When I cough or have respiratory problems

My testimony

I’m rarely ill. I think that “bathing” in hydrolats and essential oils on a daily basis has something to do with it. As does living in the countryside and in an unspoilt environment. On the other hand, when I go into town for a few days, I regularly catch a cold, which almost always manifests itself in a cough. If I don’t get it under control quickly, the initial dry cough quickly turns into a hoarse, barking cough that’s hard to get rid of. Since I’ve been using the hydrolats, most of the time I’ve managed to stop the coughing fairly quickly, and no longer end up barking.

My tip

As soon as I feel a cold coming on and start coughing, I use giant fir hydrosol. Often and in all its forms! I take a tablespoon of hydrolat in a glass of warm water, every 2 hours. I diffuse it for at least 3 hours during the day, in combination or alternately with Douglas fir and thujanol thyme hydrosols (I fill the diffuser tray with the hydrosol). And to combine the effects, I put the equivalent of a teaspoon of giant fir hydrosol in the palm of my hand and apply it to my chest and throat. In addition, when my throat itches and makes me cough, I gargle with laurel hydrosol. To do this, I take the equivalent of a large tablespoon of pure hydrolat, 3 or 4 times a day, and don’t forget to spit it out!
I’d be lying if I stopped there… When I was younger, my grandmother always recommended a grog for coughs. She advised me to put honey and rum in hot milk. I follow her advice, adding a tablespoon of giant fir hydrosol and a tablespoon of thujanol thyme, for an aromatic toddy.

What does phytotherapy say?

A cough is caused by irritation of the mucous membranes in the throat or bronchi. The causes can be multiple (dry air, allergy, dust), but coughing is often the harbinger of a cold. In this case, the dry cough frequently becomes oily (productive) or hoarse. A mainly nocturnal cough may be a sign of allergy or gastric reflux.
Giant fir hydrosol, with over 80% alpha-terpineol, borneol and bornyl acetate, is an excellent antiseptic and respiratory decongestant, particularly suitable for coughs (dry and oily), colds and bronchitis. Its spasmolytic, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties are also of interest in cases of cough, whether irritant or viral.

Did you know?

For allergic coughs, giant fir is well-suited for its anti-inflammatory, soothing and spasmolytic properties, but it’s also a good idea to combine it with tarragon, chamomile matricaria and yarrow hydrosols, for their anti-allergic effects

I use hydrosols SAFELY

This tip refers to the classic use of organic and food-grade hydrosols. There are therefore no contraindications. Giant fir hydrosol is very gentle and can also be used on small children aged 1 and over. Internally, tablespoons should be replaced by teaspoons (before the age of 1, use only for diffusion and chest massage).

ABIES GRANDIS giant fir

The giant fir is a conifer native to North America, first planted in Europe around 1830. One of the tallest firs, it can reach 80 m in height, and is hardy, withstanding temperatures down to -20°C. It is an important forest species in France, productive thanks to its rapid growth. Its easy-to-work white wood is used for furniture, construction and stationery. Its needles are soft and not very prickly, giving off a pleasant citrus scent. It is an excellent respiratory antiseptic.