Have you ever tried to give a presentation or talk over the phone with a clogged nose? Or attempted to portray yourself professionally while you have vapor rub lathered under your business attire? If you're like me, comfort is important. Les Filles' Breathe Relief rollerball is a homeopathic travel-friendly alternative to facilitate your breathing, alleviate some headaches, among other aromatherapy benefits!
Uses of Eucalyptus
Also called "Blue Gum," eucalyptus traditionally has been used by aboriginals to assist wound healing, respiratory health, and to alleviate fevers. The main chemical components of Eucalyptus oil include a-Terpineol, 1,8-cineole (Eucalyptol), a-pinene, b-pinene, Sabinene, Camphene, Limonene, p-Cymene, Camphor, Globulol, Citronellal, a-phellandrene, Aromadendrene, and Piperitone.
New Directions Aromatics clearly outlines the general benefits of each of these components, which in summary contribute to Eucalyptus' benefits of:
Anti-inflammatory
Antibacterial
Anti-fungal
Promotes feelings of relaxation and refresh
Enhances mental clarity and focus
Soothes muscles
Cooling sensation
Supports respiratory system
Decongestant
Soothes joint and muscle pain
Cleaning disinfectant
Uses of Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid mint cross between spearmint and watermint. It can be found naturally in North America and Europe and has been used medicinally for thousands of years with records from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt mentioning its use for digestive health. The main chemical components of Peppermint are menthol, menthone, a-pinene, b-pinenes, and Menthyl acetate.
Benefits of Peppermint include:
Mood boost and balance
Increased focus
Invigorating
Warming and cooling sensations
Anti-inflammatory
Antispasmodic
Analgesic
Aids respiratory
Aids allergies
Soothes headaches
Soothes gastric or digestive discomfort
Uses of LF Breathe Relief
Obviously, the main use for this rollerball is as a decongestant which works well in our household and is also gentle enough to use on our toddler. While Vapor Rub has a strong scent, he barely notices this rollerball, but we notice his ease of breathing during winter or allergy months as the day goes on.
We have also discovered its ability to relieve pressure and tension in our heads especially around the forehead and temples, though we're no strangers to lathering it around the base of our skulls with intense headaches. Like most nature-based methods, it has a slower time to take effect, but often dispels the headache and allows us to engage with our day fully once more. It gives us peace of mind to use an alternative to over the counter pills that may affect the liver.
Some sources propose that eucalyptus and peppermint can aid in keeping ticks and other bugs away. Our family is a tick and mosquito magnet, so we have not found a homeopathic alternative that is stronger than commercial bug sprays. We have discovered that peppermint oil alone also works as a rodent deterrent (cotton balls in cabinet corners or oil rubbed on doors and baseboards). We have not tested the combination of eucalyptus and peppermint in regards to repelling rodents nor found research specifically testing this hypothesis.
Cautions
The Les Filles Breathe Relief is intended for topical use only. Always use a small area of skin to test your body's response before incorporating this or any other essential oil or other topical product into your routine. This product contains eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and apricot oil (carrier oil). If you are allergic to any of these, we recommend using a different product.
Additionally, while peppermint and eucalyptus are generally considered safe for children, it is recommended to use smaller quantities or more diluted mixes and not to apply it on the face or nose of toddlers. There have been few recorded instances of children having negative reactions to large quantities of these oils (5ml or greater) and often through ingestion.
Always consult your healthcare provider to confirm if a specific oil is safe for your disposition.
Conclusion
Les Filles Breathe Relief rollerball is a great alternative to over the counter decongestants, headaches caused by sinuses or pressure, and for mild topical aches. We love that one small rollerball can aid in three potential areas of discomfort which makes it an ideal item to pack when we travel. We have found it especially helpful for long car rides or trips over the mountain.
Try it out and see what you think!
References:
dōTERRA (2017, May 3). dōTERRA Oil Chemistry Wheel [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-news-doterra-oil-chemistry-wheel
dōTERRA (2017, May 3). Essential Oils and Kids: How to use Peppermint Oil and Eucalyptus Oil Safely with Children [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/science-research-news-peppermint-eucalyptus-use-children
dōTERRA (2017, May 3). Peppermint Oil Uses and Benefits [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-peppermint-oil
Mount Sinai (2024). Eucalyptus [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/eucalyptus
New Directions Aromatics (2024). All About Eucalyptus Oil [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-eucalyptus-oil.html
NCCIH (2020, October). Peppermint Oil [article]. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/peppermint-oil#:~:text=Peppermint%20oil%20is%20promoted%20for,mental%20function%2C%20and%20reducing%20stress.
Schulman, J. S. (2023, April 4). Peppermint Oil Uses and Benefits [blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-peppermint-oil