Respiration

The respiratory system is responsible for your breathing and consists of the lungs, airways and trachea. Each breath is used by your body to carry oxygen to your cells to help them grow, reproduce and perform their various functions. Essential oils such as Peppermint have been used for hundreds of years to support healthy breathing.

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How does breathing get oxygen to your toes? It all starts with your mouth and nose. When you breathe in, a muscle under your lungs contracts, the diaphragm. This pulls air through your nose or mouth, where the air is warmed. This is important because if the air is too cold or dry, it can irritate your lungs and cause problems when you try to breathe.

From there, air travels down your windpipe through two tubes called bronchi into your lungs. In the lungs, the bronchi branch into smaller and smaller tubes, the smallest of which are called bronchioles, which are about as thin as a piece of hair. Air travels through these tubes into small pouches at the end of each bronchiole called alveoli. The alveoli of the lung are surrounded by tiny capillaries so small that blood cells can only travel through them one at a time. From the alveoli, oxygen passes through these capillaries where it attaches to blood cells that are then pumped by the heart, making its way throughout the body.

As the blood distributes oxygen to your cells, it simultaneously takes carbon dioxide, a waste product ofjo your body's natural processes, and returns it to the lungs. Carbon dioxide then makes the reverse journey of oxygen and is exhaled. This is how carbon dioxide leaves the body. This happens when the diaphragm relaxes, which pushes the air out of your lungs. This process happens thousands of times a day, usually unnoticed unless there is a disturbance such as coughing.

Keeping your airways healthy is important. Exercising regularly, eating well and getting enough sleep each day – these are the keys to helping your respiratory system so it can function properly. Essential oils can also support feelings of free airways and easy breathing.* If you're looking for a good way to support your respiratory system, try oils like Peppermint, doTERRA On Guard® Lemon or Cardamon.* You can also use doTERRA Air on the Skin® or Eucalyptus (diluted with fractionated coconut oil) for a cooling, soothing sensation.

If a change in season can prepare you for trouble, try TriEase® Softgels Seasonal Blend daily to support your respiratory system through the seasons.

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