The development of medicine makes it possible to find a suitable remedy for many diseases. But still, some folk recipes do not lose their popularity. So, with a cold, many people still use inhalations with potatoes. This procedure is considered effective and simple, and its availability and low cost make it very popular. Doctors also consider steam inhalations useful, but they can not always be used. In order for such treatment to bring the desired results, it is necessary to follow certain rules, to know how to breathe over potatoes when coughing or runny nose, what are the contraindications to this procedure and side effects.
Steam inhalation
This procedure has long been used to treat colds. Its peculiarity is that the patient inhales hot steam, which warms and moisturizes the mucous membrane of the respiratoryways. It activates the blood supply to the mucosa, the work of the villi that cleanse the airways of foreign substances, dilutes sputum and makes breathing easier. For inhalation, kettles, pots of hot water and other devices are used. Recently, factory-made inhalers have appeared that allow you to adjust the temperature of the solution.
But folk methods are still popular when they breathe over decoctions of herbs or boiled potatoes. Although such procedures have disadvantages, for example, you can burn yourself, they are still effective for colds. In addition, hot steam can worsen the patient's condition if he has a tendency to edema or in the presence of purulent processes. As the temperature rises, this inflammatory process intensifies, and the reproduction of bacteria accelerates.
Features of potato inhalations
For this procedure, peeled potatoes, tubers in their skins or even peels are used. They need to be boiled for a certain time and, avoiding strong cooling, breathe over the steam. Unlike conventional steam inhalation, breathing over potatoes with a runny nose and cough is more effective. This vegetable contains substances that have anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and vasoconstrictive properties. In addition, it contains vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
When hot steam is inhaled, these substances settle on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Therefore, such steam helps to facilitate breathing, accelerate the discharge of mucus and strengthen the body's defenses. They are especially effective on the first day of colds. But, settling on the mucous membrane, the beneficial substances from the potato continue to act for some more time, which increases the effectiveness of the procedure.
Useful action
Inhalations with potato steam are used in the treatment of colds. They are especially effective at the initial stage, as they allow you to eliminate nasal congestion, relieve sore throat and prevent complications. In addition, they are good to help alleviate dry cough with a cold. When used correctly, inhalation has the following effect:
- relieves nasal congestion;
- softens and moisturizes the respiratory mucosa;
- makes breathing easier;
- thinches and removes mucus;
- relieves dry cough;
- relieves tickling and hoarseness;
- eliminates congestion;
- improves blood flow to the respiratory tract;
- speeds up recovery.
Indications for use
Inhalations with potatoes are useful for colds and coughs. They effectively eliminate nasal congestion, accelerate the release of his sinuses from mucus, and the bronchi from sputum. Apply such procedures for colds, flu, bronchitis, laryngitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis. This is an adjunct treatment method that significantly reduces the amount of medication taken. After 2-3 procedures, the patient notices that breathing has become easier, the sore throat has disappeared, and the cough has decreased.
Such inhalations are especially popular withpregnancy. They help a woman cope with a mild cold or eliminate a dry cough without the use of drugs. It is also believed that such procedures eliminate the cough that precedes an attack of bronchial asthma. Such patients can be inhaled several times a day.
Contraindications
Steam inhalations are considered effective for colds, but they must be used correctly. Not all people can breathe over potatoes with a runny nose or cough. There are certain contraindications to the use of such a procedure. First of all, contraindications include children under one year of age, and preschoolers can do inhalation only as prescribed by a doctor and under the supervision of an adult. Such procedures are not used to treat the elderly, with cardiovascular diseases. And for people who smoke, inhalation will be ineffective, as nicotine constricts blood vessels.
In addition, it is contraindicated to do inhalation over potatoes in such cases:
- at elevated body temperature;
- otitis, sore throat;
- pneumonia;
- runny nose or cough of unknown origin;
- for bacterial infections with thick yellow or green mucus;
- high blood pressure;
- frequent nosebleeds;
- presence of a purulent inflammatory process.
What you need for inhalation
For the procedure, not spoiled potatoes of a smallsize so that all the tubers are well cooked. They need to be washed and poured with water so that it only covers the potatoes. You can then breathe over whole tubers or knead them, drain the water or not. There are different options for the procedure. You just need to know how much to cook potatoes in their skins after boiling for inhalation. This depends on the size of the tubers, usually 10 to 25 minutes. Potatoes should not be raw, but they should not be allowed to fall apart.
Most often, inhalation with potatoes is carried out over a wide pot in which they were cooked. But you can transfer the tubers to the teapot and insert a funnel into its spout. You need to breathe over this funnel. This will reduce the risk of facial steam burns. And the last thing you need to pick up for inhalation is a blanket. It is better than a towel as it creates a warming effect. You just need to try to choose a material that does not cause allergies. And you need to cover yourself in such a way as to prevent access of cold air.
How to breathe potatoes with a cold
After preparing the composition for inhalation, the pan should be placed on the table or bed. It is advisable to wrap it in a towel so that it cools down more slowly and the patient does not get burned. When carrying out the procedure in bed, you need to use a pan stand so that the patient does not have to bend over low. Take a handkerchief or a thin towel with you under the covers to wipe sweat and mucus flowing from your nose. If the hair is long, you need to pin it up well.
Next, you need to bend over the pan and cover yourselflarge towel or blanket It is advisable not to allow access to cold air, which will negate the effectiveness of the procedure. It is necessary to inhale the steam so that it does not burn the mucous membrane. If the patient has a runny nose, you need to inhale through the nose, and exhale through the mouth. When the nose is stuffed up, it is advisable to inhale alternately through each nostril, closing the second with your finger.
But it's more important to know how to breathe over potatoes when coughing, as this procedure is most often used for this. In this case, you need to inhale, opening your mouth wide so that the vapor enters the respiratory tract, and exhale through the nose. If the patient has both a cough and a runny nose at the same time, it is necessary to alternately inhale either through the nose or through the mouth, taking two breaths each.
Inhalation over potatoes should be from 5 to 15 minutes. It is important to keep track of your condition. If it gets worse or the nose is stuffed up even more, it is better to stop the procedure.
Rules of procedure
For inhalation to be really effective, you need to follow some rules. The main thing is to perform the procedure no earlier than 1.5 hours after eating. And after it it is undesirable to go out into the street. It is recommended to just lie down, warmly covered, do not talk, eat or drink for half an hour. Therefore, it is better to inhale before going to bed.
Breathe slowly, measuredly and deeply during the procedure. You can not bend very low over the pan, as this can lead to burns of the mucous membrane. In addition, it is advisable to monitor the temperature of the steam, it should not be higher than 40–50 degrees.
Notsuch inhalations will help if the disease has passed into a purulent form, as well as with a bacterial infection. Such pathologies can only worsen under the influence of hot steam. And during pregnancy, this method can be used only after consulting a doctor in the absence of contraindications. But still, the duration of the procedure should be no more than 5 minutes, and when it is performed, you cannot completely cover it.
Inhalation recipes
Besides the usual method of inhalation with potatoes, when they are boiled in their skins, there are several less common recipes. But they are considered effective, as they are carried out using other components that complement and enhance the properties of potatoes. There are several ways to carry out inhalation.
- Small potatoes are boiled in their skins in a small amount of water. It should not boil soft, do not drain the water after cooking.
- If you boil potatoes with oat husks, it will increase the effect on the respiratory tract and help with coughs.
- You can also breathe over peeled and slightly mashed potatoes. It is believed that this way he gives more useful substances.
- If you drain the broth after boiling potatoes and add a few drops of eucalyptus, lavender or clove essential oil to it, this composition can also be used for inhalation. It is especially effective in viral diseases.
- You can collect washed and dried potato peels, and in case of a cold, use them for inhalation. If sprouts appear on them, this is even better, since they have more nutrients. They need to be boiled andcarry out the procedure as with a whole potato.
- When coughing, inhalations with potatoes, s alt and soda are more effective. You need to add some soda and s alt to the pan, mash the potatoes with a fork.
Inhalations for children
This procedure is considered the safest and most effective way to treat a cold. But in recent years, children have been doing it less and less. Babies up to a year of inhalation with potatoes are strictly contraindicated. And at preschool age, it is necessary to carry out the procedure carefully, as the child can get burned. Therefore, it is recommended that the mother sit under the covers with the baby. Make sure the steam is not very hot. And the duration of the procedure for children is 5-10 minutes.
Inhalations with potatoes have long been considered the best remedy for colds. But you can not use them without the advice of a doctor. Improper procedure can worsen the condition of a sick child, cause airway obstruction. This is due to the fact that the airways in children are very narrow. Mucus swollen from hot steam can lead to their overlap. Moreover, the younger the child, the higher the risk of such a complication.
Inhalations with potatoes: reviews
This procedure has been known and popular among the people for a long time. Those who were inhaled with potatoes in childhood continue to be treated in this way. They note that if inhalation is carried out at the first symptoms of a cold, recovery occurs faster. The procedure also helps with dry cough. This method is especially liked by those who try to drink less.medicines.
But there are also negative reviews. Some believe that inhalations are ineffective, purchased medicines and cough syrups help better. Other opponents of the procedure consider it unsafe, as you can burn yourself with steam. There are also those who carried out inhalation, not taking into account contraindications, because of which their condition worsened. But in fact, the application of this procedure is strictly individual. If you apply it with contraindications and follow all the rules, it will help speed up recovery and reduce the amount of medication taken.
