ESSENTIAL OILS AND SEASONAL RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN: COLD, RHINOPHARYNGITIS, BRONCHITIS, BRONCHIOLITIS.
Respiratory Infections are very common in winter, especially in children. According to the INSERM Observatory (French medical research), rhinopharyngitis and bronchiolitis are the cause of a large number of medical consultations (nearly 12 million per year in France) followed by acute otitis (3 million).
The majority (around 80%) of seasonal respiratory tract infections in children and adults are caused by viruses.
To simplify, during the winter, influenza and syncytial virus infections (bronchiolitis), in spring and autumn, parainfluenza virus infections and more or less all year round, rhinovirus « colds » and adenovirus pharyngitis.
Infections of the « upper » part of the respiratory system are not too worrying (rhinitis, « tonsillitis »), on the other hand lower respiratory infections are more worrying because breathing becomes difficult: bronchitis, bronchiolitis or even damage to the lung itself.
Why are children so susceptible to these infections and why are these minor infections worrying for parents? How to treat them? How to use essential oils in these respiratory infections in children?
WHY ARE CHILDREN SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO THESE RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS?
The infant is virtually devoid of immune defenses, protected only by maternal antibodies for a few months and the « first line » antibacterial proteins that are part of its genetic heritage.
Inevitably, the infection will come through the respiratory, cutaneous and digestive tracts, causing an inflammatory and immunological reaction that will allow the child to acquire its own defenses over the years: antibodies and specialized lymphocytes that remember the immunological characteristics of the infectious agent.
The inflammatory reaction to the infection is accompanied by fever, thickening of the respiratory mucous membranes and abundant mucous secretion that greatly reduce the already small caliber of the child’s nasal or bronchial airways.
There is also an increase in the volume of the adenoids and tonsils.
All this leads to obvious respiratory discomfort that is worrying for those around the child.
TREATMENT OF SEASONAL RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS
Viruses are not sensitive to standard antibiotics, so it is useless and even contraindicated to give antibiotic treatment if there is no additional bacterial infection; there are synthetic antivirals but they are reserved for certain serious viral infections.
Basic treatment is therefore based on rest in a room with artificially humidified air if necessary , by making the child drink several times a day, with antipyretics if the fever is poorly tolerated and by clearing the airways as much as possible.
In general, the development of these viral infections is without complications in about ten days.
However, the bacteria that are naturally present in the upper respiratory tract and the mouth can take advantage of this to attack the weakened organism, causing secondarily: otitis, tracheobronchitis or even pneumonia.
Antibiotic treatment that is useless at the beginning of the respiratory infection by viruses may become necessary in the event of an infectious complication by bacteria.
Essential oils are useful in reducing the risk of secondary infection, in helping to « clear » the airways, and in decreasing inflammation of the mucous membranes.
WARNING Essential oils should be used with caution in children aged 3 to 6 years, more easily between 6 and 12 years, and without too many restrictions beyond that.
Essential oils can indeed facilitate the onset of epileptic seizures or convulsions by lowering the sensitivity threshold of the brain, especially in young children: no essential oils or medications containing them under 3 years and caution up to 6 years.
ESSENTIAL OILS ARE CONTRAINDICATED IN INFANTS even when vaporized in the room atmosphere
AROMATHERAPY AND SEASONAL VIRAL INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN
The most interesting essential oils are:
Eucalyptus flower
Anti-inflammatory,
promoting expectoration and promoting breathing (eupneic); they contain a significant percentage of eucalyptol (1-8 cineole):
essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus radiata (more suitable for children than E. globulus);
of Melaleuca viridiflora = Melaleuca quinquenervia, the niaouli of New Caledonia.
To a lesser extent essential oils:
of Pinus sylvestris, the Scots pine;
Abies Sibirica, the Siberian fir;
cineole myrtle, Myrtus communis ;
of ravintsare, Cinnamomum camphora with 1,8-cineole. This last essential oil from Madagascar is sometimes confused with that of Ravensara aromatica which does not have the same properties at all.
Decongestants and antiseptics:
peppermint essential oil Mentha piperita menthol ;
essential oils of thyme Thymus vulgaris and oregano, Origanum sp with thymol and carvacrol
essential oil of the Australian tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia with terpinen-4-ol.
TREATMENT, FEW EXAMPLES
Diffusion in the room atmosphere: we are not in favor of this technique in young children (up to 10-12 years old); the diffusion of essential oils does not kill bacteria at the concentration used in a room and the young child may react badly to prolonged breathing of these substances (risk of glottic « spasm » and bronchial « spasm »).
Inhalation: effective in children over 10-12 years old, the concentration of essential oil in the air inhaled is bactericidal and the very humid and warm atmosphere promotes expectoration, reduces inflammation, makes breathing easier:
Example 1, at the start of infection: a few drops (3 to 6) of pure essential oil of the eucalyptus or niaouli mentioned above in a bowl of hot water or an inhaler for 1/4 hour 2 to 3 times a day
Example 2, when bronchitis sets in: a few drops of a mixture of essential oils (in equal parts: eucalyptus or niaouli + pine or fir + peppermint or thyme) in a bowl of hot water or an inhaler for 1/4 hour 3 times a day. In some children, peppermint can cause a « glottic » spasm.
Example 3: there are sometimes very old preparations for inhalation available over the counter in pharmacies.
Cutaneous application: very convenient in young children, essential oil penetrate through the skin and the child breathes the essential oil vapors for a relatively short time.
Example 1: a few drops (4 to 10 depending on there size) of eucalyptus essential oil (radiata or globulus), or niaouli on the upper chest and upper back 3 times a day
Example 2: you can also mix the essential oil with vegetable oil (olive, sweet almond, one part essential oil for 4 parts vegetable oil) and apply a few drops on the chest and upper back 3 or 4 times a day, the concentration of essential oil is less strong but skin penetration is favored.
No mint or thyme oil which are caustic for the skin.
Orally, with caution in children over 6 years old: Essential oils of Eucalyptus radiata or Melaleuca viridiflora = Melaleuca quinquenervia, two drops twice a day between 6 and 10 years old and three times a day over 10 years old mixed with a little honey, concentrated milk or on a small piece of bread. Suspend treatment in case of digestive intolerance (gastric pain, regurgitation).
Copyright 2024: Dr Jean-michel Hurtel
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