Various herbal oils are widely used in the treatment of throat ailments. Conventionally, these products are divided into etheric and aromatic, depending on whether and in what amount there are volatile etheric components. Essential oils are used as an independent therapeutic agent, but aromatic, or base oils, which we will discuss in this article, often serve as an addition to the main therapy, a way to relieve certain symptoms and alleviate the patient's condition.
These substances are obtained mainly using the cold pressing method followed by filtration. This method of extracting oil components from natural fruits has an important advantage - in the process of extracting useful compounds, an elevated temperature does not affect the raw material. But many of the substances that make up the product decompose when heated, losing their medicinal value.
That is, the aromatic oil obtained using the cold-pressed technology fully retains its medicinal properties.
Peach
This substance is obtained directly from the peach pits. They are pressed by the cold method, and then additionally squeezed out and filtered off the oil component. This product contains a lot of vitamins C and A, as well as an antioxidant - vitamin E. Peach oil is also rich in minerals: iron, necessary for blood formation, potassium and sodium - electrolyte ions, iodine, necessary for the thyroid gland, etc. there are fatty acids of vegetable origin and related to "useful" polyunsaturated compounds.
Peach oil has a calming effect on the mucous membrane of the throat in case of inflammation, enhances the regeneration of damaged cells. An important feature of this product is its ability to reduce tissue edema. With pathologies of the throat and larynx with difficulty swallowing and breathing, such a peach preparation will significantly alleviate the patient's condition. It is recommended to use this medicine even in young children and during pregnancy, when traditional vasoconstrictors are contraindicated.
Apricot
This product contains unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, potassium and magnesium, stearins, vitamin C and B vitamins. This drug is used for:
- moisturizing the mucous membranes of the throat with dry cough and inflammation;
- relieving acute coughing attacks;
- creating a basis for preparations with essential components.
The use of apricot oil for throat is indicated only as a gargle. When taken orally, amygdalin (one of the constituent substances) is metabolized and converted into hydrocyanic acid, a toxic compound.
Sea buckthorn
This product contains carotenoids, some plant-based amino acids, mineral compounds, tocopherols and an extensive vitamin complex. In addition, phytoncides are present here - substances that have a bactericidal effect, which is especially important for throat pathologies, often caused by a bacterial infection.
Thanks to such a rich composition, the action of sea buckthorn oil includes:
- light pain relief;
- suppression of inflammation;
- stimulation of tissue regeneration;
- destruction of bacteria;
- immune system support
This product is contraindicated for use in acute phase cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis and cholelithiasis.
Rosehip
This plant product is rich in amino acids, of which there are 15 types. This makes rosehip oil extract especially valuable for the immune system, since amino acids are the building blocks of immunity. Additionally, this includes vitamins E and C, a full complex of B vitamins, phytoncides and a large amount of trace elements.
Rosehip oil has the following effects:
- anti-inflammatory;
- bactericidal;
- choleretic;
- regulating vascular tone.
Of the effects this throat oil has, the most important is the ability to suppress inflammation and destroy pathogens. The regulation of vascular tone is also important, especially with tissue edema.
Important! Rosehip extracts are not used for pathologies of the pancreas and gallbladder.
Indications for the use of oils
Sore throats, acute respiratory viral diseases and other infections of the throat. Infection on the mucous membrane leads to inflammation and dry tissue. This causes pain and coughing, which makes the situation worse. The emollient effects of oils will relieve this symptom, and the disinfecting effect will help kill bacteria on the inner lining of the throat.- Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes and lymphatic tissues of the pharynx. With this pathology, aromatic oils are used for rinsing even in the case of a purulent component attached. Moreover, washing the throat will help to gently remove the purulent plaque on the tonsils.
- Laryngitis is an inflammatory lesion of the larynx that is caused primarily by infectious agents. Aromatic oils relieve pain symptoms in this disease and improve the patient's condition.
- Damage to the vocal cords. This symptom both accompanies many inflammatory and infectious lesions of the throat, and occurs in the form of an occupational disease in singers, speakers, etc. In any case, the inability to fully use your voice becomes a manifestation of such an injury. Irrigation with aromatic oils quickly normalizes the ligaments, but this procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
Sore throats, acute respiratory viral diseases and other infections of the throat. Infection on the mucous membrane leads to inflammation and dry tissue. This causes pain and coughing, which makes the situation worse. The emollient effects of oils will relieve this symptom, and the disinfecting effect will help kill bacteria on the inner lining of the throat.Methods of using aromatic oils
The most common procedure is gargling. But for washing, not pure oil is used, but its solution. To prepare such a product, add 10-12 drops of an aromatic product to 1 glass of warm water. The oil fraction will not dissolve in water, but by intensive stirring it is necessary to give it a fine structure and immediately start rinsing. This procedure is carried out 5 times a day.
Aromatic oils are also widely used for inhalation. Volatile substances that rise along with the steam and inhale by the patient settle directly at the place where their exposure is necessary. To increase the effectiveness of inhalation, liquids are made with the addition of essential oils (mainly fir or eucalyptus). In this case, the aromatic compound serves as the base, the basis for the preparation, allowing the essential oil components to dissolve more fully in water. For 1 liter of water, you need to take 20 drops of aromatic oil and 5-6 drops of essential oil.
Aromatic oil mixtures are also used in the form of drops, which are applied directly to the surface of the tongue. Under the influence of heat in the oral cavity, volatile components quickly evaporate and penetrate into the pharynx and nasal cavity. Finally, it is possible to use aromatic oils for direct application to the mucous membrane of the throat.
This guarantees the most complete delivery of active ingredients to the affected area. But this technique must be used very carefully, since there is a high risk of trauma to the inflamed mucous membrane.
Important! Lubrication is not used for tonsillitis with a purulent component.
It is impossible to injure purulent follicles at home - this leads to serious complications.
General recommendations
A useful property of aromatic oils is the lack of addiction to them. That is, the use of such products is not limited in time.Store aromatic oils where these products will be inaccessible to children. Such mixtures are usually sensitive to sunlight, so protect from light: place the aroma oil in a container made of tinted glass. Do not forget about the volatile components of the product - the tight-fitting stopper will not allow them to evaporate. The optimum temperature for storing such mixtures is 10-150C. Subject to the above recommendations, the shelf life of aromatic products is approximately 6 months.
