Hey Marlen,
> Good Morning everyone I was wondering if you all had any
suggestions
> for me I have a horrible cough along with a horrible flu, it's a
dry
> cough but when it starts I get to the point that I end up hugging
> the porcelain bowl.
Dry air can cause dry coughing .. but seeing as you live in Florida
I
reckon we can scratch that one.
Might be bronchitis along with the (cold/flu?) problems. I remember
back when I used to get bronchial problems often .. haven't dealt
with
them in 5-6 years now .. but I would get to coughing so bad I would
lose
my breath .. get dizzy .. and of course, wind up with a very sore
throat
from the constant hacking. I'd gargle with warm salty water to make
my
throat feel better .. but it was rough.
I'm assuming you don't smoke .. but if you do .. or if anyone else
in
your house is smoking in the house .. they gotta stop NOW if you
want
the coughing to cease. Dry coughs are often caused by the pollutants
around us .. many homes have air inside more harmful than air
outside.
Pet dander and dust and mold and commercial cleaners and such can
cause
dry hacking coughs. Warm liquids, herbal teas and such will do a lot
to
stop the stimulation of cough reflexes.
Seeing as its a dry cough .. were it me or mine I'd not use ANY type
of
essential oil to stop the coughing. If it were not dry then I would
consider a drop or three of Eucalyptus, Blue Gum (Eucalyptus
globulus)
or Rosemary, Cineole (Rosmarinus officinalis) in a coffee cup of
warm
water and sniff a bit .. but either of these MIGHT cause you to gasp
and
that might not be cool if you're already coughing to a point where
its
hard to get your breath.
Of course, your doctor would recommend one of the OTC preparations
to
stop coughs .. and it would probably work.
> I'm also 20 weeks pregnant so I know I'm limited in what I can
> use does anyone have any suggestions?
Being 20 weeks pregnant has exactly NOTHING to do with use of EO.
That
is one of the many untruths commonly found in the cottage industry
of
aromatherapy .. an industry based on misinformation/disinformation,
extrapolation and marketing hype. There is not not one bit of
credible
information to be found that would suggest a pregnant lady avoid the
use
of ANY normally safe essential oil she had previously used.
There is, however, the point of common sense and CYA we need to
consider
when dealing with EO during the first trimester .. simply because
when
Mama Nature discovers She has made a mistake its almost always
during
that period that She will correct it .. and though there is really
no
danger to use of EO even during that period there is danger of EO
being
named as the culprit should something happen. This also applies if
one
has a history of early miscarriages.
I understand that even the credible references .. like Sylla's
Manual
http://www.AV-AT.com/manual01.html will have a note alongside
many EO
saying they are UNTESTED, therefore should be avoided during
pregnancy.
BUT .. Sylla does this for the reasons I mention above. Its not
unwise
to CYA. Write her and I bet a purty she will tell you this.
Check out the info on Martin's article on Essential Oil Safety
http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/eosafety.html
Specifically, it states:
Miscellaneous claimed adverse effects:
"Pregnancy: Almost all of the claims made in aromatherapy books
about
not using certain oils during pregnancy are unfounded. Many such
claims
are based not on the essential oil concerned, but are from the
traditionally claimed effects of the water soluble herbal extracts
when
taken internally. Such extracts are frequently totally different to
the
same plants oil.
(MY NOTE: Essential Oils contain the NON-Water Soluble chemical
components of the aromatic plant)
The facts are that most common essential oils are permitted food
flavourings. If there were the slightest evidence that using
essential
oils externally was any threat to the health of a foetus, then the
oils
concerned would have been restricted by legislation long ago.
If someone was suffering from severe morning sickness early on in
pregnancy, then the smell of something like peppermint or spearmint
oil
may well subdue the nausea. In such a case of constant vomiting, the
implanted foetus is far more likely to be dislodged by the traumatic
muscular contractions of the uterus, than from the effects of the
inhalation of ANY essential oils.
The birch and wintergreen oils are best avoided during pregnancy.
This
is because indications are that the main chemical is readily
absorbed by
the skin. High levels of this in the bloodstream are not desirable
in
pregnancy.
Clary sage is perfectly safe in a normal pregnancy, but should
perhaps
be avoided by anyone with a history of early miscarriages.
The main contra-indication of essential oils use during pregnancy is
the
heightened chance of causing skin irritation. It is quite common in
late
pregnancy for the skin to become very itchy and sometimes inflamed.
In
such circumstances essential oils in massage or the bath might make
the
condition worse." UNQUOTE
I agree with the above .. with one exception. I think Wintergreen
and
Sweet Birch should NEVER be used .. and I understand that there are
many
who will say its safe when used infrequently by those who are aware
of
the dangers, etc., etc., ad nausea. My point is that MOST folks who
use
these oils use them for conditions that are chronic and they do find
relief when they use them .. so odds of them being used infrequently
are
slim. Odds of permanent liver damage, however, are GREAT!
There is more information on Incorrect Safety Teachings at these
URLs
http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/incorrectsafety.htm
http://www.aromamedical.com/articles/pennyroy.html
It will all pass .. but that doesn't do much for your morale in the
meantime. Wish I had something to offer in the way of aromatherapy
but
I don't. Probably someone else will .. they normally do. ;-p
> Marlen
Get well soon .. and keep smiling. :-) Butch
http://www.AV-AT.com