness or loss of voice. Essential oils may provide relief for laryngitis symptoms, including a sore throat and hoarseness. Remember this – it may provide against some symptoms. Oils like lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus can be diluted with a carrier oil and gently applied topically to the throat area for soothing comfort.

Steam inhalation with essential oils, like peppermint or chamomile, can also help ease congestion and any symptoms of inflammation. Needless to say, essential oils must be used with caution. Consult a doctor in case of severe or persistent laryngitis symptoms. Essential oils can however complement traditional treatments and provide a soothing, natural option for throat discomfort.

Essential Oils For Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, typically causing a sore throat and discomfort. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus may provide relief from tonsillitis symptoms when used in steam inhalations, gargles, or diffusers.

How To Use Essential Oils For A Sore Throat

Steam Inhalation

Method:
  • Preparation: Boil water and pour it into a bowl. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil to the hot water.
  • Inhalation: Place a towel over your head and the bowl, creating a tent. Breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes, inhaling the steam.
Benefits:
  • Clears Congestion: Steam inhalation helps to clear nasal and throat congestion, providing immediate relief from discomfort.
  • Reduces Inflammation: Essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint in steam can help reduce throat inflammation and pain.

Direct Inhalation

Add two or three drops of essential oil to a cotton ball, hold it up to your nose and breathe deeply. Alternatively, you can also place the cotton ball next to your pillow to breathe in the properties as you sleep.

Topical Application

Method:

Dilution: Essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil before applying to the skin. A safe dilution ratio is 3-5 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil.
Application: Gently massage the diluted mixture onto the neck and throat area, avoiding any broken skin or mucous membranes.

Benefits:

  • Localized Relief: Topical application allows the essential oils to penetrate the skin directly at the site of discomfort, providing targeted relief from pain and inflammation.
  • Improved Circulation: Massaging the area can help increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage, enhancing the healing process.

Warm Compress

Method:

  • Preparation: Add 3-5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm water. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture, then wring out the excess water.
  • Application: Apply the warm compress to the neck and throat area for 10-15 minutes.

Benefits:

  • Pain Relief: The warmth of the compress combined with the anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils like lavender and chamomile helps alleviate pain.
  • Improved Blood Flow: Warmth improves circulation, promoting faster healing of the inflamed tissues.

Gargling

Method:

  • Mixture: Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to a glass of warm water. Mix well.
  • Gargle: Gargle the mixture for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then spit it out. Do not swallow the mixture.

Benefits:

  • Antimicrobial Action: Gargling with essential oils such as tea tree or myrrh can help kill bacteria and viruses in the throat, reducing the infection.
  • Soothing: The warm water combined with essential oils provides a soothing effect on the inflamed throat tissues.

Essential Oil Recipes For Sore Throat

Aroma Gargle Recipe

These recipes are quite simple and easy to do. However, ensure that you do not ingest the oil.

Gargle with Tea Tree oil

Ingredients

  • 1 drop of tea tree essential oil
  • Half a cup of warm water

Gargle with Peppermint oil

Ingredients

  • 2 drop of peppermint essential oil
  • Half a cup of warm water

Gargle with Eucalyptus oil

Ingredients

  • 2 drop of eucalyptus essential oil
  • Half a cup of warm water

Essential Oil Recipe For Applying On Throat

Mix the following blend on the throat. Do a small patch test beforehand to find out if you are allergic to the oil

Ingredients

  • 5 drops of any of the above-mentioned essential oil
  • To tablespoons of warm coconut oil (or jojoba oil)

Essential Oil Recipe For Diffusion

Diffusing essential oils in the home and doing aromatherapy is also a renowned way to relieve pain from the throat.

Soothe Your Throat

Ingredients

  • 2 drops of ginger oil
  • 1 drop of tea tree oil
  • 3 drops of sandalwood oil
  • 4 drops of lemon oil

Strong Dose For Throat

Ingredients

  • 3 drops of eucalyptus oil
  • 3 drops of frankincense oil
  • 2 drops of cinnamon bark oil
  • 2 drops of clove oil
  • 1 drop of rosemary oil

Essential Oils Recipe For Steam Inhalation

Add the following mix of essential oil into 2 cups of boiling water and deeply inhale the steam through the mouth.

Ingredients

  • 2 drops of eucalyptus
  • 2 drops of peppermint
  • 2 drops of Clary sage
  • 4 drops of lemon

Safety

Essential oils are great for self-care routines. However, we should also take care and caution when using them to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe! Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

  1. Read the label and instructions to make sure you’re using the oil correctly.
  2. Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil for safe application.
  3. Avoid using essential oils on sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
  4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women must refrain from using essential oils as a remedy for sore throat. Or, talk to a doctor before use.
  5. Do not consume essential oils, it is not for internal use; use essential oils externally.
  6. Don’t use essential oils on sunburnt or broken skin unless it’s mentioned on the bottle or label.
  7. Keep essential oils out of reach from kids and furkids.
  8. If you show signs of irritation, stop using and consult a health professional.
  9. Never ingest or swallow essential oils.
  10. The common unwanted effects caused by essential oils up on topical application are rashes, redness and swelling.
  11. If you show signs of irritation, stop use and consult a health professional.
  12. Some essential oils cannot be used by people with kidney problems, whereas some essential oils cannot be used with blood disorders. It is always advisable to consult a doctor about your essential oil needs and predisposition for diseases.
  13. Check the label to see if the oil is photo-toxic.
  14. Always do a small patch test before topical application.
  15. If aromatherapy is performed directly from the bottle, make sure that the oil does not touch the skin.

Conclusion

Essential oils for cough and sore throat offer a fragrant and natural path to relief from these common discomforts. Eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oils, among others, provide soothing and antimicrobial effects that can ease congestion and irritation. These essential oils for cough and sore throat, when used properly (steam inhalations, gargles, or diffusers) serve as a way to soothe symptoms and complement traditional treatments. Remember that essential oils can provide temporary comfort, but consulting a doctor is always advisable.
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