How to breathe over a potato when coughing

Potato inhalation is one of the most effective and time-tested ways to get rid of a cold, cough and cold. So our grandmothers were treated, and for good reason - hot potato steam contains many useful substances that actively influence the work of the upper respiratory tract. You can breathe over potatoes at the first sign of a cold to prevent the development of the disease. In addition, potato inhalation helps to get rid of residual cough, which lasts more than two weeks. In this article you will learn about the beneficial properties of potato vapor, methods of inhalation and contraindications to this procedure.

The benefits of potato inhalation

Many are interested in the question - why are potatoes used for inhalation? Why not take carrots or apples? The fact is that when cooking potatoes, it releases special substances that have an antiseptic effect.This is the reason for the popularity of potato inhalation. As it acts on the human body, try to understand in more detail.

1. Wet hot steam promotes blood flow to the respiratory organs. It stimulates active blood circulation and metabolism, has anti-inflammatory effect.
2. Wet vapor enters the lungs and settles on its walls. This technique allows you to liquefy and remove phlegm from the lungs.
3. Inhalation of hot steam helps to get rid of itching and sore throat.
4. Inhalation disinfects all airways, which allows you to destroy microbes and bacteria in the throat and lungs. Inhalation with potatoes is a great way to get rid of red and sore throat.
5. Steam inhalations with potatoes make it possible to restore the voice when the inflammation has passed to the vocal cords. This is an emergency treatment for artists.
6. Potato inhalation is used not only for colds. Inhalation of hot fumes perfectly relieves an asthma attack, whooping cough and allergic cough.
7. If you breathe through your nose, you can get rid of congestion, relieve swelling and neutralize viruses on the nasal mucosa.After such inhalations, inflammation decreases, snot becomes much less.
8. Potato inhalation is a safe and effective method of treatment, so pregnant women can do this procedure.

This is not a complete list of the positive effects of potato inhalations on the human body.

Is it possible to inhale children

What could be safer and more effective for a child’s body than breathing hot steam? However, not everything is so simple. The fact is that hot potato steam liquefies phlegm and mucus, increasing its size. Sometimes it contributes to a slight swelling of the mucous. But for children, even minor laryngeal edema can be very dangerous. The fact is that physiologically the respiratory lumen in children is very narrow. And even with a small swelling (which may occur during laryngitis or during inhalation), a narrowing of the lumen occurs, which can lead to suffocation. This applies to small children - the younger the child, the higher the risk. Therefore, potato inhalations are not recommended for children under three years of age. And when the baby starts to understand everything, you can explain to him why to inhale hot steam.In addition, children often follow the example of adults. But in order for the procedure to be effective and safe, you need to know how to properly implement it.

How to breathe over potatoes

Here is a detailed algorithm for preparing and conducting potato inhalation.

1. For the procedure you need to take small potatoes of equal size. In no case do not take the potatoes with green sides - in the unripe vegetable is corned beef, which can be dangerous for humans. When choosing potatoes, give preference to whole and intact tubers. Fungi or bacteria may be present in wormy potatoes. Of course, they all die at high temperatures, but some organisms can cause allergies.
2. Put the potatoes in the water and set on fire. After boiling we reduce the heat and wait for the potatoes to boil.
3. After that, the potatoes need to be removed, and the broth is poured into a container with a wide surface. It may be a wide cup or basin. Substituting the face of a hot pair is not worth it - you can get burned. Wait for the decoction to cool slightly so that the steam is more comfortable.
4. After that, you need to prepare a blanket or a large towel to cover over a container with hot broth. This is done so that the steam does not go outside.This insulation helps to breathe well hot air. Keep your face approximately 20 cm from the surface of the water.
5. Breathe potatoes need as long as possible, but not less than 10 minutes. During this time, all respiratory organs are exposed to hot steam.
6. With a cold, you need to breathe steam through your nose. And with a sore throat - through the mouth. If you are coughing, it doesn’t matter how much you breathe, because steam still gets into your lungs.
7. Potatoes can be cooked both in peeled form and in uniform. It is very effective to make a decoction of potato peelings - on the surface of the vegetable there are more useful and antiseptic substances. Potato peelings can be prepared for future use - every time you peel potatoes, do not throw away the skin, but rinse and dry. Store cleaning can be in the freezer. In winter, during the flu season and colds, such preparations will be more appropriate than ever.
8. The procedure is best done a couple of hours after meals. After inhalation, you can not eat and be in the cold air. It is best to make inhalations before bedtime, to give the patient the opportunity to relax after the procedure.
9. In the potato broth, you can add the essential oil of eucalyptus and mint - it will relieve nasal congestion. And if you add baking soda, you will get a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.With a long and prolonged cough, add a spoonful of salt to the water - it will bring out viscous sputum.
10. If one nostril is blocked all the time, it means that there is inflammation of the sinus on this side. In this case, you can make a funnel of paper and put on the tank with steam. In this case, a concentrated steam jet will come out of a narrow orifice. There you need to attach a sore nostril to enhance the effect of inhalation. Steam will help to warm up the sinus, relieve inflammation and reduce the amount of mucus secreted.

These simple rules will help you make potato inhalation not only effective, but also safe. However, you need to know that inhalation is not shown to everyone.

Contraindications for the procedure

Here are a few factors in which potato inhalations are unacceptable.

1. You can not breathe hot steam at high temperatures - this can aggravate the patient's condition.
2. As noted, children under three cannot be inhaled, up to seven years with great caution.
3. In the presence of sinusitis or purulent inflammation in the other sinuses, heating should be consistent with the ENT.In some cases, warming up may aggravate the course of the disease.
4. High blood pressure, disturbances in the cardiovascular system - contraindications for inhalation.
5. Some people are prone to the flow of blood from the nose. This is due to the proximity of the blood vessels to the mucosal surface. In such cases, it is impossible to breathe hot steam - this can lead to bleeding.
6. You can not do inhalation with pneumonia and in the acute period of pneumonia.

If you inhale a baby, take all precautions so that your baby does not get burned by the water and hot steam.

Many people believe that potato inhalations are a relic of the past, and there are quite a few pharmacies that are capable of a similar effect. However, it is not. The fact is that pharmaceutical tablets and syrups go straight to the stomach and only a small part of the drug acts on the lungs. But the potato turns into the smallest particles of hot steam, which settles directly on the walls of the lungs, having a direct impact. Expectorant effect comes instantly. The nebulizer has the same effect.Therefore, we can say that potato inhalation is a cheap alternative to an expensive device. Take care of your health and be treated correctly!

Video: Cough Inhalation