The market for cannabidiol (CBD) oil is growing rapidly. What started out as a supplement taken by few people is now used by millions across Australia and the rest of the world.
CBD’s health benefits range from reducing inflammation to easing anxiety. In addition, some people use CBD oil to relieve respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and croup.
It is estimated that 1 in 9 Australians (11%) have asthma. In addition, in 2014-15 alone, an estimated 1 in 20 Australians aged 45 or over reported suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), an umbrella term that includes chronic bronchitis.
Meanwhile, croup is a common respiratory infection in children aged 6 months to 3 years.
What all of these conditions have in common is that they involve inflammation in the lungs, trachea, larynx (voice box), and other parts of the respiratory system.
So, how can CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects help with respiratory conditions? Read on to find out.
How Can CBD Oil Help with Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions?
Cannabis has been used to relieve asthma and other respiratory illnesses since the times of Ancient Egypt, so it’s not surprising that CBD can help as well.
In fact, CBD is known for potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help with a wide range of conditions. The scientific explanation for this is simple: CBD and other cannabinoids interact with the immune system, which is what drives inflammation in the human body.
Specifically, research shows that CBD reduces inflammation in two main ways:
- Reducing the activity of immune cells
- Reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines — molecules produced by immune cells that increase inflammation
As it happens, inflammation is the central cause of most respiratory conditions.
For example, both asthma and bronchitis are characterized by acute or chronic inflammation in the lungs that makes it difficult to breathe.
This means taking CBD oil when you have these or other respiratory illnesses can improve symptoms such as coughing and chest pain by reducing airway inflammation.
CBD Oil, Asthma, and Inflammation: The Research
Research on the use of CBD oil for asthma and other respiratory conditions is still in its early stages but shows promising results.
For example, a 2015 Brazilian study in rats showed that CBD improved asthma by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-6, and TNF-α. The researchers concluded that “These effects suggest a potential for a new asthma treatment since CBD controls the exaggerated inflammatory response.”
In addition, there is research showing that cannabis (which contains CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids) can relieve asthma attacks. Most notably, a 2014 French study showed that THC and other cannabinoids can help not just through reducing inflammation but also directly dilating the airways, making it easier for air to get into the lungs.
Finally, there are dozens of other research studies demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in other conditions.
CBD Oil vs Prescription Medication for Respiratory Conditions
Many people are turning to CBD oil and other holistic alternatives to prescription medication for asthma and other respiratory issues.
The reason why is simple: medications prescribed for asthma and bronchitis don’t work for everyone and can cause unwanted side effects. For example, corticosteroids, the most widely-used anti-inflammatory asthma drugs, can cause a sore throat.
By comparison, CBD is a natural substance that’s been shown to be exceptionally safe in multiple research studies.
CBD Oil Dosage For Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions
There isn’t enough research to suggest the ideal dosage of CBD oil for asthma, bronchitis, and related conditions.
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend starting out with the lowest possible dose of your CBD oil tincture and increasing until you experience the desired relief. You can also follow the dosage instructions written on the label of your particular product.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil for Relieving Respiratory Issues
We hope this article helped shed some light on how CBD oil can provide relief for asthma, bronchitis, croup, and other respiratory illnesses.
If you’re looking to buy CBD oil in Australia to help with these and other health issues we highly recommend choosing a full-spectrum CBD hemp oil
This is because full-spectrum hemp extracts contain not just CBD, but also non-psychoactive amounts of THC and other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes. These compounds work together in natural synergy, improving each other’s effects.
One such full-spectrum CBD oil available to Australians is sold by the brand Good Alternatives. We’ve heard many positive testimonials for this CBD oil. For example, one mom was able to relieve her son’s croup-related cough.
