This time of year can be hard on our systems, especially our lungs. It seems like everyone has some sort of cough whether it’s dry, wet, hacking, whooping, rasping… no matter which, someone’s got it and it’s making its rounds.

It’s for times like these when you’ve been stricken with walking pneumonia or your third bout of bronchitis in so many months that essential oils really start to shine.

They’re powerful, restorative, germ killing, and just plain GOOD for getting the gunk out of your lungs or soothing away the spasms of coughing.

Whatever your lung ailment may be, there’s an EO for that!

Essential Oil Blends for Respiratory Ailments

Every essential oil listed in the blends below are known for their respiratory supportive properties whether that be helping you expectorate, calming a dry scratchy throat, cutting through mucus, or killing a virus that’s gotten too cozy for comfort.

I’ll be covering four of the most common respiratory ailments you may come in contact with during cold and flu season.

Essential Oils for Bronchitis

I tend to come down with bronchitis about once a year due to having asthma, but I know of a lot more people who get it multiple times in a single season.

Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation in the bronchial tube lining accompanied by copious mucus discharge. It can be caused by environmental factors like allergens, dust, and air pollution, a lung infection, or by exposure to someone who has it.

Bronchitis that reoccurs for several months out of the year every year is known as chronic bronchitis.

The most common symptoms of bronchitis include:

• A persistent, hacking cough
• Heavy mucus discharge from the lungs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing is worse in the morning and somewhat easier towards nighttime

Using essential oils with high antimicrobial properties can help fight off infection when inhaled.

Single essential oils for bronchitis include:

• Balsam fir
• Birch
• Eucalyptus radiata
• Helichrysum
• Myrtle
• Peppermint
• Ravensara
• Rosemary
• Spearmint
• Spruce
• Thyme
• Wintergreen

You can check out my dedicated article on the best essential oils for bronchitis HERE for more information.

Bronchitis Essential Oil Blend:

• 2 drops sage essential oil
• 4 drops myrrh essential oil
• 5 drops clove essential oil
• 6 drops ravensara essential oil
• 15 drops frankincense essential oil (this oil might sound surprising, but frankincense is known to amplify immunity)

Add these oils to an empty 5ml essential oil bottle, then add 6 drops to 1TB of carrier oil and apply some of this to the neck, chest, and back 1-3 times daily.

Apply 1-2 drops to a tissue and breathe in for 3-4 deep breaths 5-10 times daily. You can also diffuse 5-10 drops of this blend in a diffuser 2-3 times a day.

I personally like using this blend (and all the others) in a personal nasal inhaler like this one.

Essential Oils for Influenza

Aka the flu, influenza is a respiratory illness that not only attacks the lungs, but also the body as a whole.

There are many types of viruses that can cause “the flu”. Regardless, it’s important to boost immunity as soon as you begin to feel the telltale signs of illness.

The most common symptoms of influenza include:

• body aches
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• fever
• headache
• runny nose
• vomiting

Obviously, if you or someone in your family is experiencing some pretty bad symptoms, it’s really important to seek medical attention. Many people die from influenza every year, so don’t rely on essential oils alone!

Single Essential Oils for Influenza

Strong anti-viral essential oils are a must when dealing with the flu. Here are a few essential oils that really help sooth symptoms and support immunity as well.

• Clove
• Cinnamon leaf/cinnamon bark
• Eucalyptus radiata
• Hyssop
• Mountain savory
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Ravensara
• Tea tree
• Thyme

As a side note, I highly recommend taking a good elderberry syrup as well since it’s effective against 8 strains of flu virus. Be sure to get in plenty of food-based vitamin C and fluids.

Influenza Essential Oil Blend

• 4 drops clove essential oil
• 5 drops hyssop essential oil
• 6 drops thyme essential oil (linalool)
• 7 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil
• 8 drops oregano essential oil
• 10 drops ravensara essential oil

Add the oils to an empty 5ml essential oil bottle and use as follows:

Add 5-10 drops to a diffuser and diffuse for 20-30 minutes 2-3 times daily.

Apply 6 drops to the cotton pad of a personal nasal inhaler in use as needed for killing germs in the lungs and sinuses.

Add 2-6 drops to 1TB of carrier oil and apply to the neck, back, and chest 2-3 times daily.

Essential Oils for Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be either bacterial or viral in nature. Whichever one it is will determine the symptoms that may develop if the infection progresses.

Initially, symptoms will start out the same whether the pneumonia is bacterial or viral with a mild fever, dry cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Within a few days, the fever will worsen, mucus will develop in the lungs, and breathing may become difficult.

This can be a very serious infection! So, if you think you have it, go to the doctor right away!

The most common symptoms of pneumonia include:

• A persistent, sometimes painful cough
• Body aches
• Chest pain when exerting oneself
• Fatigue
• Fever which may be accompanied by chills, headache, stomach pains, confusion, sweating
• Heavy mucus that may be green or yellow in appearance
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Rapid heartbeat
• Trouble breathing – wheezing and shortness of breath

A lot of the time, people don’t even know they have pneumonia, so it’s always good to keep a close eye on things and decide when it’s time to see a doctor as it’s a very serious illness.

Single essential oils for pneumonia include:

• Birch
• Eucalyptus globulus
• Goldenrod
• Hyssop
• Mountain savory
• Ravensara
• Rosemary
• Spearmint
• Tea tree
• Thyme
• Wintergreen

These essential oils are good at opening the lungs and helping them expectorate mucus.

Pneumonia Essential Oil Blend

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil
• 8 drops ravensara essential oil
• 8 drops frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops oregano essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

This blend should be used in conjunction with professional medical treatment.

Add these oils to an empty 5ml essential oil bottle, then add 4-6 drops to 1TB of carrier oil and apply some of this to the neck, chest, and back 1-3 times daily.

Apply 1-2 drops to a tissue and breathe in for 3-4 deep breaths 5-10 times daily. You can also diffuse 5-10 drops of this blend in a diffuser 2-3 times a day.

I personally like using this blend (and all the others) in a personal nasal inhaler like this one. Simply add 6 drops of pneumonia blend to the cotton insert and use the inhaler as needed to help clear air passages.

Essential Oils for Whooping Cough

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory ailment caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. Its development can be very intense and sudden and is often worse at night. This illness most often affects young children and infants whose immune systems are more sensitive.

It is characterized by a severe hacking cough that’s followed by a “whooping”, high-pitched sound as the person tried the take a breath. The illness is spread via contact with the bacteria filled droplets that are sprayed into the air when coughing. It can be extremely dangerous for infants younger than 3 months.

Despite vaccines and antibiotic treatments, whooping cough is still a dangerous lung condition and should be taken very seriously if you suspect someone in your family has contracted it.

The most common symptoms for whooping cough include:

• Difficulty breathing
• severe coughing bouts accompanied by “whooping”
• Vomiting caused by forceful coughing which often leads to dehydration

Single essential oil for whooping cough include:

• Lavender essential oil (for children 3+ months)
• Lemongrass essential oil (for children 2+ years)
• Myrtle essential oil (for children 6+ years)
• Nutmeg essential oil (for children 6+ years)
• Oregano essential oil (for children 2+ years)
• Petitgrain essential oil (for children 6+ months)
• Rosemary essential oil (for children 10+ years)
• Tea tree essential oil (for children 6+ months)
• Thyme essential oil (for children 2+ years)

I also recommend checking out which essential oils are safe for babies and children before using any essential oils for safety reasons.

Whooping Cough Essential Oil Blend

• 10 drops ravensara essential oil (for children 6+ months)
• 8 drops eucalyptus radiata essential oil (for children 10+ years)
• 6 drops pine essential oil (for children 6+ months)
• 6 drops myrtle essential oil (for children 6+ years)
• 3 drops cypress essential oil (for children 6+ months)
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil (for children 6+ years)

This blend should be used in conjunction with professional medical treatment.

Add these oils to an empty 5ml essential oil bottle, then add 4-6 drops to 1TB of carrier oil for adults and 2-3 drops to 1TB of carrier oil for children and apply some of this to the neck, chest, and back 1-3 times daily.

Apply 1-2 drops to a tissue and breathe in for 3-4 deep breaths 5-10 times daily. You can also diffuse 5-10 drops of this blend in a diffuser 2-3 times a day.

I personally like using this blend in a personal nasal inhaler like this one. Simply add 6 drops of whooping cough blend to the cotton insert and use the inhaler as needed to help clear air passages.

What have been your favorite essential oil blends for respiratory ailments? Please share in the comments below!

You may also enjoy reading:

Essential Oils for Boosting The Immune System and Fighting Cold and Flu
Sickroom Spray Recipe for Cold and Flu
How to Use Essential Oils Safely for Babies and Children
Cold and Flu Bath Concentrate
7 All-Natural Flu Remedies to Help You Get Better Faster