Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by difficulty breathing due to the swelling and constriction of your airways. While there is no cure for asthma, complementary and alternative medicines, such as aromatherapy using specific essential oils, may provide potential benefits in controlling or alleviating some of its symptoms.
About Asthma and Conventional Treatments
Asthma affects around 300 million people worldwide, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, feelings of tightness in your chest, sleep problems related to difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing. Your condition may become worse during exercise, allergies or due to occupational-related conditions, like working in conditions where you are exposed to irritants such as dust or chemicals. Asthma is typically treated with prescription medications such as preventive medications to reduce inflammation or short-term inhalers to help facilitate breathing. Some patients, desiring a complementary treatment to their regular medical care, turn to holistic remedies, such as aromatherapy using essential oils like lavender.
Lavender for Asthma
Lavender and lavender essential oil may be beneficial complementary treatments for some people who suffer from asthma. According to AltMD, lavender has anti-inflammatory, calming and sedative properties that may help asthma. Aromatherapist and chronic asthma sufferer Lori Torquati, in a paper for the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy, suggests that inhaling a preparation of lavender essential oil combined with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils may help open your airways during a mild asthma attack. In her book, "Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners," author Ingrid Martin states that inhaling lavender oil may have an anti-convulsive effect on asthma.
Clinical Evidence
There is limited clinical evidence to validate lavender's benefits for asthma, and most scientific evidence shows benefits for certain symptoms of asthma but not for asthma itself. One study, published in the February 1999 issue of the "Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology" showed that lavender oil inhibited allergic reactions in laboratory mice, suggesting possible benefits for those suffering from allergic-type asthma. Another study, published in the November-December issue of the German journal of chemical sciences, "Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung B," showed that lavender oil has a sedative effect that may be useful for improving sleep or alleviating stress. The results show lavender may be useful for asthma sufferers with those symptoms. However, further research is needed to confirm the specific benefits of lavender for asthma.
Warning
Do not attempt to self-diagnose your condition if you think you have asthma. Additionally, inform your doctor if you plan to use complementary or alternative therapies like lavender or lavender essential oil. Consult a qualified herbalist or aromatherapist if you are considering using lavender. Lavender is not a cure for asthma, nor should it be used in place of conventional treatments for asthma. Although lavender is generally considered to be safe, some people may develop an allergic reaction or experience unpleasant side effects from its use, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology: Statistics
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lavender
- AltMD: Aromatherapy/Essential Oils for Asthma
- National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy: Treating Asthma with Aromatic Essential Oils
- "Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners"; Ingrid Martin; 2006
- "Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology"; Lavender Oil Inhibits Immediate-type Allergic Reaction in Mice and Rats; H. Kim and S. Cho; February 1999
