What fragrances can be used for humidifiers? Essential oils in a humidifier Optimum air humidity, which leads to its dryness

07.06.2020

Greetings to all who visit!
I wanted to share with you an event that was just a discovery for me! Although, of course, it is not a discovery in itself and is known to any pediatrician.

The story is that I am a mother of two daughters. They are now 7 and 5 years old. Kindergarten they don’t visit me and haven’t visited, so the period of endless illnesses began with us only now, when the eldest went to school. For 3.5 months of study, we fell ill 6 times, and I get sick together with the children.
The eldest daughter is stronger and recovers faster, while the younger one always coughs for a long time. (and I am with her) And now we have been coughing for a couple of weeks for 3 weeks, and the cough is dry. The syrups don't help. A bottle of lazolvan, gedelix was drunk, an infinite amount of mukaltin was eaten, a lazolvan nebulizer was bought for it, and constant inhalations not only with it, but also with a solution of soda and just mineral water. But the saddest thing is that we did not have time to recover, and the eldest daughter brought a new disease. And even worse, my daughter developed an allergy to all these syrups, in short, we stopped drinking them, and I was also disappointed in the nebulizer ...... TTT so far everything goes without complications, the pediatrician does not find anything in the lungs.

And in the store I came across a book by Komarovsky: ORZ: a guide for sane parents. The book is large - about 600 pages. And throughout the whole book, one thought is simply hammered in. That all these cough medicines will not help if the house is dry and warm and the child drinks little.
It just hit me like a thunderbolt. Well, after all, a million times the pediatrician said recommendations - a plentiful warm drink. But after all, I did not perceive it as an integral part of the treatment. In the book, this is simply hammered into the head, repeated many times and highlighted in every possible way.
This was the first point of treatment, the second was the creation of a good climate in the apartment for recovery, namely, lowering the temperature in the room to +18 degrees and creating humidity in the apartment.
Okay, I covered the batteries with wet towels, hung the washed clothes around the apartment. The truth was able to lower the temperature only to +21 and then with a scandal. Since we are accustomed to 24, 21 is already perceived as a terrible cold. But something was all to no avail, the cough remained dry as it was. My husband apparently got tired of my running around with wet towels around the apartment, and he went and bought a humidifier.

We turned it on for lunch. By evening, I felt that the cough had become more productive. And the process went on, the night slept normally. Instead of a constant painful and unproductive cough, there were several attacks during the night - she coughed for a couple of minutes, cleared her throat, fell asleep. My daughter was exactly the same. Before that, we had not slept for several nights, because the cough was strong and frequent, but did not bring relief.
Now a day has passed, how the humidifier works, my daughter coughs very gently, clears her throat well. I also feel myself getting better. We drink water, right by the clock, like medicine. I set the timer for 30 minutes and when it rings, we drink the third part of the glass. Then I set the timer again.

Here, of course, I can assume that everything coincided and the disease itself is already coming to an end. And apparently, you still need to get sick several times in order to confirm the effectiveness of the humidifier. .
But now I definitely have no reason not to trust Komarovsky. He writes that when creating a humid, cool atmosphere in the house, there is no great need for medication, the body can handle everything on its own. And complications occur much less frequently.

I would be glad if this information helps someone. And I highly recommend this book.

A runny nose that occurs in infants creates many problems for both the child and the mother, as there are difficulties with feeding and sleeping the baby. Runny nose occurs due to inflammatory process occurring in the nasal mucosa of the baby. Due to the anatomical features, the nasal passages in newborns are narrow, as a result of which even a slight swelling of the mucous membrane leads to the fact that the baby’s breathing is disturbed, he begins to breathe through his mouth. In the process of sucking (even with the smallest discharge from the nose), air access practically stops, therefore, the baby begins to worry, as a result of which he does not eat enough, which leads to other adverse consequences. The baby begins to sneeze very often, as this to some extent restores the patency of the nasal passages.

The causes of a runny nose can be infectious diseases, bacteria, and allergic reactions. In addition, dry air in the room in which the baby is located can cause a runny nose in the baby.

Optimum air humidity, which leads to its dryness

The most favorable air humidity for a person is from 55 to 60%. When these indicators are below the norm, this can lead to adverse consequences. The mucous membranes of the nose of any person (especially in infants) must be constantly moistened, in cases where air humidity is low, they dry out, therefore, their ability to resist the external environment is significantly reduced. Dry air is especially dangerous for infants, since their metabolism is accelerated compared to adults, therefore, they lose more moisture. The mucous membranes of the nasal cavity are, relatively speaking, a barrier to microbes, a gate leading to the body. Every day, they are in contact with an incredibly large volume of various microbes, bacteria, including those of viral origin. The vast majority of these bacteria and viruses cannot enter the body, since the secret that is secreted by the nasal mucosa contains antibacterial substances that protect the body. This ability of the mucous membranes is called local immunity. The air, the humidity of which is below normal, helps to dry out the secretion of the mucous membranes of the nose, therefore, reduces local immunity. If the nasal mucosa is dry, then sputum is an excellent environment for bacteria and microbes, which, getting into the nose, begin to multiply actively. That is, if there is dry air, a runny nose in a baby can occur as a result of it. Overdried mucus is a protein nutrient medium that is very favorable for pathogens. In addition, dry air contributes to an increase in the number of adenoiditis, which leads to chronic tonsillitis, and pathogenic bacteria and viruses that multiply in dry mucus very often lead to otitis, bronchitis, sinusitis. When an allergic rhinitis occurs in a baby, air that is not sufficiently moistened can also be the cause. The thing is that dry indoor air is very dangerous for children prone to allergic reactions, as it increases the susceptibility of the nasal mucosa to various allergens, including dust. In rooms where air humidity is below normal, dust practically does not settle, therefore, dust, animal hair, plant pollen are constantly in the air, therefore, a child suffering from allergies inhales all this all the time. Dry indoor air can cause chronic allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma.

How to protect your baby from a cold

The nose of a small child is very susceptible to various bacteria and viruses, so it is necessary to monitor its condition very carefully. When the baby is on breastfeeding, then his immunity is strong enough to resist various infections, including those that his parents are infected with. Even if infection has occurred, then a runny nose will pass easily and quickly from the baby if the parents react to it in time with adequate actions. It is especially necessary to monitor the baby in autumn, spring and winter seasons, in which climatic conditions contribute to the common cold. Before the child goes outside, especially in places where a large number of people, it is better to lubricate his nasal passages with oxolin ointment, which can protect against infections and viruses. As soon as parents notice any changes in the body and behavior of the baby (for example, he begins to snore in his sleep), not all of them indicate a runny nose. Very often, dry air leads to them, due to which the mucus in the baby's nose becomes dry, and it is difficult for him to breathe. In some cases, the mucous membrane of the baby's nose even begins to produce a large amount of mucus due to the dryness of the air, which looks like a protracted runny nose. Instillation of saline or moisturizing drops into the nasal passages, as well as humidification of the air, will help eliminate this ailment. Drops that constrict blood vessels will not help in this situation, but can only aggravate the condition of the baby. A runny nose in a baby and a humidifier are the most excellent tandem that will help a baby.

A humidifier will help create an optimal climate and prevent the development of a number of unpleasant phenomena. Fragrances for air humidifiers help in the treatment of colds, promote relaxation. Let's take a closer look at which essences are most effective, and when they can be used.

Why do you need a humidifier?

During the season, the air in apartments and houses becomes overdried. This results in poor performance immune system, the respiratory mucosa dries up and cannot resist the penetration of pathogens. To avoid health problems, experts recommend artificially increasing the level of humidity in the room. This is what humidifiers are used for.

The air conditioning device helps to quickly cope with the problem of dry air. Pediatricians recommend putting such devices in the nursery, because babies need to breathe air that will not adversely affect the mucous membranes. In addition, with normal humidity, the child sleeps much better.

Ultrasonic humidifiers are currently the most popular. They break water droplets into small particles thanks to high-frequency vibrations. The resulting "water spray" is evenly distributed throughout the room. Also on sale you can find steam and traditional types of devices. Humidifier-purifier-air fragrance belongs to the category of climatic complex devices.

The use of flavors

Every person wants fresh, pleasant aromas to reign in his house. This not only helps to create a feeling of comfort, but also promotes psychological relaxation. Some models of air humidifiers have an additional feature that allows you to use aromatic compositions. The device helps to distribute pleasant odors and bring the level of humidity back to normal.

Can fragrances be added to a humidifier? Not all such devices have a special built-in compartment for essential oils. It is strictly forbidden to add various essences to ultrasonic, steam and traditional types of devices. This can lead to poor performance or premature failure of the equipment. Only a few of these types of humidifiers are designed for the use of aroma oils. Therefore, before buying a unit, you should check the availability of this function in a particular model.

Benefit

The aromatherapy function in humidifiers can sometimes be very useful, because with its help you can get rid of many pathological conditions. So, some types of essences can positively affect the condition of the skin, respiratory and nervous systems. Antioxidants contained in essential oils slow down the aging process and remove harmful substances from the body.

You can also use fragrances for a humidifier in cases where it is necessary to optimize the vitality of the body as a whole. Certain components improve brain function, stabilize emotional condition.

Despite the seemingly harmless nature of this method, there are certain contraindications to conducting aroma sessions.

What is the danger?

Improper use of essential oils will only harm the body. If you exceed the dosage, there is a huge risk of getting a headache instead of Have a good mood. With extreme caution, such funds should be used by people prone to allergic reactions. Coniferous oils are the most dangerous in this case.

During the period of bearing a baby and lactation, not all fragrant essences are allowed to be used. Inhalation of rosemary, sage, cedar and basil essential oils vapors can adversely affect the course of pregnancy. And during the feeding period, particles of ether penetrate into breast milk and enter the blood of the child.

What humidifiers can be used for aromatherapy?

A device with an air “washing” function is best suited for the use of aromatic mixtures. An air humidifier with an aromatizer and an ionizer allows you to saturate the room with negative and positive ions, as well as fill the room with a pleasant smell. One of popular models is NeoClima NHL-075. The device is different original design, large volume and relatively low cost.

A richer functionality is offered by the Steba LR 5 Elektronic integrated climate control device. The humidifier-ionizer with fragrance function works almost silently, which allows you to install it even in a children's bedroom.

The principle of operation of the device

Conventional ultrasonic type humidifier could quickly win the attention of consumers. These devices are compact and modern design. They manage to evaporate moisture due to ultrasonic (high-frequency) vibrations of the membrane, which is responsible for the transformation of water into an aerosol. This type of steam is called "cold". Ultrasonic humidifiers work almost silently and quickly restore the normal level of humidity in the living room.

Fragrances for air humidifiers must not be added directly to the water tank if the device does not have a special compartment. This practice will initially have, of course, a positive effect. However, after some time, the parts and components of the device will stop working.

In units designed for moisturizing and aromatherapy, there is a container or capsule near the atomizer where the essence can be placed. When the water begins to evaporate under the influence of temperature or ultrasound, aromatic oils also evaporate in parallel.

Aroma humidifier

How to use and how to choose an aroma humidifier? The possibility of saturating the air in the room with a pleasant smell with the help of a special device is undoubtedly a positive thing. Particles of essential oils, which will evaporate simultaneously with water aerosol, will fill the air with phytoncides, which have a powerful healing effect. A pleasant aroma will help improve mood and strengthen the immune system.

When choosing a device for humidifying the air with a function of aromatization, you should pay attention to the volume of the water tank. The size of the tank depends entirely on the area on which the humidifier will have to work. The five-liter tank is designed for a room up to 20 m². The presence of a hydrometer will also be an advantage, allowing you to monitor the level of humidity.

Where should the device be placed?

The device must be installed at a height of no more than 1 meter from the floor. This will allow you to evenly distribute the aerosol with particles of essential oils. The surface on which the humidifier will stand must be flat. It is best to place it in an impassable place where the possibility of accidental tipping over will be excluded.

The steam that will come out of the appliance must not fall directly on furniture or houseplants. The jet is capable of leaving white marks on various surfaces. To avoid this phenomenon, it is recommended to use purified water.

What flavor can be used?

In the air humidifier, which is planned to be used for aromatherapy sessions, there must be a compartment where essential oils can be poured. For this purpose, any flavors are suitable, ranging from extracts from medicinal chamomile to eucalyptus essential oil.

You can add the following aromatherapy products to your humidifier:

Orange oil - perfectly copes with the symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves mood and gives vigor.
Lemon oil - sour aroma helps to fight colds and headaches wonderfully.
Chamomile oil - has anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and relaxing effect.
Basil oil - a powerful antimicrobial effect can be directed to the fight against flu and colds.
Eucalyptus oil - contains a huge amount of phytoncides that prevent the development of viral pathologies and destroy microbes.
Lavender oil - famous for its ability to eliminate insomnia, depression, headache.
Tea tree oil - has a powerful antimicrobial and antifungal effect.
Anise oil - will help in the treatment of wet cough.
Peppermint oil - soothes nervous system and normalizes the emotional state.
Oil of pine, arborvitae, cypress and juniper - recommended for use in the treatment of viral ailments and seasonal colds.

Water soluble aromatic oils

Can water soluble fragrances be used in a humidifier? Such oils differ from real ether only in concentration. Therefore, they can be used for aromatherapy with a humidifier.

To obtain a water-soluble oil, it is necessary to reduce the viscosity and density by removing glycerol from the composition. This component is replaced by alcohol. Experts say that the resulting product has the same properties as real essential oil.

Making your own fragrance

Far in all cases, you can use a fragrance for a humidifier. With your own hands, you can make a device that will help fill the atmosphere of the room with a pleasant smell if the climatic device does not have such functionality.

The easiest option is soda flavoring. It will require a small glass container, on which you can put on a lid with holes, your favorite essential oils and soda. The third part of the jar must be filled with soda, add 10 drops of ether, mix and close the lid.

When a person coughs, unpleasant symptoms are tormented. This process is especially difficult for children: they become capricious, lose their appetite, and do not sleep well. Many doctors claim that they appear due to the very dry air in the room and recommend moistening it.

However, sometimes high humidity causes an increase in seizures. This article will discuss whether a humidifier can cause a cough and why?

AT winter period time, many are faced with the fact that the air in their apartments or houses is too dry. Because of this, irritations in the nasopharynx begin, a cough may appear in combination with colds or infectious diseases.

It is very important to ensure that the air is not too dry., since in this case the cough will be dry for a long time, sputum will not be able to come out and the person will get complications in the form of or.

To do this, it is necessary to ventilate the room, do wet cleaning. Today are very popular special devices that humidify dry air.

Pediatricians believe that a humidifier when a child coughs has only positive effects. However, this is not always the case such devices have their drawbacks:

when using ultrasonic air humidification, a person develops a strong cough, body temperature rises, severe complications develop;
very often on the furniture you can see white traces of plaque;
water must be changed every day;
if the appliance is not in use, it must be completely dry inside;
be sure to treat with special antimicrobial agents.

Very often, a person is faced with the fact that he suddenly developed a cough from a humidifier, his body temperature rises. These problems appear spontaneously, and also disappear after stopping the use of the device. What could be the reason for this, and what measures should be taken?

Opinion and advice of Dr. Komarovsky on cough from a humidifier in children

As mentioned above, pediatricians advise the use of humidifiers when treating coughs in young children.

They have undeniable positive aspects, help and contribute to the rapid recovery of the baby. What does Dr. Komarovsky think about this?

Evgeny Olegovich claims that with ARVI in a child air humidity should be at least 50-70%, otherwise the risk of complications increases.

To maintain this indicator in the norm, he recommends using a special ultrasonic humidifier. Today, there are many brands and manufacturers of these devices and everyone can find the right one for him.

In this case, it is very important to follow all the points of the instructions for the devices: regularly change replaceable cartridges, water, wash the device. This will help reduce the risk of pathogens growing inside the humidifier.

In principle, when used correctly, an ultrasonic humidifier does not cause any complications. The appearance or intensification of coughing fits is possible only if the device is used improperly. In this case, it is recommended to give water from it to the sanitary-epidemiological laboratory for bacteriological analysis.

In case of detection of pathogenic microflora, it is necessary to disinfect the humidifier and the room in which it is used. Therefore, the question of why coughing from a humidifier can be given an unequivocal answer: due to improper operation of the device.

When not worth saving, it is better to give preference good producers. This fact is especially important in the treatment of young patients, since the risk of complications in this case is very high.

In addition to humidifiers, you can increase the level of humidity in the room with the help of regular ventilation, wet cleaning.

You can also hang a damp towel on the batteries, which, as it dries, will humidify the air in the room. by the most in a simple way remains spraying with water from a conventional spray bottle. This can be done together with the child in the form of a game.

Conclusion

The level of humidity in the room occupies a very important place in the treatment of colds and infectious diseases. To control this indicator, it is recommended to hang a special hygrometer in the room. Experts recommend using special ultrasonic humidifiers, which help to achieve the required level of 50-70%.

At the same time, it is imperative to fulfill all the requirements for their operation, regularly change the water and treat with disinfectant solutions. Only in this case, these devices bring positive results and reduce the risk of complications.

Aroma oils are pure distilled extracts obtained from flowers, skins, stems, plant leaves or fruits. Essential oil is often used in aromatherapy and added to a humidifier, because many types of essences are conducive to physical and emotional relaxation.

Today, there are many different types of air humidifiers with different capabilities and functions: steam, ultrasonic units, atomizers, cold-type humidifiers. However, is it possible to add oils to a humidifier that not only aromatize the room, but also improve health?

On sale there are devices for humidifying the air with the function of aromatization, the so-called aroma humidifiers. Therefore, many are interested in the latter option, in particular its impact on overall well-being, mood and indoor climate.

The aroma humidifier is a household appliance that evaporates essential oils along with steam. When small water particles enter the air, they make the climate in the room more humid, and also fill the space with phytoncides, which are present in each essential product.

It should be borne in mind that in the case of using essential oils in a humidifier, it must be cleaned and rinsed after each use, since harmful heat-loving microbes intensively multiply inside.

However, before you add any essential oil to your humidifier, you should be aware of its useful properties and the harm it can cause to the human body.

Positive and negative properties of aroma oils

Even in ancient times, various ailments were treated with plant extracts. In our time, modern science has proven that these substances do have a beneficial effect on mental and physical health. Phytoncides contained in the essential product, when inhaled, enter the blood stream, so they have an immediate effect.

Essences are especially useful if it is necessary to restore the nervous system and put in order the mental and emotional state. Aroma oils added to the humidifier have beneficial effect on the:

functioning of the respiratory and cardiac systems;
appearance of hair and skin;
brain function and ability to concentrate;
immune system, making the body more resistant to viral and bacterial infections.

For the most part, essential oil contains antioxidants that prevent premature aging and remove harmful carcinogens from the body. Therefore, plant extracts are often used as substances that optimize the activity of the body, which effectively fight many diseases.

However, do not forget about the negative properties of aromatic oils. A humidifier that emits a rich vegetable odor along with steam, except for positive effect in some cases, it also negative impact. Yes, adding natural flavor can be harmful if the dosage is not followed and the extracts are not mixed correctly.

What harm can aromatherapy do?

Inhalation of healing vapors can have a negative effect when:

propensity to allergies (especially carefully you need to handle sage and thuja);
bronchial asthma (an attack can be sudden, so you should consult a doctor before the procedure);
pregnancy (special care must be taken when using rosemary, cedar, sage and basil);
breastfeeding (the inhaled aroma with mother's milk will instantly enter the baby's blood, which can have a negative effect on a fragile body).

Also, people who have disorders of the thyroid gland, kidneys or high body temperature, it is better to refuse the procedure, during which an air humidifier with aromatherapy function is used.

Popular fragrances for humidifiers

What essential oil can be added to a humidifier? There are many extracts used for aromatherapy: from the extract of the well-known chamomile to the essence of Asian bergamot:

It is necessary to add any oil to the air humidifier with the calculation of no more than 5 drops per 15 m2 of the room.

Orange. Orange oil can improve mood, it gives vigor, removes anxiety and relieves insomnia. Also, the rich aroma of citrus fruits stabilizes the work of the heart and improves digestion.
- It is a strong antispasmodic, antibacterial, sedative. Basil can be combined with eucalyptus to increase antimicrobial activity.
Bergamot. is a powerful antifungal agent, and it also reduces fever, improves appetite and develops creativity.
Eucalyptus. Phytoncides contained in eucalyptus provide a strong antiviral, antimicrobial effect. Also, oil can be added to a humidifier to repel various insects.
Tea tree essential oil - has antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial action. Moreover, aroma oil actively fights against sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis.
. The slightly tart, sweet-sour aroma of this citrus is an excellent antiviral agent. Just a few drops of lemon flavor added to a humidifier will relieve migraines, flu and other viral illnesses.
Lavender oil calms, relieves insomnia, headaches, depression, and also helps to cope with nervous exhaustion.
Chamomile. Known for its calming, relaxing, anti-stress effect. In addition, chamomile extract can be used to normalize digestion.
Clove has a strong antibacterial effect. The spice is often used to get rid of a wet cough, as it has a strong expectorant effect.
camphor oil. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, and camphor also has a slight analgesic effect.
Yarrow. An excellent inhibitor of inflammatory manifestations, i.e. yarrow slows down the spread of infection in the body.
Anise - has expectorant, antiseptic and antispasmodic properties.
Juniper essential extract is a natural antibiotic, so it actively fights inflammation of the lungs and bronchi. Aroma oil also copes with apathy, relieves fears, cleanses blood vessels and normalizes blood pressure.
Peppermint. The fresh mint smell relieves the symptoms of colds, thanks to its sedative and antiseptic properties.
Pine aroma oil is an effective remedy for colds. Fresh coniferous smell restores lung cells, so it is used to prevent viral diseases.
Fir - has a pronounced anti-cold effect. Fir is often mixed with various extracts.
Aromatherapy using sage helps to restore the voice, stabilizes the emotional background, removes depression, heals purulent pathologies on the skin, activates blood microcirculation and increases blood pressure.

Optimal combinations of essential oils

Combining plant extracts is not only possible, but necessary. However, this should be done with extreme caution. So, in a humidifier it is useful to add a mixture of essential oils such as:

sandalwood, chamomile and petitgrain - relieves;
pine, frankincense, spruce, orange - to improve concentration;
sandalwood, ylang-ylang, lavender - fights stress;
pine, ginger fir, peppermint - to cheer up;
sandalwood, lavender, petitgrain, marjoram - for relaxation.

In conclusion, it is worth noting. If the device does not have an aromatization function, then aroma oil and other substances cannot be added to a container filled with water. The humidifier should be used strictly in accordance with the instructions for use. Otherwise, you can harm not only your own well-being, but also the “health” of equipment.