What you need to know about inhalation with essential oils

Historical digression

"Inhalation therapy" dates back to 1554 BC in ancient Egyptian papyri, and is also mentioned in the writings of Hippocrates, who used pairs of herbs and resins boiled in oil to treat the respiratory tract. The term "inhaler" appeared in 1778 and became the name for the invention of the English doctor John Mudge. The therapist converted a tin mug into an opium inhalation device.

Queen Cleopatra actively used oil compositions and herbal infusions for inhalation

The next stage in the development of inhalers fell on 1864: the German doctor Siebel developed a device that heats water to a boil from an alcohol burner, and the emitted drug vapors were inhaled through a special mouthpiece. Siebel's device can be considered the progenitor of modern steam inhalers, where electricity plays the role of a burner.

In 1858, an inhaler operating under pressure was introduced in France, and it became the predecessor of the nebulizer (a device for inhalation using small dispersed spraying of medicinal substances), which in a couple of years would be invented in Germany.

In 1930, the world saw the first electric nebulizer, which opened the door to the era of compressor inhalers. Over time, inhalers began to be equipped with freon, and later the development of medicine led to the birth of ultrasonic inhalers, which are still successfully used to treat many diseases.

Types of inhalers

Inhalers are compressor, ultrasonic and steam

It is difficult to imagine modern medicine without the use of inhalers, and essential oils for inhalation are considered a panacea not only for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract, but also used as voice hygiene for people whose profession is associated with a heavy load on the vocal cords (singers, announcers, presenters, teachers).

The inhalers on the market can be divided into three main types:

• compressor;
• ultrasonic;
• steam engines.

The most popular and frequently used inhalers at home are steam. With their help, inhalations are carried out that can relieve inflammation, eliminate cough and sputum, and also have an antibacterial effect.

The steam inhaler works by heating water, and the temperature of the device is significantly higher than that of other varieties. In inhalers with thermal evaporation, essential oils from bronchitis are effectively used, which favorably affect the warming of the upper respiratory tract. But due to the high temperatures, the device has a number of contraindications and is not compatible with all medications. It is most effective to use essential oils, infusions and other herbal preparations in steam inhalers.

For inhalation with essential oils, it is necessary to use only steam inhalers

Hot inhalations with essential oils

Aromatherapy has long been revered by both folk healers and progressive physicians. Essential oils have been used for a variety of purposes: treatment of rashes, from bites and scars, as a sedative and, of course, as oils for inhalation. The latter option is more often used to treat the upper respiratory tract, as well as to restore voice functions.

Below we will look at examples of the use of essential compositions that are effective in diseases of the ENT system and for which an oil inhaler is perfect.

Compositions of essential oils relieve the symptoms of colds, and also have a positive effect on all organs of the ENT system

Other types of inhalers are no less popular, but the use of oils in them is strictly prohibited, since essential compositions can be inhaled exclusively evaporated, and compressor and ultrasonic inhalers have a different way of working. Therefore, if you are not a supporter of treatment with "Cleopatra's recipes", but choose pharmacy products, consider alternative models to steam inhalers.

Compressor inhalers are compatible with almost all medications

Compressor inhalers are considered universal, as they can be used with almost any medicinal formulations used for inhalation. Spraying of the drug is carried out by a built-in compressor that provides an intensive air flow, which allows us to speak about the high performance of the device.

Compressor inhalers can be both household with additional nozzles and working from the mains, and pocket, operating from the battery. The main disadvantage of this type of inhalers is considered to be noisy work.

Ultrasonic inhalers have silent operation

Ultrasonic inhalers. The device is operated using a special plate operating at low vibration frequencies, so that the device does not make noise. The advantage lies in the fact that the principle of their work allows you to create portable models that you can take with you anywhere. In addition, ultrasonic inhalers are convenient to transport. But this category of inhalers has its drawbacks — incompatibility with many medications, since ultrasonic spraying can destroy useful compounds of some drugs.

Both medicinal and phyto-inhalations have a high therapeutic effect and are able to not only relieve the symptoms of the disease in the shortest possible time, but also completely get rid of it. Whatever inhaler or means for it you choose, in order to achieve a positive result, you need to get qualified doctor's recommendations.

Self-selection of an inhaler or medications for it can aggravate the disease and cause a number of side effects!