Use
of Aromatherapy to Treat Asthma
Asthma – for those
affected by this complaint the very word will sometimes
bring cold shivers.
For those lucky people who don’t
know much about asthma, it is a respiratory disorder
characterized by recurring episodes of wheezing, shortness
of breath, cough and thick mucous production caused
by inflammation or spasm of the bronchi.
An attack of asthma can be triggered
by exposure to an allergen, strenuous exercise or infection.
In between attacks, the sufferer breathes normally,
but treatment should be ongoing to help prevent inflammation,
and thus attacks that are in some cases, life-threatening.
This is because during an attack the respiratory mucosa
lining the airways swells, the smooth muscle lining
the bronchiolar walls contracts and much thick mucous
is secreted into the airways causing the sufferer great
difficulty in breathing.
Another problem is the body’s own
response to the inflammation of the airways. The immune
system sends out white blood cells containing leukotrienes
to deal with it, but these chemical compounds cause
further swelling of the mucous membrane, constriction
of the smooth muscle and even more mucous, thus exacerbating
the problem.
During an attack the suffer experiences
extreme fatigue and anxiety which both make the condition
worse. Treatment consists of the use controlling or
preventing the inflammation from occurring in the first
place by removal of the offending allergens or cause,
but in the case of allergens, it is not always possible
to identify the culprit.
Bronchodilators must be used to expand
the airways, with constant use of two medications that
give both long and short-term relief. It is also possible
to use aromatherapy to aid in both prevention and treatment
of asthma, but the sufferer should never simply go off
medication prescribed by the doctor.
To reduce air pollution (bacteria and
allergens) place in an atomizer containing an ounce
of purified water, 1 drop each of peppermint (mentha
x piperita)and tea-tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia),
2 drops of pine oil (pinus sylvestris) and bergamot
(citrus bergamia) and 3 of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora).
Spray the air frequently or dampen a tissue with it
and inhale.
Another good inhalation that can also
be used in the bath or as a chest rub to stimulate the
removal of mucous, is a mix of 12 drops of Clary Sage
(Salvia sclarea), 2 drops of Ravensara aromatica with
28 drops of Cedarwood, (Juniperus virginiana).
Two oils containing anti inflammatory
and anti-infectious properties are Clove Bud (Eugenia
caryophyllus) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus).
They should be mixed together in a 3/1 ratio respectively,
and inhaled when the presence of cold and flu viruses
are suspected.
Another calming inhalation and chest
rub can be made by mixing 16 drops Lemon, (Citrus limon),
12 drops Clary Sage, (Salvia sclarea) and12 drops Angelica,
(Angelica archangelica)
A massage oil to help to loosen tight
back and chest muscles after an attack of asthma can
be made from the following ingredients. Take 2 tablespoons
of almond oil and add 3 drops Ylang, Ylang, (Cananga
odorata), 3 drops Eucalyptus, (Eucalyptus smithii),
16 drops Lavender, Lavendula angustifolia and 3 drops
Peppermint, (Mentha x piperita).
Many of these oils can aid in calming
the sufferer during an attack, a difficult emotion to
achieve while struggling for breath. However, anxiety
makes the body’s oxygen needs escalate, while a
person who can remain calm needs much less oxygen and
can remain more in control of the situation.
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