Inhalation for a cold

Introduction

Inhalation can help to speed up the healing of a cold and relieve cold symptoms such as a cold, sore throat and cough. Inhalation involves inhaling hot steam, usually mixed with herbs or essential oils. The water vapour ensures that the affected mucous membranes are moistened, secretions are liquefied and loosened and can thus be coughed up more easily.

In addition, it has a decongesting effect on the mucous membranes in the nose, so that if the nose is blocked, it is freed again and breathing is improved. Inhalation additives such as chamomile have an anti-inflammatory and also germicidal effect and can thus also support the healing of the common cold. Inhalation should be done at least twice a day, but can be repeated more often if necessary.

What are the inhalation options?

Water is used for the steam required for inhalation. Firstly, you can fill a large pot with water up to just below the rim and bring the water to the boil. When the water boils, the pot is taken off the stove and the inhalation additives such as essential oils, flowers or herbs are added.

The water can of course also be boiled up with a kettle. The water can then be transferred to a heat-resistant container such as a porcelain bowl or a cooking pot. If additives are to be used, they can be put into the vessel beforehand and then poured over with the hot water.

To inhale, the head is then held over the pot or bowl and a towel is placed over the head so that little steam escapes through this cover and enough can be inhaled. To make inhaling and moistening the upper airways more effective, inhalers can be purchased from the pharmacy. The water and the inhalation additive are placed inside the steam inhaler.

The inhalers have a mouthnose attachment, which is similar to a breathing mask. Thus the steam only goes into the mouth and nose and does not touch the whole face. Steam inhalers and pot inhalation only reach the upper airways. Ultrasonic nebulizers can be used to humidify the lower airways and relieve deep-seated coughs. The droplets formed by the nebulizer are smaller than those in steam and can therefore penetrate more deeply into the bronchial tubes.