Steam inhalation at home for a runny nose. Cough inhalations for adults and children - indications and contraindications, rules of conduct

For a sore throat it is very simple and effective remedy. The main thing here is to start at the initial stages. But sometimes, due to certain circumstances or laziness, we do not start treatment immediately and a sore throat develops into a cough. Inhalation is an excellent remedy for colds and coughs. For sore throat medical workers Inhalations are not recommended.

I remember before there were no inhalers like there are now. They did inhalations over a saucepan or kettle. Basically it was a saucepan with a decoction of herbs and a blanket to cover on top. Moreover, it was effective and people recovered without medications.

How to make cough inhalations at home

Inhalations are sometimes a salvation that help with a runny nose, cough, and colds. Previously, I remember, my mother always treated us only folk remedies. And they bought medicines only in extreme cases, and then only as prescribed by a doctor.

But before carrying out inhalations, it is best to familiarize yourself with the basic rules for their implementation, as well as contraindications. We only need positive result. Everything should be only for the good.

Can children have inhalations?

Children can have inhalations if prescribed by the attending physician; you should not self-medicate. If you do inhalations over steam, then everything must be under the supervision of adults. Children under three years of age are not recommended to inhale over steam. Children school age can do inhalations as prescribed by a doctor and under adult supervision.

If you have a nebulizer, use inhalations only after consulting a doctor, as the doctor monitors the child’s condition and prescribes correct treatment and drugs. A nebulizer is usually used for more serious illnesses.

Basic rules for inhalation:

• It is very important to take your temperature before inhalation. If the temperature is above 37 degrees, then inhalation is not worth doing.
• Some herbs or essential oils may cause allergies. Give the first inhalation a test inhalation for about 2 minutes to determine if you have an allergy. For allergy sufferers I recommend inhalation with mineral water or baking soda.
• I would especially like to note that inhalation should be done a couple of hours after eating. And after inhalation, it is better not to eat for about an hour.
• It is very important to follow all the rules. When the water boils, wait a couple of minutes and then breathe over the steam. Do not lean too low over the steam to avoid burns to the upper respiratory tract.
• If you breathe over a saucepan or kettle, be sure to wrap yourself in a towel or warm blanket. After inhalation, change into dry clothes.
• After inhalation, you should not talk for about half an hour, and you should not go outside.

• I would like to draw special attention to the fact that the duration of inhalation should be 10 minutes.
• Be sure to wear comfortable clothes, it is important that the clothes do not squeeze your chest.
• Prepare the solution for inhalation at home, immediately before use. After inhalation, the solution must be poured out and cannot be reused.
• When you cough, inhale the solution through your mouth, and when you have a runny nose, inhale it through your nose. Calmly inhale and exhale the steam, without haste.

For bronchitis, inhalations with soda and herbal decoction are useful. For a sore throat, you can do inhalations with essential oils: eucalyptus, fir, pine, etc. For a runny nose, you can use pine inhalations, inhalations with fir oil, and also soar your feet if there is no temperature. Don't forget to drink warm and plenty of fluids.

For any cold, the best thing to do is bed rest. Start treatment immediately, do not start the disease so that the condition does not worsen.

What can you do with inhalations?

Inhalation with baking soda. Soda is most often used. Or add a little soda to the herbal decoction. Baking soda thins mucus and promotes its removal. Our pediatrician once recommended inhalation with soda for coughing.

Soda inhalation is very easy to do. Add a spoon to a liter of boiled water baking soda. You should not pour the soda into boiling water, but immediately before the procedure, that is, a couple of minutes after the water boils.

Coniferous inhalations. Most often we used pine needles, but you can use spruce and fir needles. Very good effect I use it for runny nose, colds and coughs. If there are no pine needles, then you can use pine essential oils for inhalation at home. A couple of drops of essential oil per liter of water is enough.

Inhalations with medicinal herbs. Inhalations with medicinal herbs are very common. In addition to ease of use, efficiency can also be added. herbal decoction. The most common brews are sage, oregano, coltsfoot, chamomile, eucalyptus, linden, pine buds, lavender, mint, and cedar needles. All these herbs have wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and disinfecting properties. Reduces sore throat, cough, and sore throat.

Usually several herbs are mixed. But you can brew one herb without mixing it with other herbs. To do this, you need to take two tablespoons of herbs and add a liter of water, put on fire and bring the herbs to a boil. Immediately before inhalation, you can add a spoonful of soda to the herbal decoction.

We always did inhalations with pine needles, chamomile, eucalyptus, coltsfoot and water with the addition of baking soda. As a rule, improvements are observed after just a few procedures.

Inhalations with mineral water. We use mineral water for inhalation with a nebulizer. We buy Borjomi water at the pharmacy, on the advice of a doctor. The doctor prescribes the time and proportions for us.

Before use, the water must be degassed; open the bottle and leave it open for about three hours. If you don’t have a professional inhaler, then heat the water in a saucepan to 45-50 degrees, now you can breathe above the steam.

Inhalations with boiled potatoes. I remember as a child, my mother often did this inhalation, it was very simple and accessible. We will boil the potatoes in their skins. The potatoes need to be washed well, boiled, and the water must be drained. Let the potatoes cool for a couple of minutes and breathe over the steam, wrapped in a blanket or towel.

Inhalations with essential oils. I use essential oil for colds and coughs tea tree. I drip it into the aroma lamp, you can drop a drop on a handkerchief or palm and inhale the aroma. I want to say that you need to take only high-quality essential oils. You can use fir, pine, and eucalyptus oil. I have Primavera oils. It copes well with any cold without medications. copes well not only with colds, but also with many other diseases. The truth is in combination with rinsing and warm teas from raspberries, black currants, viburnum, and herbal teas.

Inhalations must be done carefully so as not to get burned by the steam, so as not to spill the broth and not get burned by boiling water. Precautions are very important.

How often should you inhale?

Inhalation is medical procedure, which should be combined with a warm drink and gargling. You can steam your feet if you don't have a fever. That is, you need to be treated in a complex manner.

Inhalations are recommended to be done for 7-10 days in a row, that is, until recovery. We do inhalations once a day until the condition improves, since steam inhalations dry out the mucous membrane. Very simple and affordable way breathe over a decoction of herbs, boiled potatoes, or do inhalations with soda.

Contraindications for inhalation

• Often a cough or cold is accompanied by high temperature. At a temperature, inhalation is contraindicated, as is steaming your feet.
• For nosebleeds or tendency to nosebleeds.
• If you have high blood pressure or if you are prone to high blood pressure. At cardiovascular diseases.
• With pulmonary tuberculosis, with purulent processes.
• In case of angina, inhalations are also contraindicated.

At unpleasant symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, difficulty breathing, etc. the procedure should be stopped immediately.

Inhalations are carried out for children and adults at the first signs of the disease. For sore throat, cough, bronchitis, colds, runny nose. But again, I would like to repeat that everything needs to be done as prescribed by the doctor.

Doing inhalations using an inhaler is an ideal option. But if there is no special device, then we can breathe with a saucepan or a kettle. If you are breathing over a pan, then you need to lean over it and wrap yourself in a blanket. And if it is above a kettle, then the spout of the kettle must be closed. You can make a funnel or paper or cardboard and place it in wide part kettle, and then breathe over the steam. Inhalations at home are a simple and affordable method of treatment.

For respiratory diseases, inhalations are effective local treatment. They help moisten dry coughs, thin mucus, facilitate its easier removal, and relieve sore throat. Doctors recommend inhalation for asthma to eliminate spasms, it is useful this procedure and for complex diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. However, most often these procedures are used for colds, pharyngitis and bronchitis.

Indications for treatment

Inhalation has been used in the treatment of colds since time immemorial, and it has always been effective remedy treated cough, and viral diseases helped stop the progression of the disease “inside the body.” Previously, inhalations were usually done:

• if you have a dry cough during a cold;
• if the cough is wet, but sputum discharge is difficult.

This list has now been expanded, and home inhalations are also shown:

• for bronchitis to thin sputum;
• for sore throats, pharyngitis, laryngitis to relieve inflammation and relieve pain;
• during asthma attacks (only with special inhalers);
• during rehabilitation after suffering from pneumonia.

However effective inhalation will only be subject to certain rules for its implementation. Sometimes this simple procedure can significantly worsen the patient's condition.

Types of inhalations at home

At home, the easiest way is to inhale over steam. Pharmacy chains also sell a large number of nebulizers suitable for use at home. When performing inhalation over a saucepan or kettle, the patient breathes hot steam, the steam particles are large and they can only penetrate the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. Such procedures moisturize and lubricate the upper Airways, inhalations are effective for colds, flu, laryngitis, pharyngitis.

If a nebulizer configured for medium particles is used, then the drug mixtures reach the small bronchi and bronchioles. This type of inhalation is indicated for bronchitis. Treatment of the lower respiratory tract and lungs is carried out in a hospital setting, and the use of procedures with a nebulizer setting for small particles is indicated only after consulting a doctor.

Mistake No. 1. Using a nebulizer for other purposes is one of common mistakes home treatment. Need correct setting regulator on the size of particles that penetrate the bronchi during the treatment of colds.

Suitable for carrying out the procedure at home:

• Steam inhalations over a pan of hot steam. They are indicated for colds, laryngitis, pharyngitis. Warm steam moisturizes dry mucous membranes, helps to liquefy and remove mucus, which makes coughing easier and relieves painful sensations in the throat.
• Inhalation over the spout of the kettle. They are carried out for laryngitis, acute respiratory viral infections, and influenza. They are designed to moisturize the nasopharynx, tonsils, and disinfect the oral cavity from microorganisms.
• Inhalations with a nebulizer ( steam inhaler) are cold procedures. Here the patient breathes not steam, but a split suspension of water and medicine, their temperature is not higher than +30 °C. The place of humidification is selected using a regulator: when set to large particles, the medicinal suspension enters the nasopharynx, with medium particles it reaches the bronchi, and when set to small particles it enters the lungs.

Both home-prepared formulations and medications, purchased at a pharmacy.

Mistake No. 2. Using homemade formulations for the nebulizer. They clog the atomizer and, when using essential oils, make it difficult for the patient to breathe.

The general rule is this: for steam inhalations take homemade compositions, for nebulizers - pharmaceutical drugs, diluted in saline solution.

Among the frequently used and effective compositions for inhalation over steam are:

• Baking soda. For the procedure you need to take 4 tsp. substances for every liter of water. The mixture is brought to a boil, and then removed from the heat and inhaled. The composition thins mucus, removes inflammation, and eliminates attacks of dry cough.
• Alkaline mineral water (still). It is used in the same way as soda solution.
• Boiled potatoes. This is a classic version of inhalation, which is used for colds. You need to take medium-sized potatoes in their skins and boil them in boiling water. Then grind it into a puree along with the peel, and sprinkle the paste with dry soda on top. Breathe over the steam until the hot mixture releases it.
• Onion juice. Add onion juice to boiling water (one medium onion per 1 liter of water) for flu, all types respiratory infections, viral pharyngitis and laryngitis. The remedy is used at the very beginning of the disease, before fever appears.
• Garlic juice. For inhalation, you need 3–5 peeled and crushed cloves for every liter of boiling water. Method of application is the same as onion juice. This recipe is used for prevention during epidemics. For preventive purposes, inhalations are carried out for no longer than 7 minutes.
• Essential oils. Cedar, eucalyptus, sandalwood, bergamot, anise, fir, spruce are suitable for steam procedures; you need to take one type or 2-3 at the rate of 3 drops for every 200 ml of boiling water. Such procedures are good for relieving inflammation and hyperemia in case of sore throat, and soothing cough.

Error No. 3. Inhalation when the temperature rises above 37.2 °C. In case of illness with fever (temperature above +37.6 °C), steam inhalation is prohibited. This worsens the patient's condition.

Features of steam procedures

When carrying out the procedure, the following rules are observed:

• The pan is placed on the table when sitting at the table, or on the knees if on the bed, but in both cases a folded cloth is placed under it (the bottom is hot).
• The lid is not opened until they cover themselves with a towel and begin to breathe.
• Do not bend too low over the hot steam, so as not to burn the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx.
• While breathing over the steam, cover your head and shoulders with a bath towel or blanket (required).
• The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes for an adult.
• During inhalation, if the throat is being treated, then inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose. If you have a nose, then, on the contrary, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.

For inhalation with a nebulizer, use only saline solution and pharmaceutical products. Do not fill the tank with herbal decoctions or soda solution. Among the products that can be used with a nebulizer at home are:

• Saline solution. An excellent moisturizer that relieves itchiness and redness.
• Alkaline mineral water: Essentuki (4, 17), Borjomi. They are indicated for sore throats, colds, and pharyngitis.
• Soda buffer. Special soda for inhalation with a nebulizer. Suitable for colds, pharyngitis and flu. Helps remove mucus and moisten the throat.
• ACC (aminocaproic acid). Rather, it is a prophylactic drug that is prescribed for colds in complex treatment.
• Immunomodulators: Interferon, Derinat. Used at the very beginning of the disease: ARVI, influenza, viral rhinitis and laryngitis, as well as for prevention.
• Pharmacy alcohol tinctures of chamomile, sage, St. John's wort, Rotokan, Tonsilgon N, Malavit. Treat colds, bronchitis, pharyngitis.
• Antiseptics: Miramistin, Chlorophyllipt, Decasan. They are used for rhinitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis.
• Mucolytics: Ambroxol, Lazolvan, Fluimucil, ACC. Used for bronchitis, they help to liquefy viscous mucus and remove it.
• Bronchodilators: Berodual, Berotek. Prescribed to relieve asthma attacks and prevent the development of bronchospasm in false croup.
• Antibiotics: Dioxidin (the most popular), Ceftriaxone. They are also used to treat the upper respiratory tract and bronchi. However, these drugs are used even when other drugs have not helped get rid of upper respiratory tract diseases.
• Glucocorticosteroids: Pulmicort, Dexamethasone, Cromhexal. Used to relieve spasms. Inhalations with Pulmicort effectively stop attacks false croup(it affects children under three years of age).

Medicines are always diluted with saline; the ratio is determined by the doctor in each specific case. For children, consultation with a pediatrician is required before inhalation.. Many drugs are not used in pediatric practice. Medicines prescribed for children differ in dosage and duration of the procedure.

Features of inhalation with a nebulizer:

• Before using the device, be sure to read the instructions.
• Fill the reservoir with medication for one procedure.
• Treat children under the supervision of an adult.
• During the procedure you cannot talk, read, or watch TV.
• After the end of the session, all removable parts, the mask and the reservoir are washed boiled water and dry. This must be done after each procedure.
• You cannot put essential oils and other homemade compounds into the nebulizer; the device may be damaged.

Before use, you should check the regulator settings.

Inhalations for children

The use of an inhaler is indicated for babies up to one year old; at this age, special masks are used for them, which allow the procedure to be carried out lying down, while the baby is sleeping. Adults provide the child with peace during the period of manipulation. For example, they read a book, or just talk to him if the child is not sleeping.

The duration of the procedure for children depends on medicine and the age of the baby.

For small child up to three years of age, it is carried out only after consultation with a pediatrician. The doctor determines the remedy itself, the dosage and duration of the procedure for each specific case, and will tell you how to carry out the treatment correctly.

Mistake No. 4. Self-prescribing therapy for your baby will not help at best, and at worst it will provoke a more complex disease.

Steam inhalations for children under three years of age are not carried out due to high risk the occurrence of laryngospasm. For older children, they are done if the procedure is well tolerated by the child. Adults must be present with children during the procedure.

Duration of steam manipulation for children preschool age is up to 5 minutes, for junior schoolchildren- up to 10 minutes, for teenagers - up to 15.

Parts of the nebulizer that need to be washed

When manipulation is not done

Sometimes inhalation can be harmful. To the reasons that don't allow you to breathe medicinal mixtures, relate:

• the patient's temperature is above 37.2;
• high blood pressure;
• the presence of seizures in the baby;
• systemic blood diseases;
• epilepsy or other diseases of the central nervous system;
• internal bleeding;
• suffered a stroke or heart attack.

The procedure is carried out 30 minutes before meals or an hour after meals. At the end of the inhalation, the patient is changed into dry clothes. He is not allowed to drink, eat, smoke or talk for the next hour. Bed rest must be observed for two hours after the procedure; at the same time, you should not go out into the cold.

Mistake No. 5. Failure to comply with bed rest after inhalation. This behavior does not contribute to healing, but leads to a worsening of the patient’s condition.

Inhalations are effective way get rid of cough, choking and sore throat, but treatment must be carried out correctly, observing all the rules and restrictions. Otherwise, it will not only not have the desired effect, but may also cause harm to the patient.

Autumn is called the “season of colds”: cold weather, temperature changes, cold winds, and seasonal decreased immunity lead to frequent respiratory diseases with a runny nose and cough. Pharmaceutical industry is ready to offer hundreds of sprays, drops, cough and runny nose mixtures. But the safest and most effective is the “grandmother’s” method - inhalation.

What is inhalation

Inhalation is the inhalation of medicinal and biologically active substances suspended in the air. This is the introduction of drugs into the body through the respiratory tract. By drinking tablets, mixtures, syrups, herbal decoctions, we introduce the medicine into the body through the digestive tract, waiting until active substances will enter the blood. Inhalation shortens this path and increases the effectiveness of treatment.

Inhalation is simple - medicine is added to boiling water: herbs, flowers, potatoes and essential oil. The steam that rises from the surface of the water is inhaled.

Inhalation for a runny nose is limited to inhaling vapors through the nose. You can pour the inhalation solution into a teapot, twist the paper into a tube and inhale steam through the end of the paper tube, alternately with each nostril.

Inhalation for cough can cover an area or more: the medicine is added to a bowl or pan with hot water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors.

Inhalation for cough

Take in equal proportions Linden blossom, eucalyptus, sage, nettle (1 teaspoon each) and pour boiling water. Let the herbs steep for 10 minutes and begin inhaling the vapors. , together with nettle and sage, will disinfect the respiratory tract, help separate mucus and relieve inflammation.

For dry coughs, when mucus is difficult to clear, soda inhalation helps. Dissolve 2 tablespoons in a liter of water baking soda, the solution is inhaled into the respiratory tract for 10 minutes.

Needles treat cough. Treatment may include both inhalation of essential oils of coniferous trees: pine, spruce, larch, and inhalation of pine needle vapors. Conifer needles are poured overnight cold water, then bring the mixture to a boil and breathe in the steam.

Boiled potatoes will help eliminate cough. Boil a few potatoes in their skins, drain the water and inhale the steam from the potatoes.

If you have a runny nose, this recipe will help you: add 1 teaspoon of chopped onion and garlic to 1 liter of boiling water. You can add a couple of drops of iodine or ammonia to the mixture. Breathe over the steam for 10 minutes. and onions open when exposed to hot water. Inhaling vapors with particles of garlic and onion juice has a complex effect: it kills bacteria, relieves swelling and normalizes the mucous membrane.

Propolis will help clear your nose and get rid of runny nose. Add 0.5 teaspoon of 30% propolis tincture to 0.5 liters of water and inhale for 10-15 minutes.

Also, for a runny nose, pine inhalations are used - as well as for a cough.

4 rules for inhalation at home

1. Inhalation is done after meals, no earlier than 1.5 hours after eating.
2. Make sure that hot water and the steam did not cause burns, this is especially important when carrying out procedures with children. For children, it is better to use cold inhalation - breathe over chopped onions, garlic and drop essential oil on the pillow.
3. After inhalation, it is better to lie down and rest for 40 minutes, do not talk or strain your throat.
4. Inhalation should not be carried out when elevated temperature body and with nosebleeds.

Potato steam inhalation is one of the simplest, cheapest and time-tested methods of treatment. colds. The advantage of the product is its availability and harmlessness, which is especially important for people with hypersensitivity To chemicals included in medicinal products. Potato inhalation is absolutely hypoallergenic and is recommended even for pregnant women and children.

Operating principle. The hot steam emitted by boiled potatoes, in addition to water molecules, contains phytoncides and a certain number of molecules ethyl alcohol. Ethanol is a good solvent, thanks to which the beneficial substances contained in the vapor penetrate deep into the respiratory tract. Phytoncides have an antibacterial effect, and warm steam gently envelops, warms the mucous membrane and cleanses the “cilia” hairs located on the surface, which push mucus out.

When inhaling potatoes:

• the vessels of the mucous membrane dilate, blood flow normalizes;
• are suspended inflammatory processes and swelling of the throat decreases;
• hot steam dilutes mucus and facilitates its release, which helps cleanse the respiratory tract.

Potato inhalation helps with the following diseases:

• runny nose;
• cough (especially dry);
• bronchitis;
• inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx (pharyngitis);
• initial stages of sinusitis, if in maxillary sinuses no pus;
• tonsillitis.

Contraindications to treatment with potato inhalations

Despite its versatility, inhalation with potatoes is contraindicated:

• hypertensive patients and people with diseases of cardio-vascular system(due to the fact that steam dilates blood vessels);
• with pneumonia;
• with nosebleeds;
• with purulent processes in the nasopharynx;
• children under 3 years old. Children's airways are much narrower than adults'. Therefore, in case of edema, very serious consequences are possible. It is better to consult a pediatrician about the possibility of inhalation treatment for children under 7 years of age.

How to breathe properly over potatoes

Inhalations should never be done immediately after eating. At least 1.5–2 hours should pass from the moment you eat before the procedure. Treatment is best done in the evening, just before bedtime. If possible, it makes sense to do two procedures: in the morning and in the evening. Morning inhalation should be performed on an empty stomach, so that the patient does not talk or eat for an hour after the procedure. It is not recommended to read, watch TV or work at the computer right away: this can have a detrimental effect on your vision. After treatment, you should not go outside or breathe cold air for 3–4 hours.

The duration of inhalation for an adult is 10–15 minutes, for a child (from 3 years old) – 5–7 minutes. However, if the patient becomes dizzy or feels unwell, the procedure should be interrupted immediately.

Sequencing:

1. Select 10 medium-sized potatoes and wash thoroughly with a brush. There should be no soil, no rot, no rhizoctonia lumps or other traces left on the surface of the tubers. infectious diseases. Also, green potatoes should not be used for inhalation. It is permissible to boil a large amount of well-washed peelings instead of whole tubers (the peel contains the most useful substances).

2. Boil the selected tubers in their uniforms in a small amount of water until tender (about 25–30 minutes after boiling). For cooking, it is better to take a wide pan with low sides: such dishes are more stable and it is more convenient to breathe steam over it.

3. While the potatoes are boiling, prepare a place where the patient can sit comfortably. The pan with hot potatoes should be positioned so that a person does not accidentally turn it over on themselves.

It is safer to inhale potatoes at the table rather than in bed. It is better for the patient to sit on a chair than on a stool: during the procedure, dilation of blood vessels may cause dizziness.

4. Prepare a piece of wool or a towel to wrap the pan. Another terry bath towel or terry sheet will be needed to cover the head of a person bending over a pot of potatoes. If the patient is not allergic to wool, then instead of a towel you can take a wool blanket.

5. Do not strain cooked potatoes. If the peelings were cooked, mash them a little with a fork.

6. While the potatoes are still hot, place the pan on the table, wrap it in a towel or thick fabric.

7. Sit the patient in front of the pan and cover with a woolen blanket or cotton terry cloth folded several times.

To prevent a person from getting burned, the steam temperature should be approximately +50–55°C.

If the patient is weak or does not tolerate stuffiness, you need to cover him with a thick cloth so that there is a small hole for fresh air to enter.

Potato inhalation can be done over an open pan, however, not all people tolerate the feeling of hot steam on the skin of the face. It is better to cover the pan with a lid, leaving a small gap from which steam will escape. In addition, in this case the contents of the pan will cool much more slowly.

If potato inhalation is given to an elderly person or a child, then a relative must stand next to the patient, periodically check his condition, and make sure that he does not accidentally overturn the pan or fall from his chair.

8. After inhalation, the patient should be warmly wrapped and put to bed.

Potato inhalation for various diseases

There are two ways to inhale potato steam during the procedure:

If the patient complains only of a runny nose, then before inhalation you need to blow your nose thoroughly. It is very important to breathe steadily: not too fast, just a little slower than usual. You should close one nostril, inhale deeply with the free nostril and exhale slowly. Repeat this again. Then exactly the same two breaths must be taken with the second nostril. Throughout the procedure, inhale the steam alternately through different nostrils. When intense mucus discharge from the nose begins, the discharge should not be sucked in. You should regularly blow your nose into clean tissues.

In case of bronchitis, cough or any throat disease, hot steam should be inhaled through the mouth and then slowly exhaled through the nose. Take another breath and exhale. Then inhale twice through your nose and exhale through your mouth. If the illness is accompanied by a runny nose, you can, as in the first case, alternately pinch your nostrils when inhaling and exhaling.

Potato inhalation options

Due to the fact that potato steam contains a small amount of ethanol molecules, it penetrates quite deeply. This can be used to further enrich the hot vapors with beneficial substances.

It is permissible to slightly change the basic recipe for preparing the composition for inhalation:

• boil potatoes with oat husks (recommended for severe colds);
• remove the potatoes (leave the peelings on), and add a tablespoon of soda to the broth;
• add a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt. Salt kills pathogenic bacteria. Inhaling its molecules is especially useful for diseases of the lungs and bronchi;
• add 3-4 drops of essential oil. Its phytoncides are fatal to pathogens, and inhaling steam with some kind of plant or woody aroma is much more pleasant. Preference should be given to oils of eucalyptus, pine, cedar, spruce, cloves, ginger, sea buckthorn;
• add a few fresh or dried sprigs of mint, sage or thyme. This inhalation is good for soothing the throat with a dry cough.

What to do with potato mass

The potato mass (even peeling) should not be thrown away after inhalation: it will make an excellent warming compress, which will further speed up recovery.

The potatoes should be drained and mashed with a tablespoon of alcohol and a tablespoon vegetable oil. Then cover the patient’s back or chest (not in the area of ​​the heart) with two layers of gauze or just a cotton cloth, on which place the potato mixture, on top - plastic bag, then secure the compress with a warm scarf. Repeat the procedure until complete recovery.

Attention! Self-medication can be harmful to health. Consult your doctor.

Faced with cold symptoms, many are in no hurry to take medications, turning first to traditional medicine methods. One of the proven methods, which has repeatedly proven its effectiveness, is potato inhalation.

Breathing over boiled potatoes is like steam inhalation. The effect of such therapy has been known for a long time and is as follows:

• Warming the airways.
• Moisturizing the mucous membrane.
• Reduce irritation and spasms.
• Elimination of swelling and congestion.
• Thinning sputum and improving its discharge.

Steam treatment for cough and runny nose

Thanks to useful qualities, steam inhalations over potatoes have gained wide popularity in the treatment of colds accompanied by a runny nose and cough. Preparing a decoction and carrying out the procedure at home is not difficult.

Potato inhalation recipes

You can make a decoction for inhalation using several recipes. To do this, potatoes are prepared in different ways:

• In uniform.
• Purified.
• One peel.

The first recipe involves thoroughly washing small tubers. Without cutting off the peel, they are placed in a saucepan and filled with water so that it just covers the tops. Boil the potatoes in their jackets over low heat until tender (a characteristic smell appears). For greater efficiency, oat husks or soda and salt are added to it during the cooking process (1 tablespoon per 2 liters of water). Next, the broth is drained and the potatoes are mashed.

You can also breathe over peeled potatoes. The peel is cut off from 3-4 medium-sized tubers and boiled in the usual way. The resulting liquid is poured into another container and allowed to cool slightly. Inhalation over potato broth It is better to do this by adding a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus, fir, mint, lavender, lemon).

Another way to use potatoes for colds is to boil the peelings alone. The peel can be used either fresh or already dried. It is prepared in the same way as jacket potatoes, and inhalation is carried out directly over the decoction with peelings.

There are several ways to boil potatoes for inhalation. Everyone can choose the right one for themselves.

Technique

You can breathe both over the pan with potatoes and over the bowl of broth. And for the procedure to be effective, a number of simple rules should be followed when performing it:

• Allow the broth to cool slightly, do not inhale too hot steam.
• Lean over the container in a sitting position and cover yourself with a blanket.
• Keep your head at a safe distance to avoid getting burned.
• Inhale the steam through your nose and mouth alternately (2 times).

How long does the procedure take?

Inhalations over potatoes are simple and do not require much time. For the full effect, it is enough to breathe for 5–15 minutes. The duration of the procedure can be adjusted taking into account individual reaction - if your health worsens, inhalation should be stopped immediately.

The effect of correctly performed procedures should be noticeable after a few days: cough decreases, nasal breathing and sputum discharge improve. If the condition does not change or an increase in symptoms is noted, then it is necessary to consult a doctor to adjust the therapy.

Side effects

Steam inhalations with potatoes are well tolerated, and negative effects are likely only if the rules for their implementation are violated. For example, too hot steam can burn the airways, leading to increased coughing and even the development of an attack of suffocation. At the very beginning of the procedure, swelling of the nasal cavity may increase due to vasodilation, but this effect quickly passes.

In order for inhalations over potatoes to be not only effective, but also safe, you should adhere to simple rules and follow the doctor's recommendations.

When should you be careful?

There are a number of conditions when folk way treatment of colds is not suitable. The list of contraindications includes:

• Purulent inflammation in the nasopharynx and sinuses.
• Nose bleed.
• Pneumonia.

Breathing over potatoes is contraindicated in case of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases and disorders cerebral blood flow. Steam inhalations are not recommended for children under 7 years of age, and during pregnancy they are prescribed with extreme caution.

Can it be done at a temperature?

Inhalations over potato steam have a warming effect, so they should not be done during feverish conditions. Otherwise, the condition may only worsen and the risk increases negative consequences. Therefore, any temperature above 37 degrees should be a contraindication for inhalation over potatoes.

Steam inhalation is becoming a widespread method of treating runny nose and cough in folk medicine. Breathing over potatoes is very simple and at the same time effective. But it is still better to decide on the advisability of the procedure after consulting a doctor.