Essential Oils For Bronchitis: Things To Know & Top 10 EOs

close-up photo focused on essential oil on amber bottle about to be poured into left hand

Essentials oils make for excellent home remedies for many common ailments. From the common cold to influenza, the healing power of essential oils can help bring you back to your former health. But did you know that even serious infections like bronchitis can be eliminated with essential oils?

For millennia, doctors, shamans, and traditional healers have harnessed the power of essential oils to heal the sick and restore them to good health. Are you ready to find out how all-natural essential oils can help fight your infection? Read on to discover the best essential oils for bronchitis.

 Everything You Need to Know About Essential Oils 

different essential oils for bronchitis on amber bottles and fresh flowers

Before discussing the best essential oils for bronchitis, we must first go over what essential oils are and what makes them so special. Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that contain aromas derived from plants. They are considered “volatile” oils because they naturally vaporize and enter the air when exposed to it.

Usually, essential oils are extracted from plants through the process of distillation. This involves taking the plant, exposing it to high heat, and capturing the scenting fumes and perfumes that are released from it. These captured essences can then be used to make cosmetic products and healing agents like aromatherapy.

The first uses of essential oils take back almost a thousand years to the chemists and doctors of Muslim-controlled Spain in the early 13th century. In the 20th century, essential oils once again rose to prominence thanks to their use in alternative medicines and natural remedies.

What’s “Essential” About Essential Oils?

towels and essential oil infused with flower and herbs

Essential oils are considered essential because they contain the “essence” of a plant’s fragrance. For example, tea tree oil is an essential oil because it contains a concentrated mixture of the tree’s aroma. Therefore, there is nothing truly “essential” about these substances in terms of their necessity. Rather, their essential quality is derived from their concentration.

What Is Bronchitis?

If you want to know the best essential oils for bronchitis, you should first understand what bronchitis is. In short, bronchitis is a viral infectious disease that affects the lungs. Those who suffer from bronchitis experience inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs (i.e., the airways). This results in shortness of breath, mucus buildup, and chest discomfort.

When bronchitis is acute (short-lived) it is often referred to as a chest cold. However, severe bronchitis (chronic) is treated as a viral infection which can last several weeks. Smoking or exposing oneself to dust and pollution will increase your chances of contracting bronchitis.

Most modern doctors and physicians will prescribe steroids and bronchodilators to their patients who suffer from bronchitis. However, these treatments come with a range of negative side effects that can sometimes make your health even worse. By contrast, natural remedies like essential oils are excellent for treating bronchitis without exposing yourself to harmful medicines.

Best 10 Essential Oils for Bronchitis in 2022

photo of scent sticks with essential oil on glass container

Now that we know the basics about essential oils, it’s time to talk about the best essential oils for bronchitis treatment. Although the following oils have been proven effective for treating bronchitis over the millennia, we recommend speaking with your doctor or naturopath before using any of these oils as your primary method of treatment.

Eucalyptus Oil

[amazon box=”B07JHZQDJN” template=”horizontal”]

Eucalyptus is our most recommended essential oil for bronchitis. This is because eucalyptus has a powerful effect on clearing the lungs and alleviating tension found in the bronchi. For centuries, eucalyptus has been used as a healing agent for everything from the common cold to yearly flu bugs with great efficacy.

There are few essential oils more effective than eucalyptus for treating most common ailments. This is because it is concentrated with 1.8-Cineole which contains powerful painkilling and anti-inflammation properties.

Oregano Oil

[amazon box=”B0019LWTQW” template=”horizontal”]

Unlike most other essential oils, oregano oil actively fights the spread of bacteria. As an antibacterial agent, oregano oil improves lung health by keeping the viral bacteria from spreading throughout the chest. Also, oregano brings down inflammation and relieves stress which can make the recovery process much better for bronchitis patients.

Tea Tree Oil

[amazon box=”B07BN2ZX7J” template=”horizontal”]

Tea tree oil is a fantastic choice of essential oil if you want to effectively treat bronchitis. This is because tea tree oil is loaded with anti-fungal properties as well as regular antibacterial qualities too. As a natural antioxidant, tea tree oil brings down inflammation and improves overall immune health.

Best of all, tea tree oil improves the condition of bronchi health by developing a protective layer around the cells. With this layer intact, the cells are shielded from damage while inflammation is brought down, and the virus is attacked. In our experience, tea tree oil is one of the best treatment options for dealing with bronchitis.

Spike Lavender Oil

[amazon box=”B01452A92W” template=”horizontal”]

Lavender oil, sometimes referred to as spike lavender oil, is an extract of the lavender plant. This plant is mostly used as a sleep aid, since it has the power to kill pain, reduce inflammation, and induce drowsiness and a sense of rest and relaxation. Perhaps the best quality of lavender oil is that it is safe for use around pets and children since it is nontoxic and non-abrasive.

Essential oils with strong anti-inflammatory effects, such as spike lavender oil, is a great method of treatment if you want to heal from bronchitis quickly. When you suffer from bronchitis, the airways in your lungs begin to swell and inflame. However, when exposed to lavender extract, they immediately start to reverse the swelling process and eventually return to normal.

Rosemary Oil

[amazon box=”B07JJHV7DD” template=”horizontal”]

There are few essential oils more effective than rosemary oil for treating bronchitis. Dense with 1.8-cineole, rosemary oil features natural properties that bring down inflammation and reduce redness and irritation in the airways. This makes rosemary oil one of the few ideal solutions for treating lung-related illnesses like bronchitis.

Balsam Copaiba Oil

[amazon box=”B01MYVVGN1″ template=”horizontal”]

While commonly used in hair and skin treatments, balsam copaiba oil is another great choice for treating bronchitis. Extracted and distilled from the beautiful tropical evergreen trees known as copaiba balsam, these oils are great for soothing the chest and making breathing less difficult.

We recommend using balsam copaiba oil with your next aromatherapy session to help ease the pain associated with bronchitis. Further, balsam copaiba oil can help speed up the recovery process by making you feel alert, well-rested, and ready to take on the day.

Peppermint Oil

[amazon box=”B014BBM1KU” template=”horizontal”]

One of the most popular essential oils on the market, peppermint oil is great for treating bronchitis. This is because peppermint oil has the unique ability to cool down your body and make it feel at peace and relaxed. When exposed to peppermint oil, the body begins to calm and slow down its internal processes. This leaves your body with more energy to fight the virus.

Congestion is one of the worst symptoms associated with bronchitis. Those who suffer from bronchitis know all too well the feeling of coughing constantly and clearing their throat of phlegm. Luckily, peppermint oil offers a safe and effective solution for clearing congestion from the chest and throat and bringing down inflammation built up in the airways.

Thyme Oil

[amazon box=”B06XG4L2MT” template=”horizontal”]

Thyme oil is one of the few essential herb oils capable of fighting tough viral infections like bronchitis. Unlike other herb oils, thyme has a special blend of natural properties that combine to fight infections and increase blood circulation in the body. When your lungs and airways have more white blood cells at their disposal, they are better equipped to fight viruses.

We recommend using thyme oil in tandem with garlic oil. Although rare, garlic oil can assist thyme with bringing down swelling and irritation in the chest. Those who suffer from bronchitis always appreciate the analgesic qualities that thyme and garlic provide.

Myrtle Oil

[amazon box=”B06Y25GDT8″ template=”horizontal”]

For centuries, myrtle oil has been used to keep patients healthy after they recover from an illness. Not only that, but myrtle oil can also be used to fight viruses and infections after you have contracted them. To help safeguard your body against the spread of a virus, and to keep viral infections at bay in the future, trust myrtle oil as one of your go-to treatment methods.

Myrtle oil is one of the few essential oils that are known to increase respiratory capacity. In other words, they allow the lungs to function better by taking in and expelling oxygen at more efficient rates. When your lungs are compromised by bronchitis, the benefits of myrtle oil never go unappreciated.

Niaouli Oil

[amazon box=”B07JRHGGX5″ template=”horizontal”]

Last, niaouli essential oil for bronchitis is another fantastic treatment option. Thanks to the niaouli plant’s incredible analgesic fragrance and antiseptic qualities, niaouli oil has quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading essential oils for treating viral infections. From the moment your exposed to it, you feel at ease, more relaxed, and full of life and vitality.