There are many causes for the pain, scratchiness, irritation, and difficult swallowing caused by a sore throat. Getting to the cause with essential oils may help to prevent or resolve the condition. Along with some other home remedies, aromatherapy treatments provide effective relief of sore-throat symptoms.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for sore throat are:
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Myrrh
• Peppermint
• Sandalwood
Safety First
You’ll find suggestions for spraying the throat or ingesting essential oils. These are suitable applications for a sore throat when applied with proper guidance from a qualified, educated essential-oils therapist (who is not a salesperson).
If you treat it early, a sore throat can be kept from going from a bit of scratchiness to burning pain. These aromatherapy techniques offer relief at every stage.
• Chest and throat rub. This method allows healing oils to be absorbed and inhaled.
• Steam treatment. Adding anti-inflammatory essential oils to soothing steam can help relieve throat pain quickly.
• In the air. Diffusing the oils is great on all levels of soothing and healing.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Heal with honey. On its own or in a soothing tea, honey may help heal sore throats.
• Try salt water. Gargling with salt water soothes a sore throat.
• Sip some tea. Chamomile tea is calming to the body and reduces the discomfort of a sore throat.
Relief from a burning, scratchy throat is just a preparation away with these aromatherapy recipes.
This recipe combines soothing steam with a blend of oils that may help ward off whatever is causing the sore throat while relieving its pain.
3 cups near-boiling water
3 drops sandalwood oil
3 drops geranium oil
1 towel
Add the hot (not boiling) water and essential oils to a large glass bowl and stir to blend. Sit or stand with your head over the bowl, use the towel to tent your head, and breathe deeply for several minutes so that the oil-infused steam enters your nasal passages and throat. Use caution: Close your eyes and breathe in slowly on the first breath.
Massage this mixture onto your chest and throat to help relieve sore-throat pain and reduce inflammation.
20 drops myrrh oil
20 drops geranium oil
20 drops lavender oil
2 ounces coconut oil
1 small dark-glass bottle
Add all of the oils to the glass bottle and shake to blend. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place.