A Simple Home Remedy; Using Oregano Oil For Cough

I am very sure you know how annoying coughing can be especially when you can’t sleep. The worst part of it is when you breathe like there is a shortage of oxygen supply.  You will feel your throat hurts. Some coughs will just don’t want to leave you alone. Some will make you feel a pain run through your chest and even hurts your back when you cough. Well, oregano oil for cough can be a solution.

However, Using oregano oil for coughing can be a great idea. Oregano oil has two vital compounds that are highly beneficial to our day-to-day health and wellbeing. Thymol and carvacrol found in oil of oregano exhibits potent antifungal and antibacterial characteristics. This means Oregano oil works as an antibiotic and a better one due to its natural formation. Oregano oil is also antiviral, which implies it stands a chance of treating respiratory infections.

This is because the cause for respiratory infection is highly attributed to viruses and not bacteria. Oregano can exploit the chance of relieving you from coughing and boost your immune system.

What’s in this post for you;

First of all, it is important to understand what causes coughing. Why oregano oil can help you with coughing. How you can use oregano oil for cough and bronchitis. Also, you will be able to know how to make a cough syrup with oregano and how to protect yourself from coughing.

Why do people cough?

Coughing is a natural phenomenon whereby the body turns to clear the breathing passage of foreign or unwanted materials. It’s a rapid release of air from our lungs via the epiglottis.

The epiglottis. is the section of the throat that prevents food from the lungs and the windpipe.

Coughing occurs respectively as a reflex in other to clear the windpipe. This can be from secretions and particles which are irritative to the epiglottis.

What people don’t know is;

Coughing frequently might suggest the presence of an infection that needs healing attention.  Most often coughing irregularly indicates a respiratory tract infection.

However, bacteria and viruses can take advantage to spread the infection to other hosts by causing the carrier or host to cough. 

Coughing can also be caused by smoking, gastroesophageal reflux disease, choking, air pollution, post-nasal drip air pollution, chronic bronchitis, lung tumors, and even from heart failure.

Furthermore, Some medications can also cause coughing. This is commonly seen in some medications for blood pressure and heart conditions. A good example can be the ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin-converting enzyme). Some products or brands like Vasotec and Zestril are a good example. This coughing will only last for the period of time the medication is being taken.

Identify the cause of your cough.

Most treatments for cough are designed to treat the cause. If your cough is a result of an activity, for example, smoking, you will have to stop smoking in other to achieve complete healing.  If your cough is a result of a medication, then only after completion before you can experience relief. So identifying the cause of your cough is very important to ease your treatment.

Identifying The Kind Of Cough You Are Dealing With

Identifying the kind of cough you are dealing with will help you understand the cause of the cough. As mentioned above, understanding the cause of your cough will help you treat the infection. However, you also need to know coughs are categorized under Infectious and Noninfectious causes.

Infectious causes are attributed to upper respiratory infections of viral nature. Some examples can be like the common cold. Pneumonia, whooping cough, sinus infection, and acute bronchitis.

Non-infectious causes may include chronic illnesses which can be asthma, ecological allergies, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

In addition, It is also important to understand coughs can be chronic or acute. But there exist some other types of coughs which is also important to look at;

• An Acute Cough: Just an abrupt onset or recurrent coughing. Can last for a period of 3 weeks
• Chronic Cough: A persistent or a resistant cough. Can be present for over 8 weeks
• Dry Cough: Just coughing with no phlegm
• Whooping Cough: This is coughing due to infection. It is normally associated with a whooping sound during coughing.
• Productive Cough: It is also known as wet cough. It produces mucus or sputum. Can last for a week or 2.
• Barking Cough: Very common with young children and often due to viral illnesses can also be called as a croup cough.
• Stress Cough: These are considered reflexive. Mostly common with people under stress and they are non-productive.
• Nocturnal Cough: Coughing which is common only at night time
• Hemoptysis: This is a condition whereby the infected person is coughing out blood.

Some signs and symptoms of a cough

• Fever
• Body aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Headaches
• Sinus pressure
• Night Sweats
• A runny nose,
• Heartburn
• Whistling breathing or wheezing sound while breathing
• Breath shortage
• Postnasal drip
• Sneezing
• Sputum or phlegm which may suggest the availability of an infection

Using oregano oil for cough is a more natural treatment. As natural as it is, It’san effective remedy for respiratory infections. You can start experiencing immediate relief as you treat yourself with oregano oil. Well, let’s take a glance at what oregano is all about.

Oregano oil for cough

What is oregano oil?

Oregano oil is extracted from the Origanum vulgare. A wild Mediterranean plant with endless health benefits. The plant has been used for thousands of years by ancient healers to treat a variety of illnesses and infections. Oregano oil was used widely for respiratory infections like coughs, cold and flu.

The health benefit of oregano oil is far-reaching. Oregano oil plays a great role in protecting our immune system. It also prevents the body from chronic diseases and to detoxify the body. Many people today even use the leaves and spice with little or no knowledge of the outstanding health benefits.

Oregano oil is anti-viral, anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-parasitic. These characteristics are very beneficial for boosting our immune system.  Besides keeping our immune system on-check, it protects us from unwanted bacterias.

Why oregano oil is effective for cough

The reason why oregano oil is so effective for cough is due to the compounds that make up oregano oil. The key active compounds responsible for the high success of oregano oil are Carvacrol and Thymol. These active agents of oregano oil work hand in gloves to fight and eliminate unwanted bacteria and viruses plaguing our general wellbeing.

The carvacrol found in oregano oil is active in attacking the virus right from the cell membrane. With its high potency, it weakens the virus and gives way for Thymol which is good at eliminating resistant bacteria. The presence of Thymol leaves the virus no chance of survival and helps boost the immune system. This further prevents future vulnerabilities from unwanted viruses. Even though oregano oil is well known for its health benefits, it is always important to use the oil with caution.

Some Concerns About Using Oregano Oil.

Using oregano oil for cough is no doubt a very good idea. But it is important to make use you are using the oil properly.

Firstly, you will need to consider what oregano oil you are planning to use. It is important to make sure the oil is 100 % pure organic oregano essential oil with carvacrol level above 80%. It should be a therapeutic grade, unfiltered and FDA approved.

Also, it is very important to consult your doctor or professional health practitioner before using oregano oil in any way. Pregnant and nursing mothers are not advised to use oregano oil.

Diabetes patients should refrain from using oregano oil.

Oregano oil can reduce blood sugar level. It is not advisable to use oregano while undertaking treatment for diabetes.

If you are using oregano essential oil for the first time,

it is advisable to start with minimal doses. This is important for close observation on how the oil will react with your body. You can start with a 1% concentration and increase the dose if need be. Oregano oil is a hot oil and it is very important to dilute oregano oil before use. This is because oregano oil can burn and cause irritations to the skin if not diluted properly.

Oregano oil is not for long-term use. An appropriate time frame for using oregano oil can be from 7-10 days and up to 14 days for serious infections. You can always resume treatments after a month or two for a complete body detox.

Using Oregano Oil for Cough

For using oregano oil for cough, you can use a diffuser. Diffuse about 6 drops of oregano oil in an air vaporizer or diffuser at home or even in the office. 

You can also mix 6 drops of oregano oil in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam. The steam easily softens the mucus in the airway. Making the cough more productive.

For topical use, you can mix 2-3 drops of oregano oil with a tablespoon of a carrier oil of your choice. Rub gently on the chest, your back, neck, and even the bottom of the feet. You can apply 2 to 3 times a day.

By ingesting, oregano oil internally, it can help to treat viruses which are the root cause of coughing. You can add 2-3 drops of oregano oil in full glass of water or juice and drink. You can take a glass in the morning and another glass in the evening.

Moreover, it is not advisable to give children below the age of 5 oregano oil internally. This is not something I will recommend. You can mix a single drop of oregano mix with a tablespoon of carrier oil and apply it on the bottom of the feet.

Making a Cough Syrup With Oregano

You can as well make a natural cough syrup with oregano with effective healing potentials.

Ingredients

• 2-3 springs of Oregano leaves.
• 1-2 cloves of Garlic. (Can also use ginger)
• Some honey (Not up to halt a cup).
• Onion (Optional).
• Lemon (Optional).

Step 1: Boil the oregano leaves and garlic in a half cup of water for 4-5 minutes.

Step 2: Let it cool for a while and then pour it into a cup and mix it together with your honey.

Step 3: You can now drink and feel good. You just need to drink just the liquid.

An alternative option is to steep overnight. Get a jar with possibilities to seal firmly. Put your oregano leaves first, followed by the garlic with sliced lemon if you want. Pour your honey and then followed by water. Make sure the water covers all the ingredients. You can then seal the jar and keep in your fridge. Let it steep overnight, drink the following morning. For a stronger concentration, you can steep for even a week. 

How to avoid coughs

To avoid any illness or disease, you will have to prevent yourself from the virus. Most importantly the bacterium that causes that disease. Below you can read some common hints on avoiding a cough infection.

1. Avoid obvious causes, like exposing the body to cold for a long period of time.
2. More importantly, you should try to quit smoking if you are a smoker.
3. In addition, boost your immune system by taking oregano oil even when you are not sick. You can mix 2 to 3 drops of oregano oil in a glass of water or juice and drink.
4. Besides, drink at least 2-3 liters of water daily.
5. Of prime importance, engage in resistant exercises at least 2-3 times a week.
6. Above all, eat healthy foods and provide the body the nutrients it needs.

Conclusion

Hence, using oregano oil will not only get rid of your cough but help with other health issues. A regular intake of oregano oil will boost your immune system to fight against viruses and uninvited bacterias. Make oregano your natural home “doctor” and you will never regret the decision.