Sore throats are known to happen at any time of the year for number of reasons. It is not that it can happen only during cold seasons. A sore throat is essentially an irritation, scratchiness or you can say a pain of the throat that frequently worsens when swallowing. There are different essential oils which can assist to make a sore throat go away rapidly. Here we describe some best essential oils for sore throat relief let us read to know how to use and its benefits.(1)
What Essential oils are Good for Sore Throat?
Essential oils are considered as an alternative remedy for sore throat. There are many studies that have demonstrated that several essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.(2)
Top 9 Essential Oils for Sore Throat
Listed below are the important essential oils for sore throat:
- Juniper Berry Oil
- Thyme Oil
- Oregano Essential Oil
- Hyssop Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Tea tree oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Clove oil
- Peppermint oil
- Thieves oil
- Lemon essential
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
[ Read: Sore Throat Symptoms and Causes ]
How to Cure Sore Throat with Essential Oils?
You can mix few drops of any of the listed essential oils with warm water, and then spit. You can also inhale the mixture. Alternatively, you can add few drops of essential oil to carrier oil and then massage he mixture to the area around throat.
1. Tea Tree oil for Sore Throat
For a sore throat, gargling few drops of this oil with hot water can be highly beneficial.(3)
Ingredients:
- 4-5 drops of Tea tree oil
- 1 glass of warm water
Preparation Time: 5-10 mins.
Procedure:
- Add 4-5 drops of this oil to 1 glass of warm water.
- Now try to gargle the mixture and then spit.
How it works:
- This essential oil possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties which are capable to cure soreness of throat.
- It is extracted from natural plant, so the oil functions effectively to relieve throat soreness.
Repetitions: Twice or thrice a day.
Best time to apply: During morning.
Tips: Make sure to use it sparingly and never swallow.
[ Read: How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat ]
2. Eucalyptus oil for Sore Throat
Presently, oil extracted from the eucalyptus tree is seen in many over-the-counter cough and cold products in order to relieve congestion.(4)
Ingredients:
- 1 drop of Eucalyptus oil
- 1 teaspoon of carrier oil like almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil
Preparation Time: 10 mins.
Procedure:
- Initially add one drop of eucalyptus oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil such as almond oil, coconut oil, or olive oil.
- Now massage the oil over the throat and above the lymph nodes as well as towards the down sides of the throat.
How it works:
- The health benefits of this oil are because of its capability to encourage immunity, offer antioxidant protection and enhance respiratory circulation.
- The oil functions to break up mucus and phlegm and decrease congestion.
Repetitions: Twice a day.
Best time to apply: At any time of day.
Tips: Make sure to massage the oil softly over the throat.
[ Read: How to Gargle Salt Water for Sore Throat ]
Clove oil for Sore Throat
Clove essential oil is helpful for boosting the immune system; hence it is very useful at off-putting and relieving condition of sore throat.(5)
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of clove oil
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Preparation Time: 5 mins.
Procedure:
- First dilute 5 drops of clove oil with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Now gargle mixture for about one to two minutes.
- Now spit it out.
- Lastly rinse your mouth with water.
How it works:
- The sore throat advantages of clove oil can be credited to its antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and stimulating properties.
- Besides, clove possesses natural warmness to few extent which works to heal the soreness of throat.
Repetitions: Twice a day for one week.
Best time to apply: During night.
Tips: Make sure you do not have allergies to cloves.
[ Read: Why is Honey Good for a Sore Throat? ]
Peppermint oil for Sore Throat
Peppermint oil is typically utilized for treatment of cough respiratory infections, and inflammation of the throat and mouth, including sore throats.(6)
Ingredients:
- 3 drops of peppermint oil
- 1 teaspoon of almond oil
Preparation Time: 10 mins.
Procedure:
- Initially combine three drops of peppermint oil and one teaspoon of almond oil.
- Now apply a few drops of this oil mixture on the affected throat area.
- Just leave it on for several minutes.
- Lastly wipe it off using a clean towel.
How it works:
- Research suggests that the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and decongestant properties of this essential oil function to alleviate your sore throat.
- Besides, the oil contains menthol which assists to sooth and calm sore throats along with thin mucus and break up coughs.
Repetitions: Three or four times a day for one week.
Best time to apply: At any time of day.
Tips: Make sure that you dilute the oil first in carrier oil because it can lead to skin irritation when utilized in pure form.
Thieves oil for Sore Throat
The Thieves oil supports the immune system as well as supports healthy lung and sinus function.(7)
Ingredients:
- 1 diffuser or vaporizer
- 4-5 drops of Thieves oil
Preparation Time: 5-10 mins.
Procedure:
- Initially diffuse 4-5 drops of Thieves oil inside a diffuser or vaporizer for three times a day.
- Now inhale it to cure sore throat
How it works: This oil function to relieves pain and reduce inflammation, by treating the underlying virus or bacterial infection which leads to the sore throat.
Repetitions: Thrice a day.
Best time to apply: During morning.
Tips: Keep this oil away from reach of kids under age of two.
Lemon Essential oil for Sore Throat
Lemon essential oil is recognized for its capability to cleanse toxins from any portion of the body and is extensively applied to stimulate lymph drainage, thus relieving soreness of throat.(8)
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of lemon oil
- 1 glass of warm water
Preparation Time: 5 mins.
Procedure:
- Stir 5 drops of lemon oil in 1 glass of warm water.
- Drink concoction for one time a day for three days.
How it works:
- Lemon essential oil is known to be derived from the skin of the lemon and it is perfect for sore throats due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- The oil is high in vitamin C which helps to enhance salivation and let your throat to stay moist.
Repetitions: Once a day for three days.
Best time to apply: Before going to sleep.
Tips: Make sure to use warm water only.
[ Read: How To Treat Sore Throat With Lemon ]
Coconut oil for Sore Throat
Coconut oil is considered as perfect oil for treating soreness of throat due to its healing properties.(9)
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup local raw honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Preparation Time: 5-10 mins.
Procedure:
- First combine 3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice. ¼ cup of raw honey and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Mix these ingredients well in a small saucepan and heat them on low heat.
- Now drink the warm syrup using a spoon or combine it in warm water or tea and allow the healing to start.
How it works: The oil includes antioxidants that excite tissue repair. Besides, it functions to quicken the throat recovery, reduce inflammation, and relieve soreness of throat.
Repetitions: Twice a day.
Best time to apply: During morning.
Tips: You can directly melt coconut oil inside tea or vegetable broth to remove soreness in your throat. Make sure, you only need to melt the ingredients, and not cook them.
Olive oil for Sore Throat
The anti-inflammatory components present in Olive oil are known to soothe the pain and inflammation occurring inside the throat.(11)
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of honey
Preparation Time: 10 mins.
Procedure:
- Take one measuring cup, and in that mix 1/4 cup lemon juice with 1/4 cup of honey.
- Now carefully warm 1/2 a cup of olive oil, inside the microwave, for not more than 5 seconds.
- Now drink this mixture.
How it works: Homemade sore throat/cough remedies, containing olive oil are highly effective because when swallowed olive oil coats the sore throat, instantly soothing the dry itchiness, which is often responsible for the accompanying cough.
Repetitions: Take one tablespoon of this mixture every two or three hours.
Best time to apply: At any time of day.
Tips: Make sure oil is not very hot before mixing with the lemon and honey mixture.
Oregano oil for Sore Throat
This popular herb in oil form is considered as a smart choice for seeking protection against a sore throat.(12)
Ingredients:
- 3 drops of oregano oil
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Preparation Time: 5 mins.
Procedure:
- First combine 3 drops of Oregano oil and 1 teaspoon of Olive oil.
- Now gargle the mixture for one minute.
- Lastly, spit it out and gargle warm water.
How it works:
- There is scientific evidence that this oil possesses anti fungal and antiviral properties.
- These properties function to cure parasite infections, thus curing soreness of throat.
Repetitions: Twice a day for four to five days.
Best time to apply: During Morning.
Tips: At the end, make sure to gargle the warm water.
Different people have different level of allergies and infections of throat soreness as it can be due to infections or coldness of weather. Using any of these oils can function to relieve soreness of throat in less time.
Scientific Evidence:
- Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163989/
- Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects of three essential oil blends- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5552930/#__ffn_sectitle
- Antimicrobial efficacy of five essential oils against oral pathogens: An in vitro study- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4054083/
- Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Eucalyptus and of selected components against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/13880209.2011.553625
- Molecular Basis of the Therapeutical Potential of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and Clues to Its Anti-COVID-19 Utility- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8036487/
- Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Mentha piperita L- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535211000232
- Multidisciplinary Studies of Folk Medicine “Five Thieves’ Oil” (Olejek Pięciu Złodziei) Components- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8155914/
- Citrus lemon essential oil: chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with its preservative effect against Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in minced beef meat- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5543433/
- Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans: An in vivo study- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5109859/
- The Effect of Olive Leaf Extract on Upper Respiratory Illness in High School Athletes: A Randomised Control Trial- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412187/
- Essential Oils of Oregano: Biological Activity beyond Their Antimicrobial Properties- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729/
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