Can pregnant women breathe on potatoes?

Any disease during pregnancy is highly undesirable. After all, even a mild cold at this special time can cause complications. Therefore, absolutely all expectant mothers care about what affordable means in their position can quickly cope with a cough and a runny nose. Such a universal method exists, and it has long been successfully applied in practice. This is inhalation over a pair of boiled potatoes. Considering the fact that even the simplest medicines can not be taken during pregnancy, this folk-tested method for centuries can be considered an ideal option for home treatment.

The advantages of the old way

The mere fact that the known method of inhaling potato vapors has been used by many generations deserves respect. And this type of home treatment has many advantages. Note the main ones:

1. Ethyl alcohol elements are present in boiled potato vapors, as well as dipropylene glycol and tetradecane.
2. Upon inhalation of vapors, metabolic processes are activated.
3. Even after the first session of home therapy, swelling in the nasopharynx noticeably decreases.
4. Healing steam has an anti-inflammatory effect.
5. The procedure improves blood circulation at the site of the vapor.
6. Even a short inhalation improves the outflow of sputum from the bronchi.

This is only part of the beneficial properties of potato steam. Therefore, the expectant mother may well take advantage of a cold with such an affordable, but very effective way of treatment. Experts, having carried out a number of studies, proved that by inhaling potato vapors, up to 40% of mucociliary clearance is provided, that is, the smallest particles of dust, dirt and other harmful impurities are excreted from the body along with sputum. Of course, with all the usefulness of this method of therapy, there are contraindications. True, the number of restrictions is insignificant.

List of contraindications

For natural reasons, the main reason for refusing inhalation over boiled potatoes will be the presence of an allergic reaction to this popular product. Although this phenomenon is extremely rare, but still there is such information. Moreover, intolerance can be congenital or acquired. This factor does not play a role. It is important that before making a decision to try such inhalations on herself, the expectant mother consulted a doctor.

Other contraindications:

• pneumonia at any stage of the development of pathology;
• nose bleed;
• temperature over 37.5 degrees;
• acute sinusitis (this disease requires additional specialist advice).

In addition to these conditions, steam inhalation is not recommended for women who have unstable blood pressure and cerebrovascular problems.

How to carry out inhalation

If there are no contraindications, you can familiarize yourself with the rules for conducting home therapy with potato pairs. In principle, these recommendations are nothing new, but they should still be recalled.

So, the potatoes are boiled for about fifteen minutes. It is very important not to digest the product, the tubers must remain intact. One important point: in the preparation process, it must be taken into account that the volume of water in the dishes should be such that the liquid completely covers the root crops. When the potato acquires the desired level of readiness, the container must be placed on an even wide surface. This requirement is dictated by the creation of a safe environment for manipulation.

Next steps:

1. A pregnant woman should sit comfortably and bend a little over the dishes, hiding with a blanket over her head.
2. Do not bend too low above the container because you can get a burn on your face.
3. If an unpleasant or painful sensation, or dizziness appears, inhalation should be stopped immediately.
4. To ensure that the procedure is completely safe, you should first collect long hair in a bun, and fix the bang with invisible hair.
5. The most convenient time for steam inhalation is the evening hours. It is better to conduct healing sessions just before bedtime, but you can breathe over the potatoes and immediately after waking up in the morning.
6. And another important point is the time of the last meal. So, any inhalation is allowed only an hour and a half after eating.
7. After the procedure, you can lie down a bit. A calm state will only contribute to the healing effect.

How to carry out inhalation with a strong cough

Many expectant mothers, knowing the benefits of inhalation with potato steam, still hesitate to carry out the procedure at home because of intense coughing. In this case, there are also recommendations that can be put into practice.

If the cough interferes with normal breathing, then the pregnant woman can breathe not over ordinary potatoes in their uniforms, but over tubers that are crushed into a homogeneous mass. You can use potato peeling for this purpose by adding one drop of eucalyptus oil or fir to the finished broth. These esters will provide a good sputum outflow.

With intense coughing, one must still be able to breathe correctly during inhalation: first you need to take a few breaths (3-4) through the mouth, and you need to exhale through the nose. Respiratory movements should be smooth. The duration of the procedure for coughing can vary from five to 10 minutes. It all depends on the well-being of the future mother.

Usually, after 2-3 sessions, the intensity of coughing decreases markedly and normal breathing is restored.

You can achieve the maximum effect from the home procedure if you add a little soda salt to the composition for inhalation. As already noted, essential oils increase the effectiveness of treatment even in minimal amounts.

Inhalation treatment can be combined with potato compresses, which are also allowed during pregnancy. But all methods and any possible combinations of them must be discussed with a doctor.

Video: how to breathe over potatoes