Can I Prevent Sinus Congestion
Yes, you can.
Here are helpful preventive tips:
- Avoid smoking – even second hand smoke
- Practice proper hand hygiene
- Keep your vaccinations updated
- Keep a distance from people you suspect have cold and related respiratory infections
- A humidifier may come in handy to moisten and keep the air in your home clean.
- Manage allergens or, possibly, completely avoid them
- Keep your air conditioning units clean to avoid dust and mold accumulation.
Essential Oils For Sinus Congestion And Pressure
That which we call a “stuffy nose” is really just an inflammation in the sinus cavity or mucus membrane which causes a partial or total blockage in the passageways that carry air to the nose. More often than not, that stuffy feeling quickly turns to heavy congestion and pressure between the eyes and in the forehead, and sometimes even in the mouth and jaw, or behind the ears and running down the neck.
Essential Oils For Congestion Recipes To Relieve A Stuffy Nose
Nasal congestion may be caused by a cold or hay fever, or even a developing sinus infection. The sniffling, snotting and mouth-breathing caused by nasal congestion is downright annoying. You may have disrupted sleep due to congestion, your nose may get sore from all the blowing and wiping and your head may hurt from the pressure.
All these symptoms are annoying and cause discomfort that can be alleviated with over the counter medicine. But some of us prefer to try natural remedies before resorting to pharmaceuticals for problems such as congestion.
While typically not a life threatening condition, nasal congestion is not a comfortable thing, and most people want relief as soon as possible. One reason many people prefer to use natural essential oils for congestion instead of cold medication is because they dont want the side effects of drowsiness or irritability. Many congestion relief medications can cause thirst, constipation and some of the drugs may be harmful to internal organs. This makes using essential oils for congestion a smart and healthy first step.
You May Like: Allergy And Sinus Medicine Non Drowsy
Sinus Rx: 4 Diy Essential Oil Recipes To Ease Congestion & Soothe A Sinus Infection
Now that youre familiar with EOs as effective home remedies, its time for application.
You can use the following essential oil blend three ways:
1 Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation therapy is the most direct way to get the oil vapors deep into your sinuses, nasal passages, and respiratory system.
- Slightly melt cacao butter and coconut oil in a small pot.
- Add all EOs and stir well.
- Transfer mixture to small jars or any airtight container with a lid.
- Allow to fully cool off before topically applying to the chest and back as needed.
- Note: Do not apply to nostrils or any area with mucous membranes.
- Pro tip: For a less-fuss, on-the-go application you can add the mixture to empty lip balm containers and apply directly.
4 Kid-Safe Inhaler
This inhaler recipe is gentle enough for babies 6+ months and older.
Inhalers are a great way to help soothe your childs congestion as they are mess-free and portable.
How To Use Essential Oils For Congestion
-
Roll-Ons Our pre-diluted roll-on essential oils are ideal to use topically. Simply swipe the roll-on along your throat, neck, and clavicle. That way, youll keep the aroma close, and be able to inhale it for hours to come. Because it is pre-diluted, you dont have to worry about upsetting sensitive skin.
-
Diffusion Fill your essential oil diffuser with water and the manufacturers recommended amount of oil. For best results, start by diffusing for 30 minutes to an hour, and see how your symptoms progress.
-
Personal inhale Have sensitive family members, roommates or guests? Skip the ultrasonic diffuser and fill your personal inhaler with a few drops of our Breather Easier synergy blend instead. Inhale it throughout the day as needed.
While it can be tempting to double up on dosage when your nasal passage is clogged and you feel like you have a sinus infection, its better not to overwhelm your system when youre already feeling ill. Instead, stick to recommended dilutions and let the best essential oils for congestion gently improve your symptoms.
Caution: Any essential oil listed above with the * symbol are not considered safe for young children.
Don’t Miss: Can I Get Flu Shot If I Have Sinus Infection
Relieve Nasal Congestion With An Essential Oil Sinus Steam
- Original: Feb 15, 2013
This flu season has been anything but gentle. And for many victims, symptoms linger long after the worst of it has passed, typically in the form of coughing and congestion that make breathing a task. But don’t reach for the over-the-counter decongestant. Give an essential oil sinus steam a try in relieving your nasal congestion instead.
Steaming for health has been embraced by many cultures for centuries. Warm and moist air opens both nasal and bronchial passages bringing immediate and long-lasting relief from mucus congestion.
It’s a simple and easy way to help move the congestion out of your body without the use of harsh pharmaceuticals. And it makes your home smell amazing!
This recipe uses pure essential oils, which are condensed essences of botanicals, but you can also use the fresh or dried herbs in a steam if you have them. When choosing essential oils, make sure you’re getting therapeutic grade products. Most health-minded stores carry essential oils, which have many healthy benefits beyond just opening up your breathing passages. A steam is also incredible for your skin, helping to purify and pull out toxinsan added bonus!
Ingredients
3 drops of any/all of these essential oils: rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender, juniper, peppermint and bergamot
Directions
Carefully set the pot on a surface such as a kitchen table so that you’re able to lean directly over it while seated comfortably.
Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger
Types Of Sinus Infection
- Acute sinusitis: This type of sinus infection usually lasts for 2-4 weeks and is often accompanied by a runny nose and facial pain.
- Subacute sinusitis: This lasts for about 4-12 weeks.
- Chronic sinus infection: This takes 12 weeks or longer to heal.
- Recurrent sinusitis: This infection occurs several times throughout the year.
In the next section, we have discussed the causes behind the development of a sinus infection.
Don’t Miss: Best Way To Treat A Viral Sinus Infection
Neti Pot / Sinus Irrigation
Using a Neti pot for nasal irrigation is a tried and tested method to treat a sinus infection without the need for antibiotics. Usually, nasal irrigation is carried out using a salt water solution. Some people add 1 drop of essential oil to the remedy to help unblock congested sinuses, but please remember that essential oils can irritate the delicate tissue in your nasal passages. Also, not all essential oils are recommended for internal use, so you should use them with caution.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal reported that nasal irrigation can help to prevent chronic sinus ailments. Researchers reported that rinsing your sinuses with salt water helps to treat symptoms of sinus infection. They say that nasal irrigation can be an alternative to antibiotics in getting rid of infections in the sinuses.20
To use a Neti pot for clearing sinuses, this is what you should do:
Eight Essential Oils That Can Help Relieve Your Sinus Congestion
If your nose is congested and youâre fighting constant sinus drainage, you may be wondering about the benefits of essential oils for sinus infections and other issues. The good news is that thereâs a long list of what essential oils are good for, and relieving swelling and opening nasal passages are on the list.
Recommended Reading: Common Cold Versus Sinus Infection
How Eos Work To Provide Sinus & Congestion Relief
Its important to choose the right EOs for sinus and congestion relief because not just any EO will do.
In order to maximize their health benefits and healing potential, youll want to look for oils that have the following medicinal and therapeutic properties:
- Analgesic pain relief from sinus headaches and pressure
- Antibacterial to kill and prevent bacteria from growing into an infection
- Antiviral to kill and prevent viruses from causing infections in the nasal passages
- Antifungal to kill and prevent fungi from growing
- Antiseptic to inhibit the growth of microbes and keep your sinuses clean
- Anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve inflamed sinus passages
- Antioxidant to help fight inflammation and free radicals
- to relieve sinus congestion and remove excess mucus
- to address any low-grade fever that might be present
- Immune system support to help your body fight infections
- Respiratory system support to aid in decongestion and difficulty breathing
The Best Essential Oils For Nasal Congestion
Sinus congestion is a common condition that we all experience every now and then. While we all eventually experience a stuffy nose, having nasal congestion can be a considerable inconvenience. Sinus congestion can make it hard to breathe, talk, and sleep. This can negatively affect a persons quality of life. While there are many over-the-counter medications available to help ease a stuffy nose, some can less than desirable side effects. Feeling spaced out and drowsy is a common occurrence with many over-the-counter medications, but not everyone wants to feel like this. Many only want to take medication to feel better, not feel worse. Luckily, there are natural ways to clear congestion without the negative side effects.
However, before you use essential oils, make sure you dilute them before use and do not use them internally. If you are looking for a natural way to open your airways and ease congestion, check out some of the best essential oils for nasal congestion.
Read Also: Can You Go To Urgent Care For A Sinus Infection
Sea Fennel Essential Oil
This variety of fennel grows on the rocky shores of Greece and other Mediterranean countries. It has long been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including respiratory symptoms. In fact, its one of our favorite essential oils for chest congestion.
Recent research has confirmed that this aromatic oil has at least three potent anti inflammatory properties
This sweet, herbaceous oil can be a perfect choice for anyone who finds Camphorous oils like Eucalyptus overwhelming, whether due to an upset stomach or a sensitive nose.
Do Essential Oils Work For Sinus Congestion
While there isnt much research on using essential oils for sinus congestion, many people find that certain blends provide near-instant relief. Many people who use essential oils for medicinal purposes want to live a more natural lifestyle or may have allergies or negative reactions to medications commonly used to treat sinus problems. Thankfully, you can use essential oils for congestion to feel better fast without medicine.
Read Also: Sinus Medication For Pregnant Women
Where To Buy Essential Oils
Ive had a lot of people ask me where I get my essential oils. There are a lot of different places to get them, but some are better than others.
You want to make sure you get pure, natural essential oils. You dont want oils that have been mixed with alcohol or are synthetic as they can be irritating to babies .
After doing extensive research on various essential oil companies, I buy a lot of my essential oils from Plant Therapy.
Essential Oil Safety Tips
When diffusing essential oils around babies and children, always err on the side of caution. Essential oils are incredibly powerful and when used correctly, have so many wonderful benefits.
Likewise, because of their incredible power, they have the potential to be harmful if used incorrectly.
Only use gentle oils that are known to be safe for use around children. Use a very small amount and diffuse the blend in a large, open room.
Have you tried this essential oil blend for babies? Rate it and leave a comment below to let me know how it worked for you!
Recommended Reading: Remedies To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection
What Are Essential Oils
Essential oils are the compounds that manufacturers extract from the bark, flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and other parts of plants.
Distillation by steam, water, or mechanical methods, including cold pressing, are usually the methods for extracting the compounds from the plant. What remains after the distillation process is an essential oil. Though usually, they are not actually oily but range anywhere from thin fluid to a thicker, viscous consistency.
Most studies exploring essential oils and depression look at their use in aromatherapy. During aromatherapy, people either inhale oils through the nose or mouth or dilute them with a carrier oil and rub them into the skin, as in a massage.
Massage oils consist of a carrier oil such as olive, almond, avocado, or coconut oil with a small amount of essential oil.
Medical professionals also recommend that people do an allergy patch test before using essential oils.
To do a patch test, dilute 3 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil and rub the mixture into an area the size of a quarter on the inside of the forearm. If there is no allergic response within 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use.
It is possible to develop allergies to essential oils after using them many times before. If a new allergic response appears, the individual should stop using it immediately and avoid its aroma.
Essential Oil Therapy For Sinus Relief
The sinuses are responsible for promoting drainage of mucus into the nose and allowing air into the cavities. Bacteria, viruses, and allergens can infect or irritate healthy sinuses and cause blockage, congestion, and discomfort. Sinus infections can make life miserable on a seasonal basis or chronically by making it difficult to breathe or sleep. They can cause pressure and pain behind your eyes, a constantly running nose, and an annoying cough.
Thankfully, certain essential oils are known to clear up nasal passageways and relieve sinus pressure and other congestion symptoms. They are a natural alternative to synthetic medications and have been used for centuries to support emotional and physical health.
Essential Oils For Sinus Congestion:
- Tea Tree antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
- Eucalyptus cough suppressant, reduces pain and inflammation
- Peppermint reduces pain and inflammation
- Oregano antibacterial, antifungal
How to Use Essential Oils
- Direct inhalation waft the oils aroma from the bottle towards the face
- Steam inhalation combine the oils with hot water to create therapeutic facial steam
- Diffusers disperse the diluted oils throughout the air via steam
- Aromatherapy bath add a few drops to your bath water
- Aromatherapy massage add a few drops to your favorite massage lotion or oil
Things You Should Know Before Using Essential Oils:
Recommended Reading: Best Nighttime Medicine For Sinus Infection
Benefits Of Lavender Frankincense & Lemon Essential Oils For Colds
Lavender essential oilhas been used for hundreds of years and is known for its calming, therapeutic properties. It is a very gentle essential oil and is one of the safest essential oils to use around babies.
Frankincense essential oil does an excellent job at clearing the sinuses, and its a lot gentler than Eucalyptus essential oil
Lemon essential oil is a natural disinfectant, that is naturally anti-bacterial. It can also help to ease anxiety and depression.
Risks And Side Effects
Numerous health organizations have warned about the risks of using essential oils, especially as a replacement for standard treatments. Some risks include:
- Poisoning: It is not safe to ingest essential oils. Many essential oils, including eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and camphor, are toxic. Even those that are safe to consume in small doses may be poisonous at larger doses. For this reason, people must keep diffusers away from children and pets and wash their hands after touching the oils.
- Skin irritation: Many essential oils can irritate the skin, especially if a person makes direct contact with undiluted oil.
- Inhalation: While it is safe to put diluted oils in a diffuser, directly inhaling essential oils or putting them in the nose may be dangerous.
- Drug interactions:
Here we answer some common questions about these diffusers.
Recommended Reading: Can Sinus Infection Cause Permanent Hearing Loss
Sinus Headache Relief: 10 Simple Ways To Soothe Your Sinus Headache
Many of us suffer from sinus problems now and then. For some, sinusitis can be a common occurrence. Those who suffer from sinus issues will know how uncomfortable it can get, having to bear with symptoms such as sinus headache and blocked ears. In this article, we look at some causes and symptoms of sinus headache, and cover 10 home remedies that might provide sinus headache relief.