What two actions, related to the airways, do the essential oils in thyme provide when used to soothe respiratory irritation?
Answer
Antispasmodic and expectorant
When utilized for respiratory relief, typically in tea form, the components within thyme essential oils exhibit specific actions crucial for clearing airways. These actions are described as antispasmodic, meaning they help to calm the involuntary contracting muscles lining the airways, and expectorant, which functions to thin mucus, thereby assisting in making a cough more productive. This combination allows for both the relaxation of constricted breathing passages and the effective clearance of thickened secretions.
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