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Inhaling Essential Oils

4/20/2014

91 Comments

 
PictureEucalyptus essential oil
I have some wonderful things to report after several weeks of self-experimentation. I've been inhaling essential oils since late February, and after seven weeks I feel like I have enough of  consistent results to report my findings (I am a scientist, after all). 

First of all, before I started inhaling essential oils I had just gotten off of oral antibiotics (minocycline and bactrim) and was planning on going into the hospital for some IV vancomycin to treat my MRSA infection. Fate brought me a snow storm that prevented me from getting to the hospital, and instead I decided to test out the eucalyptus essential oil I had bought the day before. I am so glad things worked out the way they did, or I would never had made these radical discoveries!

Why Use Essential Oils?
It's been on my mind for many months now that I should begin inhaling essential oils. In herbalism school we talk a lot about plant constituents, and that those herbs that are the most antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, etc.) contain a high amount of volatile oils. 

Volatile oils from plants have been used for millennia in folk medicine to treat infections, to reduce muscle and GI spasms, and to calm the nervous system. But in recent years, the scientific interest in essential oils (a concentrated extract of the volatile oils from particular plant species) has grown significantly as antibiotic-resistant superbugs (like the MRSA I've got in my lungs right now) are proving themselves to be beyond the control of the conventional pharmaceutical approach. Essential oils can be very effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and there have been many in vitro studies testifying to this effect. 

I also got in touch with several other CFers who had experimented with essential oils with great results, and this further encouraged me. My lung infections are so bad now that I feel horrible anytime I'm not on antibiotics. I know how bad antibiotics are for my body (i.e. disrupt gut flora, cause liver and kidney stress, weird side effects, etc.) so I of course want to avoid them as much as possible. But in the last few years I've become dependent on them just in order to get through the day, and I hate that. So I've been looking for a long time for something natural and less-stressful on my body that can be as effective as antibiotics. 

In this article, I will first discuss my experiments and their results. Secondly, I will present the scientific research on how essential oils work as well as the physiological actions and characteristics of the oils that I've used in my experiments. 
​
PictureEucalyptus tree
My First Experiment
First, I began inhaling Eucalyptus radiata oil twice a day. I would put 2 mL of hypertonic saline (essentially half of a plastic 4 mL vial) in my Pari nebulizer cup and put in two drops of eucalyptus oil (EO). I'd shake it a little to break up the big globs of oil that float on top, then start the nebulizer. It takes about 5-10 minutes to nebulize. I nebulized the EO at the end of my morning and evening treatments at the time when you would usually inhale an antibiotic like Tobi or Cayston.

At first, the EO was kinda irritating and it made me cough up a good amount of mucus. Over the next week or so I developed a tolerance to it so that the irritated coughing subsided. The irritating cough was really not so bad because it made my cough more productive, and the menthol-like feeling of the EO soothed my throat and ultimately reduced my spasms. I also believe that since I started out this experiment mixing the EO with hypersal, part of this productive cough was a reaction to the hypersal. In my later experiments I used normal saline. 

The Results
After stopping my oral antibiotics and before inhaling EO, I had been having my usual spasmy morning cough (an annoying asthmatic-like hacking for 20-30 minutes), chest tightness, shortness of breath, tons of mucus, and a feeling of chronic inflammation and irritation in the lungs. I had also been getting night sweats and would often wake up at 3 am to cough with a scary feeling like I had woken up from sleep apnea. My energy throughout the day was lower than when on antibiotics. My ever-present low-grade fever required one acetaminophen every morning at 9 am. 

After only two treatments of inhaled EO I immediately felt a huge effect. The EO stopped my spasmy cough that first day and it has not returned since. EO is bronchodilating, a counter-irritant, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory, so almost immediately made my lungs felt more open, less inflamed, and more resilient. After only a few days I was able to take in deep breaths where I could feel air moving all the way down to the lower parts of my lungs, something that I can rarely do except when on vancomycin. My shortness of breath was gone. My cough was less spasmodic but more productive, as if each cough was more efficient at getting mucus up. After a week I noticed a decrease in the amount of mucus I was coughing up, and that amount decreased still in the following weeks. The oil seemed to be getting more effective with time. My night sweats left and never came back. I could sleep through the night again without waking up from sleep apnea to then hack up mucus. My lungs felt open and clear throughout the night and even when waking up. My morning cough was minimal enough that I could eat a small breakfast before starting my morning treatments, something not usually possible when off antibiotics (I usually cough too much to get food into my mouth). I still had my daily low-grade fevers, which I control with the morning acetaminophen, but my energy had improved. My sinuses cleared up after about 2 weeks, and the only stuff that comes out is clear snot, no more green plugs. The coating on my tongue (an important diagnostic tool in Chinese Medicine) had shifted from my usual coating of thick white-yellow-brown gunk to almost nothing at all. 

Needless to say, I was really excited about all this. It was pretty much revolutionary. I could feel great and not be dependent on antibiotics?! With no impact on my gut flora. No side effects at all. But the real test was the results of my FEV1. After 3 weeks of EO treatment my FEV1 was up 8% from what it was 2 months before! It was now at the same level that it was after my last 10 day course on IV vancomycin in December! I had even caught a cold the week before my test (kicked it in a record-breaking 3 days!) and still my numbers were high. Pretty amazing. In addition to being antibacterial, EO is also antiviral and antifungal, so I assume inhaling it made me recover from the cold quicker and prevented it from moving into my lungs. During the cold I had also added a drop of EO to my sinus rinse bottle, which really helped reduce mucus build up and inflammation. 

PictureTea tree (Melaleuca)
Further Experimentation
Eucalyptus worked so well that I thought I would experiment with other oils to see if all essential oils are as effective, or if not, which ones are more effective for me than others. After 4 weeks of nebulizing EO I decided to stop it and try pine oil (Pinus sylvestris, a.k.a Scotch Pine) alone. I decided to try it alone to be more "scientific" about it. After five days of only pine oil it became clear that it was nowhere near as effective as EO. I began to notice an increase in my mucus load and my lungs became a bit more irritated in the mornings. The spasmy cough did not return, but I felt my lung capacity begin to decline very slowly and my shortness of breath/ diaphragm tightness returned. After five days of this trend I decided the experiment was over (I planned to do a two-week trial but the results were clear enough after 5 days - not worth dropping my FEV1 for science's sake!). 

For the next three days I mixed 2-3 drops of pine with 1 drop of EO in 2 mL hypersal and nebulized twice a day. Things improved somewhat. My shortness of breath went away and my diaphragm relaxed again. My morning coughs became less irritated. 

For the next two days I added cinnamon leaf oil to EO (1 drop and 1 drop) and also tried cinnamon leaf by itself. It was really intense! I wanted to try cinnamon because the scientific literature has said that cinnamon oil, with its high levels of cinnamaldehyde, is essentially the strongest antibacterial essential oil out there [3]. It may be really bactericidal but it burned my throat and numbed my mouth and was so irritating that I think it actually worsened my shortness of breath. So after a few days of that I decided the pain wasn't worth it, and I needed to move on. 

After these two unsuccessful experiments, I came up with a combo that I think is pretty effective, and I've been using it for the last two weeks. In the morning I am nebulizing 1 drop EO, 1 drop tea tree oil (TTO), and 1 drop lemongrass mixed in normal saline. I remembered that I had a box of normal saline syringes left over from my home-IV treatments in December, so I decided it would be less irritating to use normal saline instead of hypersal as my substrate. I nebulize the EO and TTO together in 2 mL saline, then the lemongrass (LG) by itself in 2-3 mL saline. I neb the LG by itself because it is pretty irritating (similar to cinnamon, spicy, but a little milder, and does not cause me shortness of breath) and I have to inhale it with my mouth open, unsealed around the neb cup or else my throat will burn. I don't want to waste any TTO or EO, so I neb the LG separately this way. I recently began to use LG in combo with 1 drop of pine oil (a much more mild oil), which seems to reduce the irritating effects of LG a little bit so that I can inhale it without my throat burning as much. Then, at the end of this treatment, I add in another 1/2 mL of saline and neb that to make sure I get every last morsel of essential oil left in the neb cup. I don't want to waste any of it. I put up with the irritation of the LG because I feel that it is effective, as in the last two weeks my mucus production has declined to be even less than what it was in my first experiment with EO, and LG has been shown to be particularly effective against MRSA in the literature (which I will discuss later). In the evening I nebulize 1 drop EO, 1 drop TTO, and 1 drop pine oil together in 3 mL saline. This seems to be a soothing combo that lets me sleep better through the night, versus when I neb LG before bed it can sometimes cause me a bit of irritation that can make me wake up with a dry cough at 3 am, but not always. 

The Science
There have been numerous in vitro studies on the bactericidal (i.e. bacteria-killing) effects of essential oils on bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the last decade or so. Interestingly, because the pharmaceutical-industrial complex dominates modern Western medicine in America and Europe to the point where almost all research is done for the development of multi-billion dollar blockbuster drugs, some of the most innovative and groundbreaking research on the use of herbs and non-patentable nutraceuticals to fight disease is coming out of Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. There are a few studies coming out of research universities in the US, Australia, and Europe as well. I find it fascinating that countries that are less obsessed with ultra-capitalism or are less financially stable are finding cheap, safe, and innovative ways to make people healthier, often times by rediscovering natural medicine. 

Anyway, there is a growing body of evidence from in vitro studies, clinical experience, and case studies that essential oils are an incredibly useful tool as we move into a post-antibiotic era dominated by antibiotic-resistant superbug infections. Essential oils can be as effective or more effective than many of our strongest antibiotics, yet the risk of developing bacterial resistance is significantly less because essential oils are complex cocktails of many chemical constituents (sometimes over 100) working synergistically to fight infection. In fact, when scientists isolate single constituents from essential oils (like 1,8 cineole from eucalyptus oil) and apply these to bacteria, they generally have weaker activity against bacteria than the whole oil, or than multiple oils applied together in a formula. This is because whole oils contain many different constituents that can be antimicrobial, immunomodulating, antioxidant, as well as antispasmodic, bronchodilating, analgesic (pain killing), anti-inflammatory, or have several other  effects that work together synergistically [1][6]. In addition to essential oils' direct inhibitory effects against microbes, they also commonly contain constituents that stimulate the immune system to mount a more efficient and effective immune response to invading pathogens. Thus, applying modern Western medicine's reductionist approach to the use of essential oils may not be as helpful as using whole oils. 

Using whole oils with their varying combinations of many different constituents will also help prevent bacterial resistance to these oils. The chemical makeup of plants high in volatile oils is constantly shifting depending on weather, the season, the climate, soil composition, and many other environmental factors. Even oils from two plants of the same species planted side by side may have slightly different chemical profiles, or the oils harvested in spring may differ significantly from those harvest from the same plant in autumn [2]. This can make it difficult to "standardize" the chemical composition of an essential oil for therapeutic use, but I like to think of this in a positive light - it further reduces the risk of bacterial resistance if we're constantly changing the rules of the game on them. The main reason why bacteria so easily develop resistance to pharmaceutical antibiotics is that they mainly consist of only one chemical constituent, and when a bacteria figures out a way around it, the antibiotic is made useless. Some antibiotics are used in combination, like the common anti-Pseudomonas combo of IV Tobi and ceftazidime when going in for a hospital "clean out", or oral Bactrim (a combo of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) because of this emergence of resistant bacteria. 

Furthermore, it's been found in preliminary research (and through several CFers personal experiences) that using formulas made of a mixture of different essential oils (like the formulas sold by Young Living) are even more effective against pathogens at smaller concentrations than single oils [6]. Studies have shown that certain plant constituents, when used together make each other more effective at killing bacteria, such as 1,8-cineole and terpenine in tea tree oil. We call this synergism. A study by Weber University and Young Living found that blended oil formulas were more effective than any of their single oils alone, and even more effective than the strongest of the single oils (i.e. lemongrass). In fact, their most bactericidal formula, R.C., was a combination of 11 oils, none of which by itself was particularly bactericidal. It's been found that essential oils and their constituents can work synergistically with antibiotics as well [6]. 

Choosing Oils
All plants have different chemical constituents and different energetic signatures that make their oils more or less effective against certain microorganisms and more or less helpful for certain kinds of people. All oils are at least somewhat antimicrobial because they are made of lipids (i.e. volatile oils), and many kinds of microorganisms (especially gram-positive bacteria, viruses, and fungi) have cell membranes that are made up of oils and are "lipophilic". Lipophilic means "fat loving"; that fats bind well to the cell membrane. As very small oil-like constituents, essential oils can bind to membranes of microbes and disrupt the lipid molecules in their cell membranes, essentially ripping a hole in them. In addition, their chemical constituents, being fat-soluble, can bind to the microbial cell membranes and insert themselves inside those cells, doing damage to the organelles or DNA on the inside. Gram-positive bacteria (i.e. MRSA, all Staph,  mycobacteria) viruses, and fungi are especially vulnerable to essential oils because they are protected on the outside by a lipid-based membrane. Gram-negative bacteria (i.e. Pseudomonas) have lipophobic (fat-fearing)/hydrophilic cell membranes that are covered in a barrier of polysaccharide chains. This means that volatile oils and fat-soluble chemical constituents are going to have a harder time killing gram-negative bacteria [3]. So while studies have shown essential oils are very effective against gram-positive, viral, and mold/yeast infections, they are less effective against the CF's arch-nemesis, Pseudomonas. However, it doesn't mean they're completely ineffective. Tea tree oil has been proven to be mildly effective against multi-resistant Pseudomonas [4]. 

Although all essential oils are somewhat bactericidal, some are much more powerful than others. This has a lot to do with their chemical constituents. Certain classes of chemical constituents, such as aldehydes and phenols, are more antimicrobial than other chemicals that are more weakly bactericidal, such as alcohols, ketones, or ethers [3]. In addition, essential oils' direct antimicrobial actions are not their only actions, so we should not be myopic when it comes to choosing oils based on their bactericidal capacities only. Many oils have other actions as well, such as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, mucolytic (thins mucus), nervine (calms the mind), bronchodilating, and immunomodulating, among others. For example, eucalyptus is not the most bactericidal oil on the block, but it is a powerful oil for helping respiratory function in many ways, as I will describe below, so I make sure to include eucalyptus in my formula for all of its benefits, not just because it kills bacteria. 

Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a genus of trees that includes over 500 species native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands [5]. A handful of these species have been extensively studied for their medicinal applications, especially Eucalyptus globulus, or the Blue Gum tree. The major constituent in most eucalyptus species' oils is 1,8-cineole, also called eucalyptol. There has been a lot of scientific study on this constituent, especially concerning its effect on the respiratory and immune systems. Eucalyptus oil has been found to increase phagocytosis by the white blood cells of the innate immune system without increasing cytokine production. In other words, EO stimulates a better immune response without increasing inflammation, especially in the airways. In fact, in-vitro studies have shown that EO actually reduces cytokine production in already-irritated cells, which would explain why it helps me so much when I feel inflamed. It is thought that 1,8-cineole is the main reason for the ability for EO to reduce inflammation. In fact, one study on asthmatics found that 1,8-cineole reduced inflammation and allergic response so much that they were able to reduce their dose of prednisone, even after treatment with 1,8-cineole had stopped. It is also thought that this constituent can control airway mucus hypersecretion, reducing respiratory exacerbations in asthma, sinusitis, and COPD [1], which also means it would be similarly effective in CF. Human and animal studies have shown that 1,8-cineole significantly reduces symptoms of chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and COPD. 

Although 1,8-cineole is great and there has been a lot of research on it, it may not be as effective against microbes as the whole oil. One study showed that although 1,8-cineole is a major component of many eucalyptus species oils, its strongest antibacterial constituent may be alpha-terpineol, which is found in smaller quantities in the oils [3]. To me, this is further proof that we should not follow the conventional reductionistic thinking patterns in the use of essential oils or herbs in general. Whole plants containing synergistic cocktails of constituents are often more powerful than their chemical isolates, even if those isolates can be delivered at higher doses. 

Out of 18 essential oils tested against Candida albicans, E. globulus was the most effective followed by peppermint, ginger grass, and clove. E. globulus was found to be more effective than fluconazole (a commonly used anti-fungal drug for yeast infections), and peppermint oil was found to be as effective as fluconazole [1]. One study found E. globulus to be not as effective against Staph as tea tree oil, but it is the most effective thing out of anything (including pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic chemicals) against dental cavities and plaque, and that is why many toothpastes now include eucalyptus as an ingredient. EO is also effective against MRSA, depending on the species. In one study on essential oils' effect against MRSA, E. citriodora was found to have the largest zone of inhibition (i.e. the radius of bacteria death upon exposure to the oil) of the eucalyptus species (50 mm) with E. radiata second (25 mm). E. globulus was ineffective. E. citriodora was moderately effective when compared to the most effective oils in this study: lemongrass (zone of inhibition = >83 mm = complete eradication), lemon myrtle (65 mm), mountain savory (62.5 mm), cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) and melissa (60 mm), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) at 57 mm [6]. In another study, zones of inhibition for EO against 14 strains of MRSA were comparable to that of vancomycin [10]!

There are so many amazing things about EO and so much science backing it up that I couldn't possibly go into it all here, but if you're interested I suggest you read the paper at the link in footnote 1. 

The only possible drawback I could find in the use of EO is that it is mildly anti-tussive in large doses, meaning that it may suppress a cough. It does this by reducing movement of the cilia (little hairs) lining the airways of our lungs and sinuses [1]. It is not known how strongly an effect this has on humans (studies have only been done on this subject in-vitro) but I have noticed in myself a slight reduction in my urge to cough, even when I feel there may be mucus in my lower airways. I mentioned this to my CF doctor and she didn't seem that concerned about it. She said that what matters more is how I feel (i.e. great!), how I sound under the stethoscope (i.e. clear!), and my PFTs (i.e. improved!). This effect may vary from person to person, but it's a good thing to watch out for and keep in mind. 

Tea Tree Oil
The tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is also a native tree of Australia and has several similar chemical actions and constituents to eucalyptus. It is highly antimicrobial and is kind of a "go to" oil in the herbal first aid kit for its antiseptic properties. It is now commonly used in antiseptic hand washes and cosmetics. It is considered to be more antibacterial than many eucalyptus species, but does not have EO's immunomodulating effects. Although it has a small amount of 1,8-cineole, its main constituent is terpinen-4-ol, which is credited as giving TTO most of its antimicrobial effects [7]. Research has proven it to be effective against 27 bacterial and 24 fungal strains, as well as some viruses and protozoa [1]. In one study it was shown to have powerful antibacterial effects on biofilm-grown MRSA [12]. There have been several case reports of prolonged tuberculosis infections (a type of mycobacterium) being cured by inhaling several days of TTO by steam inhalation. As was previously mentioned, TTO is one of the few oils effective against multi-resistant Pseudomonas [4] and other gram-negative bacteria. In one study, tea tree oil was moderately effective against MRSA with a zone of inhibition of 45 mm (compared to E. citriodora at 50 mm, or lemongrass at >83 mm) [6]. 

Tea tree oil does have anti-inflammatory properties as well. Studies have shown that it downregulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (chemicals produced by a certain part of the immune system) and reduces inflammatory oxidation in animal studies when inhaled [7]. Furthermore, TTO is highly antifungal and very effective against Candida yeast infections, inhibiting its ability to mutate from yeast to hyphae form. TTO has also been shown to be bactericidal against MRSA biofilms [7]. 

Lemongrass
Lemongrass is actually a genus (Cymbopogon) of 45 species of grasses native to southern Asia. It has been used as a medicinal and culinary herb for centuries, and can also be used to repel insects (citronella grass is a species within this genus). In folk medicine, lemongrass is used not just as an antiseptic but also to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and improve mental clarity. Cymbopogon citratus is the most commonly used species for its oil. The species are differentiated by their chemotypes, meaning that they are categorized by their dominant chemical constituents, which can vary significantly between lemongrass species. Its most prevalent chemical constituents are citral and geraniol [9]. Lemongrass oil (LG) is strongly antimicrobial, especially against bacteria but also against fungi, viruses, and even parasitic worms (i.e. helminths). One study found that out of 14 different essential oils tested including some of the strongest like cinnamon and thyme, lemongrass oil was the most effective against the H. influenzae (flu) virus [3]. LG has been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects as well. It is also effective against Aspergillus and Candida fungal (mold and yeast) infections. LG has extraordinarily high antioxidant powers [9]. 

In a study comparing the antibacterial power of essential oils against drug-resistant bacteria, LG had the strongest bactericidal effect against MRSA compared to eucalyptus and TTO. Interestingly, all three essential oils were more bactericidal against these drug-resistant bacteria than both 70% ethanol (alcohol) and chlorhexidine  (a commonly-used chemical antiseptic) [4]. Furthermore, lemongrass oil proved to be more antibacterial against all bacteria tested (including two strains of Staphyloccocus aureus) than any of its isolated constituents (citral, geraniol, and myrcene), proving once again that whole oils are more powerful than chemical isolates. This study also showed that LG is effective against Staph biofilms [8], which is an incredibly important distinction to make, since the chronic infections that we CFers get in our lungs become intractable precisely because of the development of bacterial biofilms. Many in-vitro studies only test effectiveness of antibacterial substances against planktonic bacteria, but biofilm-inhabiting bacteria is a whole different beast, and biofilms are what make chronic infections so resistant to antibiotics. All this said, lemongrass seems to me one of the most powerful oils against the bug that most bugs me (MRSA), and while it is pretty irritating it is less so than several of the other oils that have similarly powerful antibacterial effects (i.e. cinnamon and thyme). 

Other Oils
As I mentioned, I tried cinnamon leaf oil but it was too irritating for me to continue. I gave it to my sister to use when she gets cuts on her hands (she's a dirty farmer and gets infected cuts a lot). I was interested in cinnamon because several studies have shown that cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum and several other species within Cinnamomum genus) and its major constituent, cinnamaldehyde, are extraordinarily antimicrobial. While I do not think inhaling cinnamon is a good idea because it's so irritating, I do think it has a place in the treatment of skin and external tissue infections, when properly diluted in other oils (like coconut or olive oil) to prevent skin irritation. For infected wounds (especially with antibiotic-resitant bacteria) or MRSA infections of the skin, this may be just the ticket. It may also be safe to diffuse it into the air of a room using an aromatherapy diffuser or oil burner, especially if there is any risk of passing pathogens back and forth in a particularly well-populated room (like at a party or something). 

One study showed that cinnamon bark oil was the most effective oil at the lowest concentrations against Staph and several other bacteria compared to clove, cardamom, and cumin oils [11]. Another in-vitro study that created a model of essential oil inhalation showed that out of 14 oils tested, cinnamon and thyme oils were the strongest antimicrobial oils, especially against Staph and the flu virus [3]. Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon and thymol in thyme are considered to be some of the strongest bactericidal constituents in essential oils. 

Thyme oil is another very promising essential oil, and it is probably the next one I will experiment with. There are about 350 species within the Thymus genus native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. In the scientific literature, there has been significant study on a handful of these species and their major constituents. There have been several studies on Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis, and Thymus serpylum, but most research has been done on specific chemotypes of T. vulgaris. The major constituents of thyme that are the most well-studied are thymol, geraniol, eugenol, carvacrol, and linalool. Thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol have very strong effects against MRSA [6]. Thymol chemotypes of thyme are the strongest antimicrobial oils that I have read about in the scientific literature [3], and are stronger than vancomycin against MRSA [10]. 

I have been hesitant to try inhaling thyme because I have been warned by multiple herbalists that although thymol is a very effective antibacterial constituent, it is toxic to the kidneys in high doses. Nebulizing very small daily doses of EOs used for a short period of time is safer than ingesting them, and will likely not cause harm to the kidneys. But EO's potential toxicity to the kidneys is something important to keep in mind (especially since I've had kidney troubles caused by IV antibiotics in the past). A solution to this problem is to choose chemotypes of thyme that do not have much thymol in them, and instead have more linalool, geraniol, or alpha-terpineol. There is some research being conducted currently by a well-known aromatherapist, Maggie Tisserand, on the use of a specially formulated thyme blend called "benchmark thyme" for therapeutic use against MRSA infections. Benchmark thyme oil is unique because it harvests certain chemotypes of thyme at certain times of the year to ensure a specific balance of chemical constituents that are effective against MRSA [2]. Thyme may be irritating to inhale, or so I have heard, but benchmark thyme is formulated to be as gentle as possible while still maintaining its bactericidal powers, so it has obviously attracted my attention in the last few weeks. In the near future I will give it a try and report back my findings. 

Conclusion
In conclusion, the inhalation of essential oils has been a revolutionary discovery for me and it has greatly helped me control my lung infections. They work better for me than oral antibiotics and almost as well as IV antibiotics with no side-effects at all. They helped me clear a head cold in only 3 days and prevented it from traveling down into my lungs. They are safe and easy to use. There is a lot of in-vitro research on the antimicrobial effects of essential oils, but more human trials need to be done to determine how whole oils benefit those with lung infections, like CFers with Pseudo, Staph, or mycobacterium infections. If enough of us find positive results from inhaling essential oils on our own and we inform our doctors of our progress, maybe researchers will conduct more human trials, leading to the use of this as a commonplace therapy in our toolbox against chronic CF lung infections. 

At the present moment I am taking a break from inhaling essential oils to work on another experiment, and I want to be scientific about it by reducing the number of variables. I also want to give my body a rest from the oils for a few weeks, just to make sure my liver and kidneys can process their metabolites and clear them out completely. In addition, although the risk of bacterial resistance is probably thousands of times less than that associated with conventional antibiotic usage, it's good to take a break once in a while to ensure my bacteria maintain maximum sensitivity to the oils. 

Update: May 2018
A lot of people ask me where they should source their essential oils from. This is a very controversial subject because there are two companies that have been doing very deceptive and dishonest marketing for years, spreading misinformation about the quality of their oils and how they can be properly used: Young Living and doTerra. I encourage people to avoid both of these companies. Instead, choose companies that source only from organic or unsprayed sustainably wildcrafted plants. The company should also be testing every batch with GC/MS testing and should be able to provide you with that information upon request. You should also be able to acquire any information about the oil, such as where the plants were harvested, where the oil was distilled, what processes they used, and when it was distilled. I have a local aromatherapist who runs an excellent aromatherapy shop near me, so I source all of my oils from there because I trust her expertise and the quality of her oils. But if you are not as lucky as I am, I recommend you buy oils from a reputable company such as Aromatics International. In addition, if any company recommends taking essential oils internally, that means they are a disreputable source. Certified aromatherapists will tell you that taking essential oils internally is unsafe and can cause serious side effects if done without supervision. 

Update: October 2018
I wanted to give an extra precaution to the use of nebulized essential oils in people with a history of pleurisy, pleural pain, or pneumothoraxes (lung collapses). I am now a person with a sensitive pleura (and a history of multiple collapses) and I have tried several of times in the last two years to do a course of nebulized essential oils like I have done in the past. I have found that each time I have pleural pain in my lungs after nebulizing EOs for more than about 5 days, even though it certainly helps clear up my infection and reduces my mucus burden. Though correlation does not prove causation (because the pain could be coming from other things, like the infection itself), I have reason to believe that nebbing EOs is no longer a good idea for me, since my pleura are now so sensitive. I can, however, use an aromatherapy diffusor without issue, and use EOs in other ways, like on the skin (in a carrier oil). I have not tried rectal suppositories since my first rounds of experimentation, but I assume this would also be fine for me to do. Therefore, I want to encourage people to take extra precaution if they have a history of pleural complications, and I also recommend to stop nebbing oils immediately if you think they could be causing pleural pain. Discuss this with a certified aromatherapist or herbalist (like me) if you want to explore this issue further. 


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Sources:
[1] Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices. <http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/15/1/33.pdf>
[2] The Thyme is Right. <http://www.benchmark-thyme.com/userfiles/file/FHT%20Article%20Benchmark%20Oil%20APRIL%202011%20without%20cover.pdf>
[3] Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact. <http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/content/47/5/565.full>
[4] The ongoing battle against multi-resistant strains: in-vitro inhibition of hospital-acquired MRSA, VRE, Pseudomonas, ESBL E. coli and Klebsiella species in the presence of plant-derived antiseptic oils. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23199627>
[5] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/194767/Eucalyptus 
[6] Inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by essential oils. <http://aromatherapyliving.com/docs/MRSA_Research_Young_Living_Weber_Univ.pdf>
[7] Tea Tree Oil. <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/nutrition-research/learning-center/plant-profiler/melaleuca-alternifolia.html>
[8] The effect of lemongrass oil and its major components on clinical isolate mastitus pathogens and their mechanisms of action on Staphyloccocus aureus DMST 4745. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21316719> 
[9] Lemongrass. <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/nutrition-research/learning-center/plant-profiler/cymbopogon.html> 
[10] Antibacterial effect of essential oils from two medicinal plants against MRSA. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19576738>
[11] Antimicrobial activity of the bioactive components of essential oils from Pakistani spices against Salmonella and other multi-drug resistant bacteria. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3853939/>
[12] In vitro activity of tea-tree oil against clinical skin isolates of meticillin-resistant and -sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci growing planktonically and as biofilms. <http://jmm.sgmjournals.org/content/55/10/1375.full>

91 Comments
Tom R
4/22/2014 01:56:17 am

Amazing! Thanks so much for the write-up. I came here via the dearCF facebook group, where awhile back one mother to a CFer, Paloma, posted this in response to someone asking for theraputic strategies for aspergillus:

"We have erradicated them. One year now without Aspergillus in the cultures. My daughter 14yo then was inhaling tea tree oil plus lavender tree oil to control her cronic Staph. It was not until we added Lemongrass to the mix that the cultures begun to come clean. We made the inhalations with the eFlow, 5ml saline plus 1 drop of every essential oil."

Thought you might be interested... and maybe lavender is one for you to try also?

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Bibi
12/5/2016 01:06:58 am

I have asthma since 2 years old. I struggled until 14 with it, then I started to swim. No seizures until 40 when gain weight a lot. Seizures came back pretty bad so I ended with Ventolin in my pocket wherever I went. A month ago I started to inhale savory (thyme) essential oil and myrrh. Experimenting on myself. The result is amazing. Seizures stopped like magic wand used. After two weeks of using it (only when I felt like it) mucus started to come out from my lungs. No pain in my back or end of my lungs and chest anymore. I also lost like 6 kilos and my waist is back again:P Not sure if those essential oil helped on that one too... Wish you all the best:)

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Bibi
12/5/2016 01:14:56 am

I forgot to say that I inhale the oil by pour 1 drop on my fingers and rub my hands and then inhale from them (as close as I can because thyme oil can burn thin skin - face, nostrils, lips). When I inhale deep I feel the essence way down of my lungs and now I can breath deeper and better, like I used to when I was swimming. It's a strong essence but awesome healing.

Terry K
3/20/2020 10:47:16 pm

I'm replying here to get my post at the top. Author states: "Inhaling a few drops a day would likely not cause any adverse effects."

A FEW DROPS IS A HUGE DOSE!!!

It takes many many pounds, sometimes hundreds, to produce a pint of essential oil. Thus they are CONCENTRATED amounts of the healing chemical properties.

On top of that, when you use a nebulizer for 10-20 minutes you are inhaling every bit of that drop, into seriously tender mucosa.

Most EOs need to be used with a carrier oil (i.e. one drop into an ounce) just to be safe on external skin, never mind delicate mucosa.

I understand that with CF you might think there is so much phlegm to break through that it's safe, but I urge everyone to take caution.

If you want to inhale EOs, get this book for guidelines: Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals
Robert Tisserand.
EOs are his field & he has guidelines on what is safe to inhale.

That said, I am still glad to have found this post, and to read success stories of others. I plan to give inhalation a try, but one drop at a time from a cool mist table top nebulizer. I think 10-20 minutes twice a day with a medical nebulizer is dangerous. The damage to tissues does build up over time.

Thank you much for sharing both you success and update.

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CF Natural Health
3/21/2020 09:33:24 am

Hi Terry. Thanks for your comment. The "few drops a day" comment was specific to the issue of thymol's effect on the kidneys. But I understand your point and will amend the sentence. I have also read Tisserand's work and am informed about the issues you bring up. Thanks.

Tiffany
4/25/2014 03:51:34 am

Do you do inhaled antibiotics? I bought TTO, EO, and LG last night. I did my first dose of TTO and EO last night and my second dose this morning. I'm looking forward to seeing how it affects me. I haven't started LG yet as I want to see what results come from TTO and EO first. I only culture Pseudo, and I have a huge amount of inflammation in my body.

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Kenzie
4/27/2014 06:47:46 am

You're my hero! My go-to scientific researcher...and my favorite sister :)

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Mika
4/27/2014 11:57:34 am

Thanks Tom. Yes, I've talked to Paloma about it and it sounds like we both discovered the power of lemongrass! I haven't tried lavender, since it is not very antimicrobial. But it is calming and I am sure there are other medicinal properties as well.

Tiffany - I no longer inhale antibiotics. I've tried lots and they do nothing for me. Tobi, Cayston, vancomycin, nothing works. I hope the oils help you out! Keep us posted!

Kenz - thanks. You're da bomb.

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Tiffany
4/27/2014 03:56:14 pm

When you first began, did you notice an exacerbated feeling? An increase in mucus production or cough?

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Jean
11/11/2017 12:50:56 pm

I am currently inhaling Tobi in a Pari LC Nebulizer for a mycobacterium chelonae infection. Can I use essential oils in this nebulizer? Which ones and how/what do I mix them with? I am very new to this, but very interested as I do not want to keep using antibiotics. Thank you.

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Tiffany
4/27/2014 03:57:00 pm

One more question --When you first began, did you notice an exacerbated feeling? An increase in mucus production or cough?

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Mika
4/28/2014 12:54:19 am

I noticed I did cough more at the beginning because eucalyptus is an expectorant, so it helps us get mucus out of our lungs more easily. I don't know what you mean by "exacerbated" feeling, but if you're asking if I felt more inflamed or irritated in my lungs, no I didn't. Maybe the first couple tries, but after a few days the oil began to feel more calming and soothing as my body got used to it.

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Erik
5/10/2015 01:35:57 am

Tiffany, sounds like we have the same issues. How are things going with the inhaled oil treatments?

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Tiffany
5/10/2015 01:08:03 pm

Erik,

I ended up stopping. Feeling more exacerbated put me on edge a bit. Are you still pursuing this?

jill
9/3/2016 01:56:01 pm

For those who are not having good results - it is possible that the "brand" of oil you are using is not the highest quality. Carefully, carefully research your essential oils before using..!

RaheelR
5/23/2014 04:27:05 pm

Mika, thanks for a detailed and thorough article. The last throat culture for our 4 year old son showed b cepacia and your article is just in time. We also ran across this study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3950482/?report=classic#B26 and would love to hear your thoughts on gram negative bacteria like bcepacia after reading this study. Either way, we are really giving essential oils serious consideration along with a variety of other natural therapies and good diet (as you have described in other posts). This is in addition to his antibiotics o hopefully the sum is total than the parts. Thanks again and please do update your findings with other oils.

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Mika
5/25/2014 05:59:26 am

Hi Raheel. Thanks for your comment! Thank you for that article. It looks very promising. Your son is lucky that you are exploring these complementary options so early! While I can’t recommend you try anything (legal reasons, etc.), this report seems to say that thyme, clove, and oregano are very effective against B. cepacia, more effective than cipro. When used in conjunction with cipro or other antibiotics, this may be a very effective treatment plan. Because your son is so young, it may be difficult for him to tolerate nebulizing essential oils directly. Instead you could try using a diffuser in a small enclosed space. Thyme, clove, and oregano, while very antimicrobial, are also very irritating oils. These cannot be inhaled through a nebulizer (I wouldn’t even try it, and I’m brave!). A diffuser might be ok. I would start with very small doses in the diffuser, assess tolerance, and work your way up to larger doses. There may also be some benefit to trying the less-irritating oils like tea tree oil, at least to start out with. Also, combinations of oils that are not so harsh may improve their effectiveness against B. cepacia. Eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and lavender are milder oils. Running a diffuser overnight in his room while sleeping could be done.

I will write up another article on this soon, but benchmark thyme has been really fantastic for me so far, and it’s only been about 2.5 weeks. It does have some thymol, but less than Thymus vulgaris, which makes it easier to tolerate. There is some concern with the kidneys when using a lot of thymol-heavy thyme, but this is usually only a risk if taken orally or in high doses inhaled. So benchmark thyme has been a good option for me.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you decide to try and how it works for you!

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Hina
9/23/2014 07:14:54 pm

I my name is hina. I have 2 sisters with cystic fibrosis. One is 24 and one is 14. I have started using doterra for minor things and just started giving them so oils. However last week my sisters went in for an appointment and their pulmonologist said that diffusing any oils for patient for cystic fibrosis is not. I am very confused by the doctors statment.

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Holly
5/16/2016 02:57:49 pm

Hi Hina,

I am a 35y.o. with CF and I use doTerra Essential Oils and LOVE them. I wear the respiratory blend in a necklace diffuser daily and I have stopped using 2 inhalers I previously used because of this. I also rub Bergamot on my chest daily, and Cedarwood on my feet. Much of the Medical world is not familiar with essential oils and the benefits that they can provide. I love to diffuse oils and inhale them. I feel like they not only help me breathe better but they also brighten my outlook and make me feel good about the fact that I am helping heal my body naturally.

I see this was posted about a year and a half ago, so I hope the doctor's have become more in tune with how great EO's are and how well they can help us. My Pulm still isn't quite on board.

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Jill
9/3/2016 02:00:21 pm

Hi Holly, I am researching information about pulmonary fibrosis for a friend. She is in her late 70's and has PF and has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer as well. The blog writer used eucalyptus oil - did you try that at all as a single oil, or only Breathe? Thanks for your thoughts...

Kelli
10/27/2014 07:30:08 am

Mika, thank you for sharing this. I'm new to Young Living Essential Oils. I don't have the particular EO you mentioned, but I do have Eucalyptus Blue & Eucalyptus Globulus. Would either of these work instead? And, do you have to use normal saline or can you use Albuterol Solution (0.083%)

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Shelton
1/5/2015 04:25:11 pm

Thank you for this information. I happened upon hour site while searching for information on EO diffusing and lung disease. I have Non-CF Bronchiectasis and have been using DoTerra Essential Oils for over a month now. I feel like they are really working and my lungs sounded better when I went to the doctor a few weeks ago. My PCP, however, told me to stop using the oils as they could be harmful. It is very confusing. I appreciate your research

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Mica
8/17/2016 12:29:32 am

Hi Shelton. Sorry for the late response. Most doctors know next to nothing about herbs or essential oils and so they take a precautionary approach and may tell you to stop using things that they don't know about. It is true that some oils can do harm - that's why it's a good idea to have guidance from an herbalist or aromatherapist when using specific oils that may be harsher. But most oils are gentle enough, that when used on the skin in a carrier oil or when diffused, will not do harm. Many doctors claim to be concerned about lipoid pneumonia, but I have looked into it and the very few cases of it reported in the literature have nothing to do with essential oils, since EOs are not really "lipids" in the general sense, they are simply lipophilic volatile compounds. Just make sure the oils are of good quality (I recommend Aromatics International) and that you DO NOT take them orally without herbalist or aromatherapist supervision (and even then, you probably shouldn't do it).

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Sindy
6/2/2019 10:31:37 am

Shelton, I know your post was some years ago.... How are things going now using EO? Or are you even still using them for your noon CF- Bronchiectasis? I'm asking because I was diagnosed last week with Bronchiectasis and I started using essential oils this past September when my friend gave me a sample of eucalyptus radiata. It really did hello when I would steam over a cup of hot water and a couple of drops of the eucalyptus. Originally I was diagnosed with asthma but with 3 upper respiratory infections since June 2018 he ran a CT scan and voila.... bronchiectasis! So now I'm really wanting to get aggressive about managing this disease. I was classified as having a "mild" case and if like it to stay that way. I'm 49 and a middle school PE teacher. The doctor said I need to change my profession as I am sitting in a "petri-dish" of gems. I'm shell shocked right now at the thought of having to leave profession. I'm just doing a lot of research right now and would love your feedback!

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Jane Doe
3/6/2015 03:10:24 pm

This is really thought provoking. I have rabbits and after coming home from a big show, a number of them came down with pasturella, which is an incurable respiratory infection. I have them on antibiotics but it's just a temporary fix. Once they come off the antibiotics the infection returns, particularly if the animals are ever stressed. I'm wondering if setting up a diffuser with EO and maybe cinnamon bark would have any effect. The afflicted rabbits are on the cull list so I've got nothing to lose at this point.

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Sherie Suter
1/20/2018 11:46:25 pm

Did you try it? Did it work?

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Best aromatherapy diffuser link
6/14/2015 11:54:53 am

DIY BATH SALTS USING ESSENTIAL OILS is what I am looking for. I wonder if I add coconut oil to Bath salts, is it ok? B’cuz I think coconut oil is also useful and good for skin

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Ann Sonntag
7/30/2015 01:52:52 pm

Hello Mika,
I am 63 years old with asthma, bronchiectasis with a recurrent sudomonis infection. (sorry if I have misspelled them.) I am currently using Tobi (the generic version actually - Tobrimycin) for about 10 years already. The Tobi was originally used twice a day for 28 days, then 28 days off in a non-ending cycle. I am now down to using Tobi, by nebulizer, 28 days on 28 days off. My daughter has been using oils for about a year and is very excited about the results she has had using them for herself as well as her family. She forwarded your article along to me, thinking it wasn't precisely what I needed. However, you reference Tobi, CP, and many other items such as excess mucus which I have. I was told by my pulmonologist that if I was able to inhale vinegar, it would destroy my infection - however that is not humanly possible. I soooo want to try the oils, but am very afraid. I have had several asthma attacks in the past, and it is very scary. But in saying that, I am very interested! Will this therapy help me, do you think? And if so, what oils would you suggest starting off with. Thank you so much for your article! Is there a glimmer of hope out there for me?

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Mica
8/17/2016 12:36:36 am

Hi Ann! So sorry for the late response - I've had website troubles. Anyway, if you have hypersensitive airways, you may want to start out with an aromatherapy diffusor instead of direct inhalation via a nebulizer. Diffusors provide small doses and can have a gentler effect. If this proves to be ok, then you may think about moving on to nebulization. Some gentle oils that are good to start out with are eucalyptus or tea tree oil, lavender is also gentle and soothing. Tea tree oil has been shown to be effective at killing Pseudomonas. Hope this helps! Maybe you've already tried this, and if so, let me know how it went!

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Michele link
8/10/2015 05:22:25 pm

I loved your experimenting with essential oils and the sharing of info.
I haven't use EO's for my lungs. I would like to share Fulvic acid with you. I have not used a nebulizer but a small spray bottle and inhaled deeply into lungs as well as applying directly to lung area externally. I had COPD but my lungs are very much improved! Occasionally I will develop severe congestion and need help. Will be using nebulizer very soon to see if more healing can be accomplished. Thanks again

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Dean
12/27/2019 04:45:19 pm

Hello Michele - It's been a few years since you posted this. Any updates? Are you still inhaling this? And could you say which fulvic acid product you used to spray and inhale? And did you inhale it pure or dilute it? Thanks!!!

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Mattress Consult link
11/15/2015 10:53:10 am

Do you know how long these will keep? I want to make some lavender salts for a baby shower gift and I’m hoping it will be fine in a sealed glass jar until her baby is born.

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Peter link
11/27/2015 07:11:18 am

I got a nebulizer as suggested by my Md for chronic asthma. Got the intuition this am to use essential oils instead of meds. Thanks for your expertise. We let you know of my progress.

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Peter link
11/27/2015 07:12:09 am

I got a nebulizer as suggested by my Md for chronic asthma. Got the intuition this am to use essential oils instead of meds. Thanks for your expertise. We let you know of my progress.

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Patricia Cornell link
12/26/2015 07:36:05 am

I wish to pass on this website to a mom with 2 small children with cf. I am a CNA and use YLEO, not local oils which may be adulterated. I think your blog is so terrific. I wanted to pass on use of oils with children, if you have such info. Thank you!

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Karen Westling link
2/28/2016 11:37:58 am

Can the essential oils you talk about be used in the kind of nebulizer that is for COPD? I have a Salter AIRE Elite. All parts are plastic.

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Patricia Cornell
2/28/2016 03:26:59 pm

This message is for Karen Westling......I received an email Feb 28, '16 ask if essential oils could be inhaled through a Nebulizer and gave info on this machine. The person I believe would know the answer I'd Dawn Christman, living in west county near St.Louis, MO. She is very active in this company Young Living Essential tial Oils. (YLEO)

Quickly, I will say that SOME of the YLEO can be inhaled, and dome not at all.

They are very potent. The entire plant is distilled slowly and at low temperatures. Some like Thieves are made into cleaning products as well. Some have histories of helping people with bladder cancer. YLEO are purchased through distributed who are trained in their use.

Oold purchased at neighborhood stores are NOT oils only.......they have added products which if inhaled can cause major sickness. YLEO are certified by a special process to be what they say they are.

Their website shows the plants growing and the distillates in process.
Special care around children and animals.

Some hospitals use the oils and patients are happy with the results.
If you want more information, I am not the one. I will pass on your email to Dawn, if you would like.

Patricis

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Mica
8/17/2016 12:43:29 am

Just to let you know, I'm not into Young Living oils and I recommend people use higher quality oils, like those from Aromatics International or companies that do GC/MS testing on every batch and source from organic or organic-equivalent crops. I've had discussion with several aromatherapists and herbalists in this subject and we are in agreement.

Mica
8/17/2016 12:55:50 am

Yes, Karen. That is similar to the nebulizer I have used.

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Melissa link
4/28/2016 06:09:57 am

I enjoyed your article! I have CF as well and have been looking into essential oils. Are you still doing these treatments? Thanks again for sharing:)

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Nancy
6/7/2016 05:04:18 am

Would lemongrass and eucalyptus oils together in a diffuser be the way to go if you have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis? 24/7 or just when you sleep?

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Mica
8/17/2016 12:47:39 am

I do not know a whole lot about pulmonary fibrosis, but if you want to diffuse those oils always give yourself a break from them. I don't recommend a 24/7 therapy. If you use it everyday, give yourself a week or two of break from them once in a while to reduce risk of possible irritation and allergy.

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emergency medical technician link
6/26/2016 07:06:01 am

this is amazing blog and this oil is very useful in various medical need. you are awesome, keep on writing such beautiful blogs.

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Jill
9/3/2016 02:01:47 pm

Thank you for your great information! Can you tell me if a person with "pulmonary" fibrosis would consider this same protocol?

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Mica
9/3/2016 04:42:36 pm

I was using oils primarily for infection, but they can also be anti-inflammatory, which is likely what may be helpful in pulmonary fibrosis. Eucalyptus and lavender, or some other soothing anti-inflammatory oils may be called for. If there is infection on top of the fibrosis, then the other antimicrobial oils I mention may be indicated.

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frank
9/14/2016 12:15:21 am

I believe your talk about germ-killing capabilities is really irrelevant. I don't think CF has anything to do with germs (bac., fung., vir.)! The anti-microbial angle is a dead-end and, in fact, misguided, in my humble opinion. There is some toxicity, to be sure, that causes CF, but for your "research" I think you should have simply stuck with those oils that augment your breathing capacity.

There is a school of thought, you know that says it's the terrain that counts, not the offending bug that's the problem. To a great extent I believe this to be true.

You'll note that all good things to man, such as a pleasant aroma, God devised to be nauseous to bugs, so I wouldn't even be concerned about bugs and bug-killing power.

Plus, any reliance at all on allopathic medicine, again in my humble opinion, ruins your efforts because they only toxify the body, period. Had they given you placebos instead of antibiotics, those fools, you'd have come out better! Allopathy has nada, zip, zilch to offer CF (and so many other bad ailments)! Doing some of theirs and some of the natural just won't cut it. Taking Tyelenol and and essential oil just don't mix. You disrupt your body's resources to heal with one, and expect the essential oil's resources to do double-duty. Give your body a break from allopathy if you hope there's a cure in nature waiting to help you get well 100%.

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Erin
10/8/2018 02:55:38 pm

Fortunately, we can rest assured that anyone with the most basic knowledge of CF would have ceased reading Frank's ridiculous post prior to reaching the end of this hugely ignorant statement: "I don't think CF has anything to do with germs (bac., fung., vir.)!". Why do people like this feel the need to post about things which they obviously have no understanding?

Mica, thank you very much for sharing your findings in such an articulate manner. My 3yo daughter has CF and I'll be keeping this info on hand for when the need arises.

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Marta
1/17/2017 03:11:01 pm

Mica, thank you so much for your posts. I just started using eucalyptus oil two days ago. I have had great results with salt room therapy and hope gradually adding EO's will be an added help. I have Bronchiectasis and for those of us who want to get off antibiotics and cortisone this is a ray of hope. Keep up the good work!

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Chuck
4/3/2017 06:01:01 pm

Mica,

Thanks for this information and all your research. My wife has COPD and has been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis which probably stems from Valley Fever she had 20 years ago. She has been on antibiotics almost constantly for the past 2 years and when we finally got to a good Pulmonologist she was diagnosed with the above. They have her on drugs and vest therapy which has helped some. I started taking some essential oil gels a few weeks ago for my horrible allergies and then thought to research them for my wife and found your post (among many others) but yours was by far the most detailed and gave me the most hope. She doesn't want to try them in the nebulizer, but I plan to use a diffuser in the bedroom at night to see if we can stop the almost constant night sweats and waking in a panic. The pulmonologist discoverred that she has a non-drug resistent MRSA infection down in the bottom of her lungs that just doesnt go away. The antibiotics calm it down and reduce the infection and clear up some of the phlem, but a few weeks after she stops taking them, she is coughing up green phlegm again.

My question to you is - have you found a mix of oils that you would recommend as having been the most effective for you. From what you have described, I think your problem was the closest to what my wife has. I hope you can find the time to reply.

Thanks again for all your work and making it public. I hope you are well and enjoying a wonderful life.

Chuck

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Mica
4/5/2017 09:58:13 am

Hi Chuck. I think diffusion is an excellent tool for what she's dealing with. In terms of oils to use in a diffusor, you have a little more flexibility than if you were to use a nebulizer, because you can use stronger oils in a diffusor. I encourage you both to experiment and find the blends that you enjoy the most. But some oils to experiment with are: thyme (chemotype thymol), cinnamon, oregano, clove, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender. Mix and match as you see fit - usually a blend of about 3 is good. Good luck! Oh and a good online source is Aromatics International, if you live in the US.

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chuck
4/5/2017 12:29:10 pm

Hi Mica, Thanks for your time. Hadn't thought of cinnamon but had all the rest on the list. Have ordered RMO Deep Breathe Blend: Ravintsara, Rosemary, Pine, and Lime. Have also ordered Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree and Peppermint. Plan to start soon (after next meet with pulmonologist) with the RMO blend mixed with Eucalyptus and Lavender. Will add your recommendations to list. We live in Las Vegas, or we would probably have visited you! God Bless and protect you. Will be following your Facebook page too,, I just noticed it when I cam to reply to this.

Chuck
4/11/2017 02:18:44 pm

Mica - I LOVE YOU. God bless you. I thank God so much that I found your website and for all the work you have put into it.

I bought the MIU 500ml diffuser for several reasons based on other reviews. It arrived yesterday and after a little testing I tried it last night.

I used 2 drops RMO Deep Breathe, 1 Eucalyptus globulus, 1 Tea Tree/100ml water.

Ran for 2 hrs 9-11 in bedroom. Woke at 1130 potty break (this happens when you get into your 70's - be prepared!), couldn’t hear Hila breathing – scared me to death. Got up and went to other side of bed, she was breathing so quietly I had to bend down to hear. Back to bed. Woke at 0215, couldn’t breathe with allergies, 80% blocked. Hila breathing back to normal. Got up, saline mist in nose helped little. Tried menthol cough drop, still not much help. Finally put diffuser back on at 0300 for another 2 hours. Within 5 minutes, breathing better. Woke again at 0620. Hila breathing silently again but facing me so I could hear her. Still, it was very quiet. When she woke, said she felt good and had slept well. When we checked her sleep tracker, it shows that she slept soundly when the diffuser was running.

I am a believer after one night! We will have to wait and see if it helps with her COPD, but that was the best nights sleep she has had in a while.

Thank you again and if you ever visit Las Vegas, you have a place to stay free of charge.

Chuck and Hila

Mica
4/16/2017 10:04:36 am

I'm so happy she's felt some relief already! I hope she continues to feel improvement. Thank you for your kind words. Be well!

BB
5/6/2017 10:22:18 am

Hi! I have CF and I started inhaling essential oils, Eucalyptus and Tea tree only two days ago. My airways opened instantly and I manage to cough up a great amount of mucus. I have felt really enthusiastic for two days until I ran across this site: https://abreathofreason.com/tag/essential-oils/
I don't know if you are familiar whith this page and it's author? She sais inhaling essential oils through a nebulizer is dangerous because it has caused lipoid pneumonia in several CF-patients after inhaling it. She even claims it caused one patient to dye. I really don't know what to think about this. I don't have enough knowledge to say if there is really such a risk. or if it is based on a missunderstanding. Aren't there any studies done on inhaling essential oils through a nebilizer?

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Mica
5/6/2017 10:59:08 am

Glad it has helped you! Lipoid pneumonia is not a concern with inhaling essential oils, because they are not true oils, in that they're not made up of fatty acids. They are tiny volatile organic compounds that are lipophilic. There has never been a case in any scientific literature clearly exhibiting that using essential oils caused lipoid pneumonia. I've looked into it extensively. That person is misinformed, and doctors like to say that (with no evidence to back it up) as a scare tactic to stop people from nebbing EOs. There unfortunately are no human studies on inhaling essential oils but there are a few on animals. There is very limited research money out there, and most of it is used to develop blockbuster pharmaceutical drugs. I wish we had great access to funding for herbal research!

Reply
Han
1/27/2019 12:41:05 am

The information provided about lipoid pnemonia by @Mica is untrue. There are quite a lot of reports of lipoid pneumonia, mostly because of inhaling essential oils with a medical nebulizer. @mica is obviously biased and wants to tag medical advice as a scare tactic. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has expressly recommended against inhaling EOs directly.

While lipoid pneumonia is not deadly, it can be so with patients who already have underlying respiratory conditions. Hence, those posting misinformation should not be encouraged.


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2219803/

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ped.2017.0805?journalCode=ped

Mica
1/27/2019 10:01:18 am

Hello Han. The first link you provided is proof of my point. That case study does not mention essential oils at all. It mentions mineral oil, which is not an essential oil. Essential oils are NOT oils nor lipids, so it is impossible for them to cause lipoid pneumonia (unless they're mixed with an actual lipid, like a carrier oil). I have reviewed all of the published case studies suggesting there has been a lipoid pneumonia caused by essential oils and none of those are valid. If you find one, please let me know. The CFF is giving advice without proper information - they make these suggestions with zero evidence that it is a problem. Again, there are no case reports or studies to suggest that it is harmful. Mainstream medicine has been using scare tactics to prevent people from using natural remedies for generations. Please learn your history of the AMA, starting with the Flexner Report in 1910.

Chuck
5/6/2017 11:47:37 am

Mica. This is the only Scientific research that I was able to find, but it does talk about inhaling EO with a nebulizer. It has been a while since I read it, but it may be helpful to BB.
http://oegwa.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/From_science_to_clinic-aromatherapy-Vienna.pdf

Reply
BB
5/6/2017 01:00:05 pm

Thanks Chuck and Mica! I read the article but it only speaks of two case-studies of nebulized EO's. I was hoping there had been a study with a larger number of participants in order to see the safety profile of inhaled EO's but as Mica points out there seems to be a lack of money to conduct such studies. I was also wondering if there was a larger CF-community using EO's for a longer period of time, that could report on any side effects and what their CF-physicians have said about it. Where I live doctors are reluctant to even discuss alternatvie medicine, so I can't expect an objective answer from them.

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Mica
5/6/2017 01:09:49 pm

There are now dozens of CFers who have been nebulizing and using essential oils on their own for years now. Many of these people interact on the facebook group called "DearCF". I recommend you get involved with that group if you'd like to hear the experiences of others who have tried it.

chuck
5/6/2017 01:28:33 pm

BB. The medical community in the US is biased towards drug industry, they get a lot of money from pushing the drugs. Alternative meds is getting more popular, but there just aren't that many "scientific" studies, not enough money to support it. As Mica says, you can google groups etc. I spent about 5-6 hours a day for a couple of weeks looking for info on COPD and Bronchiectisis. For every google search, I had 10 wackos for every one worth reading, but I felt confident in what I was trying after I got done. CF is of course worse than what my wife is fighting, However, if you are not comfortable using the oils in a nebulizer, I strongly recommend that you get the MIU 500 ML diffuser and try them that way. I can not believe the difference it has made for my wife and I cant wait until her next dr appt and breathing tests. She is at the point now that even when she is facing me in bed, I cant hear her breathing. It is a little frightening at times and sometimes I reach out to hold my hand in front of her face to check that she is all right.

I have found that 300ml of water with 6-7 drops of oil will run all night in that particular diffuser. I am sure it is not as effective as using the nebulizer, but my wife was afraid of trying that too and we decided this might work for her. we are very happy with the results.

Susan
6/18/2017 05:23:05 pm

The quality of your oils used in this experiment are very low. Many store bought oils are not fit for consumption. They are not therapeutic grade oils. Imagine the results if you were to use certified pure therapeutic grade oils. I have suffered from chronic sinusitis, allergies asthma, tinnitus, asonmia and I have had 5 sinus surgeries to rid me of fungus, mold, nasal polyps, pseudomonas. I have evolved over the year into natural solutions to my healthcare and have recently aligned myself with doTERRA essential oils. I have used many of the same oils you experimented with over the years and these are the purest, strongest, and most effective. I have just begun adding a drop of on guard blend to my nebulizer since I have been wheezing etc... It's doing me good. I will be switching between on guard, peppermint and Frankincense. I am hoping to rid myself of tinnitus and asonmia - 2 side effects of all the surgeries, hard core antibiotics and steroids. Please let me know if you have ever used doTERRA oils in your experiments. If you are open to learning more about the oils google doTERRA. They are the largest essential oil company in the world. Also please let me know how you are doing now. Thank you. Www.mydoterra.com/susanbmalone

Reply
Mica
6/18/2017 08:50:27 pm

Thanks for your comment Susan. You are right, the oils I initially experimented with were of low quality. However, I caution you about doTerra oils or Young Living oils. Neither are of high quality (not organic nor sustainably harvested) and you cannot get GC/MS reports on any of their batches. They both give poor advice and make outrageous health claims (like suggesting that essential oils are safe to take internally - they're not, unless you're working with an aroamtherapist or herbalist - and claiming that they can cure Embola virus or some other nonsense). They also claim that their oils are special (they created their own term for how special their oils are) and all others are sub-par, which is silly. I have done quite a bit of research into good quality oils and talked to several aromatherapists about what brands are legitimate. I work directly with aromatherapists to source my oils these days, and only from organic or sustainably wild-crafted sources. For those who do not have access to a certified aromatherapist, I suggest buying from a company like Aromatics International (in the US). You can get GC/MS batch records on all of their oils, which outlines the exact ratios of the batch's constituents.

Reply
Cynthia
3/19/2020 06:08:16 pm

Have you tried to obtain GC/MS batch records from doTerra and Young Living and been refused ? I am interested in having the purest oils possible.

Shelley
6/20/2017 09:28:55 pm

Mika, are you a scientist or a clinical herbalist or both?

Reply
Mike.S.
7/12/2017 06:53:09 am

After having a chest infection back in Oct 2016 it cleared but never went away, not sure if I had the viral rubbish that is going round non stop or what. July 2017 and still feeling rubbish and NOTHING untoward showing up in my sputum I started getting desperate.

I was pointed to this blog as a "maybe consider this" approach! Been on 3 drops of EUC and TTO in 7% HTS for about 3 weeks now and I feel much improved, mucus is reduced greatly, tightness reduced greatly and my chest feels much much clearer.

I'm not usually one for alternative therapies but desperation can push you in a direction you wouldn't usually go. Reading your blog has been an eye opener for me and I thank you for posting your findings.

My next CF clinic visit will be interesting I think.

Keep well and breath easy.

Reply
John
8/5/2017 11:10:46 am

I have had pulmonary fibrosis for the past 3 years. I have benefited from getting feather filled comfort or and pillows our of my house per research done in Catalan Spain on pulmonary fibrosis. I also get help from Wei Labs soup A and soup B as well as Lung Liquesence by Profesional Health Products. I am 78 and still run one quarter of a mile 3 times a week.
John M

Reply
zeke
11/25/2017 06:13:33 pm

Have you tried Cordyceps they have been effective for friends that have COPD. Increases the intake of oxygen and the amount your blood can hold. Great to hear about the Soup working I've always been curious about it. Suggested the Soup to a few but the cost has been a deterrent.
Best Wishes.

Reply
Irene
10/6/2017 05:50:57 pm

Thank you for posting this as I’ve been searching for alternatives for my Asthma. I use essential oils for almost everything and I knew in my heart to try something like this. Is saline solution easily bought for the nebulizer? As in without a prescription?

Reply
Mica
10/6/2017 08:18:22 pm

Sterile saline is required for nebulization as you don't want to introduce potential pathogens into the lungs via drinking water. You don't need a prescription but I would recommend getting it via a medical supply store online. I prefer to use 10mL saline syringes, to maximize sterility.

Reply
Sherie Suter
1/21/2018 12:48:21 am

I read you can use colidal silver in a nebulizer to get its antibiotic into your sinuses and or lungs what do you think of that?

Jessica
1/28/2018 02:08:35 pm

I'm curious about the use of colloidal silver also. Mica do you know anything about using it in a nebulizer?

zeke
1/28/2018 06:39:16 pm

http://www.silvermedicine.org/nebulizers.html

http://www.silvermedicine.org/cayenneandsilver.html
This cleared up my Grandmas pneumonia:)

Deborah
9/30/2018 10:00:58 pm

Super excited I found this, thank you Mica for taking the time to write this. I will try the essential oils. I’m looking for a natural alternative to replace salbutamol so I have something to mix with my hyper saline.

I have tried nebuilzing Mullein before and it was very harsh on my lungs, I had to stop.I have tried collodial silver and did feel better but need to continue to see results.

Thanks in advance !

Reply
callie
10/17/2018 01:49:36 pm

So you just add the oils to your normal neb cup mixed with saline? I am 24 with steadily declining lung function, but am already on every medicine that the bug is not resistant to. At this point I am willing to try anything

Reply
Gwen
12/4/2019 11:13:57 am

No! That’s dangerous! The last post by the author said using it pure in a nebulizer caused damage in the long run.
You might mix one drop in a carrier oil and apply topically to your feet or chest or use a “diffuser” adding 1-4 drops of oil to pure water. And remember, “less is more” with oils....they work synergistically together for your health but are also meant to be alternated. Using the same oil repeatedly could possibly allow the bacteria to build up resistance as it has with antibiotics.

Reply
Kate
2/4/2019 06:28:11 pm

Thanks so much for this informative blog post! I cured my son's staph infection when he was an infant using a combination of clove and rosemary oil diluted in olive oil. It completely cured him. I tried it after reading some research paper from a European university that had tested a number of essential oils alone and in combination on MRSA and they discovered these two oils had an incredibly synergistic effect on killing MRSA. I would be xirouls to know if these oils would be safe for you to inhale in therapeutic doses without irritating your lung tissue so much that it would counter any benefit. Perhaps you've come across some research on these two oils or if you know any details about how these oils interact with the body. IdI be curious to know more

Reply
Mica
2/4/2019 07:34:05 pm

I think clove and rosemary are too harsh to inhale through a nebulizer. However, they would be safe to use in a water-based aromatherapy diffusor which emits a vapor into the air of a room.

Reply
CORRADO PENNA link
2/12/2019 02:37:04 pm

Did you ever studied Lysozime? It has wonderful properties. In Italya a small group of parents are resolving great problems getting rid of autism , epilepsy etc. It kille bad bugs, expecially mycobacteria.
did you ever put an eye on turpentine? In low doses I used it candida & (other bad fungi & bacteria). Garlic is a powerful tool too, and so is ginger and lemon. I tried Fragonia from osmobiose; it is effective too against candida & other pathogens. If you like to, I can send you many links to scientific papers.

Reply
Dean
12/27/2019 03:30:37 pm

Mica - a thousand thanks for posting and hosting all this info. What a treasure trove! My issue is severe asthma. I found a product called Teluja oil which is a mixture of eucalyptus oil, mint oil, camphor, wintergreen oil, lemon grass oil, cinnamon oil, and something else I've never heard of.

The site says you can nebulize and inhale directly a few drops in water, or put a few drops in hot water and inhale the vapor. Do you have an opinion on which is better or more powerful? Thanks again.

Reply
Dean
12/27/2019 03:34:27 pm

Oops - it's Taleju oil, not Teluja oil.

Reply
mario uliana link
12/30/2019 03:56:00 pm

hi everyone, I would like to ask an opinion to you who are more experienced than me. I suffered the removal of the left lung due to cancer two years ago; immediately after I started rehabilitation with good results, but I always had shortness of breath.
My consultant suggested Spiolto respmat or Spiriva but the side effects were really unpleasant. So I insisted with gymnastics, good nutrition, and walking. I very rarely use the blue inhaler (2/3 times a week) and lately I am doing nebulizations with saline solution three times a day with excellent results.
Lately I tried to add a drop or two of EO with good results, the last test showed an improvement in FEV, all WITHOUT medicines.

Now I thought of trying to add a drop of lavender or alternating lavender and EO, what do you suggest?
I am 69 years old and I am in good health even if the right lung has a little COPD, emphysema and traces of fibrosis (fortunately not progressive) ... thank you for every suggestion.
 

Reply
Jenny
4/10/2020 01:19:05 am

Thank you Mica for sharing with us your experiences with inhaled EOs.
Here is a human study using nebulized eucalyptus globulus oil to prevent pneumonia:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32088670/

Reply
Sharon Gray
4/22/2020 09:30:54 am

I purchased a neubelizer because whenever I get a cold it turns into pneumonia and I am thinking that if I get Covid-19 that I would like to use the neubelizer with EO but, there are no directions for using an oil in the medical machine that I purchased. Do I just put a drop of the EO into the place whee they say to put the medicine (drug)?

Reply
Mica
4/22/2020 09:40:49 am

Hi Sharon. Essential oils must be diluted in sterile saline or sterile water. If they touch plastic directly it will corrode it. Dilution is very important. Sterility of the liquid is also very important. So you could put the saline/sterile water in the place where the medicine goes, and add the EO. A general dilution ratio is 1-2mL of saline/water to 1 drop of EO. If the EO is irritating there will need to be more water added. It is smart to start with a large dilution (1 drop to ~5mL) for several days to make sure you don't have a negative reaction.

Reply
sharon
4/22/2020 09:58:34 am

Thanks so much for your help Mica.

Dawn
6/27/2020 09:06:25 am

Hi Mica, have you tried nebulizing only hydrosol without the essential oil? Thanks.

Reply
Mica
6/27/2020 11:41:06 am

I haven't. That's an interesting idea!

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Dawn
6/27/2020 12:08:36 pm

I was thinking that the hydrosol is already diluted compared to using essential oils with the saline added to it to dilute, so perhaps hydrosol might be gentler to use for the lungs just as they are. However, I don't know if the hydrosol would have the same quantity of valuable compounds as essential oils. I've tried to research this on the internet and one article said that some valuable compounds that are found in essential oils are stripped out of the hydrosol during the steam distillation process. I don't know if that's true or not. It would be interesting to hear what you discover if you give hydrosols a try. :)

Kevin
8/4/2020 12:41:48 am

Maybe try nebulize game H202? Also have you tried ozone therapy?

Reply
Brianna
8/17/2020 02:07:07 am

Wondering what nebulizer you recommend for inhaling essential oils. I'm looking for a portable/handheld one. I've been reading reviews on them and they suggest that they do not do well with atomizing EOs. Please let me know of any of your recommendations.

Reply



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    Author

    Mica is a clinical herbalist specializing in cystic fibrosis, severe respiratory diseases, nutrition and digestion, diabetes and blood sugar disregulation, and immune disregulation. Through their own personal experiences with chronic illness, they are passionate about empowering people to take charge of their own health with natural, holistic, and integrative approaches. Please ask questions or share what's worked for you! 

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    Disclaimer: The content of this website and blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. I am not a licensed medical professional and do not take responsibility for any actions taken by the reader as a result of access to this information. 
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