Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Sweet inula

4.8 - 59 reviews
Known for its powerful benefits for the respiratory system, Sweet Inula essential oil is traditionally used for respiratory discomfort. Calming and purifying, Sweet Inula essential oil is perfect for winter illnesses.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Appropriate

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Not recommended

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Possible but not recommended

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Not recommended

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Flowering tops

Botanical name

Inula graveolens

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Bibliographic references

Franchomme P., Jollois R. et Pénoël D. (2001) L'Aromathérapie exactement. Editions Roger Jollois.

Willem J.-P. (2005) Les huiles essentielles - Médecine d'avenir. Editions Dauphin.

Festy D. (2008) Ma bible des huiles essentielles. Edition Leduc.S.

Baudoux D. (2010) Les cahiers pratiques d'aromathérapie selon l'école française - Pédiatrie. Edition Inspir S.A.

Properties

Fragrant Inula essential oil is traditionally used for: Bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, chesty coughs

Health

Find out more

Properties

In the field of health, Sweet Inula essential oil is recognised for its properties:

  • Mucolytic and powerful anti-catarrhal

  • Antispasmodic, antitussive

  • Traditionally reputed as a cardiac regulator and tonic

  • Rich in borneol, which has antibacterial and antiseptic properties

  • Rich in borneol and bornyl acetate, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects

Uses

It is traditionally used for the following conditions:

  • Chronic bronchitis, rhino-pharyngo-tonsillitis, spasmodic coughs, laryngitis, tracheitis, etc.

  • Secretory asthma

  • Helps with heart rhythm disorders (under medical supervision)

In practice

Respiratory comfort: Mix in your oil blend. Massage or rub your blend into the chest and upper back.

Precautions

  • Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women and for children under 6 years old. No internal use. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

  • Always dilute before topical application.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Some natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic preparation.

  • Old or oxidised essential oils should be avoided.

  • Store protected from light and air. As a general rule, always perform an application test of your preparation in the crease of the elbow at least 48 hours before use.

  • For use as a cosmetic ingredient, please refer to the specific precautions.

Find out more

There are several hundred species of inula. They belong to the Asteraceae family , formerly known as "Compositae", because of the appearance of their flowers , which are always yellow. One of them, thesweet inula, also known as the sticky inula, can grow up to 1.50 metres tall. It is a hardy perennial that will flower again every year in autumn. This aromatic plant was cultivated and harvested by monks for its medicinal properties.

Due to its composition, it is traditionally recognised for its very powerful effects on therespiratory system:

mucolytic, expectorant, anticatarrhal and antitussive action, making it an effective ally in the treatment of bronchitis and other chronic respiratory infections. For internal use by therapists only, it is traditionally recognised as a heart tonic.

I really like Aroma Zone products. Never disappointed. I recommend.

C
C

Complex bronchitis treatment that allowed me to get proper care.

O
Odile

I'm a little disappointed with the Inula essential oil, which promises more than it delivers. Its effects, while perhaps quite rapid, don't last very long; requiring me to reapply two drops to a tissue every hour. The tiny bottle is empty in two or three days. Furthermore, the packaging needs improvement, as mine didn't dispense any oil, and I had to re-pierce the nozzle each time. Oversized labeling makes it difficult to see how much product is left.

G
Guy

I know this essential oil well and it's a very good remedy for deep respiratory problems like asthmatic bronchitis; very effective.

S
Sonia

It got rid of my sinusitis in synergy with fragrant inula and eucalyptus globulus.

N
Nathalie

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Carrier Oil or Macerated Oil

Bronchitis (chesty cough) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingRespiratory problems

  • 1 drop of Red Myrtle essential oil
  • 1 drop Ravintsara essential oil
  • 1 drop of Sweet Inula essential oil
  • 3 drops of Calophylla oil

Use: Massage the chest and back with this mixture 4 times a day for 10 days.

Bronchitis (prevention - children over 6 and on medical advice) (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • 1 drop Thujanol Thyme essential oil
  • 1 drop Ravintsara essential oil
  • 1 drop of Sweet Inula essential oil
  • 1 drop Rosewood essential oil
  • 4 drops Sweet Almond oil

Use: Massage the chest, back and arch of the foot with the mixture, morning and evening for one week.

Sinusitis in children (over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's care

  • 1 ml Eucalyptus dives Essential Oil (menthol eucalyptus)
  • 1 ml Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (tea tree)
  • 0.5 ml Inula graveolens essential oil (sweet inula)
  • 1 ml Aniba rosaeodora essential oil (Rosewood)
  • 1 ml Myrtus communis CT cineole essential oil (Green Myrtle)
  • Top up with 15 ml Jojoba oil as a carrier oil

Use: Apply 3 drops of the mixture to the forehead 4 to 5 times a day for 7 days, taking care not to get any in the eyes.

Chesty cough in children (over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • 1 ml Melaleuca quinquenervia cineole essential oil (niaouli cineole)
  • 0.5 ml Inula graveolens essential oil (sweet inula)
  • 3 ml Myrtus communis cineole essential oil (Cineole Myrtle)
  • 2 ml of Cinnamomum camphora (Ravintsara) essential oil
  • 3 ml hazelnut oil
  • Supplement with 15 ml Jojoba oil

Use: Apply 5 to 6 drops of the mixture to the back in the morning and at midday and to the chest in the evening for 3 to 4 days.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier Oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.